University status for ITT by 2019

GOVT GUARANTEES TO UNION TO BRING MERGED TECH UNIVERSITIES CLOSER

THE Institute of Technology in Tralee could achieve university status by mid 2019 if union members back government guarantees on how Ireland’s IoTs will be merged.

Since 2014 it has been planned to merge ITT and Cork Institute of Technology to form the Munster Technological University (MTU) as part of a wider reform of Ireland’s third level sector. However, union opposition to the Technological Universities Bill has stalled the plan since 2016.

Members of the Teachers Union of Ireland (TUI) had opposed the bill based on concerns over job losses, funding cuts and the possible dilution of some institutes’ status.

Following lengthy talks the TUI secured several guarantees from the government which would appear to meet the union members’ concerns.

These include pledges on job security and terms of employment; a promise that pensions will not be affected and a guarantee that course provision in all ITs will be protected.

ITs will also no longer be forced to merge before university status is granted. Under the new deal any merger will only happen if the status is secured.

A national ballot of TUI members concluded on Tuesday and it is expected that members will back the amended bill when the results of the vote are announced in the next week.

This should allow the Government to move the stalled Technological University Bill through the Oireachtas with relative speed.

ITT and CIT say they have made “significant progress” towards the establishment of the MTU and they have already successfully completed three of the four stages needed to be designated as a TU.

The final stage of the process depends entirely on the Dáil bill being enacted. Until it is the two colleges’ hands are tied.

If TUI members vote to back the merger legislation – which TUI leaders have now endorsed – management at ITT and CIT say they are confident that they can secure designation as a Technological University by as early as mid 2019.