Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Nov 1995

Vol. 458 No. 5

Written Answers. - Distance Learning Options.

Trevor Sargent

Question:

126 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Education, in the context of rationalisation in the White Paper, whether she has considered the value of liaison with the IDA and other Government Departments and the National Centre for Distance Learning to plan the setting up of tele-cottages or tele-centres which would combine a range of distance-learning options for students of all ages in view of the fact that many primary age children seem to have an affinity with such technology, to include full-time and visiting teachers, post office facilities and a business centre so planned that, when the current expansion of employment in new electronic project tapers off, an exportable pack age will have been developed. [17282/95]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

I have no immediate plans to proceed along the precise lines suggested by the Deputy. However, my Department is conscious of the necessity regularly to review developments in computer and communications technology and of the merit in exploring alternative modes of service delivery.

At present, the national distance education centre provides a range of education courses for approximately 3,000 students through the use of facilities which include telecommunications, information technology and local support centres providing tutor support. It also engages in research and development initiatives which explore the use of IT and telecommunications in supporting education programmes.

My Department will be keeping developments in the field of new learning technologies under regular review.