All-Island University - Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen's University Belfast

Minister Lawless secures Government approval for legislation enabling first All-Island University group between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen's University Belfast

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD has secured Government approval to draft legislation that will enable a landmark strategic partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast, creating the first all-island university group.

The Cabinet decision authorises amendments to the Technological Universities Act 2018, allowing Dundalk Institute of Technology to apply for designation as a technological university college.

The move represents a major step forward for all-island higher education cooperation, strengthening skills provision, research capacity and innovation along the Dublin–Belfast corridor.

Minister Lawless said:“Today’s decision is about unlocking opportunity, for students, for employers and for the region. This partnership allows students to access internationally recognised Queen’s awards while studying and building their lives in their communities that most need their skills.”

“Crucially, it is a practical expression of the Government’s Shared Island Initiative, turning cooperation into concrete outcomes. By aligning education, research and enterprise across borders, we are creating a more coherent all-island talent pipeline.”

This partnership will:

• Expand high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate provision in the North-East region.
• Integrate academic programmes delivered at Dundalk within Queen’s academic framework, with shared quality assurance and programme approval.
• Enhance collaboration in research, innovation and industry partnerships, including proposals for a Joint Research and Innovation Centre (Hub) on the Dundalk campus.
• Create new opportunities for student mobility, skills development, and shared learning across the island.

Minister Lawless concluded: “This is a landmark all-island initiative focused on students, regional growth and our shared economic future. Supported through the Shared Island Initiative, it shows what can be achieved when institutions collaborate with ambition and purpose.”

“By strengthening all-island research capacity, widening student choice and anchoring opportunity along the Dublin–Belfast corridor, this partnership translates the all-island idea into action - delivering scale, impact and opportunity for communities North and South."