Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 May 2018
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that will be made available and when for capital developments planned for a school (details supplied) in County Sligo under Project Ireland 2040; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23109/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 2007, my Department has invested €1.8m of capital funding in the college referred to by the Deputy. This includes €0.343m of funding approved during the summer of 2017 for refurbishment and repair works related to an increase in its student intake.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is currently in discussions with the college in relation to further campus development plans. Officials from the HEA recently met with representatives of the college to discuss its capital requirements and it is expected that an updated submission will shortly be forwarded by the college to the HEA.
The National Development Plan (NDP) signals Exchequer investments of €2.2 billion in higher education infrastructure over the coming decade. This welcome increase in funding will present major new opportunities for the higher education sector. However, it should be noted that the significant ramp up in investment will take place over time and particularly in the second half of the NDP period.
In that context, a capital investment prioritisation framework, together with updated appraisal approaches, will be advanced over the coming months to inform funding decisions and to ensure that maxiumum impact and value for money can be achieved from Exchequer investments.
Any proposal from a Higher Education Institution that is under consideration for capital funding will be subject to detailed appraisal in accordance with the Public Spending Code.
