I propose to take Questions Nos. 339 and 340 together.
The revised National Development Plan (NDP) provides for Exchequer investment of nearly €2.9 billion in further and higher education infrastructure, research and innovation over the five-year period 2021–2025.
This is in addition to infrastructure to be delivered by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP), including the Higher Education PPP programme which is focused on Technological Universities/Institutes of Technology.
There are currently no PPP projects approved in the FET sector.
In respect of planned expenditure in 2022 in the higher and further education sectors, it is not possible to be specific with regard to the level of funding to be provided to each institution. This is because the budget is managed at an overall level, with profiles regularly updated to take account of the rate of progress of individual projects through design, planning, procurement and construction.
I can, however, advise that the overall 2022 higher education capital allocation is €166m and the further education capital allocation is €47.5m. These amounts do not include an allocation for PPP projects but do include the Devolved Capital Grant and the Apprenticeship Grant for the higher and further education sectors.
In addition, a further €46m allocation is available in 2022 for a number of operational higher education PPP projects including the National Maritime College of Ireland and Cork School of Music, which are part of Munster Technological University and the most recently delivered PPP project; the East and Central Quads at Grangegorman. This allocation also funds the higher education PPP bundle 1 & 2 Technical Advisor costs.
I have attached details of each approved project in the HE sector currently being funded by my Department including the 11 higher education PPP projects.
Exchequer