The Institute of Technology Sector in Ireland comprises of thirteen Institutes established under the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. These Institutes are also designated as recognised institutions under section 24 of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999. Located throughout the country, they provide a wide range of courses from craft/apprentice programmes tohigher technical/technological education through two-year Higher Certificate, three-year Ordinary Bachelor Degree and three to five-year Honours Bachelor Degrees. The Institutes also provide a range of postgraduate programmes at Postgraduate Diploma, Masters and Doctoral level. In addition, the Institutes play an important role in providing for recurrent educational needs by way of part-time and evening courses as well as catering for continuing professional education and development of the workforce through innovative partnerships with industry.
Over the last ten years, Irish IT’s have built a strong reputation in engaging in Applied and Basic Research and Technology Transfer programmes with industry.The Institutes, which have only been a feature of Irish Higher education since the 1970’s, have demonstrated an ability and agility in responding to economic changes in a regional, national and international context. The Technological Sector now accounts for almost 50% of those pursuing third level educational qualifications in Ireland.