Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cullinane. I thank him for coming to the meeting earlier and I genuinely thank him for not playing politics with this issue and for being constructive on it. I hope it sends a message to the people of the south east, when he and I are agreeing with such enthusiasm on an issue, that we see the real significance of this to the south east. This is a game changer for the south east, not just educationally but from the perspectives of foreign direct investment, skills, research and jobs. The only region in the country not to have a higher education institution is the south east and we can change that now. On 1 January 2022, we can open the doors of a university for the south east. That is the prize. That is what we are all working for on a cross-party basis and I thank the Deputy for that. We are, in his own words, on the cusp of something good.

To turn to the Deputy's specific questions, first, with regard to capital funding, approximately €150 million already has been allocated to a variety of projects in the south east as part of the technological university. Second, I am 100% committed, as is the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, everybody in government and I believe everybody in the Oireachtas, to expanding the size of the footprint in Waterford in the new technological university. Specific sites are being looked at and specific proposals are being worked up by the governing authority. Third, I will publicly advertise for the chair and membership of the governing authority. I will engage with Oireachtas Members and it will be done in a transparent way. Fourth, there will be no change whatsoever to the terms and conditions for any existing staff member and anything to the contrary is misinformation, disinformation and untrue. Fifth, decisions will be made, as they should be for all public services, in line with the national planning framework and, sixth, politicians - me or anybody else - will not be deciding what course goes where. It will be done in consultation and leadership with the academics and decided by the governing authority.

Let us not allow anybody to play politics with this. All of us have a chance here to leave a lasting legacy for the people of the south east, and for the children who are in school today, to be able to go to university in their own region and not have to travel outside it. We know the benefits of that and I look forward to working with the Deputy on it.

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