The Government has granted €60 million for the construction of a new School of Music in Cork.
The announcement was made yesterday by the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, at the Cork Institute of Technology, the college affiliated to the school. It brings to an end a five-year fight for the project by the school staff.
The €60 million includes money to fit out the new school, equipment and professional fees.
The project will be the first full purpose-built school of music in the country. It will be operated by Jarvis Projects as a public-private partnership for 25 years.
The Government, which has been criticised for dragging its feet on the project, sent two Ministers to make the announcement: Mr Dempsey and the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin.
Mr Dempsey said the Government was always committed to this important project. The difficulties had now been resolved.
"I am aware of the deep frustration and difficulties that the delay in progressing the project has caused the director, staff and students in the daily operation of the CSM since their move to the temporary accommodation," the Minister said.
"Over the last few months a solution has been brought forward that meets the affordability unitary payment target of €8.2 million per annum agreed with the Taoiseach last December."
Mr Dempsey paid tribute to all involved for their handling of the delicate negotiations and denied the announcement was an election ploy.
Originally the construction of the school was earmarked for completion by the start of 2005 as part of Cork's City of Culture festivities. It will now begin next June and should be completed in September 2006.
A relieved Mr Martin said the state-of-the-art facility will mean "huge opportunities" for young people. "When I was Lord Mayor of Cork over 11 years ago I got a unique insight into the huge impact the Cork School of Music has into the life of Cork city.
"The design is first class and the operation is first class and for the staff and students it ushers in a new era.
"I can recall very well the moment when I announced this back in the auditorium of the School of Music when an elderly gentleman said he could recall a similar announcement back in 1970 - that sent a shiver up my spine so I am glad that shiver has receded now," Mr Martin said.
The director of the Cork Institute of Technology, Mr Pat Kelleher, was overcome with emotion as he spoke of his joy at the announcement.
"This is like an ode to joy - I don't often get emotional but I think this is a wonderful moment in history and in 100 years' time that school of music will still be producing.
"Some will be stars and some will be passing on the love of music to the next generation," Mr Kelleher said.
The School of Music has been operating in Cork since 1878.