DCU plans €230m expansion across four Dublin campuses

DCU - Planned development on city’s north side will see student population approach 20,000

Dublin City University has announced a €230million plan to expand its presence across four separate campuses on the city’s northside.

The planned developments will see its student population grow towards 20,000 with the construction of a new student centre, sports facilities, on-campus accommodation and new digital teaching spaces.

The university has secured long-term loans to drive a programme of infrastructural improvements over the next five years.

The investment will allow for:

- Upgrading facilities on the All Hallows Campus and the construction of student accommodation;

- The expansion of its education campus in Drumcondra is also set to expand to support the incorporation of St Patrick’s College, Mater Dei Institute of Education and the Church of Ireland College of Education into DCU;

- New student accommodation for up another 560 students will be built, while it will buy-back existing campus residences. This will bring its overall on-campus accommodation to 2,200;

- A new centre for students’ social, cultural, global engagement and entrepreneurial activities’

Professor Brian MacCraith, DCU president, said the plans represented a “massive transformation” which see it extend its presence in the north of the city.

“As Ireland’s fastest growing university, DCU is committed to developing an environment which will shape the critical thinkers and problem-solvers of the future,” he said.

“Investment in research and teaching facilities is essential to innovation and the unlocking of new ideas, both fundamental to a sustainable Irish economy.” 

The Ireland Strategic Investment Fund - managed by the National Treasury Management Agency - has committed to providing long-term funding of €54 million for the university.

This funding may double again subject to the proposed investments meeting its dual aim of making commercial returns and delivering an economic impact.

In parallel, the European Investment Bank has approved a 23-year loan to DCU for €76 million to support investment to improve university facilities.

Source: www.irishtimes.com

Journalist: Carl O'Brien