Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1174. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to urgently intervene and provide a resolution to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63264/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Memorandum of Understanding referenced by the TUI Kerry Branch is an agreement between staff and local management. My Department was not a party to this agreement, and has no role in its implementation or interpretation. It is however the case that any local arrangements must comply with the provisions of the Technological Universities Act 2018 and any other relevant legislation, as well as with national pay policy. My officials meet regularly with the TUI and can provide any clarification necessary in this regard.

In relation to the other issues raised, I understand that the Integration Agreement referenced by the TUI Kerry Branch is now captured in MTU’s Strategic Plan, Our Shared Vision, 2022-2027, which captures the Agreement’s vision of “acting as one.” As such, I was happy to be able to recently welcome the appointment of the full senior Executive team at MTU. This new team is the first MTU-specific Executive structure and represents another important step in the development of the institution. All members of the new Executive work across MTU’s six campuses in Kerry and Cork and all have university-wide responsibilities.

MTU is progressing to become a competitive global university that offers a unique learning environment that will generate social and economic benefits for the southwest region. This vision will only be realised through the University Executive, Faculties and wider staff body working together to ensure a university-wide approach to teaching, research and engagement across MTU’s six campuses.