Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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21. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the proposed reorganisation of third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32259/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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On 30th May of this year, I responded to advice on reconfiguring the system submitted to me by the Higher Education Authority. The HEA advice and my letter to the Chair of the Authority in response and which sets out my full intentions in relation to policy in this area are published on my department's website.

The reconfiguration of the system will build on existing alliances and synergies. Consolidation of the institute of technology sector into a new modernised technological sector will now proceed. Three applicant groups of institutes who have expressed an interest in applying for designation as technological universities can now proceed towards the second stage and full merger.

Three regional clusters have been named in Dublin/Leinster, the South/South East and the West/mid/north West. Institutional heads will develop regional plans which will eliminate duplication of provision and create better progression and transfer opportunities for students in the region.