Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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23. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the progress with the Connacht-Ulster Alliance following its application for a technological university; the likely timeline involved; if this can be accelerated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36833/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The CUA consortium's application seeking TU designation under the Technological Universities Act 2018 was submitted to me on 21st May. I then appointed the advisory panel to assess it on 2 July 2021. The maximum prescribed timeframes for the relevant assessment and decision making procedures are set out in sections 31 - 34 of the 2018 Act.

In line with all other applications assessed to date, every effort will be made to ensure the relevant processes are undertaken as expeditiously as possible. More importantly, it will also be done in the most comprehensive manner possible given the magnitude of the issues at stake for students, staff, external stakeholders and local communities in the West and North West, and for the strategic objectives for the progression of higher education access in the region.

In this context, without prejudice to the deliberations of the international panel, I am anticipating that I will receive the panel's report and the views of the Higher Education Authority on the report and any other information considered relevant in the Autumn of this year.

TUs will bring a range of benefits to their regions and hinterlands in term of increased investment including FDI and capital investment, research funding, international recognition, acting as catalysts for innovation and regional development and enabling students, staff, enterprise, business and the wider community to avail of increased opportunities within their own regions and to reap the rewards of socio-economic progress. I am pleased with the growing momentum underway in the establishment of TUs in key regions across the country.