Criticism expressed in Waterford over capital funding imbalance

A Waterford TD has said the latest capital funding figures for Technological Universities exposed "a clear regional imbalance" with the south east.

Sinn Féin's, Deputy David Cullinane, said the figures left SETU (South East Technological University) bottom of the table in terms of the funding.

He said Waterford and the South East are not getting a fair share of investment in higher education infrastructure, despite the region’s growth, skills needs and the central role SETU must play in supporting jobs, innovation and services.

Deputy Cullinane said the figures presented to him showed that overall capital funding allocated to the Technological Universities totalled €236.87 million since their establishment, with Atlantic TU receiving €58 million (24.60 per cent), Munster TU receiving €53 million (22.54 per cent), TU of the Shannon receiving €50 million (21.34 per cent), TU Dublin receiving €44 million (18.61 per cent) and South East TU receiving €30 million (12.91 per cent), placing SETU bottom of the table.

Commenting on the matter, Deputy Cullinane said: "SETU is at the bottom of the table and that speaks volumes. The South East has been forced to make do with the smallest share of capital funding and it is simply not good enough. It’s the same old story with Waterford and the region faring badly under Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Ministers who accept second best for our county."

"This has real consequences for students, staff and for the ability of SETU to deliver the education facilities the region needs," he said.

"When the South East is short-changed, opportunities are lost and the knock-on effect is felt across our economy and public services," he added.

Deputy Cullinane said the Government talks about balanced regional development but he said the figures told a different story.

"The South East repeatedly comes last," he said.

"This is scandalous and the regional imbalance must be addressed," he added. 

He called for a step-change in capital investment for SETU "to bring the South East up to where it should be".

"That means moving from piecemeal allocations to a fair, strategic funding plan that matches the scale of need in Waterford, Kilkenny, Wexford, Carlow and across the wider region," he said.

"A priority within that must be the One Health building earmarked for the new Glass site," he added.

Commenting that the aforementioned project was "vital to expanding capacity, supporting health and life sciences, and delivering for students and the region".

"It should be prioritised immediately and progressed without delay," he said. "The South East deserves fair funding. SETU must be properly funded, the One Health building must be fast-tracked, and this Government must finally back up its regional rhetoric with real investment.”