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Third Level Institutions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 September 2020

Wednesday, 9 September 2020

Ceisteanna (62)

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

62. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place to progress a university of the north-west involving Letterkenny IT and Magee College, Derry; and the way in which such plans may impact on the Connacht, Ulster Alliance for a technological university application. [22646/20]

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Freagraí scríofa

The development and progression of technological universities (TUs), including a TU in the Connacht Ulster region, is an important part of the Government’s higher education policy as underscored in the Programme for Government 2020.

In this context the Government’s objective for the establishment of a university serving the north-west is being advanced through the Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA) TU development consortium composed of Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Galway Mayo IT and IT Sligo. CUA is working on plans to submit an application seeking an order for establishment as a technological university under the Technological Universities Act 2018. My Department understands that an application is to be submitted by CUA by the end of the year.

In the broader context I am focused on examining opportunities for closer North-South collaboration in the Further Education and Higher Education areas including in the north-west where such arise opportunities particularly post-Brexit and as we seek deal with and emerge from the Covid 19 pandemic. In this context I am determined that, notwithstanding Brexit, cross-border collaboration should not only be maintained but enhanced.

As such, I have, noted with interest recent calls for the development of a cross-border university, potentially involving Magee College in Derry which is part of Ulster University. While I understand the challenges involved in establishing such an institution including under the current legal framework for universities in this State I have asked my officials to consider this matter further and will keep the Deputy updated on developments.

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