Dublin colleges to get new campus buildings

The Technological University Dublin (TU) campus in Blanchardstown is set to be one of the benefactors of a new building as part of a €250 million construction project approved by the Government.

Overall, there will be six new higher education buildings constructed at campuses across Ireland, including TU Tallaght, IADT in Dun Laoghaire, Munster Technological University, and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).

The contracts for the buildings were finalised in December and will be delivered by Public Private Partnership (PPP).

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris TD said the project is a “really important development in higher education.”

“The construction of these buildings on multiple campuses across the country will improve the educational experience for current and future generations of students.

“It also represents an important milestone in the Government’s Higher Education PPP programme and illustrates a commitment to investment in the higher education sector.

“We look forward to the construction progression of each of these six buildings over the coming years and look forward to welcoming the first students to the new buildings.

“The future is bright.”

Dublin West Senator Emer Currie welcomed the announcement of the new buildings and said the TU Blanchardstown facility will support practice-based learning.

“I’m really glad to see such a significant investment in the TU Blanchardstown campus, here in Dublin 15.

“Once completed, the new 4,067m2 building will include classrooms, learning resource and admin spaces, and it will boost the total capacity of students in TU Blanchardstown by 600 – an increase of roughly 12 percent.

“The building will have a strong focus on supporting practice-based learning including workshops.

“It will also have significant flexibility to adapt to changing teaching and learning needs, and to support hybrid and remote learning.”

Senator Currie paid tribute to Diarmuid O’Callaghan, President of TU Blanchardstown who has “served” the college for the past 20 years.

“I want to thank him for all of his hard work as he leaves Dublin 15 for new third level opportunities.”

Dun Laoghaire Independent Senator Victor Boyhan said the expansion of IADT will increase the capacity of the college by around 590 students.

“The new education facility will consist of computer laboratories, design laboratories, classroom spaces, campus restaurant and ancillary space,” he says.

When all six buildings are completed, they will comprise around 38,060 sqm of additional building space at the campuses and will cater for 5,147 additional student places.

In addition, the provision of these buildings will free up space in existing buildings and allow for new student places.

The contract has been awarded to the Enbarr Partnership, comprising Macquarie Capital Group Ltd. (equity provider), JJ Rhatigan & Company (construction contractor) and Sodexo (facilities management).

The project will be funded by AIB, Bank of Ireland, Nord/LB, Korea Development Bank and Norinchukin Bank.