Eamon Gilmore
Question:187 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if she intends to establish a regional technical college in Dún Laoghaire; and the steps, if any, she is taking to achieve this objective.
Written Answers. - Dún Laoghaire RTE Submission.
Helen Keogh
Question:202 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education if the regional technical college sanctioned for Dún Laoghaire will go ahead; if funds have been allocated for the college; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:209 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Education if she received a submission from Dún Laoghaire Vocational Education Committee regarding its application for the establishment of a regional technical college in Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin; if she intends to proceed with a regional technical college for Dún Laoghaire; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 187, 202 and 209 together.
The question of a regional technical college in Dún Laoghaire and other locations has to be considered in the context of the future development of the higher education sector in Ireland. I have asked a steering committee, established under the aegis of the Higher Education Authority, to advise me on this. The steering committee will prepare projections to the year 2015 of the total potential enrolments in higher education and the corresponding needs required by the sector to facilitate these enrolments.
The committee will carry out a comprehensive needs analysis of higher education requirements. Its remit includes the overall needs of society and the economy as well as regional, socio-economic and equality considerations together with the needs of students and the world of work.
It will also focus on the appropriate provision for mature students as well as the need to provide access to third-level education for disadvantaged students.
As previously indicated by me in the Dáil, the work of the committee will have to be informed by, and take account of, budgetary and financial considerations.
The Committee is due to complete its deliberations in December and submit its recommendations to me.
When I receive their recommendations I will give them my urgent attention.