Vol. 455 No. 8
221 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Education if the Higher Education Authority has formally presented to her Department the findings of its study on future strategy for higher education; if she has accepted the report; and if she intends to implement the findings. [13115/95]
I received, in July last, from the Higher Education Authority the report of the steering committee on the future development of higher education.
The Higher Education Authority, which has a statutory responsibility to advise me in relation to higher education, has also conveyed to me its conclusions and recommendations on the report of the steering committee. I have already announced that I have secured Government agreement for the creation of 6,200 additional places by the university sector at a cost of £60 million over the next six years. I regard this initiative as the first step in the implementation of the steering committee's report.
I propose to give further detailed consideration to the report and the HEA's views in consultation with my colleagues in Government.
