David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are on the cusp of something really big and exciting for the south east. I have been involved in politics for 20 years. For all those years and more, there have been campaigns for a university for Waterford and the south-east region. In less than a year this can be a reality and can happen. On 1 January next year, we could have a technological university for the south east, operating in the interests of every county and every person living in the south east. If this university is put in place, it will benefit young people and future generations who will not have to leave the region to get a university qualification. They can get it in the region where they live. It will benefit all the people who live in the south east and it will benefit businesses because of the research and development potential that will flow from the university. It is time for the people of the south east to unite behind this project. It is not a time to drop the ball. It is not a time for negativity. It is a time to see what is in front of us, to get this over the line and to push in the same direction to make it a reality for the people who will benefit from it. This is bigger than any party, any politician or anyone playing political games. This is about the future of the south east. It has to happen. We have to get it over the line.

I have some questions for the Minister on issues of concern that have arisen as part of the process. The first question in on capital funding.

Will he confirm there is existing capital funding in the region of €150 million currently approved for all the institutes in the region and for a new campus in Wexford? Up to €50 million of that is money earmarked for Waterford. Can the Minister also confirm, if he is in a position to do so, that he can give a commitment that future additional capital funding for Waterford specifically will be sizeable and significant? Can he also confirm that, in appointing a new chair, that appointment process will be transparent and publicly advertised and that he will engage and consult with Oireachtas Members in advance of that? Can he also confirm there will be no change in the terms and conditions of employment for any and all new staff members in respect of the transition to a technological university? Can he also confirm whether decisions will be made on the structure of the new university in line with national policy and the national planning framework to ensure that the cohesion of the south east is built on solid foundations, with Waterford city acting as a university city, which it needs to do? Can he also confirm whether course provision in the future university will be a matter for the academics and the governing body, not a matter for politicians? If possible, I ask the Minister to give clarity on those issues.

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