Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

250. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of carrying out the capital projects identified in the Higher Education Authority space utilisation of third level conducted in 2010 in respect of projects that were identified as being in need of repair or replacement, taking deterioration that may have occurred since the report into account; if he will include any of these projects in the capital investment plan over a five, ten and 20-year period; the details of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15001/16]

Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

253. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of providing additional teaching accommodation at third level to address increasing demographics over the next five, ten, 15 and 20 years; the amount of this he will provide under the capital investment plan 2016 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15004/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 250 and 253 together.

It is estimated that continuing growth in the Higher Education Sector will generate a demand for new accommodation of at least €1 billion over the next fifteen years. The cost of rendering facilities in the Higher Education Sector suitable for modern educational delivery, including but not limited to those identified in the HEA space survey referred to by the Deputy, is €1.27bn.

The 2016-2021 Capital Plan provides funding of €350m over the next 5 years for the Third Level Sector. This consists of a direct Exchequer investment of €150m, including €40m already allocated to the Grangegorman project, and €200m worth of funding for PPP projects.

I am conscious that there are many competing demands on the Department's Third Level Capital budget, including those referred to by the Deputy. In that context, the distribution of the funding provided in the Capital Plan is being considered carefully and in consultation with the HEA. A final decision has not yet been made in that respect.