Last Friday, I was privileged to meet Councillor Lola O'Sullivan and Dr. Karina Daly, the chair and chief executive of Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board.

This education and training board aims to be the leader of learning through the delivery of high-quality, inclusive and innovative education and training services in the south east. Its educational and training provision includes a community national school in Wexford; a community special school in Gorey; 12 second-level schools, four of which are in Waterford; a stand-alone post-leaving certificate college called Waterford College of Further Education; a range of training centres and further education centres and services; outdoor training; youth work services; and music generation. Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board is also a significant employer in the south east with over 1,800 staff and in excess of 28,000 students and adult learners. Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board delivers many further education and training programs across Waterford and Wexford, from apprenticeships and industry training programs to English language and adult literacy.

The first national tertiary education strategy will be launched shortly by the Government. The term "tertiary education" refers to any formal education that occurs after the completion of second-level education. It is an umbrella term that covers both higher education and further education and training. With the development of the tertiary education strategy, there is an exciting opportunity for learners across the south east to benefit from closer partnership between the education and training board and South East Technological University, SETU. Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board and SETU are together developing a business case for the establishment of a tertiary campus in Wexford town. It will be the first campus of its kind in Ireland, presenting exciting and long-overdue opportunities for learners across the region. It promises greater access to specialised programmes, stronger links with local industries and a vibrant hub where students can collaborate, innovate and build careers rooted in their community. For many, it means the chance to pursue higher-level skills in areas aligned with Wexford and Waterford's growing economy and presents important opportunities for lifelong learning.

In Waterford, the education and training board is developing a proposal for the consolidation of further education and training at College Street on the site of the current SETU campus. SETU is due to vacate the buildings at College Street in 2029-30, at which point the education and training board will establish a further education and training college there. The education and training board learners, who are currently across a multiple number of programmes and buildings in Waterford city, will then have quality facilities on a campus that can cater for a modern, succinct further education and training program. I was struck by the people in the education and training board last Friday. They were very anxious that the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science would come and see at close quarters the great work that is being done there and I know that he would enjoy such a visit. I am asking if the Deputy Leader could use her good offices and those of her colleagues to impress upon the Minister how anxious we are to meet him down there. He will be given a right good Déise and Bargy welcome.