Assurances on TU status for IT

MINISTER of Education Joe McHugh has given assurances regarding the proposed Technical University status for IT Sligo.

The matter was raised in the Dáil by Deputy Marian Harkin who said funding has been provided to Letterkenny IT, a partner in the proposed Technological University, to strengthen its cross-border links with Magee University in Derry.

“I support any cross-border co-operation and it has potential for the north west, but I am concerned that the project might, in some way, delay the setting up of the Technological University,” she said.

She pointed out that the Technological University was at the bottom of the list of locations proposed by Government.

Minister McHugh said: “I assure Deputy Harkin, that the momentum currently behind the Connacht-Ulster Alliance is full steam ahead. It made considerable progress in the back end of last year and they will continue that work – it will be an important project.”

He said that “there had been much collaboration on a cross-border basis and there was a memorandum of understanding lodged within the Department of Education.”

“There is absolutely no reason why one cannot have a dual purpose happening with regard to collaboration on a cross-border basis on one level and then building towards a Technological University.

“It will benefit Sligo, Mayo, Galway, as well as Letterkenny,” he said.