Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is great to hear that all these great things are going to be done. I have raised the issue of borrowing and the national student accommodation strategy a number of times, however. Despite WIT and now SETU having a track record as being the only TU in the country delivering student accommodation, it has been roundly hobbled by the Department's national strategy; so much so, in fact, that funders can see that the student accommodation in Waterford has zero Government support at this point. How can we build a functioning university in the south east if we cannot accommodate our students? This Government has been in office now for two and a half years and we have been told continually about all the great things that are going to happen for our university. I met representatives of the Department within the past ten days. No borrowing framework has been agreed. No-one is carrying hods on a site on Waterford and there are no cranes or boots on the ground. Planning permission has not even yet been secured. There are no prizes for plans. Delivered actions are what we need to see. I ask that this be actioned now.

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