NUI Galway and Atlantic Technological University have been awarded €6.5 million in funding for greener and more accessible campuses.
Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris has today announced a total of €40 million for improvements to higher education campuses.
The money must be used for improvements such as supporting universal access, energy efficiency and decarbonisation projects, general ICT and equipment-related upgrades, health & safety and building upgrades, and other minor works.
Atlantic Technological University, which spans Galway, Mayo, Sligo, and Donegal, has been allocated €3,979,631, while NUI Galway will receive €2,569,294.
“I’m delighted to announce a significant devolved capital grant for the higher education sector to support a range of capital priorities,” Simon Harris said today.
“Our third level sector faces significant challenges in responding to climate objectives and this fund will assist with making energy upgrades.”
He added that the funding will also help ensure that campuses in Ireland are inclusive and accessible to everyone.
“The funding can be used to make the necessary upgrades to make campuses accessible for people with disabilities, but it can also be used to help students to access laptops or other ICT requirements.”
Funding will be provided through the Higher Education Authority for all technological universities, institutes of technology and smaller colleges.
The only exceptions are the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) and the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS), which are being included for the first time, and funded directly by the department of education.
