Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has announced €4.5 million to support higher education institutions that have multiple campuses in remote regional locations.
The new Distributed Campus Support Fund has been established to support higher education institutions (HEIs) with multi-campuses in Ireland's regions, primarily in the Technological University sector.
SETU is to receive €460,000 through the scheme.
Speaking today, Minister Harris said: “This new funding strengthens and supports campuses dispersed in our regions.
“This ensures that HEIs that have multiple campuses can boost and maximise the impact of their campuses in the regions.
“Dispersed campuses often have higher costs associated with delivering education. This funding ensures that regional higher education campuses like those in Thurles or Killybegs are supported in recognition of the fact they are regionally dispersed.
“With this extra investment we are guaranteeing that the same level and quality of education and service is being provided in regional campuses as anywhere else."
Minister Harris says the new funding "delivers more balanced regional development" which he described as "a key Government objective, with high quality and state of the art campuses".
“It shouldn’t be that all roads lead to the big city when it comes to education," he said.
“The actions I am taking with my Department, commit to the delivery of an excellent level of education across Ireland.
“Our higher education institutions are drivers of regional and economic development.
“This new fund will be key to supporting our institutions and sustaining their dispersed campuses, helping them to deliver on their mandates to develop knowledge and skills, promote innovation and collaboration, and to foster social inclusion across the regions.”
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