Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am strongly committed to the development of a larger footprint and a high quality multi-campus environment for South East Technological University (SETU). In that regard, my Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) are currently engaging with SETU to advance a number of capital projects.

In Waterford, options are being reviewed for campus expansion. In this regard, SETU has prepared and submitted a detailed preliminary business case, in accordance with Public Spending Code requirements. The final document was submitted to the HEA earlier this year and is under active review. The Deputy will also be aware that the largest project under the Higher Education Public Private Partnership (PPP) Programme is planned for delivery at SETU Waterford - a new Engineering, Computing and General Teaching building - which is anticipated to commence construction in 2023.

I also remain strongly committed to the development of a new campus for SETU in Wexford. Wexford County Council has confirmed they are currently in negotiations to acquire a site in Wexford town for the new campus and will take all steps up to and including Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) if necessary.

At the SETU Carlow campus, a new Science and Health building, a significant investment also planned for delivery via PPP, will support state of the art Health Science programme provision.

Exchequer funding for capital projects in SETU and in other higher education institutions is provided under the National Development Plan (NDP). The NDP identifies capital ceilings for Government Departments for each year to 2025. The development of the Wexford campus and Waterford footprint expansion are still at an early stage, and project budgets remains to be agreed as part of the assessment process. The higher education capital budget is managed at an overall level, in conjunction with the HEA, with the allocation to a higher education institution in any one year determined by the pace of progress of its project(s) through design, planning, procurement and delivery.