Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 July 2025
135. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will approve funding for the South East Technological University's health, pharmacy, veterinary and apprenticeship buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37403/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the National Development Plan, my Department allocates capital investment to Higher Education Institutions (including SETU) through competitive programmatic funding calls managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). These funding calls invite applications from Universities and Technological Universities, which typically respond to these calls by submitting Preliminary Business Cases (PBCs). The HEA evaluates submissions based on strategic fit, value for money and alignment with national priorities before making recommendations to my Department on prioritisation of investment opportunities offered. Any decision to allow a project to proceed through PBC stage is not considered a guarantee of capital investment
SETU currently has a number of projects with the HEA, these include:
• SETU’s One health building PBC has been reviewed under the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF). An Evaluation Panel was convened to assess the application. A summary evaluation report from the HEA is expected shortly.
• SETU has been recommended to progress with a Master of Pharmacy and a Veterinary Medicine degree under the HEA Expression of Interest process. SETU is working with the HEA to develop appropriate capital plans to support these courses. Subject to engagement with the relevant professional bodies for accreditation, it is anticipated that these programmes will have their first intake in September 2026, with up to 40 students on each programme.
• SETU’s Apprenticeship Building project submitted a PBC to the HEA, under the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme 2024 for a new apprenticeship building in September 2024. An Evaluation Report was submitted to my Department towards the end of last month. This report is currently under review and a response will issue to the HEA once that process has concluded.
