Minister announces £70m contract for Tyrone colleges

Employment and Learning Minister, Jane Kennedy has announced plans to build two colleges in Co Tyrone at the cost £70 million.

Newry based firm, O’Hare and McGovern will build the new colleges in Omagh and the Dungannon campus of the East Tyrone College, while Interserve, a support services group, will take responsibility for the 30-year facilities management contract.

Commenting on the contract, the Minister said: "For some time now my Department has recognised that the current accommodation in Omagh and East Tyrone colleges was in urgent need of modernisation. However, thanks to the excellent management and staff in both colleges, students have continued to receive a high quality and professional service.

"The provision of these facilities has only been possible through the use of the Government’s Private Finance Initiative. It is through PFI that Government can benefit from private sector innovation and skills to deliver cost-effective management, operation and development of the further education estate."

Work has started recently on the construction of the two colleges, which will provide a combined accommodation for around 12,000 full and part-time students. Omagh College is expected to be complete by early 2006, while work on East Tyrone

College will be carried out on in three phases and should be completed by September 2006.

(MB)