Trinity College Dublin is to publish details today of a new €475 million strategic plan aimed at doubling the number of students from disadvantaged areas attending the university, as well as improving campus facilities.
The five-year plan, which was presented to a meeting of the Higher Education Authority (HEA) last night, is being introduced with an appeal for funds from the private sector and State agencies.
It comes at a time of growing cutbacks in the education sector, and fresh constraints on capital spending. Trinity hopes, however, that by spelling out its plans for 2003-2008, it will find it easier to attract funds.
A major aspect of the document is developing the university's physical infrastructure, with a new student centre, a self-financing sports complex and a contemporary centre for research students.
Last month it was revealed that the Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, had ordered a new review of spending by universities, requesting that colleges justify their proposed building projects to a specially established working group.
In a letter to the seven university presidents and 14 directors of institutes of technology, the HEA warned that the "most rigorous criteria" would be applied to all submissions.
Colleges were reminded of pressures on the Exchequer, such as health and infrastructure.
