Institutes of Technology Funding

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 1 June 2016

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Questions (103)

David Cullinane

Question:

103. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to increase funding to Waterford Institute of Technology for upgrading and extending laboratory facilities; his views on the growth in employment prospects in the biopharma industry in the south east; if the region has continuously increased its intake to meet demand; if the potential to meet future increased demand is inhibited due to limited laboratory space; if better mapping between investment and regional demand will provide additional investment opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13872/16]

Written answers

Minister for Education and Skills

Waterford Institute of Technology has not made any formal application for funding to my Department or the Higher Education Authority in respect of the facilities referred to by the Deputy. Any such funding request would be considered in the context of capital resources available for the higher education sector and having regard to competing demands.

The other questions raised by the Deputy are properly a matter for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation.