MINISTER HARRIS HEARS OF DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR WICKLOW COUNTY CAMPUS

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Mr Simon Harris TD, heard about proposals for the further development of Wicklow County Campus planned by Wicklow County Council when he visited the site on Friday last. 

The Minister was greeted at Clermont House, Wicklow County Campus, by the Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, Cllr Shay Cullen; Mr Michael Nicholson, Deputy Chief Executive; Ms Lorraine Gallagher, Director of Services, and Head of Enterprise, Ms Vibeke Delahunt. 

Cllr Shay Cullen welcomed the Minister to the Campus advising that “Content Creation (Film), Renewables; Food and Beverage - these three sectors are not only well established in County Wicklow but also have the potential for rapid growth and development in line with the Regional Enterprise Plan.”  

Following a tour of the site for the Content Creation Hub and Clermont House, Minister Harris was briefed on a number of developments and future plans for County Wicklow.  These included presentations by Vibeke Delahunt, Linda Healy and Christine Flood on the Local Enterprise Office, the Content Creation Hub, Screen Skills Training, the Screen Strategy, Campus Companies, the Renewable Energy and Food Sectors.

Responding to the presentations, Minister Harris outlined the role of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. He said he could see opportunities for the development of the 55-acre facility, for investment in further education and the possibility of progressing from further to higher education all within the campus. He welcomed the Council’s openness to collaborating with IT Carlow and KWETB to achieve their vision for developing a centre of excellence in innovation, enterprise and education.

Mr. Michael Nicholson, Deputy Chief Executive, Wicklow County Council, stated: Wicklow County Council has been busy in its efforts to attract and sustain business in the County and also to create the conditions through provision of infrastructure and support for developing our talent, to ensure that this county is seen as a Centre of Excellence in areas such as film, food and renewables.”

Minister Harris also met with Cllr Tom Fortune, Chairman of the Economic Development and Enterprise Support Strategic Policy Committee; Cllr John Snell, member of the Board of Clermont Enterprise Hub CLG, along with senior representatives from IT Carlow and Wicklow County Council.

Ends