Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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105. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has had contact with Carlow College, St. Patrick’s, Carlow with regard to bringing about the full integration of Carlow College, St. Patrick’s, into the higher education framework and system in the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41537/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As stated in the Programme for Government 2020 the progression of a technological university to serve the people of the South East is the Government’s top priority in higher education and regional development terms. Any peripheral proposals must be viewed in that context, particularly if there is any risk of delay or impeding the delivery of the TU agenda in the South East.

At their request, I met with the principals of Carlow College in September 2020 in relation to the college’s proposals regarding their future position in the higher education landscape and my officials have continued to engage on this matter since.

I suggested to the college principals that they consider commissioning a detailed independent governance and financial review to enable more informed consideration of all relevant issues. Again this was on the understanding that the college’s strategic direction and sustainability remain matters for its own governing body. In order to be of assistance Department officials will return any observations on the review’s draft terms of reference in due course to facilitate the college in commissioning their review.