SETU Advances €1.1 Million in Housing and Food Sustainability Projects

On October 7, 2025, South East Technological University (SETU) announced the launch of two significant research commercialisation projects, backed by Enterprise Ireland, with a combined value exceeding €1.1 million. These initiatives aim to convert Irish research into impactful solutions addressing pressing societal challenges on a global scale.

The first project, named HAL, is spearheaded by Dr. Patrick Lynch, the director of the RIKON Research Centre within SETU’s Faculty of Business. HAL is a digital platform designed to enhance housing compliance by digitising inspections. Utilizing artificial intelligence, the tool evaluates regulatory adherence and produces real-time reports for landlords and local authorities. This innovative system serves as a compliance passport, enabling housing providers to offer safer and more sustainable living environments.

In parallel, the second initiative, dubbed Eye-Q, is led by a team comprising Dr. Ultan McCarthy, Dr. Anastasia Ktenioudaki, and Dr. Yuanyuan Pu from SETU’s Department of Land Sciences. Eye-Q employs artificial intelligence to tackle food waste across the agrifood supply chain, from production to consumption. By facilitating improved monitoring and decision-making processes, this technology supports businesses, retailers, and consumers in minimising waste, bolstering food security, and advancing sustainability objectives.

Dr. James O’Sullivan, Head of Innovation and Commercialisation at SETU, remarked, “These awards reflect SETU’s strength in mobilising interdisciplinary teams across business, technology, and the sciences. With Enterprise Ireland’s support, we are advancing innovations that address urgent societal challenges while creating commercial opportunities, spinouts, and high-value jobs.”

The importance of these investments was further underscored by Nakul Wali, Senior Commercialisation Specialist at Enterprise Ireland. He stated, “HAL and Eye-Q demonstrate how innovation can deliver both economic growth and societal impact, positioning Ireland at the forefront of housing technology and sustainable food systems.”

The introduction of HAL and Eye-Q underscores SETU’s commitment to research-driven innovation and enterprise development. With a total investment of over €1.1 million, these projects exemplify Enterprise Ireland’s dedication to supporting pioneering solutions with global relevance, ultimately enhancing Ireland’s role in critical areas such as housing and food sustainability.