Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 5 Oct 1995

Vol. 456 No. 5

Written Answers. - Third Level Governing Bodies.

Mary Wallace

Question:

94 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the reason she has consistently delayed appointing democratically elected third-level students' union presidents to their respective governing bodies; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that these delays seriously disadvantage students in their efforts to effectively contribute to and influence discussions concerning their education and welfare; her views on whether it would be reasonable to expect students to restrict their choice of students' union presidents because of any restrictive application by her of the Government's gender balance requirements; her further views on whether student union presidents should be ex officio members of governing bodies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14230/95]

Mary Wallace

Question:

95 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education the length of delays in appointing elected students' union presidents to the governing body of each third-level institution over the last 24 months; the reason for any delays in each case; and the measures, if any, she has taken to ensure that similar delays do not occur in future. [14231/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I intend to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.

The Deputy will be aware that I am committed to the appointment of student representatives to the governing bodies of all third level institutions. The relevant legislation for the regional technical colleges, the Dublin Institute of Technology, Dublin City University and the University of Limerick provides statutory representation for students on the governing bodies. There is no statutory provision for student representation on the governing bodies of the other university colleges. The White Paper contains a commitment to provide such statutory representation, and the necessary legislation is currently in preparation.

As the Deputy will be aware there were delays generally in the appointment of the governing bodies of a number of regional technical colleges and the Dublin Institute of Technology, due to a number of difficulties including ensuring an appropriate gender balance on the governing body as a whole. As the Deputy will be aware, these difficulties were eventually resolved by amending legislation. All regional technical colleges now have student representatives appointed in accordance with regulations made by the governing bodies of the institutions. In the case of the Dublin Institute of Technology, I understand that a student election is to be held next month. In the interim, it has been agreed that student representatives may have observer status at meetings of the governing body.

As the Deputy will be aware student representatives are currently appointed to the governing bodies of UCD, UCC and UCG as part of the discretionary nominations available to the Government. In 1995 these student representatives were appointed without avoidable delay following confirmation of vacancies arising by the colleges. The proposed statutory framework for the future will ensure that students are automatically appointed to governing bodies on the basis of prescribed provisions in legislation.

Eric J. Byrne

Question:

96 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Education if she intends to continue the customary practice of appointing the president of the students' union to the governing body of University College Dublin; if it is her policy to continue to make such appointments; and if she will announce in the near future the appointment of the relevant union presidents to University College Cork and University College Galway and their respective governing bodies. [14232/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

Pending the introduction of legislation to broaden the composition of the governing bodies of universities, as indicated in the White Paper on Education, Charting our Education Future, I intend to continue the practice of appointing the president for the time being of the respective student's union of University College Dublin, University College Cork and University College Galway to the governing bodies of these colleges.

On 26 September 1995 the Government appointed the presidents of their respective student unions to the governing bodies of UCD, UCC and UCG.

The students and the colleges were advised of the appointments by letters dated 27 September 1995.