Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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170. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the technological university status bid of Dundalk Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25341/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, Dundalk Institute of Technology is currently pursuing a trajectory to achieve technological university (TU) status and is receiving Transformation Fund assistance from the Exchequer to do so. In other practical terms the Institute is also availing of the services of a highly experienced special advisor from the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Dr. Ruaidhri Neavyn, to assist it with its proposals.

Given the network of TUs now established with only Dundalk and Dún Laoghaire Institute of Arts, Design and Technology remaining as stand-alone Institutes, it is more likely the Institute’s ambition to become part of a multi-campus TU will require to be considered under the legislative approach prescribed in section 38 of the 2018 Act for the merger of an Institute of Technology with an existing TU. It is a matter for any stand-alone Institute to convince an existing TU of the merits of its incorporation in this context.

Realistically as three of the five TUs have only been established since October last, it may take some time for these new TUs in particular to settle into new structures and new missions before being in a position to consider a section 38 incorporation. If so, that time should continue to be used productively by Dundalk Institute of Technology to attain the relevant eligibility metrics and demonstrate the benefits of any proposed incorporation. I understand that DkIT is continuing to make good progress towards meeting these legislatively prescribed eligibility criteria.

My Department and the HEA will continue to support the Institute as appropriate in this matter.