Cabinet approves crucial new engineering building for SETU in Waterford

The much anticipated new Engineering Building for South East Technological University has received the go-ahead from the current cabinet, according to newly elected TD John Cummins.

The 12,800 square metre Engineering, Computing & General Teaching building will be located at the Cork Road campus and will be the largest is largest project approved in this bundle. SETU will receive funding for another building under the package, with a 6,100 square metre science building for the Technological University’s campus in Carlow.

The other three capital projects are planned for Technological University of the Shannon and Atlantic Technological University.

Speaking after the cabinet meeting, Deputy John Cummins said that the project has been one of his “main priorities to deliver for Waterford and I have engaged with the Taoiseach, Minister O’Donovan and Minister Donohoe throughout the process to underscore the importance of this project for our new university.” 

Deputy Cummins said he is “delighted that it has received the green light today and I look forward to contracts being signed and construction commencing in Q1 next year.”

The newly-elected TD said the project would be a “major asset” to the university once completed and that it follows the recent news that SETU will receive two new keystone programmes in the Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy courses.

“I am very much looking forward to continuing to work closely with the leadership team led by Professor Veronica Campbell, to progress further items for SETU such as student accommodation and further capital expansion on the new University Enterprise quarter (former Waterford Crystal site) which was purchased by the state last year,” he said.

The Fine Gael TD addressed the concerns regarding the delays to the building being constructed: “There have been a lot of inaccuracies put out there in the public domain about the Higher Education PPP Bundle 2, not least the incorrect assertion that the resubmission of planning for the building in Waterford, in September, would see this project stalled indefinitely.”`

“The reality is additional due diligence in the guise of a cost-benefit analysis was required and thankfully the benefits have been determined to outweigh the economic costs," he said.

SETU has been contacted for comment.