David Cullinane
Question:65. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills when he plans to progress legislation on technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10913/17]
View answerThursday, 2 March 2017
Questions (65, 68, 69, 71, 72, 76)
David Cullinane
Question:68. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the proposed funding model for technological universities; the way it will differ from funding for traditional universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10916/17]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:69. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if technological universities will receive baseline funding for research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10917/17]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:71. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to change the sequencing in the process of applying to become a technological university by allowing the international panel of experts to play a role much earlier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10919/17]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:72. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the stakeholder engagement meetings and outreach work he and his Department have engaged in on progressing technological universities since the general election; the groups and persons he and his Department have engaged with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10920/17]
View answerDavid Cullinane
Question:76. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which he will deliver on a programme for Government commitment to examine the eligibility criteria for institutes of technology applying to become technological universities, specifically changes to the merger requirement; his plans to implement the commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10926/17]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 65, 68, 69, 71, 72 and 76 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government outlines that this 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.
Consortiums who have applied to become Technological Universities:
As part of the implementation of the Strategy, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in 2012 published a four-stage process and criteria for applicant groups of institutes of technology wishing to apply to become 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).
Funding:
The process for designation as a Technological University consists of four stages. The “phase-gate” model for the process allows for assessment of the projects at set points. In relation to costs, these are considered during each stage of the process and in particular there is an onus on each consortium to develop financial models and estimated costings.
In terms of the financial costs, the two consortia that have finalised stage 3 (TU4Dublin and MTU) and developed implementation plans acknowledge the costs involved in merger and the designation process, but also commit to meeting those costs within their own budgets. They also acknowledge that while there are up-front costs in the shorter term, in the longer term, designation as a Technological University will allow them to recoup these costs and provide for new income streams.
However, 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, 2015 and 2016 to provide support to institutions involved in the TU process.
In terms of 2016, the four consortiums made joint presentations and submission to the Higher Education Authority in May 2016, seeking funding to underpin the next phase of engagement in respect of their ongoing merger processes. Arising from these presentations and submissions, the HEA provided a ring-fenced sum of €4.702 Million in 2016 to the four consortiums that are involved in merger processes with the ultimate aim of becoming Technological Universities. This funding is in addition to their own resources to the projects being provided by the respective consortiums.
Future Funding:
As already outlined, the Institutions involved in the processes will be required to meet a significant amount of the costs involved in the creation of Technological Universities from within their own resources. However, given the significant benefits that will arise from the development of Technological Universities, the Department of Education and Skills and the HEA will continue to provide financial support to the consortiums to assist in their progress towards Technological University status.
The Deputy has asked specific questions around the future funding for Technological Universities which will have to be addresses in the context of the wider issue around future funding of Higher Education. The Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, under the chairmanship of Peter Cassells, was established to develop a strategy for funding the third level sector. The Report which was published in July 2016, clearly outlines the funding challenges in the higher education sector and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration for the medium term.
As committed to in the Programme for Government, the report has been referred to the Education Committee as part of the process for formulating a plan for the future of the sector. The Department is looking forward to working with the Education Committee as it analyses all of the options put forward by the Expert Group and hears the voice of all stakeholders.
While the Cassells Report deals with the medium and long term funding needs of higher education we also have to consider the immediate challenges and in that context the Department placed a particular focus on this area in Budget 2017 securing additional funding for the sector for the first time in recent years.
This year an additional €36.5 million will be made available with €160 million additional over the next three years. This will allow the sector keep pace with demographic increases and introduce targeted initiatives in areas such as disadvantage, skills, research and flexible learning. Among those who will benefit from the additional third level funding being made available are students from disadvantaged backgrounds, lone parents and travellers.
In Budget 2017 the Minister for Public Expenditure and I announced a policy review with the aim of designing and implementing a sustainable and predictable multi-annual funding model for higher and further education and training involving increased Employer and Exchequer contributions from 2018. This review will be undertaken as part of the overall response to meeting the anticipated skills needs in the economy over the coming years, in line with the policy framework set out in the National Skills Strategy.
This review will include an analysis of the business case for enhanced investment in the higher and further education and training sectors. In this context it will identify key elements of the new funding model and of the expected impacts including those on employers. The review will include consultation with stakeholders.
The policy review will complement the ongoing work by the Oireachtas Committee in relation to the Cassells report. A review of the funding model for higher education (RGAM) is also being carried out and the new model is due to be in place for the 2018 budget allocation. Completion of the review will underpin delivery across the sector and enhance progression on the goals set out in the Action Plan for Education.
Position of Technological Universities Bill:
In relation to the legislation, the third Government Legislative Programme of this Partnership Government was published on 17 January 2017, and the Technological Universities Bill is listed on the Dáil Order Paper and is awaiting Committee Stage.
I recognise that there were a significant number of matters raised previously in respect of the Bill at both Committee and Report Stage. A consultation process is ongoing 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.