Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 February 2026
1129. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for IADT as the only remaining Institute of Technology to remain following the announcement of the partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast, with the intention of the former eventually becoming a university college of the latter. [14576/26]
View answer1130. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if plans for IADT to achieve university designation will be through the Technological Universities Act 2018, or an amendment to that act, thereby preserving the alignment with other Technological Universities in terms of contracts and terms and conditions of both existing and future academic staff. [14577/26]
View answer1131. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether a guarantee will be provided that academic staff and their representative trade union (details supplied) will be consulted at all stages and on all plans relating to IADT achieving university designation; and whether he will additionally guarantee that the May 2017 collective bargaining agreement will be respected and upheld (details supplied). [14578/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1129 to 1131, inclusive, together.
Thank you the Deputy for his questions on the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT).
IADT is an institute of significant strategic importance in the Irish higher education landscape, providing world class courses and services centred on creative cultural and technology.
Through the HEA, my department and I provide significant annual funding to support the activities of IADT and in addition targeted funding to strengthen its strategic positioning within the higher education landscape, ensuring its unique contribution as a specialist institution. Most recently in December 2025 I announced an additional allocation of €5 million for IADT under the Targeted Enhancement Fund.
As an autonomous Higher Education Institution under the HEA Act, 2022 and the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992-2006, the current and future strategic vision and direction of IADT is a matter for its governing authority to decide on. Senior officials in the HEA and my department are engaging with IADT on this strategic positioning.
Under the TU Act, 2018 it is open to either merge with an existing Technological University or Institute of Technology. There is also provision under the Universities Act 1997 for incorporation into a university.
Regarding the partnership being brought forward jointly by Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast, the governing authorities of each institution are developing a partnership agreement, which envisages DKiT continuing to operate as an autonomous institution in this state, in partnership as a college of Queens. Without prejudice as to the outcome of partnership, my officials are working to provide policy support to DKiT through this process. As part of this process potential and specific legislative amendments are being examined.
I can also confirm that academic staff and the TUI, as the representative trade union, have been, and will continue to be, consulted on any plans relating to IADT achieving university designation, in accordance with relevant national and local agreements.
