The Minister for Higher Education has again quashed rumours about the headquarters of the new Technological University of the South East.
There has been speculation that the HQ would be located in Kilkenny since the inaugural meeting of the Regional Engagement Advisory Group in January.
However, Simon Harris says there is no truth to the rumours.
He was responding to questions from Waterford's Marc Ó Cathasaigh and David Cullinane in an Oireachtas Committee.
"There was Misinformation, disinformation, and downright nonsense put out around Kilkenny. Over and over again no matter how many times I called it that, some people continued to go with that.
"There's been no decision made and there's no proposal in relation to Kilkenny. The first job in relation to even getting a University is to get an application in and we need the application in quickly [by the end of April] so we can meet our date of January 1st, 2022." Investment and Capital Funding
Harris said that there will be significant Capital funding required for the Technological University of the South East and has committed to expanding the footprint of WIT.
In questions to the Minister, Marc Ó Cathasaigh said the current Waterford IT campus is 'creaking at the seams'.
Since 2004, only 1% of capital spending has been allocated to the colleges in the South East and build-stock at the main campus at WIT is depreciating according to Deputy Ó Cathasaigh.
Minister Harris said that increasing capital investment is much more essential than the HQ decision.
"I want to dramatically expand the physical footprint of what now is WIT and will soon be the TUSE in Waterford. That means developing and growing the site.
"You [Ó Cathasaigh] will know some of the sites in question and there are processes that need to be gone through but I am 100% committed to that as are my department at official level, as are the whole of government." TUSE Governing body
The governing body for the Technological University of the South East will be appointed by the Higher Education Minister and will comprise of a chairperson, two external members and one member nominated by the ETB's in the area.
Minister Harris expects that the position of chairperson of TUSE will be advertised publicly, something which was done recently with the post at the Munster Technological University.
In Questions to Minister Harris, Waterford Sinn Féin TD David Cullinane asked for further clarity about the composition of the board.
"My understanding is there's a limited number of appointments that are made first and then those numbers that are appointed, have to oversee the election of other positions," Deputy Cullinane said.
In response, Minister Harris said the governing authority will be ultimately responsible for the location of the HQ.
"The headquarters is a matter for the governing authority. I do appoint the first board and I will be appointing sensible people to that first board through a public process.
"The bord then after two years repopulates itself with a minimum of 14 members and a maximum of 22. Up to eight of them must be external members and three of them are ministerial appointments as well".
Minister Harris thanked Deputy Cullinane and Deputy Ó Cathasaigh for their cooperation, saying 'we can do this'.
The application for the Technological University designation is due to be submitted at the end of April and the vote between the merger of WIT an IT Carlow has yet to be cast.
