01. Director’s Welcome

AY 2020/2021 has been yet another extraordinary year in the history of the University. The COVID-19 pandemic continued to pose serious challenges for the operation of the University. Indeed only essential laboratory and teaching activities were permitted under Level 5 restrictions that were in place during the second semester. The Buildings and Estates Department undertook extensive work to improve ventilation characteristics in multiple teaching and laboratory spaces. With the introduction of vaccinations in Spring 2021 the University was able to introduce a framework to enable a safe return to on-site activity. Guided by the proceedings of the Space Management Committee, which sat 43 times during the year, the framework was largely put in place by the Buildings and Estates Department in close cooperation with all the Faculties and administrative departments. Despite this the Buildings and Estates Department were involved in numerous large and small capital projects during the year. Significantly the largest capital project, the New Student Centre, unfortunately made no progress during the year due to hyperinflation in the building industry and the reticence of main contractors to sign up for a completion contract. The process to appoint a completion contractor is continuing. However significant progress was made on 18 smaller projects during the year. A further 12 projects were completed during the year. I am pleased to advise the Buildings and Estates Department has successfully launched an online Help Desk during 2021. This will allow continuous improvement in customer service for the campus community. The University places a very strong emphasis on sustainability in all areas of its activities. The Buildings and Estates Department continue to adhere to this principle in the development and maintenance of the campus. Physical developments that have occurred in recent years have been located in brownfield sites. As part of our management of carbon on site we continue to upgrade existing buildings to achieve higher energy efficiencies and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Waste from different streams are tracked and new initiatives are introduced to avoid the creation of waste e.g. the deployment of water bottle filling stations throughout the campus which in the library alone record over a half a million dispenses per year.All new developments are designed to the highest environmental and sustainability standards. We are one of the first Universities in Ireland to receive the internationally recognised Foundation for Environmental Education Green Flag accreditation. The Buildings and Estates Department continue to provide an excellent service to the campus community. This is facilitated by the Buildings and Estates Department team, including administration, projects, technical services (including goods inwards) and operations (including porters and grounds staff). The Buildings and Estates Department have a broad cross-functional team of 52 university staff and up to 150 outsourced core service providers (mechanical, electrical, architectural, security, cleaning etc.). These all contribute in a very significant way to the upkeep, maintenance and development of the University estate. I want to acknowledge and thank them all for their significant efforts during this most difficult period where their work had to be undertaken during the pandemic conditions.