Written answers

Thursday, 2 October 2025

Department of Education and Skills

Technological Universities

Photo of Ryan O'MearaRyan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)
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477. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for an update on proposals to introduce professorship grades at technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52683/25]

Photo of James LawlessJames Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My officials in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science have been working to progress reform of academic staffing structures in TUs since their establishment under the TU Act, 2018, in the main following recommendations of the TURN Report (2019) and OECD (2022).

The academic grades currently in operation in the TU Sector, have been transferred from IoTs and are not suitable for a university and as such hinder the potential of TUs to realise their full potential. In particular, the absence of professorial grade in TUs undermines their mission, competitiveness, and ability to attract talent (for example through the current Global Talent Initiative) and funding, in that research funding is primarily awarded to research performing organisations. From both an educational and research perspective, it is critical that Technological Universities can retain and attract talent and compete with the traditional universities.

As the Deputy will be aware this is a Programme for Government commitment, and there is strong support across government at the highest levels to introduce professorial grades in the shortest possible timeframe. This was confirmed at a recent Cabinet meeting.

As Minister I, and my officials, have engaged extensively on this matter, including with the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department is currently awaiting a response from DPER on a proposal to introduce this grade without further delay.

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