Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Not that it is needed, but I offer my encouragement to the Deputy in continuing his work. There is a major vehicle for the west and the north west in the form of the ATU. There is a brilliant leadership team place, including the president, Dr. Orla Flynn, and the chair of the governing authority, Maura McNally. I was in that beautiful library on Monday last. To use the hotel as an example, some of the changes we made this week will ensure that ATU and other facilities can benefit in the future. For example, the devolved grant will be extended to allow colleges to make progress in respect of accommodation. ATU will also receive part of the €1 million for technological universities to bring in capacity to plan for its student accommodation. If we are serious about regional development - and the Deputy has a strong record on this - bringing accommodation into the region is important. Having student accommodation in the technological universities is going to be key to their success. They have not been able to borrow a bean up until now to do that. We have changed the borrowing framework in order that they can. This week, we have provided them with money to prepare their plans for submission to us in 2023 to either build or provide student accommodation next year. I hear what the Deputy said regarding n the STEM building. I will keep in close contact with him on that.

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