Vol. 474 No. 7
86 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Education if the Waterford Regional Technical College, now Waterford Institute of Technology designate, will be included in her commission review of regional technical colleges due to her already announced decision to change the status of the Waterford Regional Technical College to Waterford Institute of Technology. [3881/97]
87 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Education when she will introduce legislation to give legal effect to her decision to change the status of Waterford Regional Technical College to Waterford Institute of Technology; and whether this will take the form of a new Bill or by amending the Dublin Institute of Technology Bill. [3882/97]
88 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Education the new resources including capital investment she intends to make available to the new institute of technology in Waterford in 1997; and her immediate proposals to give substantial effect to her decision to change the status of Waterford Regional Technical College to Waterford Institute of Technology. [3883/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 86, to 88 inclusive together.
The remit given to the high level group, which I announced recently, makes clear that the work of the group is set in the context that I have already announced that Waterford regional technical college will be redesignated as an Institute of Technology to meet an identified shortage of degree places in the south-eastern region.
New legislation is not needed to change the name from regional technical college to institute of technology. Consultations regarding the implementation of my decision have begun with the Waterford college authorities and the process will be completed as soon as possible.
In line with existing practice, capital and recurrent funding for Waterford will continue to be determined on an annual basis having regard to the college's proposals in its annual programmes and budget submission and the overall funding available.
Under the National Development Plan 1994-99, £4 million was allocated to Waterford regional technical college in respect of capital developments. This sum has been set aside and remains available for investment in a new library-information technology building which is at present being planned for the college.
