Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I used SETU as an example of technological universities not being allow to take the lead in teacher training courses, but students could save a great deal of money by doing their masters in education to qualify as secondary school teachers at technological universities across the country. They could do part of their courses in a technological university and the other part in a university in Limerick, Cork, Galway or Dublin. Many families are struggling and, while the Government is doing a great deal to help them with the cost of living, we need to think outside the box and use technological universities as a means of assisting families and students. These students would get the same qualifications at the end of their courses and the technological universities would be elevated a step in the quality of the work they turned out. Is this something that the Minister would encourage or something his Department would consider? The HEA would have to be part of any conversation or decision in this regard. Has the Minister plans to address the matter or has it been discussed with him by any of the technological universities' presidents or governing bodies?