Vol. 511 No. 6
414 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will report on the failure rate for first year engineering students and communication and information technology students in Trinity College; his views on the failure rate; and the steps, if any, necessary to deal with the problem. [25399/99]
Inquiries have been made with Trinity College Dublin and I understand that the average pass rate for first year engineering for the last ten years is 90% and that the average pass rate for first year of the degree in information and communications technology, which has been running for two years, is 79 per cent. There was a 100 per cent pass rate on the second year of this degree course. I further understand that the college monitors the progress of students and offers additional tuition and support to students experiencing difficulties.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the challenge of maximising success rates, consistent with maintaining appropriate standards is a matter, in the first instance, for the individual University.
On the issue of completion rates generally, the Higher Education Authority has commissioned the Educational Research Centre at St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra to conduct a study of completion rates in the seven universities. Work is at an advanced stage and a final report which will include details of completion rates by field of study will be available after Christmas.
