Ninth Level Ireland

“Following a meeting with Waterford Oireachtas members and a selection of its members, Waterford Chamber has reconfirmed its commitment to the process of securing a Technological University of the South East. During the two-hour meeting, the elected officials heard from business representatives from various sectors and were also afforded the opportunity to address the concerns raised …” (more)

[Darren Skelton, Waterford News and Star, 24 February]

“It’s a line from a song in the film ‘Mahogany’ sung by Diana Ross. It goes, ‘Do you know where you’re going to? Do you like the things that life is showing you?’ It’s an appropriate ask for the TUSE process. Can anyone give a sensible rationale for where we’re going or why? Is the rush to get the word university over the door in any form supposed to make us all step into line regardless of the outcome? …” (more)

[Waterford News and Star, 23 February]

“The Tánaiste said he is strongly of the view that the Technological University of the South-East should be centred in Waterford. Leo Varadkar was responding to Waterford Sinn Fein TD David Cullinane and Fianna Fail TD in Carlow/Kilkenny Jennifer Murnane O’Connor in the Dail. Both Deputies were making the case for the headquarters of the new entity to be in their respective areas …” (more)

[Sinead Aherne, WLR FM, 18 February]

“A decade after a technological university for the south east was first proposed there is still no detail as to how much money the government are willing to invest in the region …” (more)

[David Looby, Wexford People, 16 February]

“Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the workstreams activity agreed regarding the new technological university for the south east development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 11 February]

“With the latest deadline for the application of the Technological University of the South East due in April, a new group has been formed – Friends of the University of the South East (FUSE) – with a view to ‘protecting the best interests of WIT and the future of education in Waterford and the South East’. Speaking to the Waterford News & Star this week, FUSE member Padraig O’Griofa …” (more)

[Darren Skelton, Waterford News and Star, 10 February]

“John Cummins (Fine Gael): I welcome the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to the House and thank him for taking this Commencement matter in person. I wish to acknowledge the interest and determination of the Minister in ensuring that Waterford and the south-east region finally achieve the long-held ambition to have a university of international standing …” (more)

[Seanad debates, 8 February]

“Who do you think is winning, who are you up for? Who do you think started it? And, of course, what do you make of our new fellow South-Easterners in Wicklow, Kildare and Laois? Are you a closet greater Dublin area hater, probably an unacceptable form of racism? After all, they have had a warm welcome for our children for years …” (more)

[Waterford News and Star, 9 February]

“Metropolitan Mayor Davy Daniels has re-iterated his call for the Headquarters of a Technological University of the South East (TUSE) to be located in Waterford. ‘It’s hugely important that the decision on locating the headquarters be secured for Waterford now’, said Mayor Daniels (Ind). ‘Any delays on this critical decision for Waterford cannot continue’ …” (more)

[Dermot Keyes, Waterford News and Star, 8 February]

“The Minister for Higher Education has described recent speculation over the headquarters of the new technological university for the South East as ‘divisive and counterproductive’. Responding to questions from Senator John Cummins in the Seanad, Simon Harris said the government was committed to expanding Higher Education in Waterford …” (more)

[Julie Smyth, WLR FM, 8 February]

“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 …” (more)

[Sinead Aherne, WLR FM, 4 February]

“The Taoiseach says no decision has been made on the headquarters of the new university in the South East. Michael Martin was responding to questions in the Dáil from Matt Shanahan. The Independent TD says the technological university process appears to have turned negative, with outside political influence wishing to see WIT’s leadership credentials dismantled …” (more)

[Julie Smyth, WLR FM, 4 February]

“A lobby group has been formed in Waterford to fight for a ‘University of substance’ for the region. The Friends of the University for the South East, or FUSE for short, is made up of business leaders and those concerned about the direction the university issue is going in …” (more)

[Julie Smyth, WLR FM, 3 February]

“The past decade has been politically difficult for Waterford. Power resided elsewhere in the region and the effort needed to lobby government was immense. The number of times people were forced onto the streets for hospital services was outrageous. Have Limerick or Galway people ever had to march the streets for anything? Ever? …” (more)

[Waterford News and Star, 3 February]

“The issue of the headquarters for the South East University is a burning topic right now. This week, on Déise Today with Damien Tiernan, the issue was discussed with politicians from both Waterford and Kilkenny …” (more, video)

[FUSE, 1 February]

“Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane has called on the Minister for Higher Education Simon Harris to provide clarity on the future Headquarters of the Technological University of the South East. Deputy Cullinane said there is a concerted effort from Carlow and Kilkenny for the headquarters to be in Kilkenny which makes no sense …” (more)

[Beat 102 103, 1 February]

“A former Kilkenny mayor has maintained that we should keep inter-county rivalry for Croke Park – and not let it ‘divide’ the region when it comes to the location of a headquarters for the new Technical University of the South East (TUSEI). Paul Cuddihy, who was a FG councillor for Kilkenny, said Waterford sometimes portrays itself as ‘Cinderella’ in terms of not getting what it wants but the narrative of ‘always the bridesmaid and never the bride’ is not helpful …” (more)

[Jennifer Long, WLR FM, 1 February]

“According to Fine Gael Senator John Cummins, work is set to begin shortly on a Mass Vaccination Centre at WIT Arena in Carriganore, despite worries – brought on by Fine Gael themselves – that Waterford and the entire South and South East was going to be overlooked …” (more)

[Darren Skelton, Waterford News and Star, 29 January]

“No decision has been made on where the headquarters of the New Technological university for the South East will be. There had been rumours that Kilkenny was being discussed as a compromise location between IT Carlow and Waterford IT …” (more)

[Domhnall Doyle, KCLR FM, 29 January]

“The Presidents of Waterford and Carlow’s Institutes of Technology co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Technological University of the South East’s (TUSEI) Regional Engagement Advisory Group this afternoon …” (more)

[Dermot Keyes, Waterford News and Star, 28 January]