Marc Ó Cathasaigh (Waterford, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I have a short amount of time and a number of questions so I will rattle through them as quickly as I can. Along with other Members of the Oireachtas in Waterford, last week I would have met a number of groups.

The groups included the Technological University for the South East Project and Waterford Chamber. The meeting was to discuss concerns around the TUSE project. There are three recurring concerns that each group discussed. I will ask the Minister to address them in turn, if I can. They are the location of the headquarters, the application of capital funding and the composition of the governing body of the eventual technological university of the south east.

I agree with the Minister that some of the local commentary on the headquarters issue has been unhelpful. It has helped to fuel anxiety. The Minister's statement as well as those of the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste have helped to allay some of those fears and they were welcome. It is my opinion that any objective assessment of the national planning framework or the regional spatial strategy would suggest that the headquarters be located in Waterford, but I want to afford the Minister an opportunity to lay out his thinking on the issue.

My next question is on capital funding. Despite accounting for almost 9% of the national population, the south-east region accounts for 5% of the Higher Education Authority spend or 3.2% of HEA research income. The capital side is even worse. Since 2004 the south east has accounted for only 1% of capital investment in the sector. The existing Waterford Institute of Technology main campus is at capacity and creaking at the seams. The built stock is depreciating. We urgently need to expand the footprint of the campus in Waterford. We have to acknowledge that a university of substance requires substantial investment if it is to be meaningful. I call on the Minister to briefly outline capital investment plans.

My last question is on the composition of the governing body. The 2018 Act stipulates a board of between 14 and 22 people. Can the Minister comment on the criteria that will be used to appoint the president? What criteria will be used to appoint the three external members appointed by the Minister? Can the Minister clarify which education and training boards will in fact be entitled to nominate to the new technological university board? I apologise to the Minister - I realise I have posed many questions in a short space of time.