The Government is to end its freeze on capital spending on third-level institutions, it was announced today.
Although details of which institutions will get State funding have not yet been released, it is understood those that have been given the go-ahead in the first round are nursing and teacher training colleges.
The Minister for Education and Science, Ms Hanafin, told a conference in Thurles, Co Tipperary, this morning she believed the third-level sector was "a key driver" of Ireland's economic and social progress.
She accepted there was an "infrastructure deficit" and pledged to address it.
Her predecessor, Mr Dempsey, angered the third-level sector when he announced a freeze on third-level research spending in September 2003.
Ms Hanafin said she would be considering her options in relation to other third-level projects. Any final decision on funding would depend on the amount of money made available in the budget next month.
Meanwhile, the Taoiseach this morning announced a capital investment of €16 million in Mary Immaculate College in Limerick to build a multi-purpose teaching hall. Mr Ahern said Government priority would be support for the significant expansion of teacher training places in recent years.