Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will move to the question of philanthropic funding. I do not like making a distinction between the main universities and TUs because I think they are equal. For any student who is getting a qualification, a university qualification from a TU is equally as important as any other university qualification.

I know some of the universities are very good at attracting philanthropic funding. Could we broaden that a little to include private sector funding? Mr. Deenihan mentioned the pharma industry and Dr. Prendergast and I have seen the financial sector in Wexford. Pharma is not as big in the south east generally, although there are pharmaceutical companies in Waterford. Do the witnesses believe they can attract private financing for the TU sector from philanthropy and private funding by tailoring courses so that they might be able to get suitably qualified people to work within their sector when they are finished their college education?