Vol. 478 No. 7
143 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Education the progress, if any, which has been made by the committee set up under the aegis of the Higher Education Authority in relation to the status of staff in the radiography department in University College Dublin; if examinations will be held on completion of this term; if students will be informed immediately; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11943/97]
Following an approach from the Department of Health to my Department as to the feasibility of transfering responsibility for the delivery of training for radiographers to my Department, a tripartite working group was established. This working group comprises officials of my Department and the Department of Health and is chaired by the Higher Education Authority. The working group had its first meeting on 28 February 1997 and has subsequently visited the two schools of radiography and met with representatives of Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin, the two universities involved. In the course of its work, the working group requested certain information from the schools and universities and it is expected that all of this information will be provided this week. I understand the working group will meet this week and expects to complete its work by the end of the month.
The position in relation to the examinations is that the staff in the UCD School of Diagnostic Imaging wrote to the university in February 1997, stating that as there was no progress on the question of the transfer of responsibility for the school to the Department of Education, they would not be taking their positions as assistant examiners for the summer examinations. The Higher Education Authority has advised both University College Dublin and the School of Diagnostic Imaging of the work schedule for the working group and it is hoped that this will facilitate the staff of the school to participate in the examinations, which are due to commence next week.
