Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 261: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if the presence of a university in the south-east region will not further greatly assist IDA Ireland in attracting investment from overseas companies to the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27388/05]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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IDA Ireland is the agency with statutory responsibility for the attraction of foreign direct investment to Ireland, including its regions and areas. As part of its FDI promotion and regional development role, IDA has an ongoing and successful relationship with the third level education sector in the south east. I understand from IDA that the absence of a university in the south east has not emerged as a limiting factor in promoting FDI to potential new and or existing clients. I understand the focus of IDA client companies and potential investors has been on the range and quality of courses and graduate output of the existing institutions. They are concerned principally with capability and not the legislative status of the relevant institution.

The key issue for foreign investors, therefore, is that educational institutions in the south east execute their remit to the highest possible standard. There are three areas that IDA considers very important and which the organisation discusses with all third level institutions, including those in the south east. These include the quality and relevance of course offerings in terms of enterprise development, engagement between the local institution and industry, both regionally and nationally, and research capability, identifying, marketing and developing the institution's capabilities.

For example, the Waterford Institute of Technology has been very receptive to the IDA's message and has recently introduced a new manufacturing course that reflects the needs of Genzyme, an IDA biopharma client in the south east. The institute has also worked extremely hard to develop its research capabilities. An excellent example of this is the telecoms software and systems research group that now has more than 70 researchers. Waterford Institute of Technology has been very helpful in granting the IDA and its supported companies access to department heads to discuss existing and potentially new projects. The number and location of universities in the State is a matter, in the first instance, for my colleague, the Minister for Education and Science.