€75m project provides major jobs boost

Four hundred new jobs are to be created in the construction sector in Galway after the resumption of building works on a number of previously abandoned projects at the NUI Galway.

Work at the university ground to a halt last May after McNamara Construction entered receivership, with the loss of approximately 450 jobs.

However, it was confirmed this week that 400 new positions are to be created after JJ Rhatigan & Co emerged as the successful candidate in the tender for the contract.

NUI Galway is investing over €75 million in the creation of three new world-class research buildings, including an Arts Humanities Social Sciences Research Building and two buildings dedicated to Biomedical Science Research.

The buildings will be completed on a phased basis from the end of 2012 into early 2013. Work has already begun on the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Research Building, located beside the existing James Hardiman Library.

According to a spokesperson for NUI Galway, the building will provide a “unique research environment to transform Galway’s rich cultural resources into social and economic opportunity”. The new facility will be a national and international resource that integrates research and training in the humanities, digital cultures, creative industries, business, social sciences, human rights, advocacy, and public policy.

Construction will also shortly re-commence on the Biosciences Research Building, located near the Corrib Village student accommodation in Dangan.

The third building, a combined Clinical/Translational Research Facility, will be located on the grounds of University Hospital Galway and will begin in early 2012.

Together, these two facilities will enable NUI Galway to build on its existing strength in the biomedical sciences area.

The university revealed that the new infrastructure requirements on campus stem from a dramatic rise in student numbers and the rapid growth of research activity, including biomedical science, which directly supports the region’s vital medical devices industry.

Speaking about the development of the research infrastructure at the university, President Jim Browne said he was delighted to see progress being made on the projects again.

“The investment in research infrastructure will have an immediate benefit in bringing much-needed jobs to the construction industry.

“Concentrating resources on biomedical science and arts, humanities and social sciences research at NUI Galway will have a major impact on the medical technologies and the creative arts industries in the West of Ireland. We have the opportunity now to provide two distinct Irish industry sectors with relevant, world-class research solutions, transforming national leadership into global competitiveness.”

Work has also got underway on two other buildings on the NUI Galway campus. An €8 million extension to the Arts Millennium Building, which will house the university’s growing School of Psychology, is scheduled for completion during 2013 and will also be constructed by JJ Rhatigan & Co.

Meanwhile, construction has re-commenced on an extension to the student branch of the Bank of Ireland, located on the Arts/Science Concourse, which will be completed by BAM Building Limited.

Vice-President for Capital Projects Keith Warnock said the university was currently investing €750,000 per week in revitalizing the current economy.

“The university will play its part in revitalising the economy and bringing much-needed jobs to the construction sector. We are investing in world-class facilities for our students. At present, we are investing €750,000 per week in developing our campus so that we can offer students a learning environment that is second to none.”