Merger of two Munster third level colleges to proceed
The amalgamation of Tipperary Rural and Business Development Institute (TRBDI) and Limerick Institute of Technology (LIT) is likely to be formalised by the start of the academic term starting in just over a year. But the move goes against a recommendation of An Bord Snip Nua last summer that the much smaller 338-student Tipperary college should be abolished and students re-assigned to nearby institutes of technology.
However, that proposal was strongly opposed locally and independent Tipperary North TD Michael Lowry threatened to withdraw his support from the Government in the Dáil if they implemented it.
