Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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535. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the details of the plans to give effect to the borrowing framework contained in the Technological University Act, 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27432/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In line with Housing for All, my Department concurs that a borrowing framework for technological universities (TUs) should be developed in the first instance for the provision of student accommodation. Enabling appropriate access to finance is one of the significant requirements for the delivery by higher education institutions of purpose built student accommodation. Department officials are engaging with counterparts in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other relevant stakeholders to explore potential options and approaches on the delivery of student accommodation. Under these proposals, TUs would require firstly my consent following consultation with the HEA. This will necessitate the establishment of an appropriate framework setting out the criteria, financial and non-financial, including governance, oversight and reporting to define the operational process through which such consent would be sought and obtained.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
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536. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to recommence borrowing at South East Technological University formerly Waterford Institute of Technology after having been instructed by the Higher Education Authority to cease borrowing in 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27433/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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In line with Housing for All, My Department has agreed a borrowing framework for technological universities (TUs) will be developed in the first instance for the provision of student accommodation.

Enabling appropriate access to finance is one of the significant requirements for the delivery by higher education institutions of purpose built student accommodation. Department officials are engaging with counterparts in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other relevant stakeholders to explore potential options and approaches on the delivery of student accommodation.

TUs would require firstly my consent following consultation with the HEA. This will necessitate the establishment of an appropriate framework setting out the criteria, financial and non-financial, including governance, oversight and reporting to define the operational process through which such consent would be sought and obtained.