Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Apr 1996

Vol. 463 No. 6

Written Answers. - Sligo Regional Technical College.

Edward Nealon

Question:

191 Mr. Nealon asked the Minister for Education her views on the recently expressed view of the governing body of Sligo Regional Technical College that the college, together with other regional technical colleges, had achieved sufficient maturity that they could now become fully and completely responsible for the quality of their own awards, and that consequently a new institute called the Irish Technological University, consisting of the existing regional colleges should be established to validate all the existing regional technical colleges current awards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7112/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

The White Paper on Education indicated that the Government had approved the establishment of TEASTAS—the Irish National Certification Authority — and that its remit would include responsibility for the development, implementation, regulation and certification of all non-university third-level programmes. TEASTAS is to advise me on the single integrated framework of certification that would be required for all education and training outside of the universities. Under the circumstances, I am not in a position to comment on the proposal to change current certification and validation arrangements for the regional technical colleges.