South-east ‘will lag behind without a university’

WATERFORD Fianna Fáil Senator Brendan Kenneally has said the city and the south-eastern region will continue to lag behind the rest of the country unless Waterford Institute of Technology is given university status.

Speaking in the Seanad, Senator Kenneally pointed out that in 2005 general funding for third-level institutions was €154.6 million in Cork, €114.9m in Galway, €86.2m in Limerick and €33.5m in Waterford.

“In the same year, capital expenditure was €34m in Cork, €13.8m in Galway, €11.4m in Limerick and €1.7m in Waterford. Therefore, just 2.8% of capital expenditure went to Waterford which is not good enough.”

He said Central Statistic Office data shows the per capita income in the south-east is 88% of the national average.

“The number of admissions to university from Waterford people is 25% less than from the west. Some 22% of Waterford people continue with higher education compared to a national average of 30%.

“Such statistics must tell somebody something. We need a university and we will not attract private funding until such time as we have one.”

He said the south-east has 11% of the country’s population and attracts 0.69% of higher education grants.

“A university would instil a sense of pride in the region and provide a renewed source of cultural identity and development.

“The downward trend in economic and social performance would be redressed and, by increasing the attractiveness of the region for inward investment, the area could contribute more to the national economy.

“The university ... would attract new partnerships and a new range of investments and it would create a potential for private funding and a critical mass impact.

“It could rely more on private funding and reduce the dependency on the Exchequer - thus contributing at national level while creating a more autonomous learning region. What is good for the south-east will be good for the State.”