Funding boost for Athlone IT

There is good news for Athlone IT today with a major funding boost announced for the third-level institute.

Local Deputy Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran has revealed this afternoon that a €750,000 capital grant has been allocated to Athlone Institute of Technology.

“I would like to warmly welcome the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton’s confirmation of the grant which will used to address the institute’s most critical health and safety, infrastructure and ICT needs,” said Deputy Moran.

Deputy Moran said the grant, which will ensure that the institutes can fund a range of small-scale building works, refurbishment of existing facilities and /or upgrade equipment. This funding is being made to the institutes by the Department of Education and Skills through the Higher Education Authority. 

“There are currently 5,700 full-time and part-time students in AIT and the Institute has ambitious plans to expand student numbers by up to 40%. Athlone IT is fast developing a growing reputation for the courses it delivers across its four schools of business, engineering, humanities and science,” said Deputy Moran.

“As the Minister has pointed out, this is the third year in a row that such funding has been approved and reflects the Government’s commitment to addressing the most urgent infrastructural needs among the Institutes of Technology,” added Deputy Moran. The funding will allow Institutes to undertake necessary improvement works, address urgent health and safety concerns, and to commence programmes of equipment renewal including upgrade of IT facilities,” the Independent Alliance TD concluded.