The new SETU branding outside the Arena for today's launch[/caption]
A Department of Education policy is a "setting sun on the ambitions of teacher training in Waterford and the South East."
So says Waterford Independent TD, Matt Shanahan.
The policy specifies that teacher training can only be carried out in National Universities, as opposed to technological universities.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Shanahan said it's a blow for the SETU...
"Riseable and perverse"
"The idea that the ambitions of aspiring teacher students can only be realised in one of the National Universities is riseable and perverse, in my opinion, given the research and academic performance of the students of SETU over the past decade."
He added: "It appears to be business as usual in terms of denigrating the ambitions of the South East in terms of academics and education."
In his view, he says the promise that SETU would be a 'game-changing university' is not being followed through at the moment.
Deputy Matt Shanahan says it's unreasonable to only allow National Universities to deliver teacher training, and not technological universities like Waterford's.
He says it's a blow to the ambitions of SETU to provide this qualification in the future.
Addressing the Dáil, he said it's a form of discrimination.
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