Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 March 2026
606. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of tertiary agreements being put in place through the Tertiary Office, set out by ETB area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18106/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Tertiary Office supports the development of strategic alliances between Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and Higher Education Institutions across the country to deliver tertiary programmes.
The current strategic alliances include:
Dublin and Wicklow Strategic Alliance:• City of Dublin ETB, Kildare and Wicklow ETB, Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB, with the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), the National College of Ireland, and Technological University Dublin, with the addition of University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin.
Southern Strategic Alliance:• Cork ETB and Kerry ETB, with University College Cork and Munster Technological University.
Atlantic-Border Region Strategic Alliance:• Donegal ETB, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB, Galway and Roscommon ETB, and Cavan and Monaghan ETB, with Atlantic Technological University.
South-East Strategic Alliance:• Laois and Offaly ETB, Kilkenny and Carlow ETB, and Waterford and Wexford ETB, with South East Technological University.
Limerick/Tipperary Strategic Alliance:• Limerick and Clare ETB, Tipperary ETB, and now Longford and Westmeath ETB, with Technological University of the Shannon.
New 2025 Strategic Partnership:• Cavan and Monaghan ETB and Louth and Meath ETB, with Dundalk Institute of Technology.
In relation to these strategic alliances, the following new partners are joining this year: Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and Longford and Westmeath ETB. They will be included in the strategic alliances going forward, which may change the composition of these partnerships over time.
Cross-collaborations across Higher Education Institutions and Education and Training Boards is a very positive development, and is essential for this Department's aim of expanding diverse and flexible pathways in areas of regional skills needs.
