MINISTER FOR Education Batt O’Keeffe has asked for a report into the construction of a €1.1 million luxury residence for the University of Limerick president.
The Minister said yesterday that the building of the five-bedroom house seemed “lavish”, given the current economic circumstances.
He emphasised, however, that “no taxpayer’s money” was used to build a €1.1 million residence.
Mr O’Keeffe said the home for Prof Don Barry had been funded entirely by a benefactor who had advised the money should be used for this purpose.
The contribution was made several years ago before Prof Barry became president.
The philanthropist in question is the Irish American billionaire Chuck Feeney, who had donated close to €1 billion to higher education in Ireland.
Fine Gael’s education spokes- man Brian Hayes has criticised the decision to invest funds on the building during a recession.
The university, which has debts of about €3 million, has stressed that the building will be used as a venue for public events and accommodation for visitors to the campus.
“This project is being entirely funded with philanthropic donations we’ve received.
“The donors specifically gave it [the funds] for this purpose,” said Eamon Cregan, director of corporate affairs, University of Limerick.
“This is private money applied for a public purpose.”