The question of improved third level facilities in Waterford and other locations has to be considered in the context of the future development of the higher education sector in Ireland. In June 1993 I asked the steering committee, established under the aegis of the Higher Education Authority, to advise me on the needs of the sector to the year 2015.
The technical working group set up to assist the steering committee has recently submitted its findings to the steering committee in the form of an interim report. This report makes certain recommendations in relation to the third level facilities in Waterford. However, while I regard the report as a valuable contribution to the work of the steering committee, I must await the report and recommendations of the steering committee itself together with the views of the Higher Education Authority before outlining my plans for any particular area.