Quinn to outline proposals for technological universities

Minister for Education and Skills Ruair Quinn: Government sources said the Minister does not want a similar situation to arise as happened in the UK some two decades ago where many dozens of institutions were accorded university status without sufficiently rigorous scrutiny.

Legislative proposals will be brought to Cabinet this morning paving the way for new technological universities to be established in the State.

Minister for Education Ruair Quinn will bring the general scheme of Technological Universities Bill to the weekly meeting of Government Ministers this morning.

The memorandum will give the legal underpinning that will allow new universities in the State for the first time since the University of Limerick and Dublin City University were given that status.

The other two main universities are Dublin University (TCD) and the constituent colleges of the National University of Ireland (UCD, UCC, NUIG, and NUI, Maynooth).

Comprehensive reviewIn a separate development, Mr Quinn will also be bringing the report of an expert group that conducted a comprehensive review of existing apprenticeship schemes in Ireland and which has recommended major changes for the future.

The review looked at traditional apprenticeships such as plumbing, carpentry and electrician-training and has also identified the need for training and new skills in more modern industry such as ICT, pharma, and green energy.

The heads of the technological university legislation will allow some of the institutes of technology in the State progress to university status.

Government sources said Mr Quinn does not want a similar situation to arise as happened in the UK some two decades ago where many dozens of institutions were accorded university status without sufficiently rigorous scrutiny.

The word university is very important, said the source. We want to make sure that we protect the word and the concept.

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Quinn to outline proposals for technological universities