Mr. Paul Hannigan:

In recent years, THEA has employed someone specifically to look at research and development and engage with the research officers and managers in each of the institutes of technology. We are seeing outcomes now in terms of the improved performance under HERD, as Professor Cunnane outlined. The different collaborations allow us to get involved with bigger partners and this, in turn, allows us to access more funding.

Letterkenny Institute of Technology has been able to avail of INTERREG funding through interactions with the University of Ulster and Queen's University Belfast. This does two things. It allows funding to come into the institute to enable us to develop our own embryonic stage research. It also allows us to engage with more experienced partners and that builds capacity within our institution. That is happening throughout the country. We can see institutions taking on leadership roles in specific programmes. It is a journey we are on. We see it improving in each institution throughout the country. There is no doubt about that.

We also see real opportunities for the future and real prospects in terms of the technological university research network report, what the report saw for us and what is ahead of us as technological universities. We are mindful of what is expected from us. We are also conscious of the pathways that we have already started down and on which we will continue to build. We will see greater integration and interaction over a period.

I will come back to the connectedness point. Senator Dolan mentioned the deprivation index, etc. There is probably a fear among some people that as technological universities emerge, they may move away from their initial focus of dealing with the people in their communities. That is far from where we are. The legislation is clear that we need to be connected to our original mission as well as developing research activity and other activities that are necessary. The point Dr. Ryan made was important. The institutes reflect the populations in which they operate. What we are saying is we are lifting all boats in the context of the programmes we are providing. We are giving everyone the opportunity to step up. That is having a significant impact.

I will go back to the question Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked about regional development. I had a meeting this morning with the country lead for Tata Consultancy, which is about to take over Pramerica in Letterkenny. Let us consider IDA Ireland employment and the Border region. Approximately 8,500 jobs have been created there, including some 4,000 jobs in Letterkenny. They would not be here if we were not here. We were here before those companies came in. That success has been built up over time. What we need to see is more jobs coming in on the back of that expertise. We hope the technological universities will continue to do that. As we have seen, Sligo has been successful recently in attracting several different companies.