Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 2 Dec 1998

Vol. 497 No. 6

Written Answers - Third Level Students.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

93 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that the target of 33 per cent of the students graduating from Waterford Institute of Technology with degrees is met in 1999 and subsequent years; the way in which he proposes to meet the south east regional deficit in students graduating with degrees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25899/98]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin):

The report of the Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education 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 as a response to the higher education needs in the south east region. It recommended that the major focus of expansion be at degree level, with the percentage of award recipients who terminate in a given year with a degree increasing from 22 per cent of total in 1995 to 33 per cent.

Since the report of the steering committee was published, the number of full-time students in the institute has increased from the 1994-95 level of 3,500 to 4,740 in 1997-98. An increase in degree level provision and ten new degree courses have been sanctioned by my Department in respect of Waterford Institute of Technology in the context of meeting the identified higher education needs of the south east region. Figures provided by the institute indicate: that the number of students on degree courses has increased from an estimated 1,046 in 1994-95 to 1,825 in 1997-98; that the intake of students to degree programmes —ab initio— has increased from 285 to 560 in the same period; and that the percentage of full-time students who graduated at degree level has increased to 28.4 per cent in 1998. The institute has submitted a framework for its development to my Department and this proposal is the subject of ongoing discussions with officials.

Early in 1997, the institute was designated 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 an interim review group chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly. I understand that the interim review group has completed a draft report on the self-evaluation study by Waterford Institute of Technology and has furnished the institute with its observations on the study and its draft recommendations. At present the group is considering the response from Waterford Institute of Technology to these observations and draft recommendations prior to finalising its report which will then be submitted to me. I would point out to the Deputy that the institute does extremely valuable work at subdegree level which should not be disregarded.