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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Waterford education and airport funding

Summary

Deputy Ó Cathasaigh raises three Waterford issues: the SETU PPP engineering building, professorial roles in the technological university sector, and transport-related funding linked to the airport. The Chair objects to the multiple questions, and the Minister then addresses them in turn, saying he will check on the airport and follow up on the other matters.

There are three items of real importance in my constituency of Waterford that should come across the Minister's desk in the Department of public expenditure. The first concerns the PPP project and engineering building that was promised for SETU in Waterford. We have been awaiting a decision on it for months. The second issue also concerns the technological university sector, namely the decision on professorial roles. If we want technological universities to function as centres of research, they are critical. The third issue is whether the Minister has been in touch with the Department of Transport to hear its assessment of the business case for Waterford Airport. Surely that is a decision that will come to the Department of public expenditure. Has the Minister engaged with the Minister, Deputy Ryan, regarding an initial update on the business case assessment?

Comment on this

That is three for the price of one. You are only supposed to be speaking on one issue.

Comment on this

They are questions that have more than one owner. Let me try to deal with them. Regarding the Department of Transport, I recollect that funding was made available for the airport project a number of years ago. I remember the circumstances in which it happened because of the role the airport can play in supporting large employers in Waterford, the Deputy's county, and beyond. The issue has not been raised with me recently by the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I am sure engagement at official level is underway with regard to it. I will check up on that.

Regarding the professorial roles and PPP in respect of the engineering facility, I have not yet received a proposal regarding the PPP but I know work is being done on it by the Department of Further and Higher Education. I will have to check on the professorial roles to which the Deputy referred.

Comment on this