Minister Cummins welcomes major expansion of SETU in Waterford

Minister of State and Fine Gael TD John Cummins has said the conclusion and signing of the contract for the expansion of SETU marks a transformational moment for higher education in Waterford. The new Engineering, Architecture Computing and General Teaching building planned at SETU Waterford Campus will consist of undergraduate and postgraduate labs, general and specialised teaching space, learning resource space, administration space and ancillary space. 

The project is the largest in the Higher Education PPP Programme and the new building will increase capacity of SETU at Waterford by 1,000 students. Minister Cummins said: “Today is another significant day for Waterford.  “The expansion of SETU will see a step change in its capacity which will not only result in a growing student population but a wider opportunity for the South East region in terms of investment, jobs and innovation.  “This project has been a top priority of mine and one which I said Government would deliver on. I’m really pleased to have worked extensively with my Government colleagues on this project which ultimately led to Cabinet approval in December. The final completion of the contracts now means that construction on this major project can commence. “I know how important this PPP project is for students and staff across this region and I look forward to continuing to work with the leadership team at SETU led by Professor Veronica Campbell.”

The news announced by the Government this morning sees the conclusion and signing of the contracts for the commencement of construction of five new buildings across multiple campuses, which are being delivered by Public Private Partnership (PPP).

The construction cost of the five buildings is approximately €380 million ex VAT and will deliver an additional capacity for approximately 3300 students. The new buildings are located in the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Galway and Letterkenny Campuses, South East Technological University (SETU) Waterford and Carlow Campuses and in the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Limerick Campus.