9. (1) The functions of a technological university, having particular regard to the needs of the region in which the campuses of the technological university are located, shall be to—

(a) provide teaching and facilitate learning that—

(i) is informed by research, and

(ii) promotes excellence at all levels of higher education within the Framework,

(b) provide programmes of education and training that reflect the needs of individuals, business, enterprise, the professions, the community, local interests and other stakeholders in the region in which the campuses of the technological university are located and facilitate learning by flexible means,

(c) provide for the broad education, intellectual and personal development of students, for the purpose of enabling them, as graduates, to excel in their chosen careers and to contribute responsibly to social, civic and economic life in innovative and adaptable ways,

(d) provide opportunities for staff and students—

(i) of the technological university to teach, learn or conduct research at institutions that provide higher education outside the State, or to obtain relevant work experience outside the State, and

(ii) of institutions that provide higher education outside the State to teach, learn or conduct research at the technological university,

(e) collaborate with institutions that provide higher education inside and outside the State, including on joint research projects and provision of programmes of education and training,

(f) support a body of research that includes research relevant at regional, national and international levels and pursue excellence in the conduct of that research,

(g) support entrepreneurship, enterprise development and innovation in business, enterprise and the professions through teaching and the conduct of research and through effective transfer to those and other sectors of knowledge arising from that research,

(h) collaborate with business, enterprise, the professions, the community, local interests and related stakeholders in the region in which the campuses of the technological university are located—

(i) to promote the involvement of those stakeholders in the design and delivery of programmes of education and training, and

(ii) to ensure that, in so far as possible, innovation activity and research undertaken by the technological university reflects the needs of those stakeholders,

(i) support the development of a skilled labour force including, where appropriate, engaging in the education and training of apprentices in accordance with policy relating to that education and training for the time being communicated to the technological university by An tÚdarás, the Government or any Minister of the Government,

(j) support the mobility of staff and students of the technological university into and out of the labour force through collaboration with business, enterprise, the professions and related stakeholders in the region in which the campuses of the technological university are located,

(k) serve the community and public interest by—

(i) developing and promoting strong social and cultural links, and links supporting creativity, between the technological university and the community in the region in which the campuses of the technological university are located,

(ii) supporting (without prejudice to the generality of subsection (4)) the delivery of policies or objectives of the Government or any Minister of the Government, for the time being communicated to the technological university by An tÚdarás, the Government or any Minister of the Government, in relation to development of business and enterprise at a local, regional or national level,

(iii) fostering close and effective relationships with—

(I) a statutory body whose functions relate to regional development in the region in which the campuses of the technological university are located,

(II) a local authority or local authorities in whose local authority area or areas the campuses of the technological university are located,

(III) the education and training board or boards in whose education and training board area or areas the campuses of the technological university are located,

(IV) a provider of further education and training in the region in which the campuses of the technological university are located, and

(V) organisations representing the social, creative and cultural interests of the community in the region in which the campuses of the technological university are located,

and

(iv) in so far as possible in the performance of its functions—

(I) contributing to the promotion of the economic, cultural, social, scientific and technological development of the State,

(II) respecting the diversity of values, beliefs and traditions in Irish society,

(III) promoting critical and free enquiry, informed intellectual discourse and public debate within the technological university and in wider society, and

(IV) promoting an entrepreneurial ethos,

(l) promote access to the technological university and the education it provides, by economically or socially disadvantaged persons, by persons who have a disability and by persons from sections of society in the region in which the campuses of the technological university are located who are significantly under-represented in its student body,

(m) undertake assessment of students, and award degrees and other qualifications,

(n) make best use of its expertise and resources, whether or not on a commercial basis, for the purposes of its functions under this Act,

(o) provide directly, or in collaboration with other providers of programmes of education and training, facilities for all levels of higher education within the Framework, including technological and professional education, and for research,

(p) collaborate with persons or bodies inside and outside the State for the purpose of its functions under this Act, and

(q) promote the attainment of gender balance and equality of opportunity among the students and staff of the technological university.

(2) A technological university may accept gifts of money, land or other property subject to such trusts and conditions, if any, as are not in conflict with this Act, specified by the donor.

(3) A technological university shall have all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the performance by it of its functions.

(4) A technological university shall, in the performance of its functions, have regard to policies of the Government (including policies relating to education and training or remuneration of staff employed in the education sector) for the time being.

(5) (a) For the purposes of the performance of its functions, a technological university shall establish procedures relating to resolution of disputes.

(b) Procedures established under paragraph (a) shall—

(i) be established following consultation with each trade union and staff association recognised by the technological university and with the student union,

(ii) provide for consideration of a dispute by a person who is independent of the persons involved in the dispute, and

(iii) be published in such manner as the technological university considers appropriate.

(6) A technological university may perform any of its functions through or by any member of the staff of the technological university authorised in that behalf by the technological university.

(7) A technological university may delegate any of the functions that, in its opinion, can be better or more conveniently performed by the academic council, to the academic council.

(8) For the purposes of subparagraph (i) of subsection (1)(h) “involvement”, in relation to a programme may include—

(a) developing, with the technological university, the curriculum of the programme,

(b) contributing to assessment, as required by the programme, of the progress of the student, or

(c) providing a work placement for a student registered on the programme.

(9) In subsection (1) “providers” has the same meaning as it has in section 2 of the Act of 2012.