A Waterford government TD says it is her understanding that the headquarters for the South East Technological University (SETU HQ) will not be anywhere other than in Waterford.
Minister of State for Mental Health & Older People, Mary Butler TD joined Damien Tiernan on Deise Today this morning.
On yesterday's programme, SETU lecturer Ray Griffin outlined that the HQ status is set to rotate between Waterford and Carlow on a two-year rolling basis.
Speaking in response, Minister Butler outlined her stance on the matter.
"I don't believe there's any ambiguity here. Minister Harris has been very clear and I have been very clear - and I don't expect the main headquarters to be anywhere else other than on the main campus, on the Cork Road for the South East Technological University in Waterford. Will the president need functioning offices and staff in Carlow and Wexford? Yes, she will - it's a multi-campus university, we must remember that. She won't spend all her time in Waterford - but we've been very clear on this from the start. It's the only city in the region, it's the oldest city in Ireland - and that's where the headquarters will be."
Minister Butler noted that she had read the WLR News article on the issue at 1am last night.
"I hadn't been online all day, it was just such a busy day with the Budget - and I didn't hear what Dr. Griffin had to say."
Upon hearing his interview and the statement from Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris earlier this year which said it would be 'mad, bonkers and bizarre' to have the HQ anywhere other than Waterford - Minister Butler said she re-affirms the view of Minister Harris.
"I was surprised to read that last night. I didn't have any heads up. I do know that Minister Harris has agreed to meet with Oireachtas members soon with a very positive piece of news in relation to expanding the campus. I have no doubt that we can put that question to him at that time, or even before that. I have had further meetings with the Taoiseach on this - my understanding is that the headquarters will be in Waterford. I wasn't at the meeting of the governing board and I don't know if Dr. Griffin was at the meeting of the governing board. You have come to me with information that I read on the WLR website late last night, but as far as I'm concerned - we got a commitment, that the headquarters will be in Waterford and I will make sure that the commitment is followed through."
Meanwhile, in an update this afternoon (Wednesday), a spokesperson for SETU has provided a statement on the issue. They say, "South East Technological University wishes to clarify that it has not announced a headquarters.
"For the purposes of administration processes, the governing body agreed that the administrative address would be the Waterford campus for a two year period."
To listen to Damien's exchange with Minister Butler on the SETU HQ - click the link below.
