Vol. 475 No. 5
10 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education when the expert group set up to advise on progress from regional technical college to institute of technology status will report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5176/97]
I have not set a specific date for the completion of the report from the expert group. I want to see the task completed quickly and in a manner which does justice to the importance of the terms of reference.
The chairperson of the group is fully committed to the task and is very aware of the importance of the job that they have been asked to undertake. She and the other members of the group, all of whom occupy high-level positions, will wish to complete this task as quickly as possible.
I have not put a specific date for completion of the report in advance of the group having an opportunity to consider the job it is to undertake and the best way of doing that but I can assure the Deputy that I am most anxious that the group report quickly.
The reason there is no end date is that the Minister has an eye to an early election. It would not suit her to put an early date on the completion of the work of the group. Yet another group has been established by the Department of Education to meander its way through an issue. If and when the Minister receives the report from the group, will she undertake to publish it? Will she also undertake to act on its recommendations?
I have set terms of reference for the group and announced its composition. When I made the announcement, I indicated that I can change the terms of reference to allow the group to meet to consider the terms of reference in the context of the role of education and training, including the regional structural and economic development and the evolution of the regional technical colleges. The group has been given the context in which the terms of reference to establish the criteria will be set. The group is particularly high powered and I wish to record my appreciation of the fact——
Will the Minister answer the questions she was asked to enable other Deputies to have an opportunity to put questions? Will she publish the report and act on the recommendations?
The thrust of the question was the setting of a date. I have not set a date and that answers the question. I mentioned the composition of the group.
Will the Minister publish the report and act on its recommendations?
I am waiting for the group to meet to consider the terms of reference and come back to me. I will then take decisions about publication. I intend to act on the recommendations of the group. I have never assembled a group of people and failed to implement their recommendations. That has been the pattern during my time in office regarding committees which were established and reported. Their findings have been implemented.
I am perturbed the Minister has just admitted that the group has not yet met.
An election is coming.
I am surprised the group has not yet met. Will the Minister confirm that, on a recent visit to Cork by her, the Tánaiste and the political director of the Labour Party, a specific commitment was given during a meeting with a delegation from Cork regional technical college to upgrade the college to institute of technology status? Is it necessary to introduce legislation for an regional technical college to progress to an institute of technology?
I confirm that I visited Cork recently with the Tánaiste, members of the Front Bench and other elected Members. The visit had been planned for some time and I received a warm welcome. I met representatives of the governing body of the regional technical college and we discussed the establishment of the group and its terms of reference.
Was a commitment given to upgrade the college?
A commitment was given that we would expedite matters, that quality was of the essence and that the group would meet.
Was a commitment given?
I did not commit myself to the outcome of the group, its recommendations or the position of Cork.
I just want an answer.
Let us hear the reply.
My commitment regarding the establishment of a group, its terms of reference and my willingness to implement its recommendations was welcomed.
So no commitment was given?
The group will meet and make recommendations. I do not want to preempt its work.
I just want an answer about Cork regional technical college. Was a commitment given?
I gave a commitment that the group would be established.
I know that.
There is a need for a group. If there was no need for a group, I would not have a silly question to answer.
The answer to the Deputy's question is "No".
The answer in Cork was "Yes".
Since I established a group, it obviously has work to do.
So the Minister did not give a commitment.
When the group reports and brings forward the criteria, the Deputy can question me about individual colleges in Cork and other areas.
The problem is that there are two versions.
Does the Minister intend to ensure that the criteria under which decisions are made to upgrade regional colleges to institutes of technology are made public so that people can judge whether they are based on educational grounds or political considerations? Given the history of this saga, it is critically important that she approaches the issue in that manner to restore confidence in the educational and political processes. There was a clear understanding among educationalists that a timeframe would be put on the deliberations of the group. Will she pledge that such a timeframe will be put in place?
I agree with the sentiments expressed by the Deputy regarding the maintenance of the quality of education available in this sector. In the last ten years it has moved from a marginal position to centre stage in terms of meeting the skills and technological needs of the area. The criteria under which the college in Cork can seek a redesignation of its status will be put in effect for the entire sector. It is particularly important that the criteria are available to colleges and to members of the public who are making educational choices in this area.
It will be open to the colleges in the sector to measure themselves under the criteria if they wish to apply for redesignation. It is vitally important that this exercise is part of the development of the sector, which will come under the remit of the Higher Education Authority when legislation is introduced to remodel it. It is an important sector which is part of the development of third level education. It is held in high regard and any changes must signal that we are continuing the journey of the development of education in that sector.
What about the timeframe?
After the election.
After the 1997 academic year.
The committee has no doubt that time is important but the issue is the quality of work. I do not doubt the quality of the information.
The Minister should get off the stage.
The Deputies should allow the Minister to reply and listen to her.
That is very difficult on occasions.
I have no doubt the committee will expedite its work on the terms of reference on which it was invited to advise the Minister. I look forward to a quick response regarding the work they agreed to do on behalf of the sector.
Will the Minister still be in office?
It is obvious from the Minister's comments that the expert group has not yet met so who knows when it will make recommendations?
Before we leave office.
Next week?
Will the Minister give an assurance that the decision already made in relation to the Waterford institute of technology will not be affected?
The Deputy should not worry about it.
He should take it for granted.
Will she proceed with the decision? When will regulations or legislation be put in place to give effect to the decision? Is legislation necessary?
Next September.
The decision derived from the report of the steering committee on the future development of higher education which identified a deficit in degree provision in the south-east region and recommended expansion in Waterford——
Political merit.
I would not say that.
Everybody else does.
On a point of order——
I will not hear a point of order.
——will the Minister, please, answer the question which relates to legislation?
I asked a specific question.
It was a scurrilous remark.
Expertise was available to the Department with regard to a particular college. If we ridicule the report, we will undermine the importance of the work of that college. I am aware that Deputy Quill does not want to do that. It is a serious matter to dismiss lightly the decision which has been taken. The order to provide for the change announced is being prepared. There will be no delay. I wish the college well in its development.
That concludes questions for today.
