Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Objectively, this was a really great week for education in Galway. We saw approximately €100 million announced in projects for further education and higher education in the city and county of Galway. We saw a multi-million euro development in the Deputy's own bailiwick where I know he lectured, in the Atlantic Technological University - some €19 million from memory - that will see a new learner facility developed for science and computing students among others. We also saw Galway chosen as a location for a major further education college which will see a 40% increase in the number of full-time students in further education there. Specifically regarding this project - the Deputy and I have discussed this - the new STEM building project at the Atlantic Technological University Galway campus is included in what we call bundle 2 of the higher education public private partnership programme. Bundle 2 consists of five projects and is currently at tender stage. The Deputy will understand that this obviously competitive process restrains me somewhat in commenting too much on it. Construction price inflation and volatility in the construction market is obviously a challenge in all our construction projects however the procuring authority comprising of my own Department, the National Development Finance Agency and the Higher Education Authority is working within the parameters of the procurement process to make progress. As the Deputy will appreciate, it is a live procurement matter at the competitive dialogue stage, and many of the details are commercially sensitive. Notwithstanding this, it is currently estimated the programme will achieve financial close and will move forward. I am optimistic progress will be made on this and I will keep in contact with the Deputy directly regarding this issue.

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