Brendan Smith
Question:127 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Education the proposals, if any, she has for the further development of the Dublin Institute of Technology; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1905/97]
Written Answers. - Dublin Institute of Technology.
The White Paper on Education provides that the work to create a single unified Dublin Institute of Technology, including the establishment of appropriate academic and administrative structures, will be continued and completed. I have recently announced my intention to make an order to confer degree awarding powers on the institute from the 1998-99 academic year as recommended by a review team established by the Higher Education Authority at my request. The relevant order is subject to the provisions of the Dublin Institute of Technology Act, 1992. Degree awarding powers for the Dublin Institute of Technology will be within the policy framework set out in the White Paper on Education "Charting Our Education Future".
I have also recently sanctioned an increase in the institute's administrative staffing in the context of the development of a faculty-based structure at the institute. Decisions on the future development of the Dublin Institute of Technology will be taken in the context of planning for the development of the higher education sector overall, and the implementation of the recommendations of the Report of the Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education as agreed by Government.