Making Castlebar a university town is now within reach – TD

A Mayo TD has welcomed the submission of the application by the Connacht Ulster Alliance for the formation of a Technological University in the West/North West.

Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Further and Higher Education Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh said: "Making Castlebar a university town is now within reach and will be a game changer for the county town.

"Not only will it increase the educational opportunities for everyone in Mayo it will bring a new vibrancy to Castlebar and the surrounding area.

“The submission of the application for TU status is an important step in the progress towards achieving a Technological University for the West/North West.

“This will include campuses in Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal.

"It will also have the potential of forging greater cross border cooperation particularly with the city of Derry.

“It is vital that it is underpinned by a vision for balanced regional development that ensures the expansion of high-quality education as well as research and development.

"This will be key to setting the paced for reaching the eligibility criteria set out in the 2018 Act.

“Increased capital investment and greater course options in regional colleges and campuses must be forthcoming to help GMIT, Sligo and Letterkenny.

“Investment must be targeted and balanced across all-campuses to guarantee that this truly makes a step change in concentrating higher education in cities.

“This TU has the potential to be the largest institute of higher education in the country and attract increased investment in the west/north west region."