Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Athlone Institute of Technology has always been hugely progressive, an ambitious institution and a key driver for the development of the midlands. My family and I have long been associated with the institute and I am a former member of its governing body. I very much welcome the announcement that the Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology have come together to form a consortium to apply for technological university status. This will bring together the capital of the midlands and the capital of the mid west to provide a top quality educational institution that benefits students, staff and both regions.

Following the joint application for funding submitted by the two institutes earlier this year, I spoke privately to the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills and asked her to ensure the bid would be fully resourced. I now ask her to continue her support by providing sufficient funding for the consortium because I believe it would be money wisely spent.

Athlone Institute of Technology is one of best institutes in the country and the institute in Limerick is of a similar standard. Whether it is the percentage of staff who have PhDs, the level of research or the diversity of the student population, Athlone Institute of Technology has always been to the fore. This is a new beginning and I congratulate the president of Athlone Institute of Technology, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, and all the staff there. I ask that the Leader uses his good office to request the Minister of State, who is responsible for higher education, to come here and discuss her plans to fund the consortium applying for technological university status.