Technological Universities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 11 April 2024

Thursday, 11 April 2024

Ceisteanna (263)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

263. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the new engineering building for the South East Technological University; the reasons for the fifteen-year delay in the delivery of this project; the nature of complications which have been mentioned in relation to this project; when it is anticipated that this development will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15797/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Patrick O'Donovan)

The original third level PPP programme, announced in 2008, included three projects at the South East Technological University (SETU) campus at Waterford: the Engineering and Science building, the Architecture building and the Business and Enterprise building.  

The current Higher Education PPP Programme, which was originally announced as part of the Building on Recovery Capital Plan 2016-2021, includes eleven projects.  This commitment to the PPP programme has been carried through into the current National Development Plan 2018-2027.  Bundle 1, consisting of six projects is currently under construction with separate completion dates expected between Q4 2024 to Q2 2025.   

There are five projects in Bundle 2, two of which are for SETU – one at the Waterford campus and one at the Carlow campus.  The project in Waterford is the largest in the Higher Education PPP Programme and will be transformative for SETU with the new building catering for c. 3,443 students.    

The final tender for Bundle 2 was received in March and is currently being evaluated.