David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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168. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the new funding model that will pertain to technological universities; if they will be allowed to borrow; if they will be allowed to access European Investment Bank funding; if they will receive baseline funding for research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38727/16]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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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.

Position of Technological Universities Bill:

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.  The main purpose of the Bill is to provide for the establishment of technological universities, a new type of higher education institution to be formed through the consolidation and merger of existing institutes of technology.

Matters pertaining to Budgets, Borrowing, Guaranteeing and Underwriting for technological universities are detailed in the Technological Universities Bill. 

I recognise that there were a significant number of matters raised previously in respect of the Bill at both Committee and Report Stage.  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.