Further calls on government for SETU pharmacy decision

Wexford County Council have passed a motion calling on the government to make a decision as to which university will be chosen to deliver a new pharmacy course.

The motion called on Minister for Further and Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Patrick O’ Donovan, to make a "final determination on the new Pharmacy programme for South East Technological University before November 1, so that the new university course programme may be available to CAO applicants next year."

South East Technological University (SETU) is in competition with the University of Galway, and Atlantic Technological University for the new course. 

In a joint statement, Independent TDs Deputy Matt Shanahan and Verona Murphy welcomed the motion from the local council.

"A School of Pharmacy has been long recognised nationally as required to address the shortage of pharmacists graduating each year." 

The TDs said that the awarding of the new pharmacy school is needed so that enrollment for the new course can begin "at the earliest opportunity".

"These graduates are required to support community health and innovative manufacturing activity in the South East and across the country, and the awarding of a veterinary school to SETU delivers additional synergies in terms of course development and educational crossover," said Deputies Shanahan and Murphy.

"The development of SETU as the Regional University of the South East is a priority given the continuing ‘brain drain’ where the ‘best and brightest’ school leavers leave each year to advance their third level education in university placement outside the South East region.

"This motion signals further cohesion between elected representatives in the South East region, coming as it does behind three other SETU motions unanimously passed in the local authorities of Carlow, Kilkenny and Waterford last month."