Pat Rabbitte
Question:233 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Education whether she will give a clear commitment that students in Tallaght RTC will be able to progress to (a) diploma and (b) degree courses in that institution.
Written Answers. - Tallaght (Dublin) Regional Technical College.
The most effective course structure for the regional technical colleges is considered to be one which balances the provision of technicians training at certificate and diploma levels with strong emphasis on certificate level and a limited provision for degree level programmes. The normal progression to a diploma is through a certificate course. In this regard I would refer the Deputy to my reply to his question on 21 February 1991.
Tallaght RTC will, therefore, initially provide a range of certificate courses and will then progress to develop appropriate diploma courses. In line with the situation in RTCs generally the question of degree provision would not be expected to arise until the college is at an advanced stage of development. Such provision would be considered in the longer term in the context of overall criteria for approval of degree programmes in VEC college section generally