Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for allowing me to raise this issue along with Deputy Jonathan O’Brien.There is a significant risk of industrial action over concerns about the proposed merger of the institutes of technology in Cork and Tralee for a technological university application. Deputy Jonathan O’Brien outlined that the TUI has lodged a complaint. Academic staff in both of the colleges have made it clear that they have no confidence in the process at any level, which is a worrying state of affairs. Neither are they convinced by the report published last year by a panel of international experts. Furthermore, they are not impressed by the Government's financial commitment. They are underwhelmed by the lack of engagement and consultation. In contacts I and my colleagues have had with the TUI and others and from reading media reports, it is evident that there is widespread concern. There is also concern that change will result in a reduction in the number of courses being provided in both institutes. That is an important issue as a wide variety of courses are on offer at present. We have always championed the availability of the proper courses.

The Government has a poor record of engaging with staff when advancing reforms in the education sector. The debacle over the junior cycle provides ample evidence of that. The prospect of industrial action looms once again. The staff are concerned that any merged entity may be refused technological university designation by the Higher Education Authority and remain as a merged entity indefinitely without gaining any of the envisaged benefits of technological university status. Does the Minister accept the contention that "the process adopted to date has ignored the expertise and experience of TUI lecturers and has failed to examine, in sufficient detail, the risks to which both institutes will be exposed as a consequence of a merger"? Will she ensure that any attempt to expedite this merger will be halted until such time as the participants have confidence in the process?

See this speech in context