Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 7 February 2019
106. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Education and Skills the breakdown of the €163,741,000 capital allocation in higher education within his Department for 2019 by specific project; the projects that will be commenced and completed in 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6022/19]
View answerHigher Education Capital Allocation 2019
The capital allocation available to the Higher Education Sector in 2019 is significantly higher than in recent years and will allow a number of priority infrastructure projects to progress, including, for example, a new Engineering, Energy and Environment Institute in TCD and the development of the LIT Coonagh Campus which will have a particular focus on engineering.
In the Higher Education Sector the allocation available for research has increased by €7m from last year and this will facilitate a greater number of research awards to be funded. The higher education allocation available under the PPP subhead will be expended primarily on unitary charges associated with the Cork School of Music and the National Maritime College of Ireland.
The Research Activities budget in 2019 is €47.6 million. This includes funding for the following which will be drawn down in 2019:
- Irish Research Council
- HEAnet
- Irish Centre for High-End Computing
The Third Level Infrastructure budget in 2019 is €90 million. This includes approved funding for the following projects which have commenced or will commence in 2019:
- EduCampus Financial Management and Student Record Systems – due to finish 2019
- Redevelopment of Royal Irish Academy of Music Westland Row
- Apprenticeship Equipment Grant
- HEANet
- Trinity College Engineering, Environment and Emerging Technologies Institute (E3)
- National Children’s Hospital higher education facilities
- IT Dundalk Refurbishment
- GMIT Castlebar Campus building fabric upgrades – due to finish 2019
- DCU St Patrick’s Campus F Block
- IT Limerick Coonagh engineering campus – due to finish 2019
The specific amount to be spent by the Department on each project in 2019 will depend on progress during the year and availability of funds; some projects are co-funded by the Department. Further projects will also come on stream for funding in 2019 as part of initiatives announced in 2018 under the NDP. These will be announced at a later stage.
The Higher Education Public Private Partnership budget for 2019 is €25.9 million. This includes funding for the following
- 3rd Level Unitary Charge Payments
- Higher Education PPP Design Payments.
