Waterford companies complain of Dublin brain drain

THE brain drain out of the South East to larger hubs such as Dublin means large, hi-tech multinationals locating in Waterford often have to look further afield for staff, the IDA says.

Waterford has become a major hub of industry and commerce, attracting major multi-nationals such as Bausch and Lombe and Genzyme to the region.

Waterford Institute of Technology has been a major boost, providing skilled graduates and growing in status as a hub of postgraduate research. But the brain drain of university graduates is a problem, according to IDA Regional Director, Brian Conroy. It is not the IDA’s role to press for University status for WIT, he said.

That is a matter for the Department of Education and Science, Mr Conroy added. But he said the brain drain of university graduates is an issue for the region.

Companies locating in Waterford and recruiting university graduates often have to draw from Cork or other university cities, he said.

“The quality of students that WIT produces is second to none. Postgraduate research carried out there is also on the increase. We would like to have more graduates staying within the region.

“What is happening at present is that students are leaving to go to Dublin or further afield. Many of these stay away for 10 to 15 years and there is now some evidence that with the congestion in Dublin, many are now coming back.

“We’ve seen this in PFPC in Wexford and Sun Life in Waterford. Waterford Institute of Technology is very well recognised as one of the leading IT’s in the country. Its commitment to attracting the best quality of students is second to none.

“Its building programme, its new ICT building, nursing building and new campus all show its commitment to further improving its facilities. It also has great links with industry,” he added.

Education and Science Minister, Mary Hanafin, recently described WIT as “the jewel in the crown in the IT sector”. And Mr Conroy said the college plays a key role in the industry and commerce of the city and the South East as a whole.