The Taoiseach has said that the mooted Technological University for the South East could see more funding than has been earmarked in the National Planning framework.
Leo Varadkar was in Waterford yesterday where he briefed WIT students and other guests on the government's 'Ireland 2040 project.'
Under the government's capital plan, less than 2% of the higher education budget would go to the South East.
Speaking to WLR News yesterday evening, the Taoiseach said that these figures are not set in stone.
"What's different about IT's and Universities is that they can match government finance with private finance, so there is flexibility there," he said.
He acknowledged the value a Technological University would bring to the region, highlighting the impact it would have on retaining a student base, attracting students from outside of the South East and attracting foreign direct investment.
"I think one of the reasons why the South East hasn't done as well as it might have done in terms of job creation and wealth creation is the absence of a university," he said, "so far that reason I'm determined to get it done."
