Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is important that DkIT becomes a TU. It has been left behind for far too long. The Minister said a couple of weeks ago, during his visit to Dundalk, that he feels that DkIT has a great future. Ireland's fifth TU, the Technological University of the South East, was established a few weeks ago. I congratulate Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology on coming together. On many occasions, the Minister has announced his frustration with the lack of progress on DkIT becoming a TU. It is important that we get the support of the Minister and of the higher education authorities. In recent years, the Minister and I have had many debates about the status of DkIT. In fairness, he has kept his promise about everything he has said so far. Good progress has been made.

Last October, DkIT affirmed its commitment to become a TU by establishing a new steering committee aimed at accelerating the institute towards TU status. The goal was to put a structure in place to develop a pathway for DkIT and to set a series of targets which would align with the national policy. Some of these included meeting the TU target of having 4% of postgraduate research students at levels 9 and 10 and ensuring that 45% of its academic staff possess a level 10 or equivalent professional qualification. Other targets included increasing the competitiveness and sustainability of the research agenda through dedicated support structures. Another is to enrich the learning experience through the implementation of digital teaching and learning infrastructure. A further target is to improve the further education to higher education progression for our region, thereby opening up higher education to a large proportion of our regional population. Only a few weeks ago, the chairman of the board of governors said that most of these have been put in place. Hopefully, we should be well on the way there by September.

A few weeks ago, I attended an award ceremony at DkIT. I was meeting students who had attended the college for the last number of years and also sporting people. It provided a fantastic opportunity to speak to the students, to talk about the facilities and the courses available. The main topic of these statements is investment in higher education and the cost for a family of a son or daughter attending college. As I said, a great investment has been made. Most who attend the college come from the local area. There are so many students taking courses in art, business, management, marketing, computers, creative art, media, early childhood, engineering, building, hospitality, tourism, music, drama, performance, nursing, midwifery, science, agriculture, animal health and sport. These are but a few. This is a fantastic opportunity for the people in the surrounding areas, including Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Cavan and Northern Ireland, and elsewhere too.

I am delighted that the Minister met the senior management, student union leaders and the Teachers Union of Ireland. When he came to Dundalk a couple of weeks ago, he sat down to speak with them and gave a lot of time to that. DkIT is the sole provider of higher education in the north east. More than 5,000 students attend it and there are more than 500 staff. Some 80% of the students who attend the college are the first generation of their families to attend. That is fantastic. We talk about job losses in Dundalk, such as at PayPal, but the college has done fantastically in helping to create jobs in the area. It has attracted many multinational companies and helped many SMEs, including me. Years ago, I set up my own wee business. DkIT is the life and soul of the north east. Every year, more than 600 international students come to the area. It is the most diverse and multicultural of all the institutes in the area.

I am proud to be a Dundalk man and to be involved with DkIT. I am trying to be as positive as I can. The only thing that really put me off is that, four years ago, DkIT was the leading force in the TU project. The Minister said earlier that it is no one's fault but DkIT's that it did not put in the application. We set up a steering committee. It is all looking very good. I am looking for the Minister and the HEA to keep to the commitment. As I said earlier, investment is required in order to get TU status. Some 80% of the students attending the institute are the first in their families to do so. They should not have to travel so far to university. We need a university in the area. I have full confidence that the Minister will work with it.

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