Ten third-level capital programmes have been allocated more than €80 million in funding by the Minister for Education, Ms Hanafin.
In Dublin today the Minister said she was taking the step to resume capital investment in the sector to ensure its development.
"I look forward to proceeding with the implementation of the Kelly Report and to advancing the development of our higher education system over the coming years, in support of our stated national strategic objectives."
Among the projects awarded funding is a new teaching hall and infrastructure works at Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick at a cost of €16 million, funding for which was first revealed by the Taoiseach on a visit to the college last week.
Others include new accommodation at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra which will cost €6.2 million; new buildings for the departments of pharmacy, health therapies and social work in University College Cork costing €15.9 million and new facilities for the schools of physiotherapy and radiography as part of phase one of the health sciences complex at University College Dublin at a cost of €15.2 million.
Ms Hanafin said the projects awarded funding had been identified as being of national priority. They were required to support the expansion of teacher training and additional places for professions with critical health skills shortages in the physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, pharmacy, radiography, social work and clinical psychology areas.