Institutes of Technology

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021

Thursday, 8 July 2021

Questions (39)

Gerald Nash

Question:

39. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 23 June 2021, the amount of financial support provided by his Department and or the HEA to Dundalk Institute of Technology to assist in the purchase of the sports campus in 2014 which includes a building (details supplied); if conditions were attached to the provision of funds in terms of a requirement to return monies to the State in the event that the building would be sold by the institute in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36692/21]

Written answers

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

The JJB sports complex, including the Ice Dome, was purchased by Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) in 2014. The major part of the complex has been refurbished and is fully in use as DkIT Sports, providing an essential facility for the student body.

No specific Exchequer capital grant was provided by my Department or the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for the acquisition.

Under legislation, the HEA has responsibility for approving property acquisitions by Institutes of Technology. The approval for the purchase of the sports complex including the Ice Dome was provided by the HEA in 2012.

My Department has been advised by the HEA that the intention of DkIT is to secure a lease arrangement for the Ice Dome and that they are proactively pursuing that course of action.