Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the bundle II public-private partnership building programmes promised to Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow campuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5288/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the new Engineering, Computing and General Teaching which is planned for Waterford Institute of Technology and the new Science and Health Building planned for Institute of Technology Carlow are progressing as part of bundle II of the Higher Education PPP (HEPPP) Programme

HE PPP Bundle II projects are currently at procurement stage, with construction anticipated to commence in Q1 2023. The IT Carlow Science and Health Building is due to be completed in Q1 2025 and the Waterford IT Engineering, Computing and General Teaching building is due to be completed in Q2 2025.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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111. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to enlarge the Waterford Institute of Technology campus area through land acquisition; the existing land ownership holding presently available to WIT area in acres by combining its assets on the Cork Road and Carraiganore and any other areas in its ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5289/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I have been clear in my commitment to expanding the imprint of higher education across the south east region. This includes achieving a larger footprint for higher education in Waterford - a city which is targeted for a compact and sustainable population growth of 50% under Project Ireland 2040.

Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) has been undertaking an appraisal process, in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code, to examine options for expanded provision. This analysis takes account of factors such as the planned population growth in Waterford, regional and national skills needs, and existing campus capacity. A Preliminary Business Case is scheduled to be received from WIT by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) this week.

Detail of the assets in the ownership of WIT is a matter for WIT authorities in the first instance. However, the Preliminary Business Case will take account of land available to WIT in appraising the options for expansion.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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112. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the budget parameters his Department envisages providing for new teaching space at Waterford Institute of Technology; the timeframe under consideration to disburse such funds excluding the long-promised engineering building PPP; the routes available for the college or the new Technological University of the South East to borrow money to support new capital and resource activity to develop additional teaching space given that he has confirmed there is no opportunity to access European Investment Bank supports unlike the national universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5290/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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My Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) continue to work closely with Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) in relation to options for expanded campus provision and are dedicating significant investment towards technological university (TU) development and progression.

WIT has been undertaking an appraisal process, in accordance with the requirements of the Public Spending Code, to examine options for expanded provision. A Preliminary Business Case is scheduled to be received by the HEA from WIT this week. The level of capital costs of future campus development and timeline for delivery can only be determined following a detailed planning and design process; however, investment is likely to be on a phased basis and situated within the context of a wider investment programme for the TU sector.

My Department is also seeking to progress a sector-wide borrowing framework for TUs in line with the recommendations of the 2019 TURN report. Initial discussions stretching back to 2019 on the development of a TU borrowing framework took place with relevant actors including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It is now anticipated that any borrowing framework would in the first instance prioritise the provision of purpose built student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan.

While at a relatively preliminary stage, proposals are currently being developed with a view to further interactions being conducted with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, as appropriate.