Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise this issue with the Minister. In 2002 the Government announced the national spatial strategy for 2002 to 2020. Unfortunately, County Tipperary was not mentioned. It got no hub or gateway. It was as if the county did not exist. Clonmel is the main town within the county and within the south Tipperary, west Waterford, west Kilkenny and east Limerick areas.

When one looks at the characteristics of gateways and hubs as outlined in the strategy, Clonmel met all requirements. The definition of a hub having a significant urban population in the range 20,000 to 40,000 set in an associated rural hinterland describes Clonmel. It has the required primary, secondary and outreach education facilities, with third level facilities provided at the Tipperary Institute. A hub also has a mix of local medium-sized and larger businesses serving local, regional, national and international markets. Guidant employs 1,100 staff and will employ a further 1,000 over the next three years. We also have companies such as Showerings, Medite Europe, Merck, Sharp and Dohme, Clonmel Healthcare and a host of other industries.

Regarding the requirements of infrastructure and transportation, Clonmel is situated on a national primary road and there is a rail link from Limerick to Waterford and on to Rosslare port. We have a regional hospital and South Tipperary General Hospital is also based in Clonmel. A range of required amenities, such as sporting and cultural facilities, are available in Clonmel, as are water services and facilities for physical, social and economic development.

These requirements describe Clonmel to perfection but, for whatever reason, it was not given hub status. Having discussed the matter with the Department and the Minister at the time, the reaction of the county enterprise board, county council, public representatives and the people of south Tipperary was to ensure Clonmel was given de facto hub status. The authorities purchased Ballingarrane estate owned by the Watson family on the edge of Clonmel. South Tipperary County Council is establishing a technology and business park on the estate. Many bodies have come on board, including IDA Ireland which purchased 65 acres, as well as private interests.

The educational element is vital to the establishment of the technology and business park. In the Minister's reply to the last Adjournment matter, he spoke of the Government's proposals for the integration of education with industry, research and development and their importance for future economic and social development. In keeping with this, a request has been made for the relocation of the Tipperary Institute to the technology and business park.

The Tipperary Institute has two campuses, one in Thurles and the other in Clonmel. It is the only third level institute in Europe which integrates third level education with rural and business development. I raised this matter in a parliamentary question before Christmas and was informed there was some merit in the request and a review would take place. I hope the review has been completed and a decision has been made to relocate to Ballingarrane. This is a cost-neutral exercise in that no cost is involved in the relocation of the institute to the new business and technology park. I hope the Minister has good news regarding the matter.

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