Number of students: 3,500 (700 apprentices)

Socio-economic profile: 40 per cent of DKIT students come from working-class backgrounds. This is twice the national average

Catchment area: DKIT is the single biggest destination of school-leavers from Counties Meath, Louth, Cavan and Monaghan.

Retention rates: Degree level retention rose from 77 per cent in 2000 to 87 per cent in 2003. Diploma programme retention rose from 61 per cent to 75 per cent in the same period. Certificate students are the still the least likely to complete programmes, but at rates of 58 per cent in 2003, compared with 44 per cent in 2000.

Capital development: New hospitality training building, student services building, the TK Whitaker Learning, Information and Resource Centre and a sports pitch development programme. A new nursing building is under construction, and plans are afoot for a crèche and wind turbine.

In 2001, DKIT acquired the adjacent PJ Carroll property on 11,750 square metres of land. When funding becomes available, the building will be converted into a new centre for ICT and humanities.

Recent programme additions: MSc in music technology, BA in applied music, BBS in marketing and eBusiness, National Diploma in communications and creative multimedia, National Diploma in community sports leadership, National Diploma in event management.