LOCAL representatives are deeply concerned to protect and develop the new-found status of Waterford Regional Technical College, recently upgraded officially to an Institute of Technology by Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach.
At Waterford Corporation's meeting on Monday night councillors agreed to suspend standing orders to discuss a motion on the implications of reports that the Department might be considering upgrading all other RTCs. Such a move, they all felt, could devalue the real achievement of the college and reduce its prospects of proper funding to capitalise on its upgrading.
However, on the suggestion of the mayor, Mr Pat Power, and a number of councillors it agreed to avoid giving any impression of "begrudgery", and passed an amended motion calling on the Minister to speedily provide the necessary funding to WIT to enable it to develop courses commensurate with its new status, and to assume the power to award its own qualifications.