Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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57. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the new proposed construction commencement date for two new PPP science buildings in the Waterford and Carlow campuses; if a commitment will be given to a de facto authorised commencement order; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49590/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Construction on the new buildings proposed for delivery on the Waterford and Carlow campuses is due under the HEI PPP Programme, which at present is anticipated to commence in Q1 2023.

The new Engineering, Computing and General Teaching building in Waterford will consist of undergraduate and postgraduate laboratories, general and specialised teaching space, learning resource space, administration space and ancillary space. This project is the largest in the Higher Education PPP Programme at almost 13,000 sqm.

The Science and Health Building for delivery in Carlow will consist of undergraduate and postgraduate science labs, general teaching space, learning resource space, administration space and ancillary space. In conjunction with decanted space elsewhere on campus, the new building will increase capacity of the institution by 500 students.

As the Deputy will be aware Public Private Partnership projects are subject to their own guidance under the Public Spending Code and as such all steps laid out under the guidance have to be completed before the award of any contract or commencement of works.