Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
100. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional investment in the South East Technological University Waterford campus which he will make available in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51640/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am strongly committed to the development of a high-quality multi-campus environment for the South East Technological University - SETU - including in Waterford.
Since 2013, over €90 million has been made available under the Higher Education Landscape and Transformation Funds, for the development of technological universities. This includes funding of €14.3 million for the development of SETU.
My Department and the Higher Education Authority are currently engaging with SETU to advance a number of capital projects in Waterford.
Two significant projects are scheduled to enter construction in 2023. This includes a planned Engineering, Computing and General Teaching building, which is progressing as part of Bundle II of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership – PPP - Programme. At over 13,000 square metres, this is the largest building project in the PPP programme.
Also, under the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme, a deep fabric retrofit to SETU Waterford Business School is now in design and is due to enter construction next year.
The Deputy will also be aware that engagement is ongoing with SETU in relation to expansion of the Waterford campus footprint, and my expectation is that significant progress will be made on this objective during 2023.
The specific level of investment in the Waterford campus in 2023 will be informed by the scope and pace of capital projects and will be decided within the context of my Department’s overall allocation under the National Development Plan.
In the case of the PPP project, it should be noted that, while it is planned that subject to procurement outcomes the project will enter construction next year, expenditure will mainly commence after construction by way of unitary charge payments to the private partner.
