Government ministers have said this week that the number of technological universities may grow from two to five by this time next year. Dublin and Munster technological universities were both established in the last few years and may now be joined by new universities in the midlands, mid-west, Connacht-Ulster and the south-east.

Athlone Institute of Technology and Limerick Institute of Technology are likely to merge to form a technological university by September of this year, while two more applications from the Connacht-Ulster alliance and the South-East are expected in the coming months and may be in a position to secure their new status by January 2022.

The Connacht-Ulster alliance includes Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, Letterkenny Institute of Technology and IT Sligo. The South-East group comprises of Waterford Institute of Technology and Carlow Institute of Technology.

Welcoming the possible expansion of the TU sector, Fórsa’s head of Education Andy Pike said it was welcome news.

“It indicates a huge amount of work being carried out by staff in all of the institutes of technology throughout this particularly challenging year. When these new universities are established they will mark another significant development in higher education in Ireland,” he said.

In 2015, Fórsa secured the terms and working conditions of members working in the sector, as well as ensuring that their roles in the technological universities are protected within the revised structures, following the passing of the Technological Universities Bill in the same year.