David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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67. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if newly formed technological universities will have the ability to borrow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10915/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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Provision has already been made in the Technological Universities Bill, 2015 which will allow that a technological university, or any company in which the technological university has a proprietary interest, may borrow money by means of a bank overdraft or otherwise and may guarantee or underwrite a loan taken or borrowing undertaken by any person.

However, this will be subject to the development by the Higher Education Authority of a Borrowing Framework for Technological Universities which will require the approval of the Minister for Education and Skills, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and the Minister for Finance.

David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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70. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received this Deputy's discussion document on a technological university of the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10918/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that I have received a copy of the Deputy’s discussion document on a Technological University for the South-East.

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.  The Technological University for the South-East (TUSE – consisting of Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Carlow) is one of four consortia currently engaged with the process to become designated as Technological Universities.

Accordingly, I have asked my officials to follow up directly with the Deputy in relation to his discussion document.