Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I thank the Chair for the opportunity to raise this most important issue for Waterford and the south-east region. While I have the utmost respect for the Minister of State, I lament the absence of the Minister for Education and Science to address the issue.

In February 2006 Waterford Institute of Technology confirmed that it had made a formal application to the Department of Education and Science in pursuit of university designation. The submission embraces constituent campuses throughout the south east. At the time a spokesperson for WIT stated: "The expectation is that a national and international panel of respected higher educationalists will adjudicate on the merits of the Institute's case and their report will be submitted to the Higher Education Authority". Section 9(1) of the Education Act 1997 states: "The Government may at any time appoint a body, the membership of which shall be recommended by An tÚdarás [An tÚdarás in this case meaning the Higher Education Authority] and shall include international experts, including employees of Universities to which the Act applies to advise An tÚdarás having regard to the objects and functions of a University under sections 12 and 13, under which an Education Institution should be established as a University."

It is early October and this national and international panel of respected higher educationalists has not been set up. Last week I tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister for Education and Science regarding when it is proposed to refer the submission of Waterford Institute of Technology on upgrading to university status to the independent group for appraisal. The Minister, in her reply, completely evaded the question. The reply was nothing other than a fob-off regarding this vital issue for the future development and prosperity of Waterford and the south-east region.

My fears and suspicions that the Minister has no intention of setting up the panel, which is the next urgent necessary step in the provision of a university in the south east have, unfortunately, been realised. The Minister stated in February 2005: "It should be noted that last September's OECD Review of Higher Education in Ireland recommends that the differentiation of mission between the University and the Institute of Technology Sector be preserved and that for the foreseeable future there be no further institutional transfers into the Universities Sector." This is Government policy. However, a strategy is in place to conceal the reality and give the impression of progress in the upgrading of WIT to university status because nothing is happening.

In her reply to my parliamentary question, the Minister referred to a very detailed statutory review process and said significant wider issues need to be considered in progressing the case. She also alluded to the Institutes of Technology Act 2006, which brings institutes of technology under the remit of the HEA, and to new managerial and governance freedoms that will allow the institutes to develop their roles. This is a load of waffle. While these issues arise, the central issue is whether the body of international and national experts agrees WIT should be established as a university. That is the basic issue and everything else follows from that.

There are major concerns regarding the economic performance of the south east. According to data from the Central Statistics Office, per capita income in the region is only 89.5% of the national average. The region is also overly reliant on poorly paid self-employment. According to a report commissioned by Waterford Chamber of Commerce and carried out by Goodbody Economic Consultants, more than 2,000 jobs would be created directly or indirectly by the upgrading of WIT to university status and, in addition, a further €100 million would be generated for the local economy. There is no more important addition to the infrastructure of the region than a university. There is a significant need to grow the research and development capacity and knowledge base of the region, the traditional industrial base of which is being eroded. The crying need is for capability building with regard to industry based on the best of modern technology. I demand that the Minister immediately announce when she will establish the body of national and international experts to advise the HEA in regard to the Waterford Institute of Technology submission to be upgraded to university status. If the Government prevaricates and delays, it will pay a very dear price come the next general election.

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