Written answers

Wednesday, 21 May 2025

Department of Education and Skills

Further and Higher Education

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Photo of Albert DolanAlbert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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190. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if there are plans for capital investment in further and higher education facilities in Galway during the remainder of 2025. [26136/25]

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department works collaboratively, through SOLAS and the HEA, with the Education Training Boards and all higher education institutions on the development and delivery of capital projects.

Capital investment in Galway during the course of 2025 will be realised through existing capital projects and devolved funding mechanisms as set out below.

Higher Education

  • University of Galway Learning Commons (which is on-site) will continue to progress under the Higher Education Strategic and Infrastructural Fund (HESIF I),
  • The Atlantic Technological University (ATU Galway) STEM Building is at an advanced stage in the procurement process under the Higher Education PPP Programme Bundle II,
  • ATU Galway Future Living Lab project is at pre-planning stage and is progressing under the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF),
  • ATU Galway 1972 Building Energy Upgrade/ CO2 reduction project (balance of funding will be disbursed in 2025) substantially completed under the Energy Efficiency Decarbonisation Pathway Programme (EEDPP 2023),
  • Atlantic Technological University and University of Galway will each introduce new pharmacy programmes under the Short-term Capital Activation Programme (SCAP).
Along with individual capital projects, Atlantic Technological University and University of Galway receive an annual Devolved Capital Grant which provides flexible capital funding to support small-scale building works (including health and safety works, access works, refurbishment, energy upgrades etc.) and equipment purchase or renewal, including ICT.

Further Education and Training
  • Petersburg Outdoor Education and Training Centre is at planning and design stage and will be progressed under the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund (SIUF),
  • Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Hub for the Mervue campus was substantially completed in Dec 2024 (balance of funding will be disbursed in 2025) under the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund (SIUF),
  • Apprenticeship Training Centre, GRETB Mervue Campus, Galway apprenticeship fit-out in 2024 (balance of funding will be disbursed in 2025)
  • Petersburg FET Centre being assessed for works under the Emergency Health and Safety Works Grant
  • Roscommon Training Centre retrofit and improvement works will be completed in 2025 under Minor Capital Works Grant.
Along with individual capital projects, GRETB received an annual devolved capital grant of €507,500 in 2025 which provides flexible capital funding to support small-scale building works (including health and safety works, access works, refurbishment, energy upgrades etc.) and equipment purchase or renewal, including ICT. In addition GRETB are also allocated an annual green devolved capital grant of €507,500 in 2025 to address small-scale measures specifically aimed at achieving targets for 2030, as set out in the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate. It is a matter for GRETB to determine what works are prioritised across the locations under its remit.

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