Vol. 249 No. 3
asked the Minister for Education the outcome of his representations to the governing body of University College, Dublin, that this body should reconsider its decision to provide night courses on a cyclic basis; if his Department has made any further representations to the other universities concerned about the provision of such courses; and if he will make a further statement on this matter.
26.
asked the Minister for Education why the night classes at UCD have been curtailed; and whether he will make a statement on the situation pertaining to night education facilities at university institutions throughout the country.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 25 and 26 together. When this matter was raised previously in this House I undertook to convey the feelings of the House to the UCD authorities. This I did while at the same time expressing my own view that every effort should be made not to curtail entry to evening lectures. As Deputies are aware the UCD authorities have decided to affirm their original decision.
In so far as it is open to me to enter into discussions with the authorities of all universities and colleges in relation to the enrolment of evening students I shall do so.
Can the Minister state whether he has had any direct discussions with the governing body of UCD, bearing in mind that their regrettable decision is depriving a large section of the adult community of higher education facilities? There are some 1,200 evening students in UCD at the moment and if this three-year cycle is brought in we will have 600 recruited once every three years. This I regard as an absolutely disgraceful decision and the Minister should take some action in the matter.
I have not had direct talks with the governing body but I pointed out my own view and the opinion of the House in connection with the matter. I propose to ask representatives of UCD and TCD to meet me in relation to it.
Is the Minister aware that the bodies concerned were forced into taking this decision due to lack of finance? Has the Minister any plans to provide these institutions with more funds?
It is rather peculiar then that in the original statement by UCD they stated that even if they had the finance they could not carry on in relation to the night classes. I propose to ask them to have discussions with me in connection with this matter. I waited until now because it is only recently that the governing body met to consider the representations previously made by me.
Can the Minister state what reply he received from Trinity College, Dublin?
I have told the House that I am proposing to ask them to meet me. I waited until I knew the situation in relation to my previous representations to UCD in order to see what the result would be. As the Deputy is aware, the reply I got was a negative one and I am now proposing to ask representatives of both institutions to meet me to discuss this matter and see what we can do.
I am delighted to hear that. Of course, the Minister is not unaware, I take it, that when Trinity College gave up the night classes one of their professors, a man well thought of by the present Government, said that the night lectures were lowering standards? I do not agree with this statement but the professor stated it publicly and it is well known. I take it that the Minister will get in touch with TCD immediately?
Is the Minister aware that he has not answered the part of my question relating to night education facilities at university institutions throughout the country, namely, in Cork and Galway?
I am trying to deal with the Dublin situation at the moment.
I have asked the question in regard to the national situation; there is no need to confine it to Dublin.
We can always look and see what the position is in these areas.
