Ninth Level Ireland

“Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the likely timeline by which Dundalk Institute of Technology will attain technological university status as part of the technological university project which has transformed higher education across the State (details supplied); and if he will ensure that the institute will not continue to be left behind …” (more)

[Dáil debates, 30 November]

“Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a borrowing framework for the technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 23 November]

“Peter Fitzpatrick (Louth, Independent): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the suggestion that Dundalk Institute of Technology can achieve university designation as a standalone institute outside the framework of the Technological Universities Act 2018 given that the institute is not partnered with another institute of technology or technological university; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 23 November]

“Concerns have been raised by Dundalk IT staff over the college’s goal to reach Technological University status in the near future, with almost all other Institutes of Technology already having formed TU consortiums …” (more)

[Tadgh McNally, Dundalk Democrat, 23 November]

“The Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris announced on Tuesday the name of the Technological University in the west and north-west as the Atlantic Technological University (ATU) …” (more)

[Kenneth Fox, BreakingNews.ie, 23 November]

“According to a survey published by the Higher Education Authority, technological universities scored higher than universities in a range of areas from more effective teaching practises, more supportive environments and higher-quality interactions …” (more)

[Conor Paterson, College Tribune, 19 November]

“The Minister Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris, today (16 November 2021) invited expressions of interest from suitably-qualified and experienced candidates, for consideration for nomination as Chairperson and Ordinary Members of the first Governing Body of the new Technological University for the West and Northwest …” (more)

[DFHERIS, 16 November]

“‘I am concerned that the announcement about Waterford, which took into account not only the status and achievements of that college, but also the specific higher education needs of the south-east region, has been interpreted as in some way diminishing the status of Cork regional technical college. That is not the case’ …” (more)

[Dermot Keyes, Waterford News and Star, 9 November]

“‘WIT has been stymied mercilessly by the Higher Education Authority and the Department of Education.’ In October 1985, I met the late Padraig Ó Gríofa, Waterford Chamber President Tom Bradfield and Ollie Cleary coming down the steps of the Tower Hotel after the launch of the Bannon Report on a Tech University for Waterford …” (more)

[Waterford News and Star, 9 November]

“The Italians had Machiavelli to explain their political culture, France had Richelieu and we had Paddy O’Carroll, the late, great UCC sociologist. His paper ‘Strokes, cute hoors and sneaking regarders’ is still the best user manual for Irish politics …” (more)

[Ray Griffin, Irish Examiner, 4 November]

“Sir, – The article by Carl O’Brien (News, November 2nd) outlines the significant benefits which are expected to flow to the southeast region following the merger of IT Carlow and Waterford IT to create a new technological university (TU) …” (more)

[Seamus Grant, Irish Times, 5 November]

“The country’s newest technological university is on course to be established next year with the merger of IT Carlow and Waterford IT. Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris announced on Tuesday that an application to establish a technological university for the south-east has been assessed and will be established in 2022 …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 2 November]

“The long mooted Technological University of the South East (TUSE) took a significant step closer to becoming a reality today (Tuesday) as Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris officially announced its establishment …” (more)

[Padraig Byrne, Wexford People, 2 November]

“The news that GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo have together been approved for designation as a Technological University as announced by Education Minister Simon Harris TD on Thursday has been widely welcomed. This is an historic day for the three institutes as the eight campuses of the CUA collectively take a step closer to becoming a TU …” (more)

[Sligo Champion, 2 November]

“There’s concern that while a Technological University is hugely positive for Donegal and the North West, accommodation for students could prove difficult in the time ahead …” (more)

[Highland Radio, 29 October]

“Wexford TD Verona Murphy has announced – via her Facebook page – that the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has approved the merger of Waterford Institute of Technology and IT Carlow and that Cabinet will sign off on it next week. However, there has been no official confirmation of Deputy Murphy’s assertion …” (more)

[Darren Skelton, Waterford News and Star, 28 October]

“Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the total expenditure on the Transformation Fund for technological universities for 2020, provisional expenditure for 2021 and the allocated expenditure for 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 21 October]

“Sinn Féin spokesperson on Further and Higher education, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, has welcomed the announcement that Galway-Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny Institutes of Technology will become a technological university by the end of this academic year following the government’s formal designation …” (more)

[Sinn Féin, 28 October]

“Higher Education Minister Simon Harris has confirmed a new Technological University for the West and North West. It follows an application from the Connaught Ulster Alliance, including the Letterkenny, Sligo and Galway-Mayo Institutes of Technology …” (more)

[Highland Radio, 28 October]

“In this, the first of two articles, Ian Kenneally charts the development of Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) as it made its journey from regional technical college to technological university …” (more)

[Westmeath Independent, 20 October]