The lack of local third-level facilities is one of the principal concerns of people in Co Monaghan, it emerged during the drafting of a development lan for the county.
There are "genuine concerns" that the lack of third-level education "harms our ability to attract high-skill industries to the county", said Mr Joe Heron, the executive director of the Monaghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said the Minister of Education, Dr Woods, unveiled a scheme in 2000 which his Department was undertaking to bring outreach facilities from leading facilities to a number of towns around the State, including Monaghan.
Mr Heron said that "at a time when universities throughout the State are facing a decline in applications, this policy makes a lot of sense and yet over a year later we have heard nothing more".
Outreach facilities could be offered at the existing facility at Monaghan Institute of Further Education and Training, he added. "This would represent a value-for-money solution to what is a major problem in terms of access to third-level education."
There was a dearth of work opportunities, however, for Monaghan-born third-level graduates who would like to return to high-skill jobs in their native county, he said.
Co Monaghan, which has a population of 51,600, is among the three counties in the State which are the lowest in terms of third-level attainment.
Education facilities were among other services such as road networks and health services which, Mr Heron added, the county could not provide for itself. "They are things we are entitled to and the State must deliver."
As regards healthcare, he said each government for 20 years had failed to invest in Monaghan General Hospital, a period during which there has been an "ongoing battle" to retain services.
"The last 18 months has seen the removal of maternity services, gynaecological services, dermatology, post-mortem services and cutbacks in accident and emergency services. At a time when waiting lists are at such a high level, that we should be cutting back on services is immoral."
Mr Heron said that "for decades,Monaghan supported itself with little assistance from central government" due to the strength of its indigenous industry. However, income levels were now a crucial factor in judging the success of any economy and "the reality is that Monaghan needs to expand its economic base to bring more high-skills businesses".
This could only be achieved with Government assistance.
The development plan for the county will be published in the coming week.