Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputies Conway-Walsh and Ó Cathasaigh and the Chairman. I wish to acknowledge - I have never had cause to do so previously - Deputy Cullinane, who has been very active and helpful in the context of this project. The points made in respect of resources and leadership are valid and important. I can come back to the committee for a discussion on resources for technological universities in greater detail but I point out that there are dedicated funds now for technological universities, with the technological university transformation fund being one such fund. Our intention is to secure through the European Regional Development fund a specific research fund that only technological universities will be allowed to draw down. In the context of the south east in particular, the capital plan contains specific ring-fencing for a project to expand the footprint in Waterford and to finally secure a site in Wexford. I am satisfied in that regard.

The point in respect of leadership is also really important. The signs so far are encouraging. The fact that Dr. Paddy Prendergast, the former provost of Trinity College Dublin, put his name forward to chair this governing authority was a real vote of confidence in the new technological university.

The process to recruit the first president is under way. While I am not directly involved in that process, my understanding is that there is significant interest in it, which is a good sign. I think the final round of interviews for that position will likely be held towards the latter half of April. My Department will keep the committee informed in that regard.

Deputy Ó Cathasaigh knows the importance of this in a real and meaningful way as a former student of WIT. He pointed out the significant reality for Waterford and the south east that people have had to leave the region to complete their education. That is not acceptable. People should be able to access all levels of the Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, framework within the region. Furthermore, people should be able to come from other regions to the south east if they want to go to a technological university there because it is the best place to study A, B or C. This new technological university needs to decide where it will fit as to what it wants to be the best at in this country and in Europe.

As for this being more than a name change, that is a real issue. It is entirely understandable that in Waterford there will be a healthy degree of scepticism until the people there see shovels in the ground or real and meaningful investment. I said that when I was on WLR with Damien Tiernan on my recent visit. I fully get that. We have €430 million, I think, in capital investment to spend between now and 2024. Most of that is by competitive call. We have identified only a very small number of projects as wishing to work outside of that competitive call process. One is the expansion of the Waterford site, that is, the expansion of the physical footprint of the university of Waterford. The other is the securing of a site, working with Wexford County Council, for a Wexford campus. We will put our money where our mouth is in that regard.

Thank you, Chair, for rightly praising the work of the outgoing chairs of the governing authorities, Jim Moore in Waterford and John Moore in Carlow. I thank both for their leadership. We will talk about higher education governance in legislation in a moment. Serving on a governing authority can often be a thankless job. It epitomises a commitment to community and public service. I thank Jim Moore and John Moore, all members of the governing authorities and the presidents of the institutions for their leadership in that regard.

The Chairman and I talk regularly about our commitment and the Government's commitment to securing a site in Wexford. I reiterate that commitment on the record of the committee today. I also thank Tom Enright, the chief executive of Wexford County Council, and the council itself for its leadership in helping us to secure that site and the legal mechanisms they have had to work on with us in that regard. I am delighted to say we have now provided the necessary sanctions through our Department and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to get on with that. That work is very much under way and it is full steam ahead. Yesterday, while attending a summit on green skills and the retrofitting agenda in Wexford County Council with the Chairman, I was delighted to see the energy the council is applying to this project.