Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins has described the progress which has been made on the purchase of the former Waterford Crystal site for use by the new South East Technological University as an ‘important milestone’.
In a statement to WLR News today he confirmed that Minister Simon Harris has sought sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform which would allow him to issue SETU with approval to engage in a formal negotiation process with the vendor for an undisclosed figure.
Senator Cummins said, “The government have been categoric in their commitment to expanding the footprint of the South East Technological University campus in Waterford city and I have had extensive dialogue with both the Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and Minister Harris on this matter for a considerable period of time.
"I am glad to report today that Minister Harris has confirmed to me that he has ‘reserved funding capacity for such an expansion and this is a very clear and tangible sign of that priority and commitment’.”
Extensive process
Senator Cummins added, “It is important that the public understand the process that has been engaged in thus far.
"During 2021, an extensive process of procuring expertise, site identification, cost estimates and dialogue was carried out by the then Waterford Institute of Technology, which culminated in a robust business case being submitted to the Department of Higher Education in late December 2021.
"This business case laid out a number of options which were deemed suitable for the campus expansion, with a preferred option of the former Waterford Crystal site being identified.
"In early 2022, the Higher Education Authority were tasked with carrying out an independent valuation process of the site in line with government policy, with a view to purchasing the site.
"This process concluded some time ago and at a meeting on Friday 26th August 2022, a report was signed off, which was then sent to Minister Harris on September 1st 2022.
"This report is being acted on swiftly by Minister Harris, he has now sought approval from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to enable SETU to commence formal negotiations with the vendor."
Site masterplan
It's hoped approval can be received as quickly as possible from the Department and that there will be no delay in allowing the university to proceed to formal negotiation then.
Senator Cummins says that there's been a lot of misinformation put out there in relation to the purchase of this site, to "suit a particular narrative," but that the reality is that much work and progress has been made in the background.
"When the state is purchasing an asset, a clear process must be followed and the failure to do so could jeopardise the project which would serve nobody’s interests because the acquisition of this site is essential for the growth of our new university”.
A commercially sensitive process is now going to be entered into, with promises that when this is complete, other elements of the masterplan for the site can be progressed by SETU, including in the area of student accommodation.
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