Dr. Martin Mansergh, TD, strongly backs
Waterford Institute of Technology's Application
to become a University of the South-East

In the course of his contribution to the debate on the Student Support Bill 2008, Dr. Martin Mansergh, TD, Tipperary South, welcomed the publication of the Port report, its positive view of WIT's educational suitability to be a university and its strong endorsement of the strong regional case for the application, which is unique. Martin Mansergh drew attention to an important policy statement issued last week by the British Minister for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham, emphasising the development value of universities for towns and regions, and inviting applications for new designations, very similar to the case being made by and on behalf of WIT. Dr. Mansergh contrasted the positive upbeat approach to the creation of new universities in Britain with the much more discouraging approach in Ireland. He continued:

"It is clear the British Government is adopting a different and more forward and up-beat approach. Waterford Institute of Technology, WIT, would have no difficulty obtaining university status immediately on that basis. Waterford and the South-East region cannot be held to ransom to a too-cautious departmental policy. We must compete internationally and the South-East's per capita income is languishing somewhat."

"I welcome the publication of Dr. Port's report and want it debated in the House. In the case of WIT, there is a compelling educational and regional policy case for university status. There is no other rival application that has the same force as WIT's. I hope the Minister for Education and Science and the Government will take a courageous decision - it would be courageous because vested interests are involved - to provide Waterford and the South-East with the university everyone in the region desires. The rest of the country doesn't have the right to hold back the South-East in this.

"I accept there are wider policy considerations. I do not favour every institute of technology being turned into a university. Some have separate roles and provide a more limited range of courses normally associated with a university. WIT is a mature institute of technology."

13 March 2008