28 March, 2024
Higher Education Authority welcomes the publication of the National Development Plan
By Maura O'Shea
Posted: 4 October, 2021
The investment of nearly €2.9 billion in further and higher education infrastructure, research and innovation over the next five years will produce graduates with the skills demanded by our modern economy, according to the CEO of the Higher Education Authority Dr Alan Wall.
The HEA has welcomed the publication today of the new National Development Plan (NDP), specifically the Exchequer investment in the area of further and higher education.
According to the NDP, annual capital investment by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science will progressively increase from a total of €500 million this year to €652 million by 2025, representing an increase of 30%.
Welcoming the announcement, Dr Wall said it recognises the importance of investment in Ireland’s higher education infrastructure.
“This investment is critical to increasing access to high quality higher education in state-of-the-art facilities, and to enable the upgrading of existing infrastructure, both buildings and digital. This investment in higher education infrastructure will enable the sector to develop capacity to accommodate the projected demand for higher education over the coming decade and to produce graduates with the skills demanded by our modern economy,” Dr Wall said.
The HEA’s Senior Manager of the Capital Programmes Unit, Ciarán McCaffrey said the investment announced today is key in supporting the sector in continuing to maintain and upgrade the quality of the higher education estate.
“The enhanced focus on energy efficiency and decarbonisation signalled today is also welcome in aiding the sector in progressing towards the necessary targets,” he said.
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