Seán Canney (Galway East, Independent)
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46. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the STEM building planned for the Galway campus of Atlantic Technological University will be proceeding to construction; the timeline for the completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23176/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Higher Education PPP programme, which was originally announced as part of the Building on Recovery Capital Plan 2016-2021, includes eleven projects. This commitment to the PPP programme has been carried through into the current National Development Plan 2021-2030. The investment is considered a key enabler of the role of Technological Universities and Institutes of Technology in driving economic growth, particularly at regional level. It will significantly expand student enrolment capacity across the participating institutions, with a focus on areas of key skills needs (particularly STEM).

There are currently 11 projects being advanced through the PPP programme divided across two bundles. Bundle 1, consists of six projects and is currently under construction. Bundle 2 consists of five projects, one of which is for ATU Galway. The project in Galway includes a new 5,540m2 STEM Building and will consist of undergraduate and postgraduate science labs, general teaching space, learning resource space, administration space and ancillary space. The new building will cater for circa 764 students.

The final tender for Bundle 2 was received in March 2024 and is currently being evaluated. Assuming a satisfactory conclusion of the procurement process, construction durations for the five Bundle 2 projects vary across the facilities from 26 – 36 months.