Cathal Byrne (Fine Gael)

I raise the issue of the South East Technological University. Two weeks ago, the High Court made a determination that would allow the CPO by Wexford County Council to proceed so that the council could acquire the land that was necessary for a new state-of-the-art campus in Wexford town. I hope this will allow students who are currently in primary school education to secure third level education in the heart of County Wexford on a new state-of-the-art campus by the time they do their leaving certificate exams.

Following the decision by the High Court, the Minister for higher education, James Lawless, was interviewed on South East Radio and was asked about the next steps in the process to turn this proposal into an actual reality. From my perspective, as somebody who is from County Wexford, the concerning point was that the Minister was very unclear on the specifics around the funding for the planning permission stage and construction stage. I call on the Minister to clarify his remarks and reaffirm the commitment previously given by the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, when in the role of Minister for higher education that whatever resources were needed for a state-of-the-art campus to be built in Wexford would be provided. The current Minister, James Lawless, said that, to the best of his knowledge, he was not aware of whether the money was there. Be it allocated in a specific budget proposal made in 2024, 2025 or 2026, I would like him to say once again that the Government's full intention is to deliver this campus in Wexford and that the council's CPO process to acquire the land will not be in vain. I call upon the Leader to raise this matter directly with the Minister. This is the biggest project in the development of County Wexford over the next ten to 20 to 30 years and we need to see solid confirmation from the Government that it is fully behind it.