Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 1 December 2022
133. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an outline on future capital works relating to further education and training institutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59237/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the current National Development Plan committed to a significant step up in investment in Further Education and Training (FET) infrastructure.
Earlier this year, I announced an ambitious new phase of capital investment in the further education sector with the launch of two specific capital investment programmes for the sector. A Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund (SIUF), supporting smaller-scale investments in existing FET infrastructure and a FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund, supporting projects to drive reform of the FET sector. This included consolidation of provision in high quality facilities, integration of further education and training, realisation of centres of excellence and unified tertiary planning.
In August of this year, I announced the first 13 projects that were successful under this SIUF call, which will now progress to the next stage of development - the appointment of a design team. These projects will target upgrades, expansion and modernisation to ensure fit for purpose facilities to meet our learners and teaching staff needs. A further 14 project applications submitted under the SIUF process remain under consideration and will be the subject of further engagement between SOLAS and the relevant ETBs.
The first tranche of successful projects under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund are currently being announced, these projects will now progress to the development of a Preliminary Business Case. These projects will significantly modernise and upgrade FET infrastructure and will enable the ambitions of the FET strategy to be fully realised.
My Department and I remain committed to supporting Further Education Institutes and the wider sector in achieving their vision for FET education and provision.
