Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the concise way in which the Deputy delivered a very lengthy written question. I thank Deputy Shanahan for raising the question and for his ongoing engagement with me in regard to SETU, and particularly in regard to Waterford city and county. I look forward to visiting on Monday and engaging further with the Deputy there.

The multi-campus South East Technological University, SETU, will be transformative for the south-east region. Addressing the economic and social needs of the south east is at the centre of its mandate building on the previous achievements which I want to herald of the Waterford Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology, Carlow. SETU provides a high quality multi-campus environment with a strong focus on science and technology programmes aligned with skills needs in the region and nationally. It also engages in industry-oriented research and plays a pivotal role in facilitating access to, and progression through, higher education. In this context I am confident that SETU, our country’s newest university, will play a key role in retaining and developing talent in the south-east region. I am strongly committed to supporting the university on its campus development plans. I am strongly committed to expanding the footprint of the university in Waterford. An engineering, computing and general teaching building in Waterford and a science and health building in Carlow are being advanced through the higher education public private partnership programme. I expect news on that very shortly. Also, next year, construction is scheduled to commence on significant energy retrofit projects in Waterford and Carlow. Engagement is ongoing with the university in regard to the expansion of the Waterford campus footprint. Steps are also being taken in regard to the Wexford campus. The Deputy can be assured that these developments remain key priorities for me and for my Department.

The specific level of investment as in all higher education institutions, and this is not specific to the south east, is always informed by the scope and pace of capital projects and will be decided in the context of my Department’s overall allocation under the national development plan. We issue capital calls and we invite universities to apply, and the same will be the case with the SETU. We have, however, separate and distinct from what I just said, made specific provision in regard to securing an expanded site in Waterford and for that there is not a need to compete with other projects in and across higher education institutions.

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