Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

The formal application to the Department of Education and Science by Waterford Institute of Technology seeking upgrading to university status was lodged in February 2006. A spokesman for the institute stated at the time:

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. This expectation is absolutely in line with section 9 of the Universities Act 1997.

When I raised this matter in an Adjournment debate in October 2006, I pointed out that this panel had not been set up. That is still the position in December 2007.

In reality, the position is even worse. In her reply to a recent parliamentary question, the Minister for Education and Science failed to confirm that consideration of the report of Dr. Jim Port on the submission of Waterford Institute of Technology would be concluded in her Department by the end of 2009. It was in November 2006 that the appointment of an independent expert, Dr. Jim Port, to conduct a preliminary assessment of the Waterford Institute of Technology submission was announced. I stated at the time that this was nothing other than a political ploy to carry the Government through the upcoming general election. It gave the impression that something was happening, when the opposite was the case. Events have borne out my judgment. This is an unnecessary additional step that effectively postpones the implementation of the statutory process laid out in the Universities Act in regard to the application process for the setting up of a university of the south east.

The Minister admits she is cognisant of the strong support that has developed in the south-east region for the application from Waterford Institute of Technology for university status. However, neither the Taoiseach nor the Government has the slightest intention of approving this concept, which would allow for a hub campus in Waterford and associated centres in other counties in the region.

Figures published by the Central Statistics Office in February 2007 show that, in 2004, disposable income per person in the south-east region was 8.8% below the national average. This is the lowest in the eight regional authority areas. The 2005 report by Goodbody Economic Consultants, commissioned by Waterford Chamber of Commerce, found that the move to university status would generate €96.7 million annually for the region's economy and create 2,215 direct and indirect jobs. If Waterford Institute of Technology remains as it is, the study estimates the employment it generates will remain static and it will produce €70 million for the economy.

This illustrates the great need for a university of the south east. The benefit of such an establishment will not be confined to the region but will be nationwide. Without a university, the region will continue to under-perform particularly in regard to the knowledge economy where the potential for job creation must be urgently developed. Even if the statutory process set out in the Universities Act 1997 were set in motion today, the various stages would take considerable time to conclude.

The Government must conclude its delaying game and implement the report of Dr. Jim Port. It must cease inhibiting the vital progress of the south-east region and let the submission from Waterford Institute of Technology be assessed as the law provides. The Government cannot continue to ignore the 460,000 people in the south-east region and their vital interests in terms of development and of the prosperity of their children and grandchildren. The good effects of the establishment of a university in the region will go beyond this. This sham must come to an end without delay.

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