Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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-----as they wondered where that college would ultimately end up in the context of the changing landscape of higher education. Settling the question, if nothing else, is of benefit to staff and students. Second, from a critical mass perspective, the institution will now be joining a large entity and one that is fast becoming recognised as a superb technological university. This critical mass will, therefore, be one of the benefits that will accrue to students and staff from joining ATU. This has been a big part of the agenda around TUs in general, in respect of moving from relatively small institutions and trying to get to a point of critical mass. The student experience will also benefit. I know this from visiting St. Angela's. It is one of the most beautiful campuses we have. It overlooks Lough Gill and the setting is absolutely beautiful. From talking to the students there, I know that many of them want to be part of the greater student experience that perhaps can be availed of by being part of a large university.

There is an opportunity now to establish excellence in nursing. Good work is already being done by ATU and St. Angela's. I refer to them coming together and the potential in this regard for joint programmes and synergies. Let us be blunt and say that capital is another benefit. Anyone from St. Angela's watching this session will want me to say this, and they are right. We will be able to assess a very ambitious capital programme, over time, for St. Angela's and ATU. Both are excited about this development. I should have mentioned and I now wish to name and thank the president of St. Angela's, Dr. Amanda McCloat. She has provided significant leadership in getting this initiative to this point as well.

Turning to the borrowing framework question, and I thank the Deputy for asking it, the bottom line is that we need to see our technological universities being empowered to develop and invest. Step one in this regard was getting them set up, which was not a small task. This has now happened. The north east is the last piece of this jigsaw puzzle that we must discuss. The next aspect to be addressed concerns allowing these institutions to embed and grow. Part of this will involve a discussion of academic contracts and another part will involve a discussion of their management structure and capital resources.

Crucially, this will concern access to the borrowing framework. What I and the Government said to these technological universities is that we should start with student accommodation. We should start with them bringing forward proposals on which we can engage with our colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform and test the ability to use the borrowing framework for student accommodation. As I know the Deputy will agree, housing is the biggest societal challenge we face. Our TUs have a major opportunity to help with this issue. They can help students and broader housing supply as well. In fact, tomorrow I will be announcing the appointment of some expert assistance to help the TUs to design their own plans for housing-----