Vol. 489 No. 1
52 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to make good the shortfall in provision of degree places in the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7526/98]
In July 1996 the Government approved in principle the recommendations in the report of the Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education as a benchmark for future planning in the sector subject to regular review. As a response to the higher education needs of the south east region, the report recommended an increase in student places in what was then the Regional Technical College, Waterford, an increase in degree level awards and a change of title to regional institute of technology.
Since the report of the steering committee was published the number of full-time students in the college has increased from the 1994-95 level of some 3,500 to 4,740. Early in 1997, the college was redesignated as the Waterford Institute of Technology and arrangements have been put in place to carry through the process leading to the delegation to the institute of authority to make awards, within a national qualifications framework. This process is being carried out by a review team chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly.
The institute has submitted to my Department a framework for its development and this proposal is the subject of ongoing discussions with officials. An increase in degree level provision in the areas of computing, financial services and administration was agreed for the 1997-98 academic session by the Department with the institute in the context of meeting the identified higher education needs of the south-east region. Proposals regarding additional degree level provision for the 1998-99 academic year will be the subject of forthcoming discussions with my Department in relation to the institute's annual programmes and budget submission, recently received.
