Report requested on ‘lavish’ UL president’s house

EDUCATION Minister Batt O’Keeffe has ordered an independent report into the source of funding for a president’s house on the University of Limerick’s Clare campus, costing in the region of €1.1 million.
Concern has been expressed about the university’s decision to spend the large sum on what Minister O’Keeffe described as a “lavish” three-storey building, at a time when the university has debts of about €3m.
The minister requested the report despite assurances that the second home for the university president was entirely funded from leading United States philanthropist, Chuck Feeney.
University Students’ Union (USI) president, Peter Mannion told The Clare Champion that UL’s decision to spend over €1m on a house for its president sends out the wrong message at a time when students’ registration fees have increased dramatically.
Mr Mannion alleged it is unlikely some private benefactor approached the university and offered to build a new house for the president.
“According to a recent study, only half of the CAO applicants will get a college place this year. At a time of lack of college spaces and rising registration fees, it beggars belief to see a university spending €1.1m on a president’s home.
“University presidents made a presentation at a Oireachtas committee looking for more funding last Thursday and the following day details emerged about the spending on this house.
“The report requested by the minister will also cost money, which could be put to better use providing funding for third-level education,” he said.
The three-storey building has five bedrooms, a large reception room, a dining room with a terrace, a large living room and a expansive kitchen. Other features include a six person lift costing an estimated €50,000, a top-of-the-range broadband connection costing in the region of €50,000 and a 20 to 25-seater dining table.
In a statement issued to The Clare Champion, the university insisted the new building was entirely funded through private donations, which were made specifically for this purpose.
A UL spokeswoman said the new development, which is nearing completion, would provide a venue for public and university events, visitor accommodation and a residence for the president of the university.
“In line with similar facilities in other Irish and international universities, it will facilitate a wide range of campus activities and events.
“The University of Limerick has a long tradition of securing private sector funding to develop campus infrastructure and to support scholarships, laboratories and world-class researchers and teachers, having raised over €130m from private sources,” she said.
UL president, Professor Don Barry, added, “UL is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful campuses in Europe and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to live on campus while I am president.  
“I look forward to welcoming visitors and colleagues to the house in the coming months and years and to the benefits that this fine building will bring to UL in the future,” he added.
The project represents the second such initiative in the country following on the development of the landmark Provost’s House at Trinity College, Dublin.
The local planning authority stipulated that the dwelling could only be occupied by the office holder of the post of president of the university or any other person whose position is intrinsic to the university.
The site of the house is to the south-east of the new health science building on the campus with student accommodation to the north. According to a report prepared by the executive chemist in the council’s environment section, if further development takes place on this side of the River Shannon, then a connection to the Limerick main drainage scheme may be required. At that stage the house should be connected to the public sewer.