ITB Major expansion plans are announced

A NEW 4,000 sq mt teaching building is being added to IT Blanchardstown campus as part of a major Government investment package in Institutes of Technology. 

The new building is one of 11 being built across the country to provide over 8,000 new student places under the Government’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) programme for the higher education sector.

President of ITB, Dr Diarmuid O’Callaghan, says the cutting edge project at ITB will help drive regional development and be transformative for students and the region in Dublin North West.

“I am delighted that new ITB building will be part of the first tranche of projects to move towards planning stage,” he added.

“This capital investment is timely, considering our recent application for designation as a Technological University with our partners in IT Tallaght and DIT, as it will support future growth on the Blanchardstown campus at a critical time for Higher Education in Dublin.”

An Taoiseach and Dublin West TD, Leo Varadkar, welcomed what is the latest milestone in the expansion of ITB.

“Investing in third level education is a very important element of Project Ireland 2040, our national development plan,” he said.

“The expansion of the ITB campus will benefit students and help drive development in the Dublin West area. The new teaching building will be used to support students across a wide range of disciplines. 

“This is one of a number of developments for Dublin West which are being delivered as part of Project Ireland 2040. Others include a new children’s unit at Connolly Hospital, the major renovation of Roselawn Health Centre, the completion of the National Sports Campus and the completion of the Royal Canal Greenway.”

The 11 projects will be advanced in two bundles. The planning and initial design for the first bundle of six projects will be delivered by a consortium of architects led by Coady Architects (incorporating FCBS & BDP Architects), who will be joined on this design team by JV Tierney and Mott McDonald Engineers.

A consortium of architects led by Taylor Architects (incorporating HJ Lyons & Mullarkey Pedersen Architects), and supported by RPS and BDP Engineers, will bring the remaining bundle of five projects through the planning process.

Procurement of a PPP operator for each bundle is expected to commence later this year. The bundles will be subject to ‘value for money’ tests to ensure suitability for procurement as PPPs before and during the tender process.