Paudie Coffey (Waterford, Fine Gael)

I acknowledge that for the first time in the programme for Government, there is a clear commitment to explore the establishment of a university for the south east. In response to a parliamentary question two months ago, the Minister stated that the establishment of a technological university will require new legislation and will require detailed performance criteria for the designation process. That is the reason I raise this matter on the Adjournment today. The Minister recognises that a pathway is open to Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology to pursue a technological university for the south east.

Waterford Institute of Technology has already done much groundwork in this area and it has achieved very high standards by any international measure. It is ready and willing to engage in this process. An independent report commissioned by the previous Government - the Port report - outlines the merits of this case. It is essential now that the necessary criteria are published as soon as possible to allow full engagement and give clear direction to all stakeholders in this process. There is a very strong political will across all parties in the south east to achieve this objective. There is strong collaboration between Waterford IT and Carlow IT. There is an intention to have a multi-campus university in the south east which can expand to the other counties. Deputies from all counties in the south east and from all parties are very anxious that this process would progress as soon as possible.

The south east is the only region without a university and this is reflected in the higher than national average unemployment figure, which lies at 18.5%. There are fewer graduates in the region when compared with other areas. The south-east university does not have to aspire to duplicate existing universities. Both WIT and Carlow IT have all the courses and the capacity to meet the third level requirements of university status. We now need urgently from the Government the criteria, the legislation and the support to allow this to happen.

See this speech in context