Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can indeed. I thank Deputy Browne for the question. I will not go through the formal answer because he has heard some of it already. With regard to a straight question regarding DCU, this is something on which I hope to be in a position to make progress within a matter of weeks. I do not want to pre-empt conversations we are having with DCU or get ahead of myself but I acknowledge the really intensive and excellent way DCU has been engaging with my Department. There has been a real collaborative approach. There are many issues here, not just for DCU but in general in trying to ensure we comply with state aid rules and get a mechanism that works with the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.

Crucially, however, we are in a housing emergency. We need to increase housing supply in general. Where universities have planning permissions, I want to get on and build. We want to help them. I am hoping to be in a position to update Cabinet on this very shortly.

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