Limerick Institute of Technology has officially opened its new state-of-the-art campus in Co Clare.

Located on Bindon Street in Ennis, the new campus is a centre of learning for students in disciplines as diverse as Social Care Work, Early Childhood Education & Care as well as Marketing and Management.

This project saw €1 million invested to refurbish a vacant building in the town's historic centre to bring it to the standard required by a modern education campus. Jada Projects Ltd completed the work on the scheme.

Officially opening the new campus, Minister of State for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen said: "The new campus is a welcome addition to the county town. LIT is not just as a provider of an internationally recognised third level education, but is a driver of economic development.

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"LIT is renowned for its flexibility and willingness to engage with employers in the Mid West region. Its researchers as well as its educators have an open door policy when it comes to working with local industry and business. And this working relationship has ensured that more than 94% of last year's LIT graduates across disciplines as diverse as STEM, social sciences, fashion, art, law, business, hospitality and the culinary arts took up employment or further education almost immediately. Reports also show that three quarters of LIT's graduates remain in the Mid West region, working primarily in counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary."

Speaking at the opening, LIT President, Professor Vincent Cunnane commented: "This is a sign of our commitment to Ennis, and we are delighted to be able to progress our plans in Clare. We intend to provide an expanded level of daytime undergraduate education through the CAO, as well as opening up the possibility of new evening courses and professional education.

"Crucially, by allowing us to broaden our offering, this new facility adds to the educational options available to people locally, while at the same time enabling us to respond to the needs of business and industry in Clare. As those needs grow, so too will our response."

The LIT Ennis campus will join LIT's existing campuses at Clonmel and Thurles in Co Tipperary; and Moylish and Clare Street in Limerick City.

(CM/MH)