Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 November 2011
37 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the possible redesignation of Waterford Institute of Technology to the enhanced status of a technological university. [34867/11]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Higher Education, I have asked the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for their formal advice on final appropriate performance criteria against which amalgamated institutes of technology can be assessed for designation to technological university status. Following consideration of advice received from HEA, I intend to publish the designation criteria and the process arrangements before the end of December. Once a process is in place it will be open to institutes of technology to come together to make applications for consideration for re-designation. All applications, including any involving Waterford Institute of Technology, will be considered under an independent assessment process. This is a necessary pre-requisite of upholding the quality and international reputation of the overall higher education system.
