Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 September 2012
399. Deputy Paudie Coffey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will indicate which institutes of technology have joined together in submitting an expression of interest for applying to become technological universities, as phase one of the process should now be concluded as the six-month time period for making such an expression has now elapsed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37991/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the document, Towards a Future Higher Education Landscape, published by the HEA in February last, a clear four stage process and criteria was laid out for institutes of technology who wish to apply for designation as Technological Universities. Stage 1 of the process required consortiums of institutions to submit an expression of interest to HEA within six months. The HEA will, having considered the system level implications of the proposal, advise, within a reasonable period (no longer than a further six months), as to whether or not the proposal may proceed to the second stage of the process. Stage one is not yet complete and I am not in a position to comment on the process . Several institutes of technology have however publicly announced the formation of alliances in order to apply for designation as a technological university.
