Jan O’ Sullivan is being urged to talk to shareholders bout their concerns.
NORTH Cork Central Sinn Féin TD, Jonathan O’ Brien, has called on the Minister for Education Jan O’ Sullivan to meet with stakeholders in an effort to address their concerns about the proposed IT Tralee and CIT merger.
The merger is set to cost in the region of €6.7 million and, if successful, it would create the Munster Technological University.
The ‘Teachers Union Of Ireland’ has said on a previous occasion that they had no confidence in in any aspect of the merger process.
Following concerns expressed by staff in IT Tralee – who have not ruled out industrial action – the TUI Cork Colleges’ Branch has now raised its own concerns.
“Charging ahead with policy change in education without paying heed to the concerns of those expected to actually deliver the changes is a hallmark of this government.” Deputy O’Brien said.
Sinn Féin TD has called for a Dáil debate on the merger.
“The TUI members in both CIT and IT Tralee have raised legitimate concerns around the proposed merger citing project reduced course provisions in both institutes and a lack of clarity around the government’s financial commitment to the process.”
“Even members of the Public Accounts Committee have expressed concerns about the costs involved.”
“It is perfectly reasonable to express concerns about the merger if there is the potential that the Higher Education Authority may refuse technological university status and they will be left as two merged under-resourced institutions.”
“I have requested a Dáil debate on the matter for tomorrow and am calling on the Minister to meet with the TUI members to hear their concerns and further for the HEA to meet with the TUI as well,” said the Deputy.
