David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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104. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the names of the stakeholders whom a person (details supplied) identified and met as part of the announcement in November 2014 of a new process of engagement and consultation regarding the technological university for the south east project, including, but not limited to, the names of the local authorities, chamber of commerce employees, enterprise development agencies and social and community groups, in addition to public representatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4961/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, published in January 2011, recommended the consolidation of the Institute of Technology sector and creation of a small number of multi-campus technological universities. 

The Technological University for the South-East (TUSE) 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 all 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, in order to articulate and develop the following:

- A shared vision for a Technological University to serve the South-East region;

- To report to the Minister on the feasibility and steps required to progress an application for technological university status within an acceptable timeframe. This to be done, having regard to the published criteria and process for designation as technological university which is already in place.

The Minister appointed Mr. Michael Kelly to lead the process of consultation.

As outlined in the Michael Kelly Report into the development of a Technological University for the South-East a significant process of engagement and consultation took place with regional stakeholders.  The Governing Bodies of Waterford Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology, Carlow agreed that the engagement process would be supported by the Institute and the Technological University (TU) Co-ordinator in each Institute provided administrative and logistical support for all meetings.  A total of some 40 meetings were held with groups of stakeholders.

Stakeholders met included the following:

Institutes – WIT and IT Carlow : Governing Body, President and Executive Team, Academic Staff, undergraduate, post graduate and lifelong learning students, Professional and Support Staff, PIB members, Trade Unions [IMPACT, SIPTU, UNITE],  Campus Companies.

External Stakeholders: Local Authorities, Chambers of Commerce, Employers, Enterprise Development Agencies, Education and Training Boards, Guidance Counsellors, Collaborative Partners, Social and Community Groups, Wexford Group.

A number of one-to-one meetings also took place with members of the Oireachtas representing the region or at the request of individual stakeholders.  Meetings also took place with a number of the external facilitators or advisors previously linked with the TUSE project.

The report presented a compelling rationale for a new type of higher education institution to support a “step-change” in the economic and social development of the entire South-East region. This is clearly the overwhelming wish of stakeholders in the region.

Following the publication of the Kelly report, a preliminary facilitation process which was recommended in the Report has been completed.  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, the Presidents of the two institutions, have jointly developed an initial work-plan to support the development of a joint TU proposal.

In addition to this both Institutions made a joint presentation and submission to the Higher Education Authority (HEA), seeking funding to underpin the next phase of engagement. This was part of the latest call issued by the HEA regarding the restructuring of the higher education landscape.  The call sought submissions for funding support in respect of the costs arising from mergers as part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Higher Education.

Arising from the submissions received and subsequent detailed presentations made to the HEA, the TUSE project were allocated a ring-fenced sum of €1.445 Million in 2016 to support the further development of the project.