Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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25. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to provide an update on the planned professorships for the technological universities. [26165/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The introduction of Professorships in the Technological Universities is a major priority for me, and is a key commitment of the Programme for Government.

The creation of such posts was a significant recommendation of the 2022 OECD review on the development and reform of academic staff structures in the Technological University sector.

These roles will enable the transformation of Technological Universities to more comprehensively deliver on the skills and innovation by introducing new academic career paths, contracts and professorships in TUs.

It is my firm belief that the appointment of professorships to TU's is necessary for the full realisation of this sector's university status within the higher education landscape. Professorships are at the apex of an academic staffing structure necessary for leading innovation, research and regional development and are a foundational element in the university model. Currently our TU’s are the only Universities in Europe without professors. Accordingly it is critical to the regional and national mission of technological universities that they are enabled to make such appointments.

Plans to introduce professorships are at a very advanced stage. Over the past two years a working group comprising representatives from each of the five TUs, have been working to scope out this grade ensuring it closely represents the mission of the sector. This group has worked closely with my Department and the TU presidents on this transformational measure.

My Department has also had ongoing engagement with colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the staff representatives on this matter.

It is my intention to update the Minister for Public Expenditure in the coming weeks on plans to introduce this role. With the agreement of Government, it is my intention to initiate implementation of this grade as soon as possible. I look forward to updating the House further in due course.