Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021
124. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the technological university status bid of Dundalk IT given the developments in regard to the Galway, Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny ITs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58645/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development and progression of technological universities (TUs) is an established policy objective of Government in the context of overarching national strategy on higher education landscape restructuring and this is underscored in the commitment in the current Programme for Government.
However, it remains a matter for the governing bodies of autonomous Institutes of Technology as decide where they locate themselves on the higher education landscape.
Under the statutory framework provided in the Technological Universities Act 2018, two or more Institutes of Technology (IoTs) may jointly seek TU designation through a prescribed legislative process. Section 29 of the 2018 Act provides for the application jointly by such institutions seeking designation as a TU subject to their jointly meeting specified eligibility criteria. Section 38 of the 2018 Act provides that an applicant institute and an established technological university may apply to the Minister for an order and Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) are currently understood to be pursuing this legislative path.
In this context DkIT has published its vision to become a dynamic, accessible, student-centred campus of a multi-campus regional TU. This marks meaningful progress on the proposed trajectory towards achieving TU status, enabling staff, students and wider stakeholders to be assured of the direction of travel. Furthermore, DkIT has established key TU project groups, including a TUTF Project Steering Group and TU operational project group.
DkIT is being assisted by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in relation to funding under the HEA administered Transformation Fund (TUTF) and through provision of the technical advice and support services of a highly respected HEA special advisor on higher education policy, Dr. Ruaidhri Neavyn ,who continues to assist the Institute as an external advisor going forward.
On 8 September the HEA announced the second tranche of TUTF allocations totalling €60m in Exchequer support of TUs and TU development consortia to become established and embedded in their regions since 2020. While DkIT has made significant progress in advancing its TU ambitions, it is carrying a significant unspent balance including from its 2020 funding allocation. However, should further funding be required in 2022 it can be made available as appropriate.
I can assure the Deputy of my and my Department’s continued support and the continued assistance of the HEA for DkIT to progress to achieving TU designation in due course.
