A former head of the Higher Education Authority has been appointed to lead a consultation process between Waterford and Carlow institutes of technology for a technological university for the southeast.
Plans for a joint application for university status between the two institutions ran aground several weeks ago when WIT pulled out of the process.
Former HEA chief Michael Kelly will talk to staff and students at the two institutes, as well as local social and economic interests, with a view to progressing plans.
Speaking after today's Cabinet meeting, at which the matter was discussed, Minister for Education Jan O'Sullivan said two other applications for technological university status, in Dublin and in Munster, were well advanced.
She said it was the Government's intention that the southeast should also benefit from the process.
Ms O'Sullivan said she expected to receive a report from Mr Kelly in January.
She also paid tribute to the chair of WIT, Dr Donie Ormonde, who will be stepping down from the position.
The minister said Dr Ormonde felt that he had brought the project as far as he could and that now was the right time for a new person to bring it to a successful conclusion.
