15 Apr 2014, 18:18
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Social Protection will tomorrow engage in pre-legislative scrutiny on the General Scheme of the Technological Universities Bill with key stakeholders.
15 April 2014
The Bill will provide for the future the merger of institutes of technology and the establishment of Technological Universities.
Addressing the Committee will be:
- Dublin Technological University Alliance Steering Group;
- Institutes of Technology Ireland;
- DIT Students Union (also representing the students unions in Blanchardstown and Tallaght);
- IBEC;
- TUI;
- Higher Education Authority;
- Irish Universities Association, and
- Quality and Qualifications Ireland
Joanna Tuffy TD, Chair of the Committee says: “To remain relevant to the needs of students, society and the economy, we must ensure on an on-going basis that our education system undergoes the necessary structural reform and modernisation. The purpose of the Technical University Bill is to consolidate the Institutes of Technology and provide for the establishment of new Technological Universities with a specific mandate to provide education and research that is high-quality and industry-focused.
\"As legislators with the responsibility in this area, it is important that we engage with key stakeholders on the potential merits and flaws within the legislation. The meeting tomorrow will be a valuable opportunity to hear the diverse perspectives of the key agencies, unions and business leaders as well as the ITs themselves. On foot of these deliberations, the Committee will produce a report on the legislation, and the issues raised in the report may also be relevant in the context of the future consideration of the Bill by the Dáil and Seanad.\"
The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 16 April at 1 pm in Committee Room 3, LH 2000 and can be viewed online here.
Media enquiries to:
Paul Hand,
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputy Joanna Tuffy - Chair
Deputies James Bannon, Ray Butler, Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Brendan Griffin , Jim Daly, Derek Keating, Charlie McConalogue, Jonathan O’Brien, Willie O’Dea, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Brendan Ryan
Senators Jim D'Arcy, Marie Moloney, Mary Moran, Hildegarde Naughten, Marie-Louise O’Donnell, Averil Power