Vol. 403 No. 4
24 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education the proposals she has to enable third level institutions to become involved in external work in order to generate income for colleges from the private sector, to benefit industrial and commercial development in the catchment area of the colleges; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
In the context of the forthcoming legislation on the vocational education committee colleges I propose to provide for the involvement of the colleges in areas such as research and consultancy. I have no doubt that in addition to generating income for the colleges that the provision will benefit industrial and commercial development in their catchment area.
In addition my Department are currently involved in discussions with the universities on the development of a new funding mechanism which, inter alia will increase the incentives for the institutions to generate income from the private sector.
