Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 January 2026
1165. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the €65.8million Targeted Enhancement Fund will be allocated to technological universities and specialist colleges, particularly in under-resourced regions, to recruit staff, expand research capacity, and support local economic development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6241/26]
View answerThe Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF), which is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), builds on significant investment in landscape reform and development through targeted funding schemes since 2017. A public call on this fund was issued in early June 2024 and was open to Technological Universities (TUs), Institutes of Technology (IoTs), and publicly funded specialist colleges.
The TEF will contribute towards the cost of maintaining or initiating enhancement activities that are central to an institution delivering on its mission and strategic plan which includes engagement with regional development and economic enterprise. Activities being funded align with one or more of the following themes:
• Project management capability
• Systems & digital infrastructure
• Staff development
• Student outcomes and experience
• Engagement
• Climate and sustainability
• System coherence and consolidation
• Research capacity building (specialist colleges only)
This fund is also the mechanism through which Technological Universities will gain the capacity to appoint Professorial grades. This is a critical step in their alignment with the 'traditional' university sectors and to support the enhanced research and innovation mission of TU's, enabling competitiveness regionally, nationally and internationally. The appointment of professors in TUs will aid TUs to maximising on the TU RISE fund which was specifically to support building research capacity.
Estimated allocations for each institution under the Targeted Enhancement Fund are provided below, subject to the development and progression of the successful projects under the call. This may be subject to reallocation as required and determined by the HEA as the process develops:
|
TEF Proposed Allocations |
|
|
Institution |
Proposed Allocation |
|
ATU |
€10,500,000.00 |
|
DkIT |
€4,200,000.00 |
|
IADT |
€5,000,000.00 |
|
MTU |
€6,300,000.00 |
|
SETU |
€12,000,000.00 |
|
TU Dublin |
€10,000,000.00 |
|
TUS |
€6,300,000.00 |
|
MIC |
€1,500,000.00 |
|
NCAD |
€4,500,000.00 |
|
CP:1 Enhancing Data Infrastructure |
€4,500,000.00 |
|
Unallocated in year 1 |
€1,000,000.00 |
|
|
€65,800,000.00 |
