Technological universities set to appoint professors for the first time

Further education minister James Lawless will bring a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday regarding a €65.8m investment in technological universities and specialist colleges. File Picture: Denis Minihane.

Professors are set to be appointed to technological universities for the first time.

Further education minister James Lawless will bring a memo to Cabinet on Tuesday regarding a €65.8m investment in technological universities and specialist colleges, which will make funding available for strategic projects in nine institutions — including professorial roles, innovation initiatives, and capacity building for specialist colleges such as the National College of Art and Design (NCAD), the National Maritime College of Ireland (NMCI), and Mary Immaculate College.

A senior source said that there is "capacity in the current allocation to fund the appointment initially of five professors in each technological university". 

It is understood that Mr Lawless is in talks with public expenditure minister Jack Chambers, and he is confident "this will be delivered in the coming weeks".

Scale up housing delivery

Mr Chambers will outline to Cabinet the measures contained in the Accelerating Infrastructure Action Plan.

The plan contains 30 "high-impact and time-bound actions to streamline processes, reduce regulations, and remove requirements to massively scale up the delivery of housing, roads, water treatment plants, energy sub stations, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure".

The report will detail how the number of judicial review cases being taken has increased in recent years, with a 43% increase last year and a further 30% increase this year. The report states there are currently more than 130 judicial review cases before the courts.

Children's minister Norma Foley, meanwhile, will bring legislation which will greatly increase the powers of Tusla.