Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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84. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the future options for an institute of technology (details supplied) in view of the fact that mandatory merger is still a requirement for institutes of technology to make an application for university status regardless of meeting all other criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24056/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 sets out the long-term vision for the development of the higher education sector in Ireland. The strategy recognises that a diverse range of strong, autonomous higher education institutions (HEIs) is essential to respond effectively to evolving economic and societal needs. The strategy includes the retention of institutional diversity as well as the consolidation of HEIs, as appropriate, including as technological universities, and increased collaboration between HEIs, both universities and institutes of technology, in regional clusters.

The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is allocating €12m in 2018 to institutes of technology for the development of technological universities and other higher education landscape restructuring projects. Not all Institutes of Technology are currently part of the consortia which are seeking to develop proposals to attain technological university status under the 2018 Act. Section 29 of the Technological Universities Act 2018 provides that two or more Institutes of Technology may apply for designation as a TU. Section 38 provides that an Institute of Technology and a technological university may apply for TU status.

It is a matter for individual Institutes of Technology as to their positioning over time within the diversity of the higher education landscape. This process is currently being undertaken within the higher education system performance framework 2018 - 2020 which allows HEIs to identify their strategic niche and agree a performance compact aligned with funding with the HEA.

However, there continues to be a key role for individual Institutes of Technology in the provision of high quality education and training, whether technical in nature, apprenticeship focused, creative, research based or in relation to lifelong learning and also with an emphasis on providing appropriate progression pathways for students.  Many Institutes of Technology have a focus on, and a goodtrack record in, research, development and innovation and the strong links they continue to forge with industry play a pivotal role in driving regional growth and jobs.