Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection

Future of Higher Education: Discussion

1:00 pm

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry for being late to the meeting. My question is associated with the topic being discussed. I welcome the representatives. Without wishing to take from the wonderful contribution to education made by Athlone Institute of Technology, AIT - the college is very proactive in the development of the midlands and has been working very actively with companies and businesses in the area to educate students to meet the various needs - I have long contended that the midlands deserves a university. How far away is the provision of a university in the midlands? The cost of coming to the city to study is a huge factor for students in the midlands, in terms of seeking accommodation and so forth. That issue is brought to my attention time and again by parents. It probably should be a separate item on the agenda for a meeting on education, but perhaps the members of the Irish Universities Association would give their views on the development of university facilities in the midlands.

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