Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022
61. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the guarantees that can be provided to a college (details supplied) in regard to essential capital funding; if the funding committed by his Department will be processed under the same terms and conditions as capital funding promised but not realised in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11864/22]
View answerLast November, I was delighted to approve in principle the incorporation of St Angela’s College into the new Atlantic Technological University, which will be designated on 1 April this year. While incorporation will ultimately be a matter for the new TU’s governing body upon establishment, the plans represent a very significant and positive development for the students and staff of St Angela’s College, and indeed for the North West region.
I am aware of the current campus development needs of St Angela’s College. My Department is fully committed to working with St Angela’s College and IT Sligo – and in due course with the new Atlantic TU – to address their infrastructure development needs. The planned incorporation of St Angela’s College into the Atlantic TU provides a very different strategic context to that which existed a number of years ago and this will need to be fully reflected in the investment approach.
In February this year, I announced the beginning of an ambitious new phase of capital investment in the higher education sector. This includes the establishment of a Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund. I am committed to ensuring that, subject to meeting the necessary requirements at each of the Public Spending Code Decision Gates, capital funding will be provided under this Fund to address the infrastructure deficits currently impacting St Angela’s College. This approach reflects the pre-existing commitment to St Angela’s College, while also taking account of its expected future as part of the Atlantic TU.
As a first step, a Strategic Assessment Report has been requested from St Angela’s College and IT Sligo. Detailed engagement will then take place between my Department, the Higher Education Authority, St Angela’s College and the Atlantic TU to explore campus development options and the parameters of Exchequer investment.
