Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 June 2011
28 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide further detail on the work already advanced on the development of performance criteria for a re-designation process of technological universities. [14511/11]
View answerMy Department commissioned input from an international expert who is very familiar with the Irish third level sector on the detailed performance criteria against which any future applications for re-designation as a technological university would be assessed. I have now asked the Higher Education Authority to consider and provide formal advice on draft criteria and related issues for consideration. In providing me with their formal advice, I have also asked the authority to engage in a focused consultation on the draft criteria. I understand that these consultations are now commencing. It is my intention to publish these criteria when they have been finalised so that Institutes of Technology will have early direction on the expected demands for designation, enabling them to consider appropriate amalgamation options and prepare for future performance requirements.
