David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses who have travelled from Waterford and Carlow. The common thread that has emerged from the presentations is the need for an integrated strategy from national to local level across a number of different areas. Dr. Donnelly was strong during the consultations in Waterford on the need for an integrated economic development strategy for the south east, which would examine its potential, strengths and weaknesses and so on but, in particular, its needs socially, economically and educationally and build from there. While that makes sense, it does not always happen. According to the research and facts presented by Forfás and other departmental agencies, to which Mr. Walsh, the city manager referred, the region has underperformed in educational attainment and experiences high unemployment and low entrepreneurial activity. Part of the reason for that is the lack of a joined up approach in the region and lack of integration of national and local policy. Education has not been immune to that. We hope and expect that a technological university might bring that cohesion and there will be stronger links between WIT and ITC. If we need to examine the strengths of the region, we need to have a strategy that aligns national policy with local policy and we need then to provide certainty to entrepreneurs and industrialists in order that when they look at the south east, they see that there is a plan and the infrastructure, supports, graduates and funding are in place.

The grants are in place and local authorities and enterprise agencies are aligned to what they need. There is certainty and it can be seen that these people are serious about those sectors. If we go down that road, we must be certain of the sectors. Perhaps the witnesses can offer their ideas on key growth sectors for the region and how best to support them in terms of research and development.

The speakers from Carlow IT made the point about the need for integrated plans and incorporating higher education institutions, HEIs, into regional action plans. What more can be done? Can the witnesses be more specific on what is not happening? Can they provide examples of how better to achieve integration? The point made by Mr. Shane Rooney is that we need to make sure the courses we run and the graduates we turn out are meeting the needs of industry and the community. Are there examples of shortages of skills at third level or fourth level or where skills are not aligned to the needs of industry? Can Mr. Rooney expand the point about incorporating HEIs into regional action plans?

I have a question for Mr. Rooney on apprenticeships. There has been a cultural problem in the State with regard to apprenticeships, where there is a perception problem. Employers do not see the value in apprenticeships. There have been problems in the construction industry and it may have tainted our views. Apprenticeships are much better at European level, where they are better integrated to the industry. This applies not only to manufacturing but ICT. The ICT sector has made presentations to us on how we must change our mindset on apprenticeships and encourage a lifelong learning approach, with employers being part of continuous training and education. Perhaps Mr. Rooney can give his view on this.

Another point that arose during consultation concerns people who want to do a FETAC course but cannot repeat a course at level 5 even if it is in a different area. This has presented a problem and it might help if we allowed more flexibility. Does it not make sense in a situation where people are being asked to diversify and have a need to do so when job opportunities do not exist in the sector in which they have trained? If we are to examine how we can assist people, it does not make sense to block them.

The last point concerns the technological university. Deputy Paudie Coffey and I attended a Telecommunications Software & Systems Group, TSSG, presentation to Oireachtas Members in Waterford. I was taken aback by the reach of that research and development company into global companies, including CNN and Disney, through research that has emerged from TSSG and similar work being done in Carlow IT with regard to ENVIROcore DESIGNcore and GAMEcore. I am a supporter of the technological university even though, traditionally, I was not convinced by whether we needed Trinity, UCC or UCD. We need a third level institute grounded in the needs of the south east, which is innovation and technology. Carlow IT has been very good, as has Waterford IT. What more needs to be done in respect of research and development? ITs find it difficult to get access to funding. If we get a new technological university, will it give us new opportunities to access funding for research and development?

It is interesting that all the participants we have heard from referred to integration, cohesion and a joined-up approach as being very important and something we do not have. We hope our economic strategy will have that at its core. It must be about ensuring it delivers for the regions. I thank the witnesses for their presentations and input into earlier consultations.