Benefits of border university hailed

05/04/2005 - 18:19:31
A third level institution based in the counties along the border could make a significant difference in tackling the negative impact of the partition, it was urged today.

A development group warned there was a massive need for extra public investment to combat the social impact the border has had on nearby communities.

A new research report – The Emerald Curtain – has highlighted the immediate and harmful effects the border has had on thousands of people including ex-prisoners, displaced people and the southern Protestant community.

Brian Harvey, one of the researchers, said the study found that additional Government expenditure on public services was essential.

The report, which was commissioned by the Triskeie Community Training and Development, recommended a third level institution based in the central border counties could make a significant difference to tackling the negative impact.

Mr Harvey said: “In Monaghan and Cavan there is no third level institution and there are problems with the Health Service.

“For two reasons a third level institution should be built in those areas. It would mean that late teenage children and students in their early twenties could stay in the Cavan Monaghan region.”

The chief researcher said that the area also feels it has been abandoned by the Government.

Mr Harvey said a low technology industry had built up in the region and a third level facility, such as an institute of technology, would help to upgrade those businesses.

The researchers, who said they would be highlighting the recommendations to the Government, found that there were central pieces of land along the border region that were considered to be in a state of deprivation.

The study also pointed towards a need to develop a North-South framework and agreement on various areas such as education qualifications.

The report found that around 2,000 ex-prisoners from the North and around 2,000 with a Southern background settled along the border with their families.

“This group continues to face difficulty in accessing employment due to both legal and illegal discrimination.

“Legal barriers prevent the holding of vehicle licenses and travel,” the report found.

Around 11,000 displaced people arrived in the southern border counties during the Troubles.

Mr Harvey said the study found that the people do not seem to have prospered educationally or economically.

The research found there were still some significant problems among the southern Protestant community which has faced discrimination.

It called for the Equality Authority to investigate the situation of the Protestant minority community in the southern border counties and to look at ways to address issues of intimidation and discrimination.