Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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The figure that has been approved by the Government is €32 million. As the Deputy has described, that money is intended to unlock planning permission that is ready to be taken up. We are looking at three locations, namely, Galway, Limerick and Maynooth. The Government approved a decision this week, as the Deputy knows. The Department will arrange to advertise for expressions of interest. That will allow an opportunity to interested parties to express an interest in developing their student accommodation. We have to get European Commission approval, which we do not expect to be an issue. That will run in parallel with our Department's formulation of a formal expression of interest. The broad idea is to provide accommodation for students attending the University of Limerick, the University of Galway and Maynooth University. It is envisaged that the €32 million will provide approximately 670 bed spaces.