David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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155. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the way in which a technological university differs from existing universities or institutes of technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38522/16]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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156. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to rationalise services as part of the merging of institutes of technology and the formation of technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38523/16]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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157. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the unique offering that will be provided by technological universities here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38524/16]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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172. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is giving consideration to a change in sequencing to the process of merging institutes of technology as part of an application to become a technological university; if consideration is being given to introduce the international panel of experts work earlier in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38731/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 155 to 157, inclusive, and 172 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities.

This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030.  With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy recommended significant reforms to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives.  In particular, the Strategy recommended consolidation within the sector and a pathway of evolution for those consolidated institutes of technology, to allow them to demonstrate significant progress against robust performance criteria and to apply to become technological universities.

A Technological University will be distinguished by a mission and ethos that is aligned and consistent with the current mission and focus of institutes of technology with an emphasis on programmes at levels 6 to 8 and industry focused research.  A Technological University will also be expected to play a pivotal role in facilitating access and progression particularly through relationships with the further education and training sector.  They will also have a strong regional focus.

The development of technological universities has the potential to deliver greater opportunity to students in these regions, to staff working in the institutions, and to the broader local economy and society. 

I would also like to underline that this is much more than a rebranding exercise – the institutions concerned are required to achieve high standards across a range of areas before being designated as technological universities. These include standards relating to the qualifications of staff, the quality of research output, the proportion of students engaged in lifelong learning, and other relevant issues.

The mission and vision for each proposed technological university is developed by the consortia, in consultation with stakeholders including staff and students, and is contained in the implementation plans subsequently developed.

In relation to the legislation, the second Government Legislative Programme of this new Partnership Government was published on 27 September 2016, and the Technological Universities Bill is listed on the Dáil Order Paper and is awaiting Committee Stage. 

I recognise that there were a significant number of matters raised previously in respect of the Bill at both Committee and Report Stage, including matters related to the sequencing of the process of merging institutes of technology.  It is my intention to consult with all of the relevant stakeholders in relation to both the matters raised during the legislative process and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government.

Following the finalisation of this consultation process I will then advance the legislation having determined a position in relation to any matters raised as part of this consultation process.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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158. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the amount which was spent by Waterford Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology, Carlow and his Department to date in 2016 on the merger process as part of the application to become a technological university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38525/16]

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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159. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if money was spent on consultancy fees by Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology, Carlow as part of the merger process or the application to become a technological university; if so, if he will provide a detailed breakdown of costs, the purpose of the work and the name of the company involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38526/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities.

This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030.  With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy recommended significant reforms to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives.  In particular, the Strategy recommended consolidation within the sector and a pathway of evolution for those consolidated institutes of technology, to allow them to demonstrate significant progress against robust performance criteria and to apply to become technological universities.

Technological University for the South-East (TUSE) Consultancy Costs:

The process for designation as a technological university 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 two Institutes of Technology; Institute of Technology Carlow (ITC) and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT).  The TUSE 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 then Minister for Education and Skills 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.  This process was conducted by Mr. Michael Kelly who met with stakeholders in all of the counties of the region including Local Authorities, Chambers of Commerce, Employers, the Enterprise Development Agencies, Social and Community Groups as well as public representatives.  In all some forty meetings took place.  The then Minister met with Mr. Kelly on 2 July 2015 and received his report on the outcome of the engagement and consultation process.  The total cost incurred in the preparation of this report was €32,782.65 including VAT.  The cost of this Report was met by the Department of Education and Skills.

The Minister met with the Chairs and Presidents of the two institutions on 21 July 2015 to discuss the findings and recommendations in the report.  The report was then published on 27 July 2015.   

As outlined at the time of publication, it was agreed that a project plan for a process of facilitation would be developed by mid-August 2015 for consideration at ITC and WIT Governing Body meetings planned for end-August 2015.  The facilitation process was recommended by Mr. Kelly.  The Governing Bodies of both institutions held meetings at the end of August and agreed to engage in the proposed facilitation process.  The facilitator (Ms. Jane Williams of SIA Partners) was proposed by the Department of Education and Skills and agreed to by the Chairs and Presidents of both institutions.

This facilitation process commenced in September 2015 and was finalised in May 2016.  I attach a copy of the final report of this facilitation process for your information.  As outlined SIA Partners conducted the facilitation process and have been paid for their work by the Department of Education and Skills.  The total amount paid to SIA Partners was €12,779 including VAT.  There were no other costs incurred in respect of this facilitation process.

Facilitation Process:

There was strong engagement in the process by both parties and this facilitation process has been an important building block in terms of building trust between the parties and in developing a strong working relationship between the Presidents and Chairs of both institutions.  As part of this process, the Presidents of the two institutions, have jointly developed an initial work-plan to support the development of a joint TU proposal. 

Actual costs incurred to date in respect of TUSE:

Actual costs to end 2015 by the South East TU consortium amounts to €495,655 which includes funding of €170,000 provided by the HEA thus far to offset costs from the HEIs own resources.  The costs incurred during 2016 are being tabulated and will be finalised in early 2017.