Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
148. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the major capital projects that will be progressed in 2025 in the further education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37628/25]
View answerThe Further Education and Training (FET) College of the Future Major Projects Fund was launched to address existing deficits in FET infrastructure, to support projects that drive reform of the FET sector and to facilitate consolidation and integration of further education and training.
My Department is progressing a total of 12 projects under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund. To date eight proposals met the relevant criteria and were approved to move to the next stage of development, the Pre-tender – Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy Stage. These were proposals from Cork ETB (Bishopstown), Cavan Monaghan ETB (Cavan Town), Kilkenny Carlow ETB (Kilkenny City), Kildare Wicklow ETB (Bray), Limerick Clare ETB (Newcastle West) & Tipperary ETB (Clonmel), Galway Roscommon ETB (Galway City) and City of Dublin ETB (Cathal Brugha St).
SOLAS continue to engage with these eight ETB’s around their project scope and associated schedules of accommodation. Initial work has also begun on the development of standardised tender documents.
The remaining ETBs will have an opportunity to submit their completed PBC when they are ready to do so. An evaluation meeting will be convened as required later in the year.
