Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
912. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of approval for the SETU apprenticeship building; when the preliminary business case was received; when a decision will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37183/25]
View answerSouth East Technological University (SETU) submitted a Preliminary Business Case (PBC) in September 2024 to the Higher Education Authority (HEA), under the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme 2024 for a new apprenticeship building. All PBCs submitted under this programme went through an internal review process and subsequently an Evaluation Panel was convened to consider all applications under this Programme.
Engagement between the HEA and my Department, regarding demand projections for apprenticeships, extended over the period from submission of application to conclusion of the evaluation process. The evaluation report was submitted to my Department towards the end of last month. The report is currently under review and a response will issue to the HEA once that process has concluded.
