Project Ireland 2040

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021

Wednesday, 24 March 2021

Questions (1157)

Alan Dillon

Question:

1157. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the project execution, project budget or cost delivery for the repair of the roof and other building fabric at the GMIT Castlebar campus following €2 million funding announced on 14 September 2018 as part of a major package of investment in education under Project Ireland 2040; his future plans for capital development projects for 2021 to 2023 for the GMIT Mayo campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15440/21]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Funding of €2.08m was approved to support an upgrade of the roof and other building fabric at the GMIT Castlebar campus in 2018. This recognised the health and safety challenge posed by the roof condition and responded to a recommendation of the Working Group on Developing a Sustainable Plan for the Mayo Campus of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. 

The project was devolved to GMIT for delivery and took the form of a number of phases of works which reached substantial completion in October 2020.  The full Department funding allocation was drawn down by December 2020. 

While there is no other project-specific funding currently allocated by the Department to the GMIT Castlebar campus, GMIT was awarded Devolved Capital Grant funding of €1.7m for the 2020/21 academic year.  This can be spent on minor capital works and equipment across all campuses; it is for GMIT to decide how the funding is prioritised. 

The Department and HEA will continue to engage with GMIT on its campus development plans.