Policy Submissions | County Wexford Chamber

As the voice of the business community, County Wexford Chamber actively engages in policy discussions that impact our members and the wider economy. Below, you’ll find a selection of our recent submissions to Government departments, local authorities, state agencies, and other relevant bodies.

We regularly contribute to consultations on key issues affecting businesses across the region, ensuring that our members' interests are represented in policy development and decision-making.

If you would like to discuss any of these submissions or raise an issue for consideration in future advocacy efforts, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.

SETU - Introduction of Veterinary, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy

September 3rd, 2024

To: Correspondence Unit Cc: Patrick O'Donovan ; External - Taoiseach ; minister@education.gov.ie ; Mary Butler ; David Cullinane ; Marc OCathasaigh ; Matt Shanahan ; John Cummins ; president@setu.ie ; Jack Chambers ; Martin Browne ; Jackie Cahill ; Alan Kelly ; Michael Lowry ; Mattie McGrath ; Kathleen Funchion ; John McGuinness ; Malcolm Noonan ; Jennifer Murnane OConnor ; John Paul Phelan ; James Browne ; Brendan Howlin ; Paul Kehoe ; Verona Murphy ; Johnny Mythen ; John Hurley :: Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce ; Jenny Beresford ; Paula ; ceo@carlowchamber.com ; CEO@CountyTipperaryChamber.com ; Niall Harrington ; Paul Nolan

Dear Minister O'Donovan,

On behalf of all the Chambers of Commerce in the South East, we are calling on Government to approve the development of the proposed programmes in veterinary medicine, nursing and pharmacy at the South East Technological University (SETU).

Be in no doubt that there is cross party and cross county support politically for this, from every TD, Senator, Council member and stakeholder in the South East. Government has made extensive commitments in terms of developing not only SETU, but the Region, and it is imperative that Government awards the above mentioned schools to SETU based on merit alone. We understand that other Government officials involved in this process will have their own allegiance to their constituencies, but we very much hope these will be awarded on regional suitability and capability and not on political allegiances.

For decades the South East region has experienced a crippling brain drain. This is the opportunity to address that. Establishing a pipeline of highly skilled veterinary practitioners, nurses and pharmacists for the South East region is essential, because without such equitable investment, this South East academic ‘flagship’ mandated by Government will not materialise, resulting in more and more of our young professionals looking elsewhere for their education.

Without doubt, SETU must be the obvious location for a Veterinary School, given the dominance of the Agri Food Industry in the South East, 20% of the State’s agricultural output, 12,000 farms (beef, dairy, sheep and bloodstock), 16% sectorial employment and the current alignment with Kildalton College, Pilltown, Co. Kilkenny. Kildalton College boasts the largest Teagasc college nationally where courses in agriculture, horticulture and equine studies are supported and where SETU supports course provision to levels 7 and 8. In fact, so committed and ambitious are SETU to this school, they recently recruited a lead on Veterinary Medicine from Cambridge University to deliver on the university’s potential to initially educate over 40 veterinarians per year with a promise of access for practical training in the meat and processing facilities across the region.

In terms of pharmacy and nursing, the South East boasts a vibrant and successful pharma and medical sector. With a catchment of over 634,000 people within an hour's drive of Waterford City, this makes the South East the largest region outside of Dublin. The current and future multinationals and medical facilities are in urgent need of a highly skilled workforce, particularly as the South East is the fastest growing region in Ireland. A School of Pharmacy and a School of Nursing would be well placed to fulfil the needs and ambitions of these sectors, in line with the plans outlined in the National Planning Framework.

Additionally, in terms of pharmacy, viable options were assessed at University of Galway, South East Technological University and Atlantic Technological University; while University of Limerick, South East Technological University and Atlantic Technological University were assessed as viable options for Veterinary Medicine. We are confident that the robust submissions presented by SETU is testament to our shared ambition in the South East to make SETU a University of substance offering relevant and world class education to and for the citizens of the region and beyond.

These schools will ensure SETU is attracting high-calibre students from the South East and beyond, supporting regional development and building a vibrant innovation ecosystem that promotes high-quality job creation and long-term employment opportunities.

With respect, we hope a positive decision will be made in the short term, as we are at a pivotal time in the equitable development of South East higher education.

Yours sincerely,

Call for Immediate Decision on Waterford Airport Proposal Before Dáil Dissolution

