Further and Higher Education

Wednesday, 1 December 2021

Questions (146)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

146. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund has concluded or if additional calls will be made in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59336/21]

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Written answers

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

As the Deputy may be aware, five projects were approved under the Higher Education strategic infrastructure Fund (HESIF). The five projects in question are at various stages, from planning and design to construction (see table below). Delivery of projects in the higher education sector is devolved to the higher education institutions. Responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, as well as project delivery timelines, all fall within the remit of the HEIs.

Project reporting by the HEIs to the HEA is in line with agreed Devolved Control Procedures.

HEI	Location/Name	DFHERIS Funding	Stage
Maynooth University	Technology Society & Innovation Building	€25m	On site
IT Sligo	Extension to Central Campus (EO1) Project	€6.6m	On Site
UCC	Cork University Business School (CUBS) Project	€25m	Design
NUIG	Learning Commons Project	€15m	Design
UCD	Future Campus Project	€25m	Pre-tender

My Department is currently reviewing the parameters of the next phase of Exchequer capital investment in the further and higher education sectors in the context of NDP ceilings published last month. It is intended that new funding programmes will be rolled out in the near future.