28 July, 2008 - Minister O'Keeffe grants approval for the development of the new School of Law at University College Dublin

The Minister for Education and Science Mr Batt O'Keeffe T.D. today officially approved the development of the new School of Law at University College Dublin's Belfield Campus.

It is understood that the planning and design for this project will begin shortly and the school is expected to be completed by early 2011.

The new School of Law will be c. 5,133m² in size, and will be part funded under the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013 and part funded through donor funding as well as the College utilising some of its own resources. Upon completion it will provide modern, fit for purpose facilities for approximately 1,500 students and staff.

It is understood the University plan to incorporate a Clinical Legal Education Centre as part of the school. This centre will create a modern and innovative space for the learning and practising of legal skills that does not currently exist in Ireland. This will not only benefit students, academics and the legal profession but also those who engage with or require access to clinical legal training including mediators, expert witnesses (e.g. medical, forensic, and economic) and members of tribunals and other bodies of enquiry.

This facility will strengthen Ireland's growing reputation internationally as a location for the study and research of law. It will also enhance the number of highly skilled graduates in a sector that will play an important role in meeting Ireland's knowledge economy objectives.

The need for this project was the subject of detailed appraisal in line with Government approved revised capital appraisal guidelines that are applicable to all capital projects. In this instance, the project was the subject of a detailed multi-criteria analysis, the outcome of which was accepted by the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Education and Science. Subjecting all capital proposals to rigorous assessment is vital in order that State capital resources are appropriately targeted to addressing greatest need in accordance with the National Development Plan.

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