By Michelle Crean

The former Pretty Polly site, which has been derelict for years, is to be transformed into a major state-of-the-art educational facility.

WELCOME NEWS: Education Minister Norma Foley has welcomed the news of today’s announcement that the green light has been given to milestone capital projects for Munster Technological University (MTU) and Kerry Education and Training Board’s College of the Future in Killarney.

LOCATION: Kerry TD Brendan Griffin with Minister Simon Harris at the Pretty Polly site in March.

Kerry Education and Training Board (KETB) has this morning (Monday) received approval to proceed to the next stage in developing a College of The Future (COTF) in Killarney.

The project proposed involves overhauling an existing factory site, including the existing on-site buildings and transforming it into a state-of-the-art campus.

The intention is to transform the existing site into a state-of-the-art campus to develop a Centre of Excellence in Hospitality Training, a Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Sustainable Green Technologies and a Regional Centre of Excellence for Lifelong Learning.

The Killarney Campus will deliver training to 3,573 in the first year, 3,591 in year two and 3,609 in year three.

In addition, Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland, has confirmed Munster Technological University (MTU) has been given the go ahead to proceed to the next phase for the Kerry Campus Learner Centre under the Technological Sector Strategic Projects (TSSPF) Fund.

“These are two significant developments furthering the development of education in County Kerry," Education Minister Norma Foley said.

"I want to thank my Cabinet colleague Minister Harris who has engaged with me in securing these projects and also acknowledge the vision and input of both Kerry ETB and the MTU. By advancing these ambitious projects we will ensure that the technological and further education and training sectors in Kerry have access to state-of-the-art facilities that will drive economic growth and social development, expand digital teaching and learning facilities and create and expand key centres of excellence.”

Kerry TD Brendan Griffin, who brought Minister Harris on-site there last March and organised a meeting between him and Kerry ETB and Killarney hoteliers in the Dromhall, also welcomed the positive news.

The CEO of Kerry ETB, Colm McEvoy said that the announcement is "welcome" following the assessment of our Strategic Assessment Report for this proposal.

"Kerry ETB is delighted to get approval to proceed to the next phase in this process and develop a formal business case," he said.

“We are determined to bring this project to reality and work will commence immediately on developing the business case. When completed this new campus in Killarney, which is fully aligned with the organisations commitment to supporting life-long learning, will provide a regional and national FET campus of excellence that will benefit thousands of learners and support local, regional and national development.

"I wish to thank the Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and SOLAS for their continued support of our vision for the future of further education and training across County Kerry.”