Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The project to have a technological university for the south east is one of three things that I want the Government to get done for Waterford city. These are the opening of a second catheterisation laboratory for the hospital, the establishment of a technological university and the development of the north quays. These are all part of developing Waterford as the major growth centre for the south east. A technological university can be a significant benefit to a region. It means more students will stay in the region at least have the option of staying in it, more students will come into the region and more jobs, investment and employment will be spun off for the region. Attending the inauguration of the technological university for Dublin was bittersweet in a way. It was great that we had our first technological university and that it has a campus in Blanchardstown in my constituency. However, it is another university for Dublin when there is no university in the south east. That is why I am determined to get this done.

The major issues and hold-ups appear to be caused by differences and disagreements between the institutions that will make up the technological university of the south east. The process has been completed in Dublin. It is likely that the technological university in Munster will come in ahead of the south east, which should not have been the case. The south east should have been the first region to get a technological university over the line. I talk to the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy McHugh, and the Minister of State at the Department, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, but the problems seem to relate to some industrial relations questions and disagreements between the different sites and campuses. I anticipate that the application will be made this year and I will be very disappointed if that is not the case.