Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will outline the developments made to date in relation to the possible establishment of a technological university or technological universities; when this process is likely to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43767/12]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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In the document, Towards a Future Higher Education Landscape, published by the HEA in February last, a clear four stage process and criteria was laid out for institutes of technology who wish to apply for designation as a technological university. The first stage of the process is currently in train and Institutes of Technology wishing to merge to apply for designation as a technological university were required to submit expressions of interest to the HEA by the end of July this year. The drafting of legislative proposals to provide for the amalgamation of Institutes of Technology and the establishment of Technological universities will be advanced in tandem with the designation process as part of the work which is underway on implementing the higher education strategy.