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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 13 Dec 1979

Vol. 317 No. 9

Written Answers. - Third Level Courses.

42.

asked the Minister for Education if he will make a comprehensive statement on his decision to establish new courses in the third level education sector to overcome the short supply of certain technically skilled people for industry and if he will specify where those courses are to be established, the moneys to be provided for each course in each of the next five years and the extra employment to be given.

The Higher Education Authority is required under the terms of the Higher Education Authority Act 1971 to maintain a continuous review of the demand and need for higher education and to advise me from time to time as required in this regard. Early this year in consultation with IDA it was ascertained that the programme for industrial development formulated by that body would require a significant increase in the output of skilled manpower in certain key areas. This was confirmed by the Manpower Consultative Committee of the Minister for Labour which by then had identified the categories of manpower shortage in these areas.

Following a comprehensive examination of the situation I approved a set of proposals for implementation to meet the needs of the situation. Consequent on this decision special courses are being established or existing courses expanded as from the commencement of the academic year 1979-80 in third-level institutions as follows:

4 University Colleges—UCD, UCC, UCG and TCD; 1 Institute of Higher Education—NIHE Limerick; 6 Regional Technical Colleges —Athlone, Cork, Dundalk,, Galway, Sligo, Waterford; 4 Institutes and Colleges under Vocational Education Committees—Bolton Street and Kevin Street Colleges of Technology and College of Commerce, Rathmines, Dublin and the Technical Institute Limerick.

It is not feasible to indicate the cost of each individual course as more than one course is being provided in an institution and in the case of the Vocational Education sector the additional allocation of money is made to the Vocational Education Committee with due regard to the general financial circumstances of the committee. The over-all additional cost in 1979 is, however, estimated at £1.725 million. The provision to be made in each subsequent year will be considered in connection with the requirements of the situation as ascertained at the time of the preparation of the over-all annual estimates for presentation to Dáil Éireann.

The arrangements introduced in 1979 require the employment of about 140 teaching staff and 85 support staff. The requirements in subsequent years will be determined in accordance with developments and related circumstances.

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