Vol. 522 No. 2
463 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to rectify the situation whereby Waterford Institute of Technology receives one of the lowest annual amounts per student in the university/IT sector in view of the comments of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18179/00]
The annual budget for each institute is at present allocated on the basis of its total pay and non-pay requirements following consideration of its annual programmes and budget sub mission which is required under section 13 of the Regional Technical Colleges Act, 1992. The allocation takes into account the complexity of each institute, the range of courses and facilities offered to students, the total number of students, both full-time and part-time, and the nature of the infrastructure. Decisions on the allocations also have regard to Government policy and the Department's priorities.
A unit cost system of allocating funds to the institutes of technology has not yet been developed. However, my Department has initiated a review with a view to preparing proposals for the allocation of current funding to the institutes based on the concept of unit costs or an alternative suitable formula-based concept.
464 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will clarify the situation regarding the delegation of degree awarding powers to Waterford Institute of Technology based on a statement by the President of Waterford Chamber of Commerce (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18180/00]
An independent academic review group chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly recommended that Waterford Institute of Technology become one of the first institutes to have the delegated power to make awards in respect of all existing NCEA-validated national certificate and diploma courses. The review group also recommended that, after an appropriate period of time following the delegation of award-making authority in respect of certificate and diploma courses, a review should take place concerning the further delegation in respect of primary degree courses.
The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999, enables me to formally implement this recommendation for delegated authority. The arrangements for the implementation of the Act will be completed as soon as possible. The statutory provision will also enable the institute to seek to obtain additional devolved authority.
465 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the current state of the relationship between his Department and the Waterford Institute of Technology having regard to a statement (details supplied); if the poor relationship inhibited the development and upgrading of the college in the past; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18181/00]
My Department's dealings with the Waterford Institute of Technology – WIT – have been, and continue to be, conducted on a satisfactory basis. Indeed my Department has made considerable efforts over the years to support the development of the college within the limits of the resources available.
