Taoiseach Leo Varadkar held a Project Ireland 2040 briefing this morning in the University of Limerick.<\/p>\n
Chancellor of UL Mary Harney, Minister Patrick O’Donovan, Minister Eoin Murphy, and Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor were also present at the briefing.<\/p>\n
Chancellor Harney introduced the discussion by saying that students will benefit from Ireland 2040.<\/p>\n
Minister of State for Higher Education, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, said that higher level education was a priority for Ireland 2040.<\/p>\n
With a student-centric approach in mind with goals such as ensuring education is of the highest standard, strong student well-being and learning, funding for maintenance and other capacity building, and equipping students to navigate their way towards future skills.<\/p>\n
“Higher education is the core of Ireland 2040,” she said.<\/p>\n
“I really think UL has been a phenomenon for Limerick,” the Taoiseach said, adding that both UL and DCU have proved critics wrong.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach added that employers PRSI will increase by 0.1% which will generate an additional \u20ac50 billion per year for higher level and third level education.<\/p>\n
“We don’t want Irish students to graduate with debt like English and American students do,” Mr Varadkar said.<\/p>\n
“I would love to say we could eliminate student contribution,” he continued, but explained that there is not enough money to do that.<\/p>\n
For the foreseeable future there will not be loan schemes for student contribution fees.<\/p>\n
Mr Varadkar said that he “can understand why people may be cyclical” but explained that not only is Ireland 2040 a government document but also statutory and has legal footing.<\/p>\n
An aspect of 2040 plan is for regions outside of Dublin to have stronger growth and development than they previously had.<\/p>\n
“We still want Dublin to be able to grow” he explained as multi-national companies decide between Dublin and other locations and it’s important to keep them in Dublin or else Ireland will lose out.<\/p>\n
“We want Dublin to grow less fast. We need other major cities to pick up the slack.”<\/p>\n
The likes of Cork, Limerick, and Galway will be for casted to grow by 50%.<\/p>\n
Attention will also be paid to rural areas and derelict town and village centres as those who want to remain in the country side should be able to do so.<\/p>\n
Ireland 2040 also has ambitious goals for tackling climate change.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach said that coal will be taken out of the system and replaced by gas as a clean fuel, starting next year new buses will be low emission, and by 2030 diesel and petrol cars will no longer be sold.<\/p>\n
“Right now there is a new continent of plastic floating in the ocean,” Minister Eoin Murphy said, emphasising the importance of the environment.<\/p>\n
For Limerick and the Mid-Western Regions specifically, the population of Limerick is forecasted to increase by 50% by 2040.<\/p>\n
The M20 will link Limerick to Cork, and the Atlantic Corridor will connect Limerick, Cork and Galway and due to open in 2027.<\/p>\n
As the former Minister for Health, Mr Varadkar announced that the maternity hospital will also be relocated closer to the university hospital should a new mother or new-born child have complications after birth.<\/p>\n
“We spend a fortune on health but don’t get the health care we deserve,” he said.<\/p>\n
The Taoiseach reflected on Limericks bid for European City of Culture in 2014 and said that \u20ac1.2 billion will be invested in arts and culture:<\/p>\n
“If you have an idea to improve your town or village\u2026we want you to make a bid for the funding.”<\/p>\n
The plan, funds, and government are in place the Taoiseach concluded, saying he looks forward to seeing Ireland 2040 implemented.<\/p>\n