Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government’s objective for the establishment of a university serving the north-west is being advanced through the Connacht Ulster Alliance (CUA) TU development consortium composed of Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Galway Mayo IT and IT Sligo. CUA is working on plans to submit an application seeking an order for establishment as a technological university under the Technological Universities Act 2018. My Department understands that an application is to be submitted by CUA by the end of the year.

As the Deputy will be aware, Letterkenny Institute of Technology has a close working relationship with third level institutions in Derry and received Exchequer funding in 2018 and 2019 totalling €0.75 million under the Higher Education Authority calls for proposals for higher education landscape restructuring projects. The projects funded were aimed at strengthening collaborative cross-border strategic alliance building and co-operation between higher education and further education and training institutions such as Letterkenny IT, Donegal ETB, North West Regional College and Ulster University, including in the wider context of strengthening the reach of any future TU if established in the region. The HEA landscape funding mechanism has been replaced in 2020 by the TU Transformation Fund which focuses on the establishment and development of TUs.

Separately the “New Decade, New Approach” agreement in relation to the restoration of devolved government in Northern Ireland, stated that the Government welcomes the development of plans for ambitious new higher education provision in Derry. This investment can support more access to third-level education for young people on a cross-border basis, enable further cooperation between third-level institutions in the North West including in research and innovation, and underpin broader economic development and opportunities in the region.

I am focused on examining opportunities for closer North-South collaboration in the Further Education and Higher Education areas including in the North West where such arise opportunities particularly post-Brexit and as we seek deal with and emerge from the Covid 19 pandemic. In this context I am determined that, notwithstanding Brexit, cross-border collaboration should not only be maintained but enhanced.

Finally, I have also noted with interest recent calls for the development of a cross-border university. While I understand the challenges involved in establishing such an institution including under the current legal framework for universities in this State I have asked my officials to consider this matter further and will keep the Deputy updated on developments.