Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not do it justice in this time. We need to win the argument and build up enough confidence in allowing people to access State balance sheets and borrowing. The place to start is on the issue of student accommodation and showing proof of concept through that. I will send the Deputy a detailed note on that.

Carlow College is trying to give an incredible gift to the people of Carlow, the south east and the country as a whole by saying it wants this site to be available for education. I want to see that harnessed. I know the Tánaiste has referenced this point. We all want to see this happen. Deputy Murnane O'Connor is very committed to it. As we know, they are autonomous institutions and it will always fall to the two governing authorities to work through this. That is why the action in the SETU strategic plan refers to seeking non-core funding - presumably from my Department - to carry out various analyses. This is a good way in which to proceed. I encourage it to put in an application through that technological sector advancement fund. That might be a practical way to take this to the next level.

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