Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
253. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department or the HEA have conducted a review of the operation of Dublin Technological University in the context of the development of further technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7887/20]
View answerTU Dublin has been a key contributor to the TU Research Network (TURN) high level advisory group which submitted its report to the Department in Quarter 4 2019. The report entitled Connectedness & Collaboration enabled by Connectivity focuses on how emerging TUs can achieve their sectoral and national strategic objectives and the supports that are required to do so most effectively and efficiently. The TURN report sets out the case for a state change in higher education reform for the delivery of national strategic priorities such as are elaborated in Project Ireland 2040, the National Development Plan and Future Jobs Ireland through the connectedness, particularly at regional level, collaboration and connectivity of TUs and their unique delivery of programmes across the full range of the National Framework of Qualifications from apprenticeships to doctoral degrees. The report , which is available on the Department’s website, makes a series of 12 recommendations that will provide a solid foundation for the development and progression of TUs in the state.
Beyond the TURN process, TU Dublin has also been of assistance in sharing its experiences upon request with other TU development consortia that are seeking to advance applications for TU designation under the TU Act 2018.
As part of the System Performance Framework 2018 – 2020 the Higher Education Authority has agreed mission-based performance compacts with higher education institutions aligned to the framework. The Authority has embarked upon the next round of strategy and performance dialogue with higher education institutions to monitor and review their performance against their compacts. All institutions, including TU Dublin, submitted a self-evaluation report of their progress towards interim targets in their compacts in Autumn 2019. The reports were reviewed by the Authority and an expert advisory panel, with feedback being provided to the institutions in early 2020. The Authority was due to meet with institutions subsequently to discuss the reports but has had to postpone the meetings for the time being as a result of the COVID19 pandemic.
In addition to the self-evaluation reports, institutions were also invited by the Higher Education Authority to submit impact assessment case studies in Autumn 2019, aligned with national priorities and targets as set out in performance compacts and with reference to the System Performance Framework 2018-2020 and evolving national policy objectives. Case studies were reviewed by an expert advisory panel, which informed the allocation of €5 million in performance funding. TU Dublin was awarded €350,000 in performance funding for its impact case study "Establishment of Technological University Dublin".
Section 23 of the Technological Universities Act 2018 requires a technological university to submit to the Minister for Education and Skills and to the Higher Education Authority an annual report on its activities in the immediately preceding year not later than 30 June in each year, having regard to its strategic development plan and equality statement and any requirements imposed under the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012. The Minister shall cause copies of the annual report to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the TU shall arrange for the report to be published on the internet.
During its first year since establishment, TU Dublin carried out an extensive consultation process with staff, students, external partners and stakeholders which contributed to the development of the university’s first strategic development plan entitled Realising Infinite Possibilities – Strategic Intent to 2030. The plan was published on 30 January 2020 and both it and the university’s equality statement are publicly available on TU Dublin’s website.
