Leas Ceann Comhairle and Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow–Kilkenny, John McGuinness, has warmly welcomed the announcement by Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless approving the appointment of a design team for the new Further Education and Training (FET) campus in Kilkenny.
The announcement was made during Minister Lawless’s visit to Kilkenny on 18th February 2026 and marks a significant milestone in delivering the long-awaited single-site FET facility at Joinersfolly, south of Kilkenny City. The site, purchased just over a year ago, is expected to accommodate up to 5,000 students when complete.
Deputy McGuinness described the development as “a transformative project for Kilkenny and the wider South-East region.”
“For too long, FET courses have been delivered across 14 different locations in the city. This state-of-the-art ‘College of the Future’ will bring students, staff and services together under one roof, creating a modern, purpose-built learning environment,” he said.
“This is a massive boost for Kilkenny,” Deputy McGuinness continued. “It will not only provide high-quality education and apprenticeship opportunities, but also generate significant construction employment and long-term economic benefits for our city.”
The facility is expected to offer a full range of further education courses, including expanded apprenticeship programmes aligned with industry needs.
The announcement was also warmly welcomed by Cllr Deirdre Cullen, member of the Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board (KCETB), who said the approval of the design team represents “real and tangible progress towards delivering a dedicated home for thousands of learners.”
Deputy McGuinness concluded: “Students and parents have been asking when this new campus would become a reality. Today’s announcement sends a clear message — it is happening, and Kilkenny’s future in further education is bright.”
