Technological universities legislation
Deputy McLoughlin sought an update on the Bill needed to let institutes of technology merge into technological universities. The Minister said amendments required after discussions with unions and others are being drafted with his Department and the Attorney General.
Regarding the institutes of technology such as Institute of Technology Sligo and their ability to merge into technological universities, which is eagerly awaited, and to begin to obtain the educational benefits which would arise, I ask the Minister for an update on progress on the Government's priority as to when the relevant Bill can be advanced.
Comment on this
Before the summer recess, the Government made a decision to proceed with the drafting of amendments that were required following discussions here with trade unions and others. Those amendments are now in the course of drafting and work on those amendments is ongoing between my Department, the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor and the Office of the Attorney General.