€3.9m. to help make ATU greener and more accessible

MAYO Fine Gael TD Alan Dillon has welcomed a funding announcement from his party colleague, Minister Simon Harris, for Atlantic Technological University (ATU) for the upcoming academic year.

An additional €3.9 million fund will be used for key capital investment priorities, including:

· investments to support universal access

· energy efficiency and decarbonisation upgrades

· general ICT and equipment-related upgrades

· health and safety works, and other building upgrades

· minor works and equipment

Said Deputy Dillon: “This funding will ensure our campuses are inclusive and accessible for people with disabilities, and it can also be used to help students access laptops or other ICT requirements.

“The funding forms part of ongoing investment in the higher education sector under Project Ireland 2040 and reaffirms a strong commitment to public investment in higher education infrastructure.”

Minister Harris commented: “Our third-level sector faces significant challenges in responding to climate goals and this fund will assist with making energy upgrades but also making college campuses greener.

“Across our sector, we can play the lead in responding to the great challenges of our time - how we meet our climate targets, how we make Ireland better for people with disabilities, how we improve access to education for people from disadvantaged backgrounds.”