Cummins seeks early progress on South East Technological University

Fine Gael Waterford Senator John Cummins has said he expects to see early progress on plans to develop a Technological University in the South East.

Senator Cummins said: “The South East is the only region in the country without a university and the establishment of a Technical University here is an urgent priority.  

“This is recognised in the Programme for Government and there is a strong commitment to driving this project forward now.

“The establishment of a university in Waterford and the South East has long been a priority for Fine Gael and it has been a goal of mine to see this delivered since I entered politics. I am fully aware of the local frustrations at being the only region in Ireland without a university and I have consistently championed this project.

“As far back as 2013 I hosted a joint meeting of Carlow and Waterford Institutes of Technology, when I was Chairman of the South East Regional Authority. I have pushed for this project ever since for the benefit of students and businesses across the region.

“I, along with other South East Oireachtas members have met on a number of occasions in recent weeks in relation to this, and it is great to see the collective willingness to deliver this much needed TU for the region.

“It is hugely important that we keep up the momentum now. I believe the appointment of Minister Simon Harris to the new Department of Further and Higher Education will be of crucial assistance in delivering on this, as I know he is strongly in support of the TUSEI proposals.  

“I am calling for the acceleration of plans for this project and I hope we will see early progress in this regard.”