October 16th, 2024

To: taoiseach@taoiseach.gov.ie; 'micheal.martin@oireachtas.ie'; roderic.ogorman@oireachtas.ie

cc: Eamon Ryan <eamon.ryan@oireachtas.ie>; Mary Butler <Mary.Butler@oireachtas.ie>; David Cullinane <David.Cullinane@oireachtas.ie>; Marc OCathasaigh <Marc.OCathasaigh@oireachtas.ie>; Matt Shanahan <Matt.Shanahan@oireachtas.ie>; John Cummins <John.Cummins@oireachtas.ie>; jack.chambers@oir.ie; martin.browne@oireachtas.ie; jackie.cahill@oireachtas.ie; alan.kelly@oireachtas.ie; michael.lowry@oireachtas.ie; mattie.mcgrath@oireachtas.ie; Kathleen Funchion <kathleen.funchion@oireachtas.ie>; john.mcguinness@oireachtas.ie; Malcolm Noonan <malcolm.noonan@oireachtas.ie>; jennifer.murnaneoconnor@oireachtas.ie; John Paul Phelan <johnpaul.phelan@oireachtas.ie>; James Browne <james.browne@oireachtas.ie>; Brendan Howlin <brendan.howlin@oireachtas.ie>; Paul Kehoe <paul.kehoe@oireachtas.ie>; Verona Murphy <verona.murphy@oireachtas.ie>; johnny.mythen@oireachtas.ie; Kevin Doolin <kevin.doolin@waltoninstitute.ie>; Niall Harrington <niall@whiteboxltd.ie>; Paul Nolan <Paul.Nolan@dawnmeats.com>; John Hurley :: Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce <john@kilkennychamber.ie>; Jenny Beresford <jenny@dungarvanchamber.ie>; Paula <paula@countywexfordchamber.ie>; ceo@carlowchamber.com

Dear Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister O'Gorman,

Urgent Request for Decisive Action on Waterford Airport Development Before Dáil Dissolution

We are writing to convey an urgent call for decisive action on the Waterford Airport proposal. We believe it is critical that the Dáil reaches a conclusion on this matter before it dissolves. Failure to do so will delay progress by an estimated six to nine months, based on historical timelines, and there is a serious risk that the consortium backing this development may withdraw during that period, jeopardizing the entire project and its potential economic contributions to the South-East region.

Strategic Opportunity with Minimal State Risk

The current proposal places primary financial responsibility of approximately €30 million to the private consortium, which has committed to complete the full runway extension, build essential infrastructure, and secure all necessary operational certifications before any government funding is requested. This structure minimizes taxpayer exposure, with a modest state investment of roughly €12 million to be accessed only after the private sector has fully delivered these initial, capital-intensive stages. The negligible state risk stands in stark contrast to the substantial economic benefits this project offers the region.

Context Behind Government Concerns

We understand that concerns have been raised by departmental officials regarding the projected viability of passenger traffic. While these concerns are noted, it’s important to consider that the complexities of commercial aviation development may require specialized insight. Additional perspectives from those experienced in establishing and operating commercial aviation ventures could provide valuable context and clarity regarding the project’s potential.

Contrasting Investments and Questionable Priorities

In recent years, the Department has funded significant infrastructure projects, such as €350 million on Metro North without substantive progress, and committed over €1 billion to a new Search and Rescue contract, despite limitations compared to previous agreements. Furthermore, since 2020, the Government has approved €488 million in spending across other Irish airports, yet Waterford Airport has been excluded from support, even losing an annual subsidy of €350,000 at the start of this administration, despite the airport’s inability to operate passenger services during this planning period. The disparity in funding allocation sends a concerning message about the commitment to the South-East’s development needs.

Economic Costs of Delaying Approval

The prolonged delay is jeopardizing a once-in-a-generation opportunity for strategic regional economic growth, with potential economic losses reaching tens of millions of euros annually if this investment is derailed. Such an outcome would carry a substantial political cost for current government parties. The potential economic benefits of Waterford Airport’s expansion, including increased tourism, job creation, and enhanced business connectivity, are invaluable to a region that has continually underperformed in national economic measures.

A Critical Test of Government Commitment to Regional Development

Ireland’s aviation infrastructure requires urgent attention, and Waterford Airport represents a clear pathway to address this need while stimulating the South-East’s economy. This project provides the government with an unmatched opportunity to foster regional economic growth for a minimal state investment, yet it faces inexplicable delay. Continued stalling suggests political motivations and biases that disregard the socio-economic needs of our region.

Supporting the business community

In our frequent engagements with members across the South East region, one of the main items on their wish list is a fully functioning airport. This is particularly important for our FDI community who engage in frequent travel and have regular site visits from international partners, who are spending hours in transit. Not only that, but the South East region is awash with exporters and industries who are in desperate need of cargo in close proximity to their business.

In addition, the tourism sector in the South East is growing, Failte Ireland have committed huge investment in terms of Ireland's Ancient East and Waterford has been identified as one of the best places to visit in Ireland by Conde Naste. Having direct flights in and out of the region will allow the sector to grow in line with Project Ireland 2040, thus creating more jobs, bringing opportunities for new business and supporting a thriving business community.

Conclusion

In light of the above, we urge you and your colleagues to take immediate steps to secure this investment. Failure to do so will serve as a testament to an unequal approach in national development and a lack of vision for balanced economic growth. We respectfully request that you prioritize a definitive resolution to the Waterford Airport proposal as a matter of urgency, leveraging your position to ensure this project moves forward for the benefit of Waterford and the wider South-East region.

Thank you for your attention to this critical issue.

Yours sincerely,