Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, Oireachtas Members from the west and north west met the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Deputy Harris, to discuss the progression of the application of the Institutes of Technology in Galway-Mayo, Leitrim-Sligo and Donegal to merge to form the Connacht-Ulster Alliance, a technological university for the north west. It was a huge moment for the region when on Tuesday the three campuses submitted their formal application to join forces and become a university for the region. It is a step change in the provision of third level education in the region. The excitement is palpable across all the counties that will be catered for and served by the university. The prospect of a university town in Castlebar, County Mayo, is huge. People locally are really excited about the potential for the county and Castlebar in terms of this new development. I commend all three campuses, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, GMIT, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, LYIT and Institute of Technology Sligo for putting this proposal together. It is long awaited. They have put forward a fantastic application to the Minister, which I have no doubt will be progressed.

It is my understanding we can look forward to the establishment of the Connacht-Ulster Alliance as early 2022, when students from across the west and north west will have an opportunity to attend a university in their locality. There is some work yet to be done. A governing body will need to be appointed which, ultimately, will make the decision on the layout of the campuses and courses and the location of the head office. I make a pitch today for the head office of the Connacht-Ulster Alliance to be located in County Mayo, but I am sure other counties will make a similar bid for it. It is a fantastic opportunity for the west and north west and is part of a wider Government agenda for balanced regional development and the provision of top-class third level education for citizens and students across the island.