Thomas Gould
Ceist:208. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the college campus on the north side of Cork city. [62657/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 14 December 2022
Ceisteanna (208)
Freagraí scríofa
I have not been made aware of any plans to develop a new campus on the north side of Cork city. However, my Department is willing to work collaboratively with all higher education institutions and Education Training Boards on the development of capital projects in line with their established masterplans.
My Department is currently supporting a number of key ongoing major capital projects in Cork city, including a new Learning Resource Centre on the MTU Cork Campus, which is part of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme, and a major upgrade project to the 1970s Building on the MTU Cork Campus Bishopstown.
UCC is also approved for funding of €25 million under the first phase of the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund to co-fund a custom-built Business School in Cork city centre.
In addition to this, I launched two new programme calls earlier this year for the Higher Education Sector – the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF II) and Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF).
Under the TSSPF programme call, I am pleased to announce that MTU's application in respect of a proposed upgrade, repurposing and extension to facilities at their Bishopstown Campus has been successful in the first stage of the assessment process and will now move to the next stage of proposal development. This proposal will provide core teaching facilities in the areas of Business, Humanities, Engineering, Science, Health and Well-being, Tourism.
UCC have made an application under HESIF II programme call. The outcome of the evaluation process is expected to be communicated to UCC shortly.
I also announced earlier this year a programme call for the Further Education and Training Sector - College of the Future Major Projects Fund. This programme call will support the implementation of the vision set out in the Further Education Strategy.
Cork ETB's application for their Bishopstown campus for the development of a FET College of the future to act as a focal point for all FET services in Cork incorporating a new Digital FET Centre has been successful in the first stage of the assessment process and will now move to the next stage of proposal development.