Brendan Kenneally (Fianna Fail)

Of the five cities in the State, Dublin has three universities, Cork, Galway and Limerick each has one, while Waterford does not have a university. The city and the south east region suffer as a result. This issue must be addressed.

Today, the Urban Forum criticised Dublin's urban sprawl and the manner in which the city has developed. It called for a regional balance and proposed developing Galway, Cork, Limerick and Waterford. Leinster now accounts for 54% of the population, most of whom live within commuting distance of Dublin. This is not good for Dublin or the economy and must change.

Some in the university sector do not want the status of Waterford Institute of Technology to change to that of university because they believe such a move would create greater competition for funding. While Senator White is correct that the institute of technology has done well financially in recent years, specifically in terms of capital projects, it would have access to a much greater range of funds in the university sector.

I am pleased the Government has appointed an eminent person to examine the strong case the institute made almost 12 months ago. I hope a report will issue soon. It is vital to the economy of the south east that the region should have a university. As predicted, the manufacturing sector is struggling as Ireland develops into a high skill economy. If the current third level deficit is not addressed, the south east will continue to suffer.

The Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Hanafin, is well aware of the case for upgrading the status of Waterford Institute of Technology because the case has been made so often in the past. She will hear much more in future as we continue to fight our cause. I hope the demand to designate Waterford Institute of Technology as a university will be granted soon.