Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 February 2022
527. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that his Department has decided to provide capital investment to the newly-formed technological universities almost exclusively through public private partnership contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6644/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the delivery of projects through Public Private Partnership (PPP) is just one of the methods of delivering capital infrastructure in the Technological Sector.
There are a number of ongoing (non PPP) higher education investment programmes with an approved allocation of just over €150m which support the Technological Sector including the:
- Apprenticeships Capital Programme
- Higher Education Upgrade and Refurbishment Fund,
- Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme 2020 and 2021
- Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund,
A Devolved Capital Grant allocation of €60m was also approved for the sector between 2018 and 2021. This funding gives institutions flexible capital funding to address a range of minor works and equipment upgrade needs.
In addition, I intend to shortly confirm a number of capital calls to the Higher Education Sector. There will be a focus on the Technological sector within the calls. All relevant details around the application process will be included as part of the programme which will issue to the sector.
