AS students return to campus, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has announced an additional €38 million for higher education institutions for the 2021-2022 academic year. Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education and Fianna Fáil TD for Limerick County, Minister Niall Collins, has welcomed over €3 million in funding for capital works and equipment for Limerick higher education institutions as part of this announcement.
Limerick Institute of Technology is set to receive €1,771,913, University of Limerick has been allocated €757,809 and Mary Immaculate College is to receive €696,902
Minister Collins commented, “This week, students across the country will begin to return to colleges for the first time in 19 months, a hugely exciting time for students and staff alike.
“I’m delighted to see my Department announce a significant devolved capital grant for the higher education sector to support a range of capital priorities. I am pleased to welcome over €3 million for capital works and equipment for Limerick higher education institutions.
“The grant funding will also help facilitate the safe and very welcome return of students to campus–based learning, and will allow higher education institutions to carry out necessary minor works and equipment upgrades across their estates over the coming year.”
The devolved capital grant allocation will facilitate higher institutions to address a number of key capital investment priorities including:
· Minor works and equipment needs to support safe campus reopening
· Procurement of additional ICT devices – including laptops- to support disadvantaged students who have difficulty in accessing a suitable device for their studies
· Investments in equipment and infrastructure that are required to support the creation of additional student places, given the exceptional circumstances facing the Leaving Cert class of 2021
· General ICT and equipment-related upgrades
· Health and safety works, and other building upgrades
· Investments to support universal access
· Energy efficiency and decarbonisation-related upgrades
The funding forms part of ongoing investment in the higher education sector under Project Ireland 2040. Funding will be provided through the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
