Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Parliamentary Question No. 1008 of 21^stMarch 2023 related to a list of major capital projects in which the Deputy requested details in respect of the progression of these projects. In my reply, I stated that the information sought was not available at the time but I am now in a position to provide the relevant information.

Attached is the table of the capital projects list provided in the original response . As I’m sure you can appreciate, given the passage of time, both the projects and the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have evolved. You will also be aware, there have been a number of mergers of Institutes of Technology to form Technological Universities. Projects in HEIs are generally institution led with a high level of autonomy for each institution to change their priorities as they see fit.

In reference to the original question asked, the list provided included all major capital projects which had, in one form or another been presented to the Department (at the time the Department of Education and Skills). This question was very broad and included projects at the very early stage of development which over the passage of time and the further development of the institutions masterplans have changed. Many of the projects outlined at the time have changed and this is in line with the changes of demand within the wider economy and the demand for courses from students. Certain project names have changed and some assumptions were made that the requirements of these projects have been integrated into new projects.

HEIs are required to comply with all relevant Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) guidelines including the Public Spending Code (PSC) updated in 2019. It sets out the requirements for evaluating, planning and managing public capital investment. The PSC outlines the project lifecycle which includes steps, activities and decision gates which are necessary for the evaluation of a capital investment.

A strategic assessment report is the required output of the first stage of the PSC project lifecycle and must be completed to receive approval at Decision Gate 0. Decision Gate 1 is approval in principle to proceed to design and planning. Decision Gate 2 is approval to proceed to tender for the works. Decision Gate 3 is approval to place a contract with the appointment of contractors to proceed with the works (note recent changes to PSC will amend these decision gates going forward but for the purpose of answering this query we have followed the 2019 PSC format)

The attached table gives the status of the projects including Decision Gates where applicable.