Vol. 251 No. 6
asked the Minister for Education whether he is aware of the great demand for the continuation of the present system of night degree courses at UCD; if so, whether he proposes to take any action to compel the governing body of UCD to reverse their recent decision to introduce cyclical courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
38.
asked the Minister for Education whether he now proposes to take any action regarding night degree courses at UCD; and, if not, why.
39.
asked the Minister for Education if he will give particulars of the number of places available at Trinity College and University College, Dublin, to students wishing to pursue their selected courses at night; and if these numbers will be increased.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 38 and 39 together.
I would refer the Deputies to my reply of 18th November, 1970, to a question dealing with this matter in which I stated that I proposed to invite representatives of UCD and TCD to meet me for discussions. These discussions took place in December and the members of the deputations undertook to have the position of their colleges in regard to the provision of lectures for evening students reviewed. I am awaiting further communications from the colleges in regard to the matter.
Can we take it that the Minister has made his views known on this matter, as he indicated to the House that he would, to the governing body of UCD? Would he not agree that the decision to discontinue the present system is a retrograde step, totally indefensible and undemocratic, and should never have been taken and that the argument made for the cyclical system has no foundation at all? Is there anything which the Minister can do at this stage to try to persuade the governing body to provide this much needed educational system?
As the Deputy is aware I have already expressed my sympathy towards the situation in relation to the night students. I have, as I mentioned here, since met the representatives of the authorities of both universities and they informed me that they would have another look at the matter and see what they could do and that they would get in touch with me. They have not got in touch with me yet.
I see.
My information— which may be incorrect—is that UCD have no intention of changing their minds on this, and certainly the letter from the UCD press officer in this morning's paper would not seem to suggest that they are going to change their minds. In view of the fact, first, that they do not seem to be going to change their minds, secondly, in view of the fact that the governing body of UCD is so constituted that it is questionably representative of even staff, still less of students, and thirdly, in view of the fact that the Minister quite correctly intervened forcibly on a previous occasion on the question of leaving certificate subjects for entrance to the university, then in view of the fact that this precedent exists would he not take very forcible action to bring to the notice both of UCD and TCD their social responsibilities to this class of student? He will get full support from these benches if he does.
As I understand it TCD are preparing proposals at the moment which they intend to put to me. So far as UCD are concerned I understood that the governing body are meeting today and I would assume they will discuss this matter. I have seen the letter referred to but I do not think this is a manner in which a governing body of the university should deal with the Minister for Education.
Hear, hear.
Is the Minister aware that this item is not on the agenda for the meeting of the governing body of UCD today? The Minister has been given a disgraceful brush-off already by this body and the so-called report they are supposed to be sending to the Minister has already been completely pre-empted by the statements made by various senior officials of UCD. Would he agree that where the State has invested some £15 million, in the Belfield complex, for example, the minimum we could expect is that at least the facilities now in operation will continue in the years ahead for night students?
I have explained my position. I informed the Deputy, and I informed the House on a previous occasion, that I sympathised with the night students. I have endeavoured to convey to the university authorities who came to meet me what my views are on this matter and, as I say, I am still awaiting a reply from them. I can only endeavour to persuade them to change their minds. I cannot order a university as to what courses it is to make available.
Would the Minister meet representatives of the students who are in dispute?
I met representatives of the students on a previous occasion and I have already agreed to meet representatives of the students this evening.
