Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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162. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills her plans to address WIT's preference to become a university outside the terms of her proposed technological universities Bill and the breakdown in talks with IT Carlow. [45417/14]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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I have made it very clear that there is no avenue for an institute of technology to become a university other than that which has been established through the four stage process and criteria to become a technological university. The legislative framework for this process is being put in place through the Technological Universities Bill.

I have now established a new process to reinvigorate the technological university of the South East project. I have appointed Michael Kelly to lead a process of consultation to explore with all parties the future of a technological university in the South East. The Government has made a strong commitment to explore the establishment of a multi-campus technological university in that region. I believe such an institution will make an enormous contribution to the social and economic fabric of the south-east. I expect to receive Mr. Kelly's report early in the new year.