Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 September 2022
440. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of the dates of each of the project milestones with respect to the acquisition of Crowley Park by Galway Mayo Institute of Technology / Atlantic Technological University since the project’s inception. [45512/22]
View answer441. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of formal correspondence between the Department, the Higher Education Authority and Galway Mayo Institute of Technology / Atlantic Technological University with respect to the Crowley Park development undertaken by GMIT/ATU since the project's inception. [45513/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 440 and 441 together.
GMIT’s interest in the acquisition of Crowley Park, and its engagement with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and previously the Department of Education and Skills, extended back many years prior to its eventual acquisition of the property in December 2021.
Approval was provided to acquire the site in 2018; however, the GMIT bid at that time was ultimately not successful.
The table beneath sets out key communications and milestones relating to the successful acquisition which was eventually finalised in December 2021. It is important to note that between the milestone dates referenced in the table there was extensive background work and engagement between the parties, including engagements between GMIT and the vendor, updating of valuations, resolution of queries etc. The COVID-19 pandemic and steps to be followed on the side of the vendor also had an impact on overall timelines.
|
Document/Milestone |
Date |
|
Business case submitted by GMIT to HEA |
May 2019 |
|
HEA recommendation to Department of Education and Skills |
July 2019 |
|
Queries issue to HEA from Department of Education and Skills |
July 2019 |
|
Further communication and supporting documents from GMIT to HEA |
July 2020 |
|
Further supporting documents from GMIT to HEA |
November 2020 |
|
Communication between HEA and DFHERIS on proposal |
November 2020 |
|
New business case submitted by GMIT |
February 2021 |
|
GMIT reply to outstanding queries |
February 2021 |
|
Approval by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
February 2021 |
|
Feedback from Department of Public Expenditure and Reform |
March 2021 |
|
Approval letter issued to HEA |
March 2021 |
|
Acquisition concluded by GMIT |
December 2021 |
