Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Mar 1991

Vol. 406 No. 4

Written Answers. - Third Level Education.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

140 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education the total number of students enrolled in full-time courses in (a) universities (b) regional technical colleges and (c) Dublin Institute of Technology Colleges in each of the years from 1980-81 to 1990-91 inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The information required by the Deputy is given in tabular form below.

Number of Full-Time Students Enrolled in the Institutions Specified for the Period 1980/81-1989/90*

	H.E.A. Institutions†	Regional Technical Colleges	Vocational Technological Colleges†
Year	Universities	Other H.E.A.	Total	2nd Level	3rd Level	2nd Level	3rd Level
1980/81	23,205	3,367	26,572	472	5,965	192	4,945
1981/82	23,908	3,896	27,804	324	7,119	340	5,384
1982/83	24,533	4,624	29,157	238	8,493	438	5,921
1983/84	25,249	5,068	30,317	327	9,107	366	6,459
1984/85	25,912	5,513	31,425	298	9,885	238	7,306
1985/86	26,146	6,242	32,388	325	11,139	222	7,814
1986/87	26,819	6,624	33,443	289	11,376	224	8,105
1987/88	27,448	6,917	34,365	323	12,411	225	8,416
1988/89‡	33,811	2,009	35,820	333	13,886	39	9,382
1989/90**	35,477	1,989	37,466	392	15,353	32	9,956

*Statistical returns in respect of the 1990-91 academic year are in the process of collection at the moment and, consequently, corresponding data in respect of the current academic year are not yet available.

†In order to provide an accurate picture of enrolment trends in the main 3rd level institutions and to maintain consistency with the format in which data are published in my Department's Annual Statistical Report, data have been provided in respect of other HEA institutions. With regard to vocational technological colleges, while the majority of students returned under this heading are enrolled in the DIT, a number of other 3rd level vocational colleges, eg, Limerick CoACT, Cork College of Art & Design, are included under this classification.

‡The National Institutes for Higher Education in Dublin and Limerick were granted university status in June 1989, and for statistical purposes are treated as universities from the 1988-89 Academic Year onwards. Prior to 1988-89, the National Institutes for Higher Education were returned under the heading "Other HEA". From 1988-89 onwards, Dún Laoghaire College of Art & Design, previously classified under 2nd level vocational technological, has been re-classified under 3rd level vocational technological.

** Data in respect of the 1989-90 academic year are provisional and may be subject to minor adjustment.

The Deputy will note that the percentage increases in enrolment between 1980-81 and 1989-90 are 41 per cent, 157 per cent and 101 per cent for the HEA, RTC and vocational technological sectors, respectively. I believe the figures reflect my commitment towards meeting the increasing demand for 3rd level education and that they further reflect my concern that a wide variety of options should be available to students across the various 3rd level sectors. I am, of course, committed to increasing the number of student places available in 3rd level education and am hopeful that data for 1990-91, when available, will show a further increase in 3rd level enrolments.