Joe McHugh (Donegal, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy used the word "process". The process is important in this context, with a number of institutes of technology engaged in it. We are committed to this process in the south east. The Minister of State in the Department of Education and Skills, Deputy Halligan, is constantly highlighting it. Those engaged in the process are CIT and IT Tralee, GMIT, IT Sligo and Letterkenny IT, and more recently Limerick IT and Athlone IT. There is momentum at a general level, but the momentum in the south east needs to be maintained. That is why we made a €90 million provision. My colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Mitchell O'Connor, is anxious to see many of the institutes of technology in question obtaining university status. That journey will continue for the south east.

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