Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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1210. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position of land (details supplied) on a mean average price per acre applicable to capital acquisitions in the university and IT sector over the past three years; if he will be extending approvals to other new technological universities to pay up to such a rate for new land acquisitions; if he plans to make transparent reimbursement to such universities in circumstances in which they acquire development land for less than this per acre sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20626/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Where land or property is being considered for acquisition by a higher education institution, an independent valuation must be obtained.  This valuation informs a value for money analysis as part of the overall business case. 

The market value of land varies considerably depending on the location of the land and other factors.  This underlines the importance of robust independent valuation as part of the assessment process.

The cost of the acquisition referenced by the Deputy is specific to that site.  It does not provide a benchmark for acquisitions by higher education institutions in other locations.