Written answer
Further and Higher Education
The Minister authorised recruitment of 25 professorships in the Technological University sector, with five allocated to each TU through the HEA’s Targeted Enhancement Fund. Each TU will recruit autonomously through open competition, with appointments expected in the coming months and a further 25 posts planned later.
519. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the manner in which the recruitment of 25 professor positions for the TU sector will be advanced, including the timeline for recruitment; whether there will be a phased approach; whether individual TUs will compete to secure funding for positions, or if each TU has been assigned a number of positions for which they may recruit; if in the case of the latter the allocation by institution, and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67849/26]
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for his question in relation to the recruitment of professor positions in Technological Universities.
On the 18th of September 2026, I was delighted to authorise the first recruitment phase for Professorial academic grades in Ireland's Technological Universities (TUs). This marks a significant milestone in the development of the sector and is one which will strengthen the sector's capacity to deliver world-class research, innovation and education following a long consultation process.
The establishment of a Professorship grade in the TU sector implements a key recommendation of the 2022 OECD review of technological university academic career structures and fulfils an important Programme for Government commitment to strengthen the Technological University sector and ensure it has the tools it needs to continue driving innovation, regional development and skills growth right across the country.
The 25 Professor posts are being funded through the Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF), which is administered by the Higher Education Authority (HEA). The fund provides €65.8 million in targeted support for initiatives that are critical to the strategic development of higher education institutions. Following the application process last year eligible HEIs have already received their allocations under this fund and have agreed workplans in place, including the filling of five Professorial grade posts per Technological University, thereby ensuring a balanced regional spread of these vital posts.
The initial phase of recruitment providing 25 Professorship grade posts will support the development of academic leadership and research excellence in strategically important disciplines, including Veterinary Surgery and Rural Medicine, Pharmaceutical Sciences and Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Biomedical Engineering, Climate and Sustainability.
It is envisaged that a further 25 professorial posts will progress at a later stage.
As autonomous institutions, it will be the responsibility of each TU to recruit for these positions through an open, competitive process with due regard given to measures to promote gender equality at all stages of the search and selection process.
The Higher Education Authority has communicated my authorisation to the Technological Universities allocated under this first phase, and I look forward to seeing appointments made to these posts in the coming months.