Simon Harris: 'I have never hidden my ambitions to be Taoiseach'

Higher Education Minister Simon Harris was in Cork to announce some €20m in funding and investment for Cork higher education institutions. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins

Minister Simon Harris said he has “never hidden” his ambitions when asked if he aims to lead his party and become Taoiseach.

But such ambitions are “something for the future,” the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science said.

“I've never hidden my ambition, but that's certainly something for the future,” Mr Harris said.

“The priority now, in my view, has to be delivering good government, getting things done between now and the general election, and then ultimately having a good and intense election battle about why it's important that Fine Gael remains in government and, indeed, the dangers of some alternative governments.

“I've always been ambitious, but that ambition doesn't arise at the moment.” 

Mr Harris said that he is “fully focused” on the job he was asked to do by the Taoiseach.

“I'm really enjoying the job that I have. It's a chance, I think, to shape the future of our country.

“There is no greater leveller or tool that we have at our disposal other than education in terms of creating a more equal country and a more inclusive society.”

Funding for higher education institutions 

The minister was in Cork to announce some €20m in funding and investment for Cork higher education institutions.   

Speaking at the official opening of Munster Technological University’s €13m arena at the Bishopstown campus, he said that the state-of-the-art arena took two years to build during a global pandemic.

The MTU Arena can be used to host major events, conferences, conferring ceremonies, and exams. It includes studios, a gym, a cafe and the architecturally designed hall.  

It will be open seven days per week, and membership of the gym will be open to students, staff, and the public. 

“This gives them [staff and students] a space to meet and socialise in the large cafe here, go to the gym or take part in other activities to help them look after their health and wellbeing," Mr Harris said.

The minster was then going to University College Cork to open a new student health centre, which he described as "a really brilliant initiative."   

“I think this could well be a model that we need to look at replicating across the higher education system,” he said.

“I'm also in Cork announcing today just over €3m in a devolved capital grant for MTU and just over €3m in a devolved capital grant for UCC.  This is basically capital money that the college can use as it wishes on things like health and safety works, making their campus more sustainable, energy efficient, and a range of criteria like that."   

This morning, Mr Harris announced €40m capital funding for colleges across the country.

The funding will be provided through the Devolved Grant system and will fund projects like increasing energy efficiency, implementing health and safety works, or minor upgrade and refurbishment works.

“This will allow universities invest to ensure their capital stock is fit-for-purpose and to operate sustainably," Mr Harris said.