253 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if Dublin Institute of Technology will continue to be funded separately from the other institutes of technology under the proposed Teastas legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16705/98]
255 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the provisions, if any, to be contained in the new Teastas legislation to allow each institute of technology, which has devolved powers to validate its own certificates, diplomas and degrees, to have an independent funding arrangement similar to that enjoyed by Dublin Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16707/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 253 and 255 together.
I announced on 18 July 1997 that my objective is to develop a framework for the structured development of institutions in the technological sector to address changing local and national demands while ensuring the maintenance of the complementary third level systems of university and technological education. I further stated that the diversity of institutions and the separate missions of the two broad sectors will be maintained so as to ensure maximum flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of students and to the wide variety of social and economic requirements.
Teastas, the Irish National Certification Authority, was established as an interim authority on 18 September 1995 and has worked closely and in consultation with the partners in the education and training sectors since that time. Teastas reported on an interim basis in January 1997 and issued its second report in January 1998. I also held a Forum on the Development of a National Qualifications Framework on 13 February 1998 at which the technological sector of higher education was represented and played an active role.
I aim to publish legislation in the coming months which will provide for the co-ordinated development of the technological sector and enhance its contribution to national and regional development. It is the intention that the development of this legislation for the technological sector will form part of the broad single piece of legislation for the development of a national qualifications framework.
Funding in respect of the Dublin Institute of Technology and other institutes of technology is currently made from Vote 29 — Third Level and Further Education and there is no proposal to change this.
254 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to award university status to the Dublin Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16706/98]
256 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to allow institutes of technology, which have been awarded the powers to validate their own certificates, diplomas and degrees, to be given university status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16708/98]
As the Dublin Institute of Technology is the only institute which has been given authority to make its own awards, I propose to take Questions Nos. 254 and 256 together.
257 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the amount of revenue funding allocated to Waterford Institute of Technology in 1997 and to date in 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16709/98]
Expenditure on capital projects at Waterford Institute of Technology in 1997 amounted to £1,514,491.14. Expenditure to date in 1998 amounts to £910,294.26.
This expenditure relates to additional teaching accommodation, ongoing refurbishment of the College Street campus, adaptation works at the main campus, the acquisition of equipment under the skills needs programme, planning of a new library information resource centre and a new hotel training building for the institute.
In relation to current expenditure the position is as follows:
|
1997 |
1998 (to end June) |
|
|
£ |
£ |
|
|
Recurrent Grant |
9,739,000 |
|
|
5,361,000 |
||
|
Free fees Grant |
1,001,000 |
839,470 |
|
Grants in support of Trainees on ESF-aided Programmes |
1,931,505 |
848,000 |
|
Total: |
12,671,505 |
7,048,470 |
