Waterford Fine Gael Senator John Cummins has confirmed this morning that South East Technological University (SETU) will receive an extra €1,197,307 in supports. €783,375 will go to SETU for Research Equipment, while the remaining €413,932 has been allocated for Mental Health Supports for Students.
Senator Cummins welcomed this morning’s announcement from Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD: “These are two very important announcements that will further allow SETU to develop its offer. The €783,375 for state-of-the-art research equipment will provide students and researchers the best possible tools to carry out their work in innovating the futureand builds on significant equipment grant aid in recent years. This funding will not only boost the current studies being conducted in SETU but it will also help in attracting top talent to come and study in Waterford.”
Senator Cummins continued: “I am also delighted that Minister Harris has allocated €413,932 to SETU for Mental Health Supports for Students. We all know the pressures our young people are facing, our fast passed society and the added impact of things like social media have created unprecedented mental health challenges that particularly impact our youth. This money will go a considerable way to target these challenges and help young people thrive as they should in Ireland.”
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD said: “We ask our researchers to tackle the challenges we are facing across climate change, housing, resilient food systems and so much more, and they are always quick to respond. But in order togive them the best chance of success, then we must provide them with best possible tools. The funding announced today will help them upgrade what they already have, and alsopurchase new state-of-the-art equipment.
Minister Harris continued: “It will not only allow universities to improve their current research equipment but, importantly, will also help them to build future research capacity, ensuring that as a nation we will be recognised as a world-leader in Research and Innovation for years to come.”
With regard to the Mental Health Supports Minister Harris stated: “We know this generation are facing mental health challenges like no other. The pressure our young people are facing requires important interventions at the right stage of their lives. That is why we have provided €20.9 million to Higher Education Institutions since 2020. Crucially, this has allowed universities recruit additional Student Counsellors, additional Assistant Psychologists. 77 were hired last year alone. The funding this year will embed these services in our college campuses.”
Senator Cummins concluded: “I look forward to building on the funding which has been allocated to SETU thus far, with the immediate priorities being the PPP project, student accommodation, new courses and professorships all of which were discussed at a recent meeting with President Veronica Campbell..