Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Technological Sector.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

412 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on whether there are large discrepancies between the cost per student at the various regional technical colleges and Waterford Institute of Technology; the reason this is the case; the steps, if any, he is taking to rectify the situation in view of the recommendation of the steering committee on the future development of higher education regarding the cost per student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18072/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

There are inevitably differences between the funding requirements of the various institutions in the technological sector. Cost per student comparisons between colleges can be misleading particularly if a simple arithmetic approach of dividing total expenditure by student numbers is adopted. The cost per student between colleges can be affected by a number of factors including the spread and nature of the courses, the relative balance between part-time and full-time students, the balance between laboratory and non-laboratory based activity, the level of provision for apprentices, undergraduates and post-graduates and the level and scope of participation in special EU programmes.

The annual budget allocation by my Department takes into account the complexity of the particular institution and the range of courses and facilities offered to students, both full-time and part-time.