The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science, Simon Harris visited the Leitrim Youthreach base in Mohill on Monday 10th of October to announce a very significant funding under the FET Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund for the programme.
The investment will see the development of the new MSLETB Further Education and Training Centre, Mohill, Co. Leitrim as part of Leitrim College of FET. The funding will see the redevelopment of the old vocational school in Mohill as the new FET Campus. Youthreach Leitrim is a Centre of Education for early school leavers who want to re-enter the education system. The centre caters for 25 learners in the age range of 15 – 20.
Minister Harris was welcomed to the proposed location for the new home of Youthreach Leitrim by MSLETB CE Tom Grady, Director of Further Education and Training Peter Egan, Leitrim Youthreach Co-ordinator Cathriona Glancy O’Shea and Councillor Enda Stenson, Frank Feighan TD and Martin Kenny TD. He toured the location of the new centre and heard about MSLETB’s commitment to advancing the development of the FET college of the future concept.
The Minister then visited the current Leitrim Youthreach facility and was given a tour of the facilities where he had the opportunity to meet current and past staff, learners and members of the community.
Speaking at the event minister Harris said:
“Every time I travel to a Youthreach centre, I am reminded of the incredible, life-changing work the staff do. Yet the facilities for Youthreach are not fit-for-purpose. Today, we are changing that. Today, I am here in Leitrim to confirm a considerable investment to deliver appropriate accommodation.This will develop Youthreach learners but also will be extended to assist those who wish to engage in part-time or evening courses.”
MSLETB CE Tom Grady stated:
“It is a wonderful opportunity to be able to welcome the Minister for Further and Higher Education to Leitrim Youthreach. The Department of Further Education has supported our programmes greatly and being able to showcase the plans for future development in this facility is fantastic. The development of this start-of-the-art facility will be not only an asset to Leitrim Youthreach but to the community itself. We look forward to welcoming Minister Harris back in the future once the development is completed.”
These new facilities will form part of the fully integrated Leitrim College FET Campus infrastructure and will assist the growth of education and training in Leitrim. Many future learners from across the county will benefit from these new facilities as will the local and regional economy.
