The Teachers Union of Ireland could be set to go on strike at Institutes of Technology.

The 4,000 members of the union who work at ITs - have voted in favour of industrial action over the Technological Universities Bill.

The legislation said the colleges would have to merge in order to be considered for University status.

President of the TUI Gerry Quinn has said his members are extremely concerned by the measures: “Since 2008 we have had €190m worth of cuts, however there has in the same period of time an increase in students by nearly 21,500.

“However the number of lecturers has decreased by nearly 540.

“So there is a whole range of concerns, really serious and grave concerns.”