Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
147. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the development of a borrowing framework for technological universities; the timeline for the delivery of the framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37607/25]
View answerFor institutions other than traditional universities to borrow, a consultation process with the Higher Education Authority is required. This would necessitate the establishment of an appropriate framework setting out the criteria, financial and non-financial, including governance, oversight and reporting to define the operational process through which such consent would be sought and obtained.
Having passed those primary screening tests, the prospective borrowing entity would then be required to pass the relevant tests, procedures and requirements of the relevant financing agency before accessing borrowing funds.
The impacts, risks and responsibilities arising from such borrowing are key considerations in this context. In addition to accessing borrowing on commercially viable and appropriate terms such as would not adversely impact the financial position of the Technological Universities themselves or the wider public finances, requisite oversight, risk evaluation, project management and attendant governance and regulatory processes would also need to be established.
My Department and the Higher Education Authority are working with the sector, through the Infrastructure Guidelines process, to develop Preliminary Business Cases for student accommodation. As these business cases are developed and evaluated funding requirements will become clearer. The need for a borrowing framework will be informed by this and by the outcome of the National Development Plan (NDP) negotiations which are currently ongoing.
The development of a specific TU borrowing framework would require approval from Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.
