Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
124. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the passage of the necessary legislation to facilitate the Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s Belfast strategic partnership; and for an update on the progress of the same. [50089/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for the question.
Substantial progress is being made on the Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast strategic partnership, with active engagement ongoing between my Department, both institutions, relevant agencies and counterparts in Northern Ireland.
In April of this year, Government approved the drafting of the necessary legislative amendments to the Technological Universities Act which will enable Dundalk Institute of Technology to apply for the designation of technological university college. This new designation will allow Dundalk University College to operate as part of an all-island university group with Queen's.
Prior to the commencement of drafting, the heads of the bill have undergone Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Committee throughout May and June, with a report expected to be returned shortly. Subject to this, drafting of the Bill is expected to proceed in the third and fourth quarters of 2026, with Oireachtas consideration anticipated in the first half of 2027.
In parallel with the legislative process, the institutions are continuing to advance the partnership itself. A Regulatory Impact Assessment was completed following sectoral consultation, and the Partnership Agreement between Dundalk and Queen’s is expected to be finalised and signed in September 2026.
In terms of implementation milestones, it is intended that students entering Dundalk in September 2026 will do so under the designation of Dundalk University College. From January 2027, PhD students may begin registering for Queen’s awards, subject to regulatory approval, with a further expansion to undergraduate honours and taught postgraduate programmes expected from September 2027.
Overall, the work is progressing in a coordinated way across legislative, regulatory and institutional tracks, with the necessary steps being advanced to support delivery of the partnership on the planned timeline.
