Brendan Kenneally
Question:18 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Education the current position regarding the upgrading of Waterford Regional Technical College to university status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21204/96]
Written Answers. - Waterford Regional Technical College.
The Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education reported in July 1995. In relation to Waterford Regional Technical College the steering committee concluded that the upgrading and expansion of the Waterford Regional Technical College represented the most appropriate response to the higher education needs of the south east region. The committee noted the high level of potential demand for degree level places, combined with a level of participation at that level below the national average. In the circumstances, it considered that it would be appropriate that a major element of the expansion of the regional technical college would be at degree level while still maintaining the thrust of its activities at technical level.
The steering committee accordingly recommended provision to be made in the medium-term for an increase in the total number of places from the 1994-95 level of some 3,500 to about 5,000, based on an increase in intake from about 1,260 to 1,700 and the major focus of expansion to be at degree level, with the percentage of award recipients who terminate in a given year with a degree increasing from a current 22 per cent of total to 33 per cent.
The committee considered that such provision would place the college at the top end of the spectrum by comparison with other regional technical colleges in terms of provision of degree places and would enable the region to reach the national average participation in degree programmes.
The committee was satisfied that these measures, combined with the proposed change of title to Regional Institute of Technology, should provide the necessary status and capacity for Waterford Regional Technical College to meet the higher education needs of the region over the next five years, within whatever overall constraints on expansion of higher education which may apply nationally.
Current numbers in Waterford Regional Technical College are 4,457 full-time students, which is close to the level recommended by the steering committee. Expansion at degree level is proceeding. In the 1996-97 academic year there are 1,562 students attending degree level courses. In relation to a change of title for Waterford and the other regional technical colleges, my Department has consulted with the colleges and their responses are at present being considered.