Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The past year has been difficult for our third level students. They have sacrificed so much during a very important time in their lives, mostly to protect the health and safety of others. This age group has missed out on key milestones in their early 20s as a result of a year of distance learning.

I will raise with the Minister two higher education issues affecting my constituency of Tipperary, particularly my home town of Thurles. Thurles is well-known for its highly regarded educational institutions both at second and third level. We also have the national apprenticeship centre in the town. In addition, Thurles is well connected to Cork and Dublin via rail and road with very good public transport infrastructure, which is ideal for students. The town is centrally located, strongly connected and a highly respected hub for education in the midlands.

I thank the Minister for agreeing to meet Dr. Finn Ó Murchú of Mary Immaculate College, St. Patrick's campus, in Thurles, regarding the development of university level courses. There is major potential for the establishment of a home economics course on the St. Patrick's campus. At the moment, the only place people can avail of this course is Sligo. Numerous people have contacted me to say they would like to see a greater range of teacher training courses locally. St. Patrick's in Thurles is in an ideal location for this. There is clear potential to expand the choice and location of such a course and it is clear that Thurles would be the prime site for this due to its central location, transport links and reputation for third level educational standards. I look forward to continuing to work with the Minister and other key stakeholders with a view to developing the range of teacher training options available for third level students in Thurles. I again thank the Minister for agreeing to meet with Dr. Ó Murchú.

I welcome the news that the Government is working to deliver university status for Thurles. This is yet another area where we have clear scope to invest in third level education in the county. The amalgamation of Limerick and Athlone institutes of technology into a technological university, TU, for the midlands and mid-west comes as very welcome news for the town of Thurles. This will allow for enhanced educational programme offerings to be made to third level students, not just in Tipperary but in the entire region.

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