Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank both Deputies. The objectives of the technological sector reform are to raise standards, to deliver better quality outcomes for students and for other stakeholders in the region and to enhance the performance of institutes of technology. This should be the case whether they are seeking technological university status or remaining as stand-alone institutes.

As part of the development of regional clusters in higher education we have also prioritised the development of more effective collaborations between all of the institutions in a cluster. Two priorities that have been set for each cluster are better student pathways between the institutions and co-ordinated academic planning to reduce duplication and improve quality of programmes. That work is ongoing.

In relation to the technological university designation process, as the Deputies will be aware, detailed plans were submitted to the HEA early last year by two consortia of institutes of technology as part of the process towards designation as a technological university. Cork and Tralee institutes of technology put forward proposals for a merger in Munster leading to an application for a technological university for the region. Dublin, Blanchardstown and Tallaght institutes of technology also propose to form a strong new institution for the city and county of Dublin. Both consortia have been assessed by an international expert panel appointed by the HEA. The panel has found that they are on a clear trajectory to meet the very robust performance and quality criteria that have been set down for merging institutes that wish to apply for the new technological university status. I stress the word “wish” because other regions did not apply whereas the institutes of technology in question decided to apply.

That concludes stage 3 of the four-stage process towards designation as a technological university for the two consortia. I know that the two consortia have been carefully considering the reports of the expert panel. Following merger, stage 4 consists of an application to the HEA to become a technological university. The HEA will consider whether the high performance bar has been reached following another independent international expert assessment. The HEA will then make a recommendation to me on whether technological university status should be awarded.

Both consortia have more work to do to complete their mergers, and to reach the criteria which have been set out by Government. In the initial stage of the process, institutions were asked to state how the transition from their current status to final designation would be financed. Both consortia acknowledge the costs involved in the merger and designation process, but they have also committed to meeting those costs from within their own budgets. For example, in Munster, while there is an upfront cost in meeting the criteria and implementing the project, the institutes have also shown that they expect to recoup the upfront costs in subsequent years. In the longer term, they anticipate that it will allow them to develop surpluses which will be available for investment in infrastructure in future years.

In addition, we are aware of the benefits that will arise for the institutions, students and the higher education system more generally from the reforms. As a result, the HEA has provided funding in 2014 to provide some support to institutions involved in mergers. That has included some additional funding to the Munster TU consortium, the Dublin TU consortium and for the amalgamation of teacher education colleges at DCU.

In terms of consultation, good communication between the leadership of any institute of technology entering into a merger and the staff and students of the higher education institution is extremely important in order that a shared vision and understanding of the new institution can be developed. That message has been conveyed by the HEA and by my Department from the outset. It is a message I have conveyed personally to those involved.

At national level, my predecessor published the general scheme of a technological universities Bill in January 2014. The scheme completed pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Committee on Education and Social Protection. The engagement by a range of stakeholders in the pre-legislative scrutiny of the scheme was very welcome. A number of changes to the published general scheme will be made during the drafting process on foot of the recommendations of the joint committee. There has been engagement with stakeholders on this aspect of higher education reform and I would obviously welcome further engagement as the reform programme continues to roll out.

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