Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

Science Week is an important opportunity to highlight the value of research, innovation and STEM education throughout the State. It is also an opportunity to look very honestly at the structural failures in how Government supports science, third level education and regional development. For those of us in Waterford and the south east, these failures are not abstract. They are stark and lived realities. The potential of the South East Technological University, SETU, is extraordinary, yet Government decisions have placed it firmly at the bottom of the pile when it comes to funding for technological universities. Figures released by the Department show that since the establishment of the TUs Dublin has received almost €56 million in capital funding, the Atlantic TU, €52 million, Munster TU almost €47 million and the Technological University of the Shannon €41 million. In stark contrast, SETU has received just €27 million of funding. That is a full one third less than the next lowest university.

This pattern reflects a deeper problem. When choices are made the south east is routinely treated as an afterthought. Waterford and the wider south-east region is mid-table for student numbers among the technological universities, yet bottom of the list for investment by a considerable distance. The Government must explain how this is consistent with any credible strategy for balanced regional development or indeed any strategy for investment in innovation and science.

Science Week should also prompt a discussion about the chronic underfunding of higher education more generally. Colleges are operating with 38% less funding per student than in 2008. That reduction has had serious consequences for quality, for research capacity and for staff conditions. The Government has spent less on research and development as a share of modified GNI in every year since 2011, leaving us below the EU average and below its own stated targets. That trajectory undermines the future of innovation and economic development.

Yet, in Waterford, despite these constraints, remarkable work continues to happen. ArcLabs, the Walton Institute and other parts of SETU are driving cutting edge research in information and communication systems, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence. SETU has enormous potential to lead nationally in these fields but potential without investment will not deliver the step change our region needs.

We need a fair funding model for TUs, a fast-track capital programme for SETU and urgent progress on the promised pharmacy and veterinary medicine courses to support regional growth. The south east has waited long enough. The Government must finally deliver the resources and respect that our students, our regional economy, the researchers in these institutes and our communities deserve.

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