Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

456. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to his recent announcement regarding the €40 million capital grant for third-level universities, if this money can be used by third-level institutions to subsidise the cost of building new student accommodation (details supplied); if so, the number of beds it is likely to contribute towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31843/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Devolved Capital Grant provides flexible capital funding to eligible higher education institutions to support small-scale building works including energy efficiency and decarbonisation related upgrades, health and safety works, access works, refurbishment etc. and equipment purchase or renewal, including ICT.

The focus of the funding for minor capital works, refurbishment and renewal of equipment is essential if HEIs are to keep their capital stock fit-for-purpose and to operate sustainably. Adequate levels of maintenance funding are required across the third level sector to prevent deterioration of capital infrastructure and ensure that facilities remain up-to-date, fit for purpose and respond to climate objectives. Subsidising the cost of building new student accommodation therefore cannot be included in the existing allocation model within the Devolved Capital Grant.

My Department is progressing specific student accommodation actions under Housing for All, and examining measures to address challenges in the supply of affordable and appropriate student accommodation.

Housing for All contains a commitment to develop policy and methodology for potential short-term state support for proposals for the construction of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) by Higher Education Institutions where planning permission has already been secured. Government has approved funding to support the development of 1,065 beds for students of the University of Limerick, Dublin City University, Maynooth University and the University of Galway. My Department continues to examine proposals and financial projections from relevant HEI’s.

My Department and I are also engaged in the ongoing development of new longer term student accommodation policy responses. My Department is engaging with colleagues from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to work on the development of a supporting scheme for supply of student accommodation through refurbishment of vacant properties. Funding mechanisms to support this refurbishment are currently under consideration but could include some form of specific purpose capital grant.

Mairead Farrell (Galway West, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

457. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills in relation to his recent announcement regarding the €40 million capital grant for third-level universities, if this funding relates to new money, rather than a reannouncement (details supplied); if so, if this is an annual capital grant that it awarded; the amounts that were provided in 2020, and 2021 along with the total amounts drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31844/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since 2020, the Department has disbursed €120m in funding for the 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years (€40m for each academic year) under the Devolved Capital Grant to eligible Higher Education Institutions. The Devolved Capital Grant is allocated in accordance with a model based primarily on student numbers, weighted by course type and mode of study.

On Monday 26th June, the Department announced a further €40m million in capital devolved funding for the higher education sector for the 2023/24 academic year bringing the total funding allocated since 2020 to €160m.

€25m is considered to be the appropriate baseline grant. However for the 4th year running, an expanded grant of €40 million has been approved for the higher education sector reflecting the additional capital costs arising in the sector due to labour shortages, supply chain issues and more particularly material price increases following the invasion of Ukraine, compounded by a difficult period impacted by both COVID 19 and Brexit.

The Devolved Capital Grant provides flexible capital funding to eligible higher education institutions to support small-scale building works. Our third level sector faces significant challenges in responding to climate objectives and these funds will assist with making energy upgrades. It will also ensure our campuses are inclusive and accessible. The funding can be used to make the necessary upgrades to make campuses accessible for people with disabilities. It is a matter for individual higher education institutions to determine what works are prioritised.

I have attached a table of all allocations which have been fully drawn from 2020 to date below.