Ms Annette Dolan:

On the difference between a TU and a university, the TUs are formed as a result of the merger of institutes of technologies. We have two at present and, hopefully, in the not-too-distant future we will have five. They are important not only for the development of the regions but also to attract international students. Their function is to focus on the needs of the regions in which they are situated. A TU in Athlone and Limerick will have a remit for the midlands and the mid west, GMIT Sligo's remit is for the needs of the Connacht-Ulster region, Carlow's and Waterford's is the south east and TU Dublin has a remit for Dublin and the greater Dublin area. A TU provides programmes of education and training from level 6 to level 10, undergraduate courses, postgraduate courses, short courses, upskilling, reskilling-----