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Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has today announced a major re-organisation of the country’s higher education sector that includes provision for the creation of new Technological Universities.

This announcement follows recommendations made by the Higher Education Authority. The HEA's report called for consolidation of the Institute of Technology sector; the creation of a small number of technological universities; the formation of regional clusters between universities and stronger ITs; implementation of recommendations to rationalise teacher education; as well as increased sustainability and capacity in the higher education system.

Minister Quinn said:

A new relationship between the state and the 39 publicly funded higher education institutes will be implemented. This will allow the system to respond in a more coherent way to national priorities set down by the government and provide graduates with the skills and qualifications that are essential for Ireland’s social and economic well-being.

I will be asking the HEA to report to me on an annual basis on the collective performance of the higher education system against these national priorities and objectives and a set of high level system indicators which will be finalised in the coming weeks. A legislative framework will be brought forward to enable the implementation of these very important processes.

The Minister is also instructing the HEA to begin to implement the report's recommendations that will result in the consolidation of three groups of institutes of technology to progress towards attaining Technological University status. The three are:

• The Dublin Institute of Technology, the Institute of Technology Tallaght and the Institute of Technology, Blanchardstown

• The Cork Institute of Technology and the Institute of Technology, Tralee

• The Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology.

Minister Quinn added:

It is clear some institutes are not seeking to amalgamate with others and become Technological Universities. However, all institutions must concentrate on the core mission of developing close links with the local and regional business community and giving the best possible quality of education to their students, both from home and abroad.

Read the full press release

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