COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL
Monday, July 13, 2026
QUESTION NO. 25
QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons
To ask the Chief Executive for a detailed report into how SDCC will address the need for an additional 3rd level college in the County?
REPLY:
SDCC recognises the significant role that third-level education plays in supporting economic development, skills development, research, innovation, and social inclusion. The continued population growth within South Dublin County, together with the expansion of key employment sectors, has increased demand for accessible higher education opportunities for residents and businesses alike.
While the establishment and funding of third-level institutions is a matter for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Higher Education Authority, the Council supports the enhancement of educational infrastructure within the County through its strategic planning, economic development and place-making functions, and maintains ongoing engagement with the Department to advocate for and progress higher education opportunities in the County.
SDCC’s planning framework, including our County Development Plan, supports the provision of educational facilities at all levels and seeks to facilitate sustainable development within designated growth areas. Through the planning process, the Council can identify and protect suitable lands for community, educational and institutional uses where appropriate and can work with relevant stakeholders to support future educational investment opportunities.
SDCC’s planning framework, including our County Development Plan, supports the provision of educational facilities at all levels and seeks to facilitate sustainable development within designated growth areas. Through the planning process, the Council can identify and protect suitable lands for community, educational and institutional uses where appropriate and can work with relevant stakeholders to support future educational investment opportunities.
Education use is permitted in principle within lands zoned RES-N, REGEN and Mixed Use (TC, DC, VC and LC), and is Open for Consideration on lands zoned RES, MRC, OS, RU and High Amenity (HA-DM, HA-LV and HA-DV). The County Development Plan 2022–2028 also contains policies and objectives that support the development and ongoing provision of higher and further education facilities throughout the County. In particular, COS9 Objective 8 for the Naas Road (City Edge) area seeks “to investigate with the relevant educational providers, the need for a new university campus within the Naas Road area and to support, promote and facilitate a South Dublin County University Campus within the Naas Road Framework Plan, or any superseding plan, should such a need be identified.” The Adamstown South & West Strategic Development Area (SDA) also provides an opportunity for third level.
The Council continues to engage with a range of education providers, including Technological University Dublin (Tallaght Campus), Tallaght Training Centre (DDLETB), Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) who have a centre for Learning and Development (CLD) and other further education providers and enterprise stakeholders, to support the development of education, skills and innovation ecosystems within the County. The ongoing development of the Tallaght Innovation Quarter and other strategic employment locations also presents opportunities for enhanced collaboration between academia, industry and local government.
Any proposal for the establishment of an additional third-level institution within South Dublin County would require consideration at national policy level by the relevant Government Departments and agencies. However, should such an opportunity arise, SDCC would proactively engage with all relevant stakeholders to identify suitable locations, facilitate the planning process and support the delivery of the necessary infrastructure required to accommodate such a development.
SDCC will continue to advocate for investment in higher and further education facilities across the County and to support policies and initiatives that improve access to education, skills development, and lifelong learning opportunities for all residents of South Dublin County.