asked the Minister for Education if she will outline her proposals for the future of the Dublin Institute of Technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Institute of Technology.
9.
An international consultancy group are currently examining the third level technological sector outside the universities. I expect the views of the group to be available by September, 1987. The question of greater operational autonomy for the RTCs is also being examined at present and it is expected that the question of applying any new arrangements that might be made for the RTCs to the Dublin Institute of Technology will be carefully considered.
I wish to add my words of encouragement and congratulations to the Minister. I welcomed her earlier reply that she regarded the Green Paper, Partners in Education, as less democratic than the existing system. May I ask the Minister who is the international consultancy group? I did not hear her earlier words as there was a lot of shouting going on. I would also like to know the purpose of the examination. The Minister will recall that the Green Paper contained various proposals in regard to the Dublin Institute of Technology which caused considerable turmoil within the institute and within the City of Dublin VEC and then left them in mid-air. Will the Minister be in a position soon to give a firm decision in regard to the future of the Dublin Institute of Technology.
I agree that the opening sentences of my answer might not have been fully audible. I said:
An international consultancy group are currently examining the third level technological sector outside the universities.
The idea for this group was initiated by Deputy Hussey, who was then Minister, and was confirmed by the previous Minister, Deputy Cooney. The views of this group are to be available in September 1987. The international consultancy group are currently carrying out examinations. It would be pre-emptive of me to give any definite dates until I have the views of this group. I will then have to deal quite urgently with the future of all the third level sector outside the university sector. I agree that the DIT and all its component colleges were thrown into great confusion by the proposals contained in the Green Paper. It is my intention that the confusion end as quickly as possible.
What is the name of this international consultancy group?
They are called an international consultancy group; they do not have any further title. Their brief is to examine all the areas outside universities, which deal with technological education. Their findings will be very important for the future of technological education in Ireland and might very usefully point the way forward for us. I hope that when the report is published we will have a very full discussion in the House on its findings.
Will it then be the Minister's intention to produce a further Green Paper or perhaps a White Paper on all aspects of education from primary to third level?
That is certainly a point worth considering. Every Minister has a wish to leave his or her stamp on education in various ways.