Section 28 of the Technological Universities Act, 2018 sets out the eligibility criteria applicant institutes must meet to be granted Technological University status. There are a mix of requirements and demonstrable capabilities in relation to staff qualifications with regard to both masters or doctoral degrees, or to relevant staff having sufficient practical experience gained in the practice of a profession to which a programme leading to an award of at least at an honours bachelor degree level such that a terminal degree and experience together can reasonably be viewed as equivalent to a doctoral degree.
I understand that the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) raised this issue verbally at a recent meeting with my officials. However, I am not aware of any formal, empirical or documented case being presented to the Department in this regard by the TUI, or by any other sectoral stakeholder, nor by the technological universities themselves.
I would highlight that the relevant provisions relating to eligibility criteria including staff qualifications under the 2018 Act were extensively debated, including by way of comprehensive public consultations and as the then Technological Universities Bill went through the legislative process and was subsequently adopted by both Houses of the Oireachtas and enacted in the form it retains today.
While I have no plans at this time to amend the legislative provisions in question, the matter will be kept under review by the Department including in any consultations with the Higher Education Authority and the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland as may be deemed appropriate.
