Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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527. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason that his Department has decided to provide capital investment to the newly-formed technological universities almost exclusively through public private partnership contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6644/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware the delivery of projects through Public Private Partnership (PPP) is just one of the methods of delivering capital infrastructure in the Technological Sector.

There are a number of ongoing (non PPP) higher education investment programmes with an approved allocation of just over €150m which support the Technological Sector including the:

- Apprenticeships Capital Programme

- Higher Education Upgrade and Refurbishment Fund,

- Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme 2020 and 2021

- Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund,

A Devolved Capital Grant allocation of €60m was also approved for the sector between 2018 and 2021. This funding gives institutions flexible capital funding to address a range of minor works and equipment upgrade needs.

In addition, I intend to shortly confirm a number of capital calls to the Higher Education Sector. There will be a focus on the Technological sector within the calls. All relevant details around the application process will be included as part of the programme which will issue to the sector.