George Lawlor urges action on Wexford SETU campus
George Lawlor told the minister that higher education is an economic enabler for the island and urged action on the long-awaited Wexford campus of the South East Technological University (SETU). He argued regional universities drive innovation, entrepreneurship and local job creation and said the Wexford campus must be ready to hit the ground running once legal hurdles are cleared.
Lawlor said higher education institutions are not merely centres of learning, they are engines of growth and equip workforces with the skills necessary to thrive in a competitive global environment. He emphasised that investment in higher education supports innovation, entrepreneurship and economic resilience across urban and rural areas.
He reviewed the Wexford campus timeline: money was made available in 2015 to secure a site to replace the current campus at the former St. Peter's College Seminary; SETU was established on May 1st 2022; and in 2023 Wexford County Council began a compulsory purchase order (CPO). Lawlor noted the CPO, having been approved by onboard Panala, is now the subject of a judicial review taken by the landowner.
Lawlor warned that students of County Wexford and their families must not be left waiting and stressed that the county, with the highest population in the region, deserves timely provision of opportunity. He highlighted that regional universities can tailor programmes to local industry needs, stimulate job creation, attract investment and drive sustainable growth.
He urged that every measure be taken to ensure the campus is ready to proceed once all hurdles have been overcome and reminded the minister, born in County Wexford, of his keen interest in the project. Lawlor concluded that opportunities from higher education must exist everywhere on the island to allow future entrepreneurs to thrive.
Higher education as an economic enabler
Lawlor said higher education institutions are not merely centres of learning, they are engines of growth and equip workforces with the skills necessary to thrive in a competitive global environment. He emphasised that investment in higher education supports innovation, entrepreneurship and economic resilience across urban and rural areas.
SETU Wexford campus history and status
He reviewed the Wexford campus timeline: money was made available in 2015 to secure a site to replace the current campus at the former St. Peter's College Seminary; SETU was established on May 1st 2022; and in 2023 Wexford County Council began a compulsory purchase order (CPO). Lawlor noted the CPO, having been approved by onboard Panala, is now the subject of a judicial review taken by the landowner.
Local impact and students
Lawlor warned that students of County Wexford and their families must not be left waiting and stressed that the county, with the highest population in the region, deserves timely provision of opportunity. He highlighted that regional universities can tailor programmes to local industry needs, stimulate job creation, attract investment and drive sustainable growth.
Appeal to the minister and next steps
He urged that every measure be taken to ensure the campus is ready to proceed once all hurdles have been overcome and reminded the minister, born in County Wexford, of his keen interest in the project. Lawlor concluded that opportunities from higher education must exist everywhere on the island to allow future entrepreneurs to thrive.
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Transcript
Minister, the power of higher education in this country holds, as you know, immense significance for the future of this island. The power of higher education as an economic enabler, particularly in our regions, is a vital component to our economies, both locally and nationally. And as we navigate the complexities of a rapidly changing global economy, it is essential that we recognise the pivotal role higher education plays in driving innovation, developing entrepreneurship and ultimately enhancing economic resilience across all corners of Ireland. Higher education institutions are not merely centres of learning, they are engines of growth. They equip our workforce with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment. This is especially vital for our regions, where access to quality education can bridge the gap between urban and rural economies. By investing further in higher education, we are investing in our people and their potential to contribute meaningfully to society. In recent years, we have witnessed the emergence of regional universities and colleges as catalysts for local development. These institutions have the unique ability to tailor their programmes to meet the specific needs of their communities, building workforces that are not only skilled but also locally rooted. By aligning educational offerings with regional economic priorities, we can stimulate job creation, attract investment and drive sustainable growth. We can also allow these new regional universities to tailor their courses to meet the needs of developing industries locally. And it is here I move to speak about the long sought after and long awaited Wexford campus of the South East Technological University. SETU was established on May 1st 2022 and it is a hugely welcome strategic facility for the entire South East region. Indeed, 10 years ago in 2015, money was made available to secure a site for the new Wexford campus to replace the current campus located at the former St. Peter's College Seminary. And in 2023, Wexford County Council took the unprecedented step of beginning a CPO to secure land for this new campus. This move, having been approved by onboard Panala, however, is now in the process of a judicial review taken by the landowner. Despite this, every measure must be taken to ensure that the creation of this new campus is ready to hit the ground running once all the hurdles have been overcome. This is absolutely essential for the students of County Wexford and their families. The county with the highest population in the region must be not left hanging on any longer when it comes to the provision of opportunity for students. And I know that Minister Lawless, as a man born in County Wexford, has a keen interest in this project. As already has been stated, these higher education facilities are playing and will play a pivotal role in driving economies across the country. We must ensure that the opportunity exists everywhere on this island for our future entrepreneurs to thrive and develop. Go together.