I propose to take Questions Nos. 297 to 299, inclusive, together.
The funding allocations under the co-funded Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF) programme were done by way of competitive call against set criteria outlined in the call document. The criteria included, quality and impact, value for money, capacity to deliver and alignment with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) strategy.
Applications were invited from Universities, TUs/IoTs and other colleges. The HESIF applications were appraised by a HEA-led team under the terms and conditions that issued to the Institutions in January and March 2019.
Applications from 15 HEIs were received (see attached table) and assessed with the five successful projects listed below.
HEI
|
Location/Name
|
DFHERIS Funding
|
Stage
|
Maynooth University
|
Technology Society & Innovation Building
|
€25m
|
On site
|
IT Sligo
|
Extension to Central Campus (EO1) Project
|
€6.6m
|
On site
|
UCC
|
Cork University Business School (CUBS) Project
|
€25m
|
Design
|
NUIG
|
Learning Commons Project
|
€15m
|
Design
|
UCD
|
Future Campus Project
|
€25m
|
Pre-tender
|
The proposed exchequer investment of up to €96.6m across the 5 projects will leverage c€411m in non-exchequer funding. It will deliver c70,000m² of additional capacity across the HEIs, while also relieving pressures on existing facilities.
As the Deputy will be aware, delivery of projects in the higher education sector is devolved to the higher education institutions. Responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, as well as project delivery timelines, all fall within the remit of the HEIs. The projects identified above are now at various stages, from planning and design to construction.
Project reporting to the HEA is in line with agreed Devolved Control Procedures.
HESIF Projects