Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am a really strong supporter of a technological university for the south east. We were not able to make it happen in the previous Government but I am determined it will happen in the early part of this Government, if not in the next couple of months. It is a very important project for the south east, both in terms of enabling students to stay in or come to the region and, from an IDA Ireland perspective, getting more investment in the south east, which is required. It is also helpful for spin-off companies and can help drive the creation of jobs, and higher quality jobs in particular, in the south east, which is essential.

I understand the decision on where a headquarters would be located is for the technological university board, and I assume it will make that decision. As a Government, we are very strongly supportive of expanding the footprint of the technological university in Waterford city and are examining the old Waterford Crystal site in particular as a potential site that could be purchased and used to expand the technological university once established.

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