Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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392. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position on the planned technological university for Munster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24969/18]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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It is a matter for the relevant Institutes of Technology in a consortium to lead on the progression of their plans to seek designation as a technological university. Currently, four such consortia are at different stages of development, dependent on their particular circumstances.

Together with the Tánaiste, the Minister of State for Higher Education met the Presidents and Chairs of Cork Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology Tralee last month and was informed that both institutes are fully committed to the Munster Technological University (MTU) project and that substantial progress is being made. In this context the MTU project management office is fully operational and meets weekly with regular updates being presented to both governing bodies. The MTU business case and revised economic impact study are nearing completion.

It is understood to currently be the intention of the MTU consortium to submit an application for TU designation under the Technological Universities Act later this year.