"This is another hugely important day for higher education in Ireland and in particular for the Midlands and Mid-West regions," Harris said. "The higher education landscape is rapidly evolving and the people of the Midlands and Mid-West will be at the heart, both geographically and practically, of that evolution. "This new technological university designate will increase higher education access, drive enhanced regional development and increase opportunities for students, staff, business and enterprise, and local communities. "This new TU – our third since 2019 - will now take its rightful place in the higher education landscape in the country’s heartlands. The new higher education institution of increased scale and reach will benefit the students and communities of Westmeath, Limerick, Tipperary, Clare and Offaly to name but some of the counties which will be served by the new university."