The Tánaiste has confirmed that the old Waterford Crystal site is being looked at as part of the planned expansion of WIT.
The site in Kilbarry is vacant since 2009. It was bought by Waterford developer Noel Frisby, his company Ibrook successfully applied for planning permission to refurbish the site in 2019.
Leo Varadkar was responding to questions on promised legislation from Sinn Fein's David Cullinane.
The Waterford Deputy says there is a lack of certainty about where the headquarters of the new Technological University will be.
"There is a lot of speculation, which I don't believe is helpful. What we need is clarity. There is a lack of clarity in relation to the process in terms of the criteria that will determine where the headquarters would be and in my view, it should be where the critical mass of students is.
"There are also issues in relation to the capital funding which is needed to increase the footprint of both campuses in Waterford and in Carlow. I know that Waterford IT has made an application to the national development plan of a revised application of €200m.
"Can you confirm to me Taoiseach, will that be accepted? What is the level of capital funding that will be delivered and how will a decision be made on the headquarters?"
Leo Varadkar says he is determined that the TU will happen in the early part of this government.
"I understand that the decision as to where an HQ is located is actually a decision for the TU and its board, so I assume they will make that decision.
"What I can say is that we're very strongly supportive as a government of expanding the footprint of the TU in Waterford City and are examining the old Waterford Crystal in particular as a potential site that could be purchased and used to expand the TU once it's established."
He echoed the view of the Taoiseach & others that a decision on the location of the HQ of the new TUSE will be made at a latter date. Still no detail on the criteria that will determine the decision making process. @WLRFMnews @WaterfordNS
— David Cullinane T.D. (@davidcullinane) February 4, 2021
