Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 May 2026
215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the projects in the Further and Higher Education Sector that will progress under his Department's Capital Programme in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34849/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department developed and published a Sectoral Plan for the tertiary sector in December 2025 for the period 2026–2030. This plan provides the framework for capital investment planning across the further and higher education and research sectors, identifying priority projects already in progress and new initiatives commencing from 2026. The plan is designed as a "live document," allowing for periodic reviews to meet changing needs throughout the 2026-2030 period.
My Department will have a capital envelope of €841.1m in 2026, with funding allocated across the following areas:
• Research and Innovation (€525.1m–incorporates €38m provided through the National Training Fund (NTF) Surplus Package)
• Higher Education Capital (€134.5m–incorporates €21m allocated to Shared Services for Aseira)
• Higher Education Public Private Partnerships (€72m)
• Further Education and Training Capital (€107m–incorporates €37m provided through the NTF Surplus Package)
• Agency Capital–HEA & SOLAS (€2.5m)
In terms of projects progressing in 2026, the further and higher education capital budget is managed at an overall level in conjunction with the Department’s agencies. The progression of individual projects in any one year is determined by, among other factors, the pace of progress through design, planning, procurement and delivery and subject to NDP provision. Responsibility for capital project delivery is devolved to individual Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Accordingly, responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, project delivery timelines, and cost management, all fall within the remit of the ETBs/HEIs and not my Department.
Details of capital projects in construction in 2026, for both Further and Higher Education are provided in the attached table.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING BOARDS - PROJECTS IN CONSTRUCTION IN 2026
|
Programme |
ETB |
Facility - Institute |
Project |
|
Minor Capital Works |
CDETB |
Inchicore College of Further Education |
Roof repair |
|
Minor Capital Works |
CDETB |
Coláiste Dhulaigh |
Disability access (lift, ramped access & carpark). |
|
Minor Capital Works |
KETB |
O'Connell Adult Ed' Ctr, Caherciveen |
Roof replacement |
|
Minor Capital Works |
MSLETB |
Sligo NZEB Training Centre |
NZEB Training Centre |
|
Minor Capital Works |
LCETB |
Kilfinane Outdoor Education Centre |
Staff Modular Accommodation |
|
Minor Capital Works |
LCETB |
Organic Campus - Dromcollogher |
Refurbishment Works |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
KETB |
Kerry College of FE |
Roof Works |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
MSLETB |
Ballina FET Centre |
Life Safety System |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
LMETB |
Further Ed Admin Offices, Dundalk |
Mechanical Works |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
LCETB |
Croom Campus - FET |
Roof Works |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
MSLETB |
Kiltimagh FET Centre |
Electrical Works |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
CETB |
Cork CFE - Morrissons Island Campus |
Roof Works |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
LWETB |
Connolly Barracks - Longford |
Roof, Windows/Doors & Access |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
LCETB |
College of FET - Newcastlewest Campus |
Prefab Replacement |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
CETB |
Cork Training Centre |
Mechanical Works |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
DETB |
Gartan Education Centre, Belville, Letterkenny |
Life Safety System |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
MSLETB |
Ballina FET Centre - |
Electrical |
|
Emergency Health & Safety Works |
MSLETB |
North Connaught College , Tubbercurry |
Access Works |
HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS - PROJECTS IN CONSTRUCTION IN 2026
|
Programme |
County |
Facility - Institute |
Project |
|
GDA |
Dublin |
Grangegorman Campus |
Programme 3 Academic Hub |
|
HE PPP - Bundle 2 |
Galway |
Atlantic Technological University Galway |
STEM Facility |
|
HE PPP - Bundle 2 |
Donegal |
Atlantic Technological University Letterkenny |
Library, IT and Teaching |
|
HE PPP - Bundle 2 |
Carlow |
South East Technological University Carlow |
Science Facility |
|
HE PPP - Bundle 2 |
Waterford |
South East Technological University Waterford |
Engineering, Architecture, Computing and General Teaching Building |
|
HE PPP - Bundle 2 |
Limerick |
Technological University of the Shannon Limerick |
Applied Science & IT Building |
|
Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Programme |
Louth |
Dundalk Institute of Technology |
North & South Block Project and STEM Extension |
|
Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Programme |
Cork |
Munster Technological University Cork |
1974 Building Upgrade |
|
Other HE Capital Projects - Co-Funded |
Dublin |
Trinity College Dublin |
E3 Learning Foundry - Phase 1 |
|
HESIP 1 |
Galway |
University of Galway |
Learning Commons Project |
|
HESIP II |
Dublin |
University College Dublin |
UCD O Brien Centre for Science Phase III |
|
Student Accommodation |
Dublin |
University College Dublin |
UCD Student Accommodation Project (Phase 1, 493 beds) |
