Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016
222. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the dialogue he has had with the Teachers Union of Ireland regarding technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17278/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities.
This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030. With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy recommended significant reforms to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives. In particular, the Strategy recommended consolidation within the sector and a pathway of evolution for those consolidated institutes of technology, to allow them to demonstrate significant progress against robust performance criteria and to apply to become technological universities.
Position of Technological Universities bill: The first Government Legislative Programme of this new Partnership Government was published on 8 June 2016, and the Technological Universities Bill has been restored to the Dáil Order Paper at Committee Stage.
I recognise that there were a significant number of matters raised in respect of the Bill at both Committee and Report Stage. It is my intention to now consult with all of the relevant stakeholders in relation to both the matters raised during the legislative process and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
Following the finalisation of this consultation process I will then advance the legislation having determined a position in relation to any matters raised as part of this consultation process.
As part of this consultation process, the General Secretary of the Teachers' Union of Ireland has recently written to me seeking a meeting to discuss relevant issues in regard to the Technological Universities Bill. It is my intention to facilitate this meeting as soon as practicable.
