Eoghan Murphy (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had discussions with the higher education sector regarding their landbanks and plans for available land within their control; and if he has a role in the way in which State-funded universities, colleges and institutes develop their land. [41269/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) engage with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on a regular basis in relation to their campus development plans and capital projects. I have also had a number of useful engagements with stakeholders within the sector at which capital development was a major focus.

As the Deputy will be aware, higher education institutions are autonomous bodies with their own management structures and, as such, are responsible for decisions in relation to existing landholdings and the development of such holdings. All capital projects advanced by publicly funded Higher Education Institutions must comply with the provisions of the Public Spending Code.

In some cases, my Department may be requested to provide capital funding towards the development of a landholding. In such cases, the proposal is submitted through the HEA and is appraised in accordance with the parameters of the relevant funding programme and Public Spending Code requirements.

There are also specific roles in legislation for the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science relating to the disposal of such land. For example, under the 1997 Universities Act, there is a requirement for a university to pay back money to the Minister when land that was acquired or developed with support from the Exchequer is subsequently sold, with the amount to be agreed between the Minister and Governing Body. Under the 2018 Technological Universites Act, the consent of the Minister - and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform - is required when land is acquired or sold.