Since 1987 £10.5 million approximately has been expended on capital developments, including the provision of furniture and equipment, at Waterford Institute of Technology. In addition a total of £4 million remains available for phase I of a new library/information technology project.
An application was made by the college authorities in 1993 seeking approval under the 1994-99 European Regional Development Fund Programme for a broad range of projects estimated to cost some £93 million. It included proposals relating to projects such as building extensions, information technology building, science and technology buildings, student accommodation, refurbishment of main building and east wing, music technology building, industry innovation centre, sports/examination hall, art and design technology building, student centre and restaurant, architectural design building, CERT restaurant and the research and development building.
While the Department of Education at that time considered the overall proposal to be excessive it is continuing, in consultation with the college authorities, to approve the implementation of a substantive rolling capital programme within the framework of available resources.
A number of projects have been approved for the college since 1987 and a list of the projects which have been completed, with the estimated cost, follows. As the Deputy is aware, however, payments in respect of each project are made on a rolling basis on foot of architects' certificates furnished by the institute, as the project progresses. The detailed list of payments for the past ten years is not readily available.
The planning of the new library information technology building is now at an advanced stage and building works for phase I will be commenced as soon as possible.
My Department has more recently received a programme from the institute which sets out proposals for future developments. The proposals indicate that £23.2 million is required immediately for capital investment with an additional £16.3 million required in the medium to long-term. The proposed programme, in so far as capital investment is concerned, will be considered in the context of future available funding and the number of students to be catered for in the institute.
