Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 December 2023
865. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the date the technological sector strategic projects fund was established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54712/23]
View answer866. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the figure for the initial capitalisation of the technological sector strategic projects fund and the current capitalisation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54713/23]
View answer867. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if annual contributions are made to the technological sector strategic projects fund from the Exchequer; if so, the annual contributions to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54714/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 865 to 867, inclusive, together.
In February 2022, I announced the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF) a key capital funding programme which will strengthen the technological sector by supporting additional capacity and delivering core infrastructure improvements including research and innovation activity. This important capital investment will also support an ambitious transformation agenda including the strengthening of progression pathways from further education, realising the full potential of digital technologies and ensuring that our TU campuses are flexible and future-proofed.All TU’s and IOT’s were invited to submit up to three proposals for funding of works to existing buildings or new buildings under the TSSPF call. A total of 14 applications across the 7 eligible institutions were received. The assessment process consisted of two phases. Applications were initially evaluated and six projects were recommended to proceed following the submission of a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR). For these six projects which were successful at this stage, strategic and technical engagement took place with the HEA before the submission of a Preliminary Business Case. These business cases have now being fully evaluated and I am presently announcing those projects which have met the required criteria to be given approval to move to the next stage of the process which is to appoint a design team.
TSSPF was one of four new capital programmes which I launched in early 2022, that had a combined funding envelope of €450 million to 2025. The other programmes being the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund and two programmes targeted at the Further Education and Training sector – The FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund and The Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund. Annual contributions are not made to the overall fund available for these capital investment programmes. They are funded through the National Development Plan (NDP) and funding provision beyond 2025 will be considered in the context of the next NDP negotiations which are due to begin shortly.
