Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has welcomed the signing of contracts to begin construction on five major new buildings across multiple university campuses. The projects, part of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative, will represent an investment of approximately €380 million (ex VAT) and mark the start of the second phase of the Higher Education PPP Programme.
The new facilities will be built at the following locations:
- Atlantic Technological University (ATU) – Galway and Letterkenny Campuses
- South East Technological University (SETU) – Waterford and Carlow Campuses
- Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) – Limerick Campus
These projects follow the successful first phase of the PPP programme, which included new buildings at Technological University Dublin (TUD), Munster Technological University (MTU), TUS Athlone, and IADT Dún Laoghaire. When complete, the combined eleven buildings from both phases will offer approximately 72,800m² of additional space and cater for around 8,500 students.
Speaking about the announcement, Minister Lawless said:
“This significant capital programme demonstrates both my own and the Government’s commitment to excellence across all our higher education institutions. It reflects our focus on achieving regional balance and delivering best-in-class facilities for the next generation of learners – and for the long-term economic impact that follows.”
He added:
“With construction now commencing on five new buildings across five campuses, this €380 million programme will significantly expand student capacity, modernise teaching spaces, and bring state-of-the-art labs, studios, and workshops to regions across the country. It is a vital investment in our economy, supporting scientific education in regional areas.”
“I’ve seen first-hand the transformative impact of buildings delivered under phase one of this PPP programme and the quality of what has been delivered. With today’s announcement, we are building on that success, delivering lasting educational infrastructure that will reinforce Ireland’s knowledge economy for years to come.”
Overview of the New Buildings
Each building is designed with an emphasis on practice-based learning, including advanced laboratories, studios, and IT spaces, and will be adaptable for hybrid and remote learning. Here is a breakdown of the new developments:
ATU Galway Campus – A new STEM building with labs and teaching spaces, increasing student capacity by around 500.
ATU Letterkenny Campus – A Library, IT, and Education building, boosting capacity by 600.
SETU Waterford Campus – The largest project in this phase: an Engineering, Architecture, Computing, and General Teaching building, adding space for 1,000 students.
SETU Carlow Campus – A Science & Health building with labs and teaching facilities for 500 more students.
TUS Limerick Campus – An Applied Science & IT building to support an additional 700 students.
Project Delivery and Funding
The contract has been awarded to the Invesis Consortium, which includes:
- Invesis Coöperatie U.A. (equity provider)
- BAM Building Ltd (construction)
- BAM FM Ireland Ltd (facilities management)
Funding comes from the European Investment Bank, Allied Irish Bank, Bank of Ireland, and Rabobank.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA), working with the Department of Further and Higher Education, acted as the sponsoring agency. The National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) oversaw procurement and will continue involvement throughout the project lifecycle.
As with previous education-sector PPPs, the arrangement follows a design-build-finance-maintain model. The Invesis Consortium will construct and manage the buildings for 25 years, with the Department paying a monthly charge over the period after construction completion.
Ciarán McCaffrey, Head of Capital Programmes at the HEA, commented:
“The commencement of construction of five new buildings across the Higher Education sector marks a key stage in this PPP Programme. These new buildings provide state-of-the-art teaching and learning, lab and learning resource space which will be transformative for the students and staff as well as the regions these institutions serve.”
This project forms part of Project Ireland 2040, which recognises investment in education as central to building a strong, balanced economy and a just, inclusive society. Today’s announcement reaffirms the Government’s commitment to the Higher Education PPP Programme and a future-proofed education sector.
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