asked the Minister for Education the arrangements that have been made for the awarding of degrees to graduates of the National Institute of Higher Education, Limerick and of the National College of Physical Education, Limerick in 1976.
52.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Awarding of Degrees.
51.
asked the Minister for Education the provision he has made for the awarding of degrees to those who will graduate from the National Institute of Higher Education, Limerick in June 1976.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
The Governing Body of the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, has applied to the National University of Ireland for recognised college status for the institute for the purpose of validation of the institute's degree-level courses and for the award of degrees in the case of these courses.
The application is currently under consideration by the appropriate university bodies.
I would prefer to await the outcome of this consideration before making any statement about degree awards in 1976 for students of either the National Institute for Higher Education or the National College of Physical Education, Limerick.
Would the Minister state whether a university college or university colleges have refused to confer degrees on the graduates of the National College of Physical Education already?
Not to my knowledge.
Is the Minister aware that there is a large body of opinion, including that of the students of the National Institute for Higher Education in Limerick, which favours the National Council for Education awards as the degree-giving body?
I am not so aware, but the students and other interested parties are aware of the Government's decision in this respect.
If the institute fails to get a university college, which is competent, willing to confer the degrees will the Minister revert to the National Council for Education awards?
I prefer not to deal with that hypothetical situation at this stage.
The Minister has already tried, as I know, to get degrees for graduates of the National College of Physical Education and failed.
53.
asked the Minister for Education if it is the intention of his Department to recognise the National Institute of Higher Education, Limerick as a degree-awarding body; and if he will make a detailed statement on the matter.
One of the Government's decisions of 16th December, 1974, in relation to higher education was that the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick, should be a recognised college of the National University of Ireland with the capacity to evolve into a constituent college of the National University of Ireland, or to become an autonomous degree awarding institution.
In accordance with this decision the governing body of the institute has applied to the National University of Ireland for recognised college status for the institute for the purpose of validation of the institute's degree-level courses and for the award of degrees in the case of these courses.
The application is currently under consideration by the appropriate university bodies.
I would prefer to await the outcome of this consideration before making any statement about recognition of the institute as a degree awarding body.
Would the Minister tell us when this decision will be made in regard to the conferring of degrees with the National Institute of Higher Education as the matter has been hanging fire now for some years? Something like 80 students will be coming out next June to be followed by some 600 students later on and is the Minister aware that considerable anxiety is felt by these students? Is the Minister not aware that there was a public protest by students through the streets of Limerick last Saturday week asking the Minister to give a decision with regard to the National Institute of Higher Education?
Since other bodies, particularly the National University of Ireland, are seized of this problem it is not possible for me to say when their deliberations will be completed. I expect they will be carried out with all possible speed. I am aware of the public protest and the nature of the protest is to cause me to have the Government's decision in this respect changed. I will give a decision when it is communicated to me.
I want to be assured that the decision will be made sooner than shortly. I do not know what shortly means and neither do the frustrated students. I want a decision here and now if possible.
I would gladly give the Deputy that decision were it possible for me to do so. I assure the Deputy that I am aware of the difficulties involved and I will do all in my power to expedite the matter.
I want to ask the Minister to put himself in the situation of the students in Limerick and realise their future is being frustrated because of the inactivity of the Department of Education.
It is not true to say that the decision is being delayed by the Department of Education. The decision of the Government was that this institute would be a recognised college of the National University of Ireland. We have taken the steps open to us to ensure a speedy determination of the matter.
Is it not true that the National Council for Education Awards is being used now in the interval and, if it is regarded as worthy of conferring degrees now, why does the Minister not revert to the sensible position of having the NCEA validate the degrees and award them as was the original intention?
The Government's decision precludes me from so reverting and, in reply to the first part of the Deputy's question, they are not being used in the sense in which the Deputy uses the word "used". I would like to put on record that those who suggested I avoided the meeting, having already accepted an invitation, were not aware of the facts.
I do not know that anybody did that.