FÁS to devise new plan for Mount Lucas “white elephant”
by Tadhg Carey Updated: Tuesday, 7th December, 2010 5:00pm
FÁS is assessing the potential long-term uses for a controversial €6.7m training centre on a 33-acre site at Mount Lucas in North Offaly.
The building was designed as a major training facility for construction workers, but the collapse of that industry has left the building “under utilised”.
Last week, FÁS Director General Paul O’Toole told the Dáil Public Accounts Committee that he had sought a report on potential future longterm uses of the facility.
“I have asked the team, which will report to me, about a further plan for the longterm use of the facility. The team has looked at a number of ideas in relation to this. It is looking at the feasibility of longterm use. Given that the facility exists, we aim to have maximum utilisation,” he said.
Mr O’Toole said FÁS had previously admitted, the facility was being under-utilised. In July, the Public Accounts Committee heard there were only three staff working in the facility and the public sector recruitment embargo meant that no additional staff could be recruited.
At the time, committee chairman Fine Gael Deputy Bernard Allen wondered if the centre was now a “massive white elephant”.
In the meantime, the organisation has changed the course structure. Last week, Mr O’Toole told the committee the VEC was now using part of the premises and four evening training courses were underway. Just under 180 people would go through the facility this year, he said.
He clarified that there were now two full-time staff, some VEC tuition staff and instructors coming in the evenings.
He added: “This is not an ideal situation as the facility is not being used to the extent originally envisaged. We would like to increase utilisation of the facility. I acknowledge all the points in this regard. Having been given the centre, we are trying to the best of our ability, in very different and difficult circumstances, to ensure there is some utilisation.”
