The programme for Government commits to a technological university for the south east. I am sure the Tánaiste will agree with me that this is a hugely important project for everybody in the south east. Two issues have arisen over the past number of weeks which need clarification. The first is that there is a lack of certainty in respect of where the headquarters of that new university will be located. There is a lot of speculation, which I do not believe is helpful. We need clarity.

There is a lack of clarity in the process in terms of the criteria that will determine where the headquarters will be. It should be where the critical mass of students is. That makes perfect sense. There are also issues with the required capital funding to increase the footprint of both campuses in Waterford and Carlow. I know Waterford Institute of Technology has made an application to the national development plan for a revised application of €200 million.

Will the Tánaiste confirm that this will be accepted? What is the level of capital funding that will be delivered? How will a decision be made on the headquarters?

There are more than 20 Deputies waiting.

I am a really strong supporter of a technological university for the south east. We were not able to make it happen in the previous Government but I am determined it will happen in the early part of this Government, if not in the next couple of months. It is a very important project for the south east, both in terms of enabling students to stay in or come to the region and, from an IDA Ireland perspective, getting more investment in the south east, which is required. It is also helpful for spin-off companies and can help drive the creation of jobs, and higher quality jobs in particular, in the south east, which is essential.

I understand the decision on where a headquarters would be located is for the technological university board, and I assume it will make that decision. As a Government, we are very strongly supportive of expanding the footprint of the technological university in Waterford city and are examining the old Waterford Crystal site in particular as a potential site that could be purchased and used to expand the technological university once established.