Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 June 2016
123. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills to provide details of the estimated costs associated with the establishment of each of the technological universities, over the next five year period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17711/16]
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.
There are currently four consortia engaged with the process to become designated as TUs. These are TU4Dublin (Dublin Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Tallaght, Institute of Technology Blanchardstown), Technological University for the South-East (TUSE – consisting of Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow), Munster Technological University (MTU – consisting of Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee) and the Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA – consisting of Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology Sligo and Letterkenny Institute of Technology).
Future Funding for landscape re-configuration in the Higher Education sector: it is recognised that these changes to the landscape of Irish higher education carry some up-front additional costs and the HEA has provided for a fund to support HEIs with these costs. In terms of additional financial support, having regard to the benefits that will arise for the institutions, students and the higher education system more generally, the HEA has provided funding in 2013, 2014 and 2015 to provide some support to institutions involved in the TU process, the details of which are set out for each consortium below.
In relation to 2016, the HEA have ring-fenced a level of funding to support costs arising from the continuation of landscape reform projects as part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Higher Education. This funding, of up to €8.7m in 2016, includes a specific €2 million allocated in Budget 2016 to support Technological University projects. This funding will be allocated by the HEA to the various landscape reform projects in due course.
The HEA has also invited further submissions for funding support in respect of the costs arising from mergers as part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Higher Education. The total funding available in this call is c. €3.75 million. Not all of this funding is for Technological Universities as there are also other mergers taking place in Higher Education, i.e. NUIG/ St. Angela's College, Sligo and DCU/ St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra/ Mater Dei Institute of Education.
Costs:Summary of Overall Costs to date and projections for 2016: Costs incurred to End 2015:
|
Technological Universities |
€ |
|
TU4 Dublin |
€3,113,000 |
|
MTU |
€1,053,026 |
|
TUSE |
€495,655 |
|
CUA |
€400,000 |
|
Total |
€5,061,681 |
Estimate for 2016:
|
Technological Universities |
€ |
|
TU4 Dublin |
€2,200,000 |
|
MTU |
€2,100,000 |
|
TUSE |
To be fully determined as part of the Stage 2 Application process |
|
CUA |
To be fully determined as part of the Stage 2 Application process |
|
Total |
€4,300,000 |
Future projections for the overall costs of all of the projects will only be fully determined as part of the Stage 4 Application process. 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.
