asked the Minister for Education the short-term plans he has for the improvement of library, staff and common-room and toilet facilities in the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin.
213.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin College of Commerce.
212.
asked the Minister for Education the plans he has to provide additional places for intending students of business studies in the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 212 and 213 together.
Responsibility for the preparation of short-term plans for effecting improvement of facilities at the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin, and for providing for additional places, if necessary, for intending students of business studies at the college, rests with the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee in the first instance.
Any proposals from the committee in this regard will receive the careful attention of my Department.
Would the Minister agree that this passing of the "buck" becomes more skilful with every answer? Is the Minister aware that the students specifically stated that their recent protests were aimed not at the Vocational Education Committee but at the Department of Education who have it in their power to supply the necessary funds?
It is very easy for Deputies to make reference to passing the "buck". The Deputy is well aware of the complexities of the situation. He is better aware of them than I am. I think the Deputy understands why the answer to the question is phrased in that manner.
Am I to take it from the Minister's reply that no request came from the Dublin City Vocational Education Committee for extra money for improved facilities in Rathmines?
There is a rather long history of this matter here. In my reading I do not see any reference to such a request.
In view of the unsatisfactory answers in this House would the the Chair consider allowing these questions to be repeated?
If Deputies feel they want to put down questions again they may do so.
It would be six months before they were answered.
Some Deputies chose to have their questions postponed. Those who chose to have them answered have no adequate grounds for complaint.
I stayed on working here today precisely because these questions were down. If I thought I would have got an adequate answer I would have postponed them. There are a number of people who are interested in this. It is a serious problem. Consequently I will consider raising the matter on the Adjournment.
It is too late at this stage. The Deputy will have to mention it again on another occasion.
I presume the Chair has to follow certain procedures in this House. I understand the right of the Opposition to ask supplementary questions here.
I have just informed the Deputy that if he intended to raise this matter on the Adjournment he was late today, but he could raise it next week on the Adjournment.
If we were to raise all the questions on the Adjournment the Dáil would be sitting until July.
214.
asked the Minister for Education when the NCEA will lay down criteria for a degree course in business studies in the College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin.
The basic policy of the NCEA in relation to awards is set out at pages 10 and 11 of the Council's first annual report, a copy of which, I understand, was circulated to Deputies last December. Applications for the approval of courses received from individual educational institutions are evaluated with the assistance of experts in all relevant branches of learning and technology. It is open to the College of Commerce, Rathmines to submit an application accordingly to the NCEA.
Do I take it that no application has come to the NCEA as yet from any higher college for recognition of a degree course in business studies?
The NCEA have not received any application from the College of Commerce at Rathmines for the approval of a degree course in business studies. The council's basic policy on rewards is set out on the pages of the council's annual report to which I have referred. That is the only information relevant to this question.
I asked did the NCEA receive a request from any higher college for recognition of a course of business studies? If it happens in one case that can act as a precedent.
The Deputy will understand that in these conditions I can only give him the information which is in my brief. My brief was necessarily prepared in relation to the specific question which relates to the College of Commerce at Rathmines, Dublin. I have given the Deputy all the information in my possession on that matter.
215.
asked the Minister for Education the plans he has for a new third-level business college in the Rathmines area, Dublin.
The proposal from the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee in relation to the third-level business studies courses at Rathmines College of Commerce is to the effect that the appropriate provision should be made in connection with a new third-level commercial/technological institute to be built at Ballymun. This proposal is being considered in the context of an examination of the requirements for third-level non-university education in Dublin and for third-level education generally.
Would the Minister think it wise to place the business college in the southern part of the city because most of the commercial enterprises, such as business offices, are located in that area and this would enable students to reach the college easily from their places of work rather than to have to go out to Ballymun? Secondly, does the Minister think that the proposition to have the whole complex at Ballymun is one that is likely to meet with the favour of the Minister, who has promised this report in the near future?
As I have indicated in relation to other questions, when answering for other Ministers I will try to give Deputies such factual information as I have available. I do not think it is reasonable to expect a Minister sitting in for more than one Minister to answer questions about general policy.
The Minister for Education should have stayed here.
The Deputy should be well aware of the reason for the Minister's absence. I am surprised at that comment.
I wish to repeat that I think the Minister for Education should be hear to answer his questions.
Most of the Government are missing today.
Deputies are well aware why the Ministers are absent.
There are several Ministers whose questions will come up.
Let me object. When Fianna Fáil were on this side of the House there were more absentees than now.
Just because the Deputy had a bad book today he should not come in in this manner.
The remaining Questions will appear on next Wednesday's Order Paper.