MORE than €5 million has been allocated in grants to third level colleges in Limerick to make their facilities more accessible and energy efficient.
The Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest (TUS), a multi-campus university with principal campuses in Limerick and Athlone, received almost €3m under this grant scheme.
The University of Limerick (UL) received over €2.1m in funding.
Green Party councillor for Limerick City North, Saša Novak, has welcomed news of funding for higher education institutions.
She said: “It is time that we call on our higher education institutions to be more innovative and futuristic, and with this funding I believe they will be able to make significant progress on this goal.
“As a former student of UL, I know that this funding will be invaluable. It is clear to see that higher education facilities in Ireland are moving with the times in terms of accessibility and sustainability.
“UL has always been at the forefront of innovation in sustainable projects, more recently with the Bernal Institute. This funding makes it possible for UL to improve the sustainability, accessibility and efficiency of their campus as well.”
€40 million has been allocated to third level institutions across the country and can be used for building works to support universal access, energy efficiency upgrades, ICT upgrades, health and safety works and building upgrades.
TUS, which became Ireland’s first transregional university last October, has a student population of more than 14,000 and a staff complement of 2,000 at six campuses in Athlone, Limerick, Clonmel, Ennis and Thurles.
