Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In light of the week that is in it, I am very pleased that Deputy Murphy has told of her experience of the benefits of further education because it can be transformational. There are many pathways to get to where people wish to go. I have heard many stories this week of persons who missed out on a place in university that they desperately wanted. They were disappointed at the time, but did a year in further education and then got a place in university the next year. They benefitted from that year. I encourage everybody in that situation to follow a similar course.

On the Deputy's point regarding regional development and the cost to families, this is another key game changer. We know that the longer people can stay and live in an area, the more likely they are to set up their family there, buy their home there and make their life there. From a balanced regional development approach, these technological universities are potential game changers. I know Deputy Harkin will shortly ask me about a technological university for the north east. The technological universities are key from an educational point of view and if we are serious in this House about regional development and caring about the regions. The days of everyone having to go to the big smoke, as the Deputy called it, in order to access to higher education must come to an end.

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