Minister for European Affairs and local Dublin Central Deputy, Paschal Donohoe TD, said the development of the central DIT campus at Grangegorman has the potential to radically transform the face of Dublin's north inner city.

Minister Donohoe was at the site with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin TD, for the launch of Joining up the Dots II & the Grangegorman Policy Framework; the aim of which is to identify the best ways to maximise employment opportunities for the local communities during the development of the campus.

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He said: "I was thoroughly impressed at the extent of the progress being made at the Grangegorman DIT site. The development, which will bring the existing 39 DIT locations across Dublin together on one site, is really taking shape and is on course to have 1,000 students in situ by September.

"This project, which was the flagship of the stimulus plan launched by the Government in July 2012, is set to radically change the face of Dublin's north inner city, during the construction phase and beyond.

"With 3,500 jobs being created during the construction phase, and a local employment charter in place, the opportunities that present for out of work labourers and contractors in the area are significant.

"It is estimated that 16% of the jobs created on site are going to people in the local community, with a target of 20% set for the period ahead. By the time of its completion in 2017, DIT Grangegorman will have 10,000 students in attendance, which will have a considerable knock-on effect for local shop and business owners and the local domestic economy generally."

(CD/JP)