THE new Government has already confirmed that it is committed to exploring the establishment of a multi-campus University in the South East, Fine Gael TD, John Paul Phelan, has confirmed.
Speaking as the new Government unveiled its Programme for Government, the 32 year-old poll-topping TD for Carlow-Kilkenny said: “This is the first time that such a commitment has been given and included in a programme for government.
Today is an historic day for the South East region and a major boost to the student population, business and enterprise in the region.
“Successive economic and social reports have all highlighted the critical need for a University in the South East and this clear commitment from the Fine Gael-Labour government is a massive vote of confidence in the South East region.
“As a graduate of Waterford Institute of Technology, I am fully aware of the incredible work being done there on an ongoing basis. Its reputation as a top class Institute, providing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes as well as cutting-edge 4th level research, means it has been operating as a University in everything but name.
“It is long recognised that universities act as a catalyst for job creation and innovation and this firm commitment to exploring the establishment of a multi-campus technical University in the south east is a massive boost, not alone to Waterford but to Kilkenny, Carlow, Wexford and South Tipperary,” Deputy Phelan said.
Just weeks ago, the former Senator discovered that talks between Cork Institute of Technology and WIT on the possible merger of both Institutes had taken place. He said he was opposed to such a move as it would negatively impact on counties such as Carlow and Kilkenny and focus the spotlight more towards Cork than the South East region.
