South East University delays ‘totally unacceptable’ – Howlin
LABOUR TD Brendan Howlin has branded it ‘totally unacceptable’ that Wexford and the South East have been leap-frogged yet again when it comes to the establishment of a Technological University. In recent weeks, it was announced that IT Tralee and Cork IT would amalgamate to create a multi-campus Munster Technological University.
Back in 2011, when a programme for government was being drawn up between Fine Gael and the Labour Party, Deputy Howlin had it written in that a technological university for the South East was to be a priority. Nine years later, it’s no closer while two others - Dublin Technological University and now Munster Technological University - have been founded.
‘We’ve seen very little progress and it is a source of great frustration,’ Deputy Howlin said. ‘The reason the South East was identified as a priority nine years ago was because it is the only region without a university. As well as this, the idea was that a technological university in particular would build jobs and alleviate the unemployment problem that also existed in the region.’
‘It is so frustrating, nine years later to see Dublin Technological University get over the line and now to see a third university in Munster. More power to them, but it’s very frustrating when the South East was supposed to be the priority for this.’
It’s been suggested that the inaction on the SE University is down to stalled talks between Waterford IT and IT Carlow on an amalgamation.
‘For whatever reason, they haven’t been able to form an agreement like the other colleges,’ Deputy Howlin said. ‘It’s to the detriment of the entire region. When we were in government, I was told that the South East will never have the same pull to industries without a university. Companies like to set up in close proximity to universities. I know Carlow and Waterford have been sitting down and talking now for years. The second World War didn’t take as long as this process of amalgamation. If we were in government, we would be calling the heads of both colleges in for a very frank discussion.’
For Wexford specifically, frustration has also been growing with IT Carlow’s failure to establish a new Wexford campus. While two sites have already fallen through, a further two that seemingly tick all the boxes for the IT have been put forward and yet there’s been no action. The President of IT Carlow was asked to attend a meeting of Wexford County Council to outline plans for the future and failed to respond.
‘A major problem I’d have with Carlow is that they haven’t progressed the establishment of a new campus on a greenfield site in Wexford,’ said Deputy Howlin. ‘Government funding was allocated for this five years ago and they haven’t advanced a new plan. I think a very frank discussion is needed with both colleges and if they can’t work out a deal for a multi-campus technological university, with Wexford playing a big part, then Wexford will have to look towards one of the Dublin universities as an alternative.’