Minister Simon Harris (left) receives a tour from Martin O’Brien, chief executive of LMETB, at the announcement of a multi-million euro funding under the SOLAS Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund for the upgrade of its Abbey Road premises.

€5m education boost in Navan

Noelle Finegan

Published: Thu 8 Sep 2022, 12:38 PM

Last updated: Thu 8 Sep 2022, 12:39 PM

A major investment of €5 million to develop Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) premises at Abbey Road, Navan, was announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris on Monday, when he visited the town.

The funding will be used to upgrade the existing educational facility and will allow LMETB combine several of its existing further education services in the area into one central location, as well as providing a fit for purpose centre for Navan Youthreach.

The outdated prefabricated buildings on the two-acre site will be removed and the existing building will get a much needed refurbishment to bring about better facilities for the staff and for those people who use the services at Abbey Buildings.

An important aspect of this investment is a new, permanent fit for purpose centre for Navan Youthreach , which in the past operated out of three sites and will is currently in a leased building.

The project will also include a retrofitting programme to promote sustainable development principles and advance the attainment of climate action targets for the buildings. As well as the local investiment, Minister Harris also announced funding to expand capacity at Drogheda Institute of Further Education under the capital spending funded through SOLAS.

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Navan Youthreach members chat with Simon Harris, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, during his visit to Abbey Road on Monday. Photos: Ken Finegan KEN FINEGAN NEWSPICS

The projects will now move to the appointment of a design team to prepare a more detailed project brief in consultation with stakeholders.

Martin O’Brien, CEO of LMETB said, “Preparing our people for careers has never been more important. Our aim is to continue to deliver high quality learning and teaching environments for the people in our region. LMETB’s strategic and innovative developments to date are testament to our visions and ambitions, and with this latest investment, yet more people will be prepared for life and the world of work.’’

Minister Damien English also welcomed the news, saying: “I am thrilled to see a permanent building for Youthreach Navan as part of today’s announcement. This will provide a real solid foundation for the future delivery of their education, training, and work programmes for early school leavers aged between 15 and 20 years of age. Youthreach carry out a vital service and offers support to young people to help identify what they would like to do in adult life and in navigating their educational journey.”