Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 371: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the criteria used to upgrade an institute of education to university status; and the cost involved in this process. [14142/09]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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The establishment of additional universities is governed by Section 9 of the Universities Act, 1997, which states that the Government may, at any time, appoint a body, the membership of which shall be recommended by An tÚdarás (the Higher Education Authority) and shall include international experts and national experts, including employees of universities to which this Act applies, to advise An tÚdarás on whether, having regard to the objects and functions of a university under sections 12 and 13 of the Universities Act, an educational institution should be established as a university. While it is not possible to accurately predict the cost of the process, it could be expected that costs would arise in relation to expenses for members of the review body and possible related costs.