Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State knows, I come from a region of the country that has three of the foremost scientific gateways, those being, the South Eastern Applied Materials Research Centre, SEAM, the Pharmaceutical and Molecular Biotechnology Research Centre, PMBRC, and the Walton Institute. I thank the Minister, Deputy Harris - we are trying to get research funding for a new CT X-ray and I believe we are making good progress.

When responding, will the Minister of State address a couple of points for me, please? Regarding the newest technological university in the State, we have been waiting a long time for a school of engineering. The original promise was made in 2004. It is to be built under a public private partnership. Has a contract been signed for the structure's development and, if so, what is its expected completion date?

The Minister, Deputy Harris, advised in April that he was examining the technological university lecturing and academic career contracts and that the OECD was essentially part of the process of forming new ones. The Minister advised that he was due to go to the Cabinet and the unions to discuss the matter. I understand that this contract has now been completed by the OECD. Will the Minister update the House on where that process stands and when it is due to go to the Cabinet to be signed off?

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