Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Cullinane for raising this issue. From my own work in the region I know it is regarded as being pivotal for the long-term development of the south east. To be fair, when the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 was published back in January 2011, there was a clear roadmap as to what needed to be done. The journey was clearly mapped out and it recommended the consolidation of the institutes of technology sector and the creation of a small number of multi-campus technological universities. That is the roadmap that people now need to fulfil.

The process for designation as a technological university, TU, consists of four stages and requires the merger of two or more institutes of technology prior to application for designation as a TU. The technological university for the south-east project was initiated in 2011 and consists of a consortium of Carlow and Waterford institutes of technology. The consortium made good progress initially and submitted a stage 1 expression of interest in 2012. However, following this initial promising start, the consortium encountered a series of challenges and difficulties, and did not succeed in finalising a stage 2 plan prior to the decision by WIT to suspend merger activities in October 2014.

Following meetings with both institutes in early November 2014, the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, announced the establishment of a new process of engagement and consultation with the governing bodies, staff and students of both institutes, together with the wider community in the south east. The Minister appointed Mr. Michael Kelly to lead the process of consultation. While a ten-week timeframe was initially set for the process to be completed, the timeframe to completion was extended due to a number of factors, including the change in governing authorities of both institutions at the end of the first quarter of 2015.

The Minister for Education and Skills recently met with Mr. Kelly and received his report on the outcome of the engagement and consultation process. Mr. Kelly has undertaken a thorough and extensive consultation process with regional stakeholders on this important issue. Mr. Kelly met with stakeholders in all counties of the region in the last few months, including local authorities, chambers of commerce, employers, the enterprise development agencies, and social and community croups, as well as public representatives. I understand that some 40 meetings took place and the Minister wants to place on record her

Mr. Kelly presented his report to the Minister on 2 July last. Following receipt of that report, the Minister discussed it with Cabinet colleagues. She subsequently met with the presidents and chairpersons of both institutions on 21 July to discuss the findings and recommendations in the report. The report was published on 27 July.

As outlined at the time of publication, it was agreed that a plan for a process of preliminary facilitation would be developed by mid-August for consideration at ITC and WIT governing body meetings planned for the end of August. The facilitation process is the first step recommended by Mr. Kelly in order to assist with building mutual trust and respect between the two institutions. The governing bodies of both institutions held meetings at the end of August and agreed to engage in the proposed facilitation process, which is now under way. The Minister is pleased to report that there has been very good engagement in the facilitation process by the presidents and chairpersons of both institutions to date. This is an important building block for future collaboration. The Minister expects this facilitation process to be completed before year end.

The Minister believes there is a compelling rationale for a new type of higher education institution to support the economic and social development of the entire south-east region and this is clearly the wish of stakeholders in the region. The Government is committed to supporting the development of such an institution. The Senator can see from this reply that the Minister for Education and Skills has been very active in seeking to get this issue across the line. The work in this respect is ongoing.