Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2015
118. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Education and Skills if she has received the report from a person (details supplied) following the consultation process with stakeholders in Waterford IT and Carlow IT; and if she will provide an update on her plans to establish a technological university in the south east. [3352/15]
View answerHas the Minister received the report from Mr. Kelly on the consultation process to reinvigorate the proposed technological university and the merger between Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology?
As the Deputy knows, Mr. Michael Kelly is leading a process of consultation with regional stakeholders, the governing bodies, staff and students in Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology in order to develop a shared vision for a technological university in the south east. I am pleased to report that Mr. Kelly has met with the governing bodies of both institutions and a series of meetings with a variety of stakeholders has been scheduled for the coming weeks. Mr. Kelly has not yet submitted a report but I expect to receive this report before the end of this quarter.
I wish Mr. Kelly the best. He is a former chairman of the Higher Education Authority, so is highly qualified to chair this process. One of the criticisms in regard to the proposed merger was the terms of reference. Some people have questioned whether Mr. Kelly has adequate terms of reference to examine possibly all of the obstacles which have led to where we are now. Is it an open process? Is he confined to looking at a particular area? Will the Minister give us some information on exactly what his role will be? Will the recommendations be down to him or is he limited in what he can look at in terms of the proposed merger?
The terms of reference are not designed to limit what he might believe would be helpful. They are primarily designed to guide him in terms of what we want him to do. For example, we gave him a timescale in which to report back and we indicated that he should consult widely, not just within the institutions but within the region as well. It has not come back to me that there are problems with the terms of reference. I do know if there is something specific or if he needs some leeway, to use that term. What I want to achieve is to make sure we get the process back on track and that the south east does not lose out in this very important area where there has long been a wish and an intention to have a university. My entire purpose is to ensure we get that process moving as quickly as possible.
I was not raising the terms of reference that are being given to Mr. Kelly. The criticisms related to the terms of reference being used to establish technological universities. There were some discussions to the effect that those terms of reference were restrictive, and one of the institutions felt they would have hindered its growth if they had a merger. Is Mr. Kelly open to coming back with recommendations to change the original terms of reference in terms of the establishment of technological universities or is he looking solely at this particular project? Is it possible that he may report back that it is a non-runner? Will the Minister give us more information on that?
I am sorry; I misunderstood. The terms of reference relating to the establishment of a technological university were set very carefully with outside expert advice on what would be required to be sure that we can stand over the quality and so on. Mr. Kelly does not have any leeway in that regard. There are very good reasons for those terms of reference. They are about ensuring that people can have confidence in the final outcome. They are not changeable by Mr. Kelly, but we will certainly engage with him regarding any other obstacles he may come up against.
I am not sure which elements of the terms of reference the Deputy is referring to, but there are requirements with regard to amounts of research and numbers of students.
There are many requirements but they are carefully balanced to ensure we end up with an institution that is worthy of the title "technological university".
On the amount of money that has been spent on the proposed merger, the figure given to the Committee of Public Accounts, PAC, was €400,000. The answer was that that money could be saved through efficiencies and other sources, but what those other sources would be was not quite clear. There was mention of looking at other possible mergers and money being saved on those. I understand the Minister might not have the answer in front of her, but if she can she might revert to me on how the €400,000 that has been spent will be recouped.
I will probably have to come back to Deputy O'Brien on that.
That is okay.
