€28m Shannon boost for Tralee

Shannon Development is a key driver behind plans to give Tralee a €28m boost.

Details of the plans for the future development of the combined 113-acre site of Kerry Technology Park (KTP) and the Institute of Technology, Tralee, (ITT) were announced by John O’Donoghue, Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism.

The master-plan will involve Shannon Development and the Institute of Technology injecting an estimated €28m into the combined 50-acre technology park and the 63-acre ITT site on a phased basis over the next five years.

More than €56m has been invested in site development and physical structures to date: €46m by the institute of technology on its first three buildings — the Business and Information Technology Building; the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Centre and the Sólas Nursing and Healthcare Building — and €10m by Shannon Development on overall infrastructure and two innovation works facilities at Kerry Technology Park.

This has resulted in 16 new hi-tech companies investing in KTP and a student population of 2,500 on the ITT North Campus.

Furthermore, more than 400 people work there daily (250 ITT staff; five Shannon Development staff; and 160 employed in park companies).

ITT caters for 3,500 students in total.

Minister O’Donoghue said: “These are impressive results with more to come when the elements of the new master-plan unfold. When both organisations decided to use their collective knowledge and planning skills to jointly develop the site on the outskirts of Tralee, it was a decision of immense benefit to Kerry.”

Launching the master-plan, which envisages the development of the entire 113-acre site at both business and educational levels, the minister added: “This master-plan, while modelled on best practice in international locations, has been carefully prepared to preserve the unique features and characteristics of north Kerry.