The Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) has announced that it is proceeding with a new procurement process for the construction of on campus student accommodation for the Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) on the Grangegorman campus.

While it is recognised that starting a new process will add 12 weeks to the timeline for the delivery of much needed student accommodation, all stakeholders agree that it will be in the best interests of the final outcome.  The project is expected to deliver 700 bed spaces in time for the start of the academic year in September 2019.

Speaking about the announcement, Chief Executive Officer of the GDA, Mr. Ger Casey noted that the delivery of on campus student accommodation was a priority and that all parties were working in close co-operation to ensure the realisation of these much needed facilities.  The new procurement process will reflect some changes that will assist potential developers in fulfilling the requirements and will also result in an enhanced accommodation facility.

Mr Casey went on to confirm that work on the re-development of Grangegorman is progressing and that by 2019 the campus will accommodate 10,000 students and over 1,000 staff for DIT and this tranche of on campus student accommodation will meet this milestone.

As part of the Grangegorman project many new facilities have already been delivered. A new state of the art mental health facility, the Phoenix Care Centre, opened in 2013; the first 1,200 DIT students and staff arrived on campus in September 2014; and this year the new DIT research and business incubation building, the Greenway Hub has opened.  Now, in addition to a playground and a walking/jogging track, the new sports pitches are open and in regular use.

By the end of this year a brand new Primary Care Centre will be completed and will open in early 2017, this will be of great benefit to the local area.

The student accommodation in Grangegorman is being delivered in partnership with Dublin Institute of Technology and the private sector. The GDA and the Department of Education and Skills are facilitating the procurement process.