Maeve O'Connell
Ceist:441. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has any plans to develop a college (details supplied) [8913/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 5 February 2026
Ceisteanna (441)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department works collaboratively with all Higher Education Institutions and Education and Training Boards on the development of capital projects in line with their established masterplans.
Significant capital investment has been provided by my Department to the the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Athlone. The Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme Bundle 1 consists of six projects, one of which is in TUS Athlone. I opened the 6,000m2 Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) building on 15th May 2025. The facility consists of science labs, lecture theatres, administration space and ancillary space. Together with decanted space elsewhere on campus, the new building will increase the capacity of the TUS at Athlone by more than 1,300 students.
Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone also recently received funding under the Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Programme (IURP) for two of its projects. The Auburn 2 building, which included refurbishment, upgrade and extension of the existing building and the East Campus carpark project.
In addition to the above, my Department has disbursed capital funding to Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone under a number of capital programmes including the Devolved Capital Grant, the Research Equipment Grant and the Apprenticeship Expansion Programme.