Minister of State Peter Burke, John Geoghegan and Minister Simon Harris at the meeting on Monday.

Minister Harris outlines 'path forward' for further education facility at Columb Barracks

Monday's meeting between the Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris and local stakeholders about the future of Columb Barracks has risen hopes that a third level training facility will be one of the cornerstones of its regeneration.

At the meeting, which was facilitated by the Land Development Agency, Minister Harris met with members of The Columb Barracks Advisory Group, as well as representatives from a number of bodies including LWETB, Technological University of the Shannon (TuS), Solas, Enterprise Ireland and Westmeath PPN. Among those also in attendance were Minister of State Peter Burke and historian Jason McKevitt.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, advisory group member John Geoghegan said that at the meeting a "clear path" towards the establishment of a third level/further education facility in a regenerated Columb Barracks was put forward.

Throughout his presidency of Mullingar Chamber, Mr Geoghegan has repeatedly said that the regeneration of the barracks has to include an educational facility. He says that after Monday's meeting with Minister Harris, he is "very hopeful" that there will be an educational dimension to the regeneration project.

"It was a very frank and open discussion. He has given us a number of pointers. They did identify a clear path forward. Minister Burke and Minister Harris made it very clear to everyone that it is time to get a move on and to make the project happen. Urgency was the big word.

"All of this is subject to department funding and applications being successful and in line with government strategy; nothing is a given but we understand the LWETB and TuS are key to this," he said.

In addition to discussing the establishment of a third level training facility, there was also a discussion on the wider regeneration of the barracks.

"There is considerable engagement as to what the existing buildings in the barracks could be used for. There is a lot of room in this for the community groups and the historical preservation of the church, jail and maintaining the overall historical integrity of the barracks. It's a huge step forward and it was great to see everyone present," Mr Geoghegan said.