Vol. 515 No. 1
223 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education and Science if his Department will encourage, through some form of funding, an increased biotic input in the environment resource management degree course in UCD and the development of an ecology degree. [5468/00]
In the university sector, the design and development of course programmes and the content of those programmes are matters for the institutions themselves. Under the Universities Act, 1997, the academic council of the university has the express function, among others, of designing and developing programmes of study and of ensuring academic quality. As Minister for Education and Science I have no role in this matter.
I have been advised by the Higher Education Authority that it has not received any proposals for specific funding either for an increased biotic input into the environment resource management course or the development of an ecology degree. If UCD develops an undergraduate ecology degree, it would be funded in the normal manner.
