James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

There is where the educational institute as an enormous institution has to come to me with plans. Technically, it actually has to come to the HEA with plans. I am very ambitious for that campus. I would love to see that developed to its full capacity. There is a great opportunity there. The local authority is heavily engaged with it as well. The soccer club also has plans to move onto that campus as well.

There are a number of elements to that. I would love to see the entire campus developed to its maximum potential. I have responsibility over the education part of it and the higher education part of it in particular, and I have discussed this with South East Technological University. I have met Veronica Campbell and Patrick Prendergast on it. I have encouraged them to be ambitious for the site. There is a lot they can do. There is a mountain of heritage around Wexford town. Certain skill sets are being used for that around renewable energy and so on.

There are already some activities there on the sites they have, but there are some really useful areas that they could lean into in their offerings that would be complementary to the history of the town and the area and the skill sets that are needed for our national ambitions going forward across areas like energy, sciences, etc. As regards the next step, the ball is in their court to come forward with a proposal, to go to the HEA and to seek approval. It is a project I am ambitious for, and I share the enthusiasm of I am sure the Deputy and others in Wexford to see that develop. I very much hope it can happen on my watch. As regards the CPO, etc., funding is available from my Department. I wish the project every success.