Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the three-year strategy launched by the Department in recent days with the objective of ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, age, gender or address, achieves their best potential, whether that is through education or the workforce. This is welcome.

I will raise with the Minister the technological university for the south east. As we move into the final stage in this crucial week, I want to say "well done" to everyone for their hard work. I know how hard everyone is working on this.

As the Minister knows, the south east is the only region without a university. We must all work together to achieve this. We cannot make it a political football. The Minister's commitment on funding is important, as is the fact that jobs will be safe, which I also welcome. The application for the TU has to be submitted by 28 April. There will then be a review by a panel of international experts. That is an important part of the process and it is crucial that we are on track to complete it by 1 January 2022. This is a good news story, which will be game-changing for the south east. We had a virtual meeting of all Deputies from the south east this morning. I welcome that.

Another priority for me is Carlow. The Minister will be aware of our fabulous third level institutions. Key to achieving the Minister's objective is the full integration of Carlow College, St. Patrick's, into the higher education system in the south-east region. I have had considerable engagement on this with the college and stakeholders, the Minister's office and the Department of the Taoiseach. Carlow College, St. Patrick's, plays a significant role in the higher education landscape in the south-east region, with a concentrated expertise in the delivery of programmes in the arts, humanities and social science. I am working to ensure no stone is left unturned in progressing this into full integration. Can the Minister update me on this process today? This is a really good news story.

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