South-east university could revive region
Policies such as the National Spatial Strategy, Transport 21 and the National Development Plan all focus on this objective.
The theory is that if the infrastructure in the regions is upgraded, economic growth and prosperity will follow.
This is sound thinking, because if a region is opened up through the provision of proper roads, rail and air access, there is a much stronger chance of attracting high quality employment and economic activity.
Clearly, policy initiatives aimed at creating more balanced economic growth are needed if official statistics are any guide. The Central Statistics Office recently released statistics on county incomes and regional gross domestic product.
The figures relate to 2005 but suggest a serious disparity in terms of growth and incomes between different parts of the country.
Naturally, Dublin is top of the pile. In any country, there is a natural tendency for population and economic activity to gravitate towards the capital city.
In terms of disposable incomes per head of population, Dublin is 13% above the national average. The south-east fares very poorly, coming second from bottom just above the borders midlands and western regions.
Disposable incomes in the south-east are 8% below the national average.
In terms of gross value added per head of population — a measure of the value of goods and& services produced in a region — the south-east is also not faring well at 26% below the national average and a massive 47.5% behind Dublin.
The BMW region is almost 30% behind. It is obvious, despite the progress being made, that Ireland is still a long way from achieving more regionally balanced economic activity.
In the context of the south-east, it should be a source of concern that the relative economic performance is so poor, though I may be accused of bias as I hail from Waterford.
The region was traditionally strong in manufacturing and agriculture. With both of those sectors under pressure, the south-east has suffered. Furthermore, the level of educational attainment in the workforce is relatively low, not least because many young people left education at an early stage to work.
This is a serious problem that needs to be remedied.
The pressure to create a university of the south-east based around Waterford Institute of Technology, is the strongest local initiative that is being progressed.
Experience in Scandinavia shows that regional universities can act as a major driver of economic development.
A university of the south-east would arrest the brain drain out of the area, increase its attractiveness for high value added employers, and seriously enhance the educational attainment of the local workforce.
It appears that WIT has the necessary academic credentials to become a university, but the political will is seriously lacking. The attitude smacks of a preference for policymaking based on inaction rather than action.
All sorts of spurious arguments are being put forward to dampen the case, but none stack up. If our policy makers are serious about balanced economic development, they have to address the issues in the south-east.
A decision to confer university status, subject of course to strict academic criteria, would be a very significant step. The impact of the University of Limerick on the mid-west is an example of what can be achieved. Stakeholders in the south-east should now stand up and fight for this.
I have a strong vested interested in the issue, but the economic and social arguments are rock solid.
Jim Power,
chief economist,
Friends First
