Tanaiste opens ITB horticulture facility

A MAJOR expansion of the

?¬1.25 million horticulture facility at IT Blanchardstown (ITB) has been launched by An Tanaiste and Minister for Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton.

The launch on Friday, September 19, coincided with the 100th meeting of ITB’s Governing Body and the Dublin West TD said she was delighted to see the expansion first hand.

“ITB’s links with enterprise and policy makers has led to the expansion of the Horticulture facility,

? she continued.

“This investment will open new and exciting opportunities for staff and students alike.

?
The Tanaiste praised ITB for

“successfully delivering full and part-time horticulture courses

? that are designed in collaboration with private companies, local authorities and industry representatives.

“I am delighted also to see that work placement is a significant part of the horticulture programme at ITB,

? she added.

“This gives them a taster of the business of horticulture and introduces them to major players in the industry, and more importantly leads to greater employable outcomes for graduates.

“In addition ITB actively promotes community involvement by organising work placements for their horticultural students in a number of local schools and the James Connolly Memorial Hospital.

?

The Tanaiste also noted that some ITB horticulture students are working closely with Fingal County Council in the Shackelton Walled Garden project, offering them a rare opportunity to be part of a significant Irish restoration project.

“In the future this new horticulture facility could be pivotal in developing research opportunities for staff and students in horticulture,

? she said.

President of ITB, Dr Mary Meaney, thanked the Tanaiste for opening what she described as a

“fantastic addition to our campus

?.

“We also look forward to welcoming the community, industry and education partners and local schools to visit the new facility at a special open day we are planning later in the academic year,

? she added.

ITB plays an increasingly important role in third level education within the Dublin 15 area and its surrounds, a part of the city that has changed almost beyond recognition since 1999.
It’s now the college of choice for schools in the immediate area. Set in 22.5 hectares of land ITB has a unique opportunity to develop impressive horticulture facilities.

It boasts glasshouses, poly-tunnels, workshops and welfare facilities as well as a range of outdoor practical work areas for fruit and vegetable production and sports turf management.
In recent years, other developments have included both synthetic and natural grass pitches, a sports pavilion, and a shuttle bus service linking the college with Blanchardstown village, the shopping centre and Coolmine Railway Station.