€40M Cavan campus project moves to pre-tender stage

The development of a €40 million College of The Future for Cavan has moved to the “pre-tender” phase, members of the board of Cavan and Monaghan ETB were informed at their December monthly meeting.

The meeting, the first since the General Election, took place in the existing Cavan Institute building on Farnham Road last week.

The progress was welcomed by ETB CEO Dr Fiona McGrath.

Its award follows a robust evaluation process by SOLAS under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund.

The Cavan project was one of only 10 selected for investment, a decision announced only last month.

“Gate 1” or the pre-tender stage involves project design, planning and procurement.

Envisaged is a new FET facility that will serve upwards of 1,000 students while consolidating existing accommodation to one location in Cavan Town.

The CMETB leases a number of properties across the County Town, some of which are costly and lengthy arrangements.

The lease of office units at Church View Square costs €289,050 per annum, and runs until 2044; as does the agreement on units at Hampton Court, which cost €252,822.48 per year.

The ETB also has a five-year lease on a unit on the Ballinagh road at €55,000 per year, due to expire in September 2026; and another for Cavan Youthreach at Moynehall, now €50,000 per annum, which expires in January 2028.

The board also rent unit 3 at Killygarry Business Park until August next year at a rate of €49,000 per annum.