Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 July 2016
204. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills the role he envisages certain third level institutions will play in a certain project (details supplied); the funds which have been committed by the institutions concerned, by his Department and by any other body under the aegis of his Department, towards the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23871/16]
View answerBoth my Department and the Higher Education Authority are aware that a masterplan is in place for the project referred to by the Deputy. However, to date, a formal funding application regarding the masterplan has not been received from either of the third level institutions concerned. Consequently, my Department has not made any commitment to funding this project at this time. Any such funding request would be considered in the context of the capital resources available for the higher education sector and having regard to competing demands. My Department is not aware of any funding commitment by any body under our aegis either.
Notwithstanding this, my Department has been advised that neither of the third level institutions referred to are parties directly to the masterplan but will continue to assist in enabling delivery of the masterplan through their existing teaching, research and innovation operations in their neighbouring and wider campuses.
