Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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1164. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason in technological universities (TUs) there are no grades for professors; if there are plans to introduce a new grade; if so, when given it will help with inequalities between TUs and universities in this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62728/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department and I are committed to the continued development of the five Technological Universities (TUs), in line with commitments under the Programme for Government, including the development of new management and academic staff structures. Technological Universities do not have professorial grades within the existing staffing structures relating to the teaching structures and mandate of the former Institute of Technology sector. Accordingly my Department and I are committed to the development of professorship grades in our TUs, and facilitating the development of the new TU Academic Career Structure in line with the recommendations of the 2022 OECD Report.

Officials from my Department have been working to establish professorial grades since the last TU was established in 2022. Under the TU Act the approval of the Minister of DPENDPR is required and my Department is currently awaiting a response from DPENDPR in this regard.

I hope to have further information to update the Deputy with shortly.