David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am unsure if the Minister is following the south east around or if the south east is following the Minister around, but every time there is a big issue in the south east the Minister happens to be in the hot seat. Ironically, I have to point out, this university will most likely happen before the second catheterization laboratory is in place.

Be that as it may, I welcome some of the responses that the Minister gave to an Teachta Ó Cathasaigh and some of what was in the Minister's opening statement. I have had conversations with the Minister on this issue directly in the past. I am an enthusiastic supporter of a technological university for the south east. I want it to happen. I welcome the Minister's commitment to drive this over the line and make it happen as quickly as possible. It would be exciting for the south east if this were to happen on 1 January next year. My best wishes go to those involved in both institutes who are doing extraordinary work to get the application in place and to get the process over the line. I wish them the best of luck. Obviously, an extraordinary amount of work is to be done.

I wish to come back to some of the issues raised by an Teachta Ó Cathasaigh and seek some more clarity. I welcome the fact that the Minister said additional funding will be made available to increase the footprint of the campus in Waterford. I welcome that the Minister wants to use the TUSE model to expand third level education in Waterford and other areas of the south east. I am a supporter of the multi-campus solution. The Minister said that would be in the context of the national development plan. Will we see the colour of that money before the designation of the university? People would be comforted if they knew that were to be the case. I know that both institutes have made applications under the revised national development plan. We want to see, as soon as possible, the total quantum of money over a 20-year period that will be invested in what will be a new university from next year. What is the amount?

The second question relates to the headquarters. This is something that has come up. It came up strongly in the meetings that we held with the Waterford Chamber and a campaign group called the friends of the technological university of the south east. It is not an unimportant matter. I agree that funding is a big issue and I accept what the Minister is saying in respect of the government body ultimately making the decision. What criteria will the governing body be working to when it makes or assesses that decision? Would that decision have to be in line with the national planning framework? We know considerable work was done to ensure that we get regional development and the national planning framework right. Waterford city was to be seen as the catalyst for growth right across the region. I hope the Minister will bear with me in terms of how I am putting the question. Will the issue in respect of the headquarters be consistent with the national planning framework? I am putting that question constructively to the Minister.

I wish to ask about the composition of the board. My understanding is that a limited number of appointments are made first. Then those appointed have to oversee the election of other positions and there are further appointments. In the short time the Minister has, perhaps he can respond to that as well.

These two critical issues will give confidence to people in the south east and deal with some of the issues that the Minister raised. There are people who have a different opinion and believe Waterford can go it alone, but I do not believe that. I believe that the offer on the table is the offer we need to build on to get this over the line. Anything I can do to support that I certainly will do. Can the Minister address the concerns in respect of the headquarters and, crucially, the capital funding issue?