Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

A clear, four stage process and criteria for designation as technological university was published in February of this year. Institutions proposing to merge and apply for designation as technological universities, including those in the south east, must submit a formal expression of interest within a six month period and will be advised within a further six months whether they can proceed to the second stage for designation. The drafting of legislative proposals to provide for the amalgamation of institutes of technology and the establishment of technological universities will be advanced in tandem with the designation process as part of the work which is under way on implementing the higher education strategy.

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