Meet our Buildings and Estates Managers

Mary Daly, Estates Manager, LYIT

I play a strategic role in the planning, development, refurbishment, maintenance, upkeep and operation of LYIT physical facilities, rented premises, land and infrastructure, including the formulation, implementation and management of the institute’s development plans and the institute’s wider development function. Over recent years the role has expanded to include becoming a key contributor to the preparation of business cases in support of funding applications for strategic developments and property acquisition, in addition to extensive additional reporting responsibilities, both internally and externally to funding agencies and other statutory organisations.

We have engaged consultants to provide professional consultancy services for an expert review and recommendations for an appropriate and effective management structure and resources for the B&E function of the emerging ATU. We are also engaging with CUA Graphic Designers and the Working Group 4 Corporate Procurement subgroup to develop a coherent approach to ATU headline signage for all campuses across the ATU. This will be followed by engagement with architects for the design, planning, procurement and installation of permanent signage for each campus.

Working collaboratively with B&E colleagues, faculties and departments to elevate our campus facilities to university level standards and make a strong contribution to the development, maintenance and operation of an excellent TU estate.

Contributed to the due diligence process conducted by consultants Kosi and Mazars.

Contributed to the CUA TU application submission document including identification of key deliverables for the transition period.

Conducted preliminary research and analysis on B&E structures and metrics in other universities.

Applied for TUTF 2021 funding for consultancy services for the development of an overarching B&E structure.

Completed CUA work plans and designation day checklists.

David Lee, Buildings and Estates Manager, GMIT

I am the B&E lead in the planning, development, refurbishment, maintenance, upkeep and operation of GMIT physical facilities, land and infrastructure, including contributing to the formulation, implementation and subsequent management of GMIT’s capital development plans and the institute’s wider development function. I also contribute to funding applications for capital developments and property acquisitions, as well as wide-ranging reporting and briefing responsibilities, both internally and externally.

The managers in each of the institutes have built strong professional relationships which will support future collaboration. We have been meeting regularly since the establishment of the subgroup in 2019 and are working towards developing recommendations for an overarching B&E structure commensurate with the vision and ambition of the CUA while recognising the geo-diversity and the many and various challenges which the CUA will face.

The quality of the built environment infrastructure is widely recognised as essential to improving the student and staff experience. A B&E function resourced and structured commensurately to deliver on the vision for the university’s built environment, working in collaboration with other TU functional areas will better enable and facilitate the TU’s teaching, learning and research experience. It will also provide some of the services necessary to enable an outstanding university experience.

Develop a Buildings Operational Strategy to include maintenance and facilities management support services such as cleaning, caretaking, security, energy management and special events.

Develop a Capital Development and Master Planning strategy for the TU with a sub-master plan for each campus.

Develop a strategy for resourcing and management of the structural changes necessary for the new TU to facilitate the delivery of the new Capital Development and Buildings Operational strategy.

Develop a strategy and resource plan to achieve the 2030 carbon reduction targets.

Develop a strategy for the appraisal and management of capital works projects.

Develop streamlined B&E policies, procedures and protocols across all campuses.

Noel McLoughlin, Buildings and Estates Manager, Sligo IT

I manage all operations within the estate’s department in IT Sligo.

We are working on the proposed new structure for B&E within the new TU. We are also working on procuring an external consultant to review best practices for the proposed B&E function.

We have provided the CUA Project management team with detailed insight into the challenges of managing the B&E function across eight campuses. We are currently reviewing and proposing new structures to successfully manage the new TU’s B&E function.

The amalgamation of the three institute’s estates teams and working together to provide the best-in-class student-centered university experience.