Minister For Higher Education James Lawless (FF) has given the green light to Kilkenny & Carlow Education Training Board (KCETB) to progress the new Further Education and Training (FET) campus in Kilkenny.
Speaking on The KCLR Daily today, Minister Lawless said the 15-acre site for the campus in Joiners Folly is expected to accommodate up to 5,000 students when complete.
During a busy morning in Kilkenny, Minister Lawless described the project as a priority for his Department.
“I had the opportunity to meet with the leadership team of KCETB to discuss their plans for the new FET College in Kilkenny City. I also visited the proposed site for the college and saw first-hand the potential this development holds for learners and the wider community.
“At the meeting, I confirmed that I have instructed my department officials and relevant agencies to prioritise work on these projects, with a view to ensuring that design teams are appointed in 2026 for those ETBs that are ready to proceed…
“My officials and I look forward to continued collaboration with KCETB on our shared skills agenda, and shared commitment to empowering people and communities through learning.”
According to KCETB’s Director of Further Education and Training, Martha Bolger stated: “We are delighted that the Minister has given the go ahead for the KCETB College of the Future to move on to the next phase. The Minister has committed to having a design team appointed by the end of the year. KCETB’s FET Service is evolving at pace to meet the needs of learners, communities and employers across Kilkenny and Carlow.
“From Apprenticeship to Adult Literacy, to expanded engineering and green skills provision, we are focused on delivering responsive, innovative programmes that create real pathways into sustainable careers. Today’s visit provided an important opportunity to demonstrate how our partnerships, facilities and learner‑centred approaches are shaping a vibrant and agile FET ecosystem for the region.”
Minister Lawless joined Brian Redmond on this morning’s KCLR Daily.
