Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD has today, Monday 21^st November, at an event at the Kerry North Campus, announced that the green light has been given to Munster Technological University (MTU) to proceed to the next phase for the Kerry Campus Learner Centre under the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF).

The Kerry Campus Learner Centre will facilitate the further expansion of the Kerry North Campus which will serve 2,000-3,000 students. This proposed new building will serve as the heart of the North Campus providing a central location for learners. The building will include consolidated and additional facilities to improve the student experience, student services and supports. The Kerry Campus Learner Centre is another key element of the University’s Masterplan that seeks to expand campus infrastructure and develop MTU as a leading Technological University.

Speaking today at the announcement Minister Harris said: "I am delighted to announce another milestone moment for the development of MTU. Today we give the go ahead for a new Learner Centre on the Kerry Campus. This project has been successful in the first part of the assessment process for the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund. The Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund is the centre of the Department’s investment strategy."

MTU President Professor Maggie Cusack, welcomed the announcement: "The development of this Learner Centre can benefit students and staff across the southwest region. MTU has ambitions to become a truly great technological university with a global reach. To do this, we will require continuing capital investment, and today’s announcement is a very welcome step in that process. We can now look forward to MTU growing as a great place to study and work for generations to come."

Chair of MTU’s Governing Body, Jimmy Deenihan commented: "This development is a vote of confidence in our university. Not only does it enhance Tralee as a university town, it also makes MTU very attractive to students and staff across the region. I am very grateful for Minster Harris’ continuing support for MTU and look forward to building a strong case for further investment in our university to expand and improve our infrastructure as a lasting legacy for the southwest."

The building will prove critical in delivering upon the University’s mission and vision by providing the much-needed physical infrastructure to enable the development of the student experience across MTU’s Kerry campuses. The building will support MTU's ambition to have a unified approach to the delivery of academic and support services across campuses. Having facilities that attract students and staff to work at MTU will assist in driving economic development and growth in the southwest region.