asked the Minister for Education if it will be a function of the Higher Education Authority to investigate the possibility of establishing an open university.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Open University.
39.
The question of establishing an open university has been examined by the Higher Education Authority. However, bearing in mind the substantial costs of setting up and maintaining an open university, the difficulties of assessing both the educational effectiveness and the degree of acceptance of the qualifications which would be awarded, and our high financial commitments in regard to education generally, I consider it would not be opportune to establish an open university at the present time.
Could the Minister state what cost would be involved or if any estimate has been made of such cost?
I have not any particulars of that.
But the Minister said "bearing in mind the substantial costs ...". How could they know that the costs would be substantial if they had not made an estimate?
We have an idea of what is the cost of such project in Britain, for example. I can assure the Deputy that without having a specific figure before me, this would be a very costly business.
Would the Minister consider that the establishing of an open university might be an appropriate subject for co-operation with the Northern Ireland authorities?
As I have stated already our financial commitments for education are very high at present and I am not contemplating adding to them in relation to an open university project.