Dundalk Institute of Technology one of five higher education institutions awarded €1 million in funding to support and recognise exemplary performance
- Performance funding awards totalling €5 million to five higher education institutions were announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, T.D.
- DkIT’s partnership with Louth Local Development (LLD) to develop Pathways and Headstart, community education programmes was awarded funding following the submission of an Impact Assessment Case Study to the Higher Education Authority (HEA)
Dundalk Institute of Technology has been awarded €1M in funding in recognition of its exemplary and significant contributions to the delivery of national priorities.
The allocation of performance funding awards totalling €5 million to five higher education institutions was announced by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless, T.D. Each institution is being awarded €1 million in recognition of their exemplary and significant contributions to the delivery of national priorities.
Minister Lawless, commenting on the awards, stated:
“This funding serves to highlight the significant accomplishments of the higher education and research system, as well as the considerable impact that these institutions have on communities throughout Ireland. By addressing crucial national challenges in the areas of bullying, gender inequality, socioeconomic disadvantage, and national skills shortages, they are collectively contributing to an Ireland that is fairer and more agile.”
The performance funding is awarded on the basis of an evaluation of 14 Impact Assessment Case Studies submitted by higher education institutions (HEIs) to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in September 2024.
HEIs were invited to submit case studies describing exemplary initiatives that contributed towards the achievement of national strategic objectives aligned with the higher education System Performance Framework 2023–2028. The submissions were assessed by an independent, international panel of expert evaluators.
The awards are being made to Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Dublin City University (DCU), Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), South East Technological University (SETU), and Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) in recognition of successful initiatives set out in Impact Assessment Case Studies.
Reflecting on the awards, Dr Alan Wall, CEO of the HEA, commented:
“One of the key objectives of the case study process is to demonstrate the impact of the higher education and research system on society. I am delighted to see the depth and breadth of the impacts showcased in the successful initiatives awarded funding this year.
The range of partnerships forged by institutions demonstrates the responsiveness of higher education institutions to society’s needs, the environment, and the economy at local, national, and international levels. Impact assessment case studies capture how Institutions are driving innovation and informing learning and policymaking at a national level. Whether they are addressing educational disadvantage in local communities, gender inequality in computing, or digital safety, these initiatives illustrate the value of higher education and research to Irish society.”
DkIT partnered with Louth Local Development (LLD) to develop Pathways and Headstart, community education programmes that provided supported access routes for communities that were traditionally some of the most underrepresented in higher education. The academic coordination of the initiative is managed by Johdi Quinn in the Department of Business Studies at DkIT, involving management and faculty, alongside support from cross- institution services.
Speaking after the announcement, Johdi Quinn said:
“This is a win for every single person who took one of the bravest steps in their lives to come back into education. It is their courage and tenacity that is the beating heart of Pathways and Headstart and I would like to dedicate this award to every single one of them. Being acknowledged by the HEA performance funding is the result of 10 years of ground-breaking work with our community partners, Louth Local Development as well as with a team of dedicated and passionate DkIT lecturers and staff all of whom believe wholeheartedly in the transformative power of education. I'm so proud of what we can achieve when we work together.”
Maeve Harkin, SICAP Social Inclusion Manager with Louth Local Development said:
“The announcement of this funding is fantastic news. Louth Local Development have had a 10-year collaboration with our partners in DkIT in delivering our Back to Education courses, Pathways and Headstart. This is a credit to all our students who took the brave step back into lifelong learning and the wraparound supports involved that have been vital to its success. Thanks to all staff involved and here's to a bright and successful future ahead.”
Dr Patricia Moriarty, Head of School of Business and Humanities,
expressed her delight at this significant award based on the unique access programmes delivered in her School and led by Johdi. She said: “The funding will enhance the programmes, the School and the Institute going forward.”
Performance funding was first introduced under the 2018–2020 System Performance Framework to support and recognise positive performance in the higher education system. The funding can be used to expand and progress existing initiatives or put towards new initiatives that contribute towards national strategic objectives. Project plans and budgets are agreed with the HEA to support progress monitoring and evaluation of outcomes over the lifetime of funded projects.
