Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I announced the €200 million for 11 of our 13 institutions in 2018. The Deputy asked why the application from the south east has been delayed. I am not sure. I have given it a lot of time. I have visited the campus and, since Christmas, met the two presidents of the institutes. I acknowledge the significant work being done by the presidents in Waterford and Carlow. I keep saying that this is for the students. It is not for other, possibly vested, interests. I encourage Waterford and Carlow and all the stakeholders there, including the students, to put pressure to make sure that application is received.

The TU budget is in place. The Higher Education Authority will announce a new call on money. I cannot give out money if I do not see something coming through and I have not seen a definitive plan for the south east. For example, Technological University Dublin received €9.28 million in 2018 while TUSEI received €1.72 million.

We will be-----

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