Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

In May of last year I formally asked the Higher Education Authority to provide advice to me on draft performance criteria for a process for the designation of technological universities. Draft criteria had been deployed by an international expert commissioned by my Department following the publication of what is known as the Hunt report. In developing its advice, the authority undertook a consultation process on the criteria which was completed last autumn. Following on from this, I understand the authority is at the current time finalising its advice and it is hoped to publish final criteria in the relatively near future. I am informed this will happen by the end of this month.

The criteria will set out a roadmap for the potential re-designation of institutes of technology, which can meet the performance requirements set out, as technological universities. Consolidation will be necessary as a precursor to any re-designation as a technological university. I understand Carlow and Waterford Institutes of technology have begun discussions on consolidation with a view to seeking re-designation.

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