Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 18 Apr 2000

Vol. 518 No. 3

Written Answers. - Institutes of Technology.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Question:

287 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the severe difficulties being encountered by students of the architectural technology course at the Limerick Institute of Technology; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the institute arbitrarily and unilaterally changed the course and the curriculum in the past two years against the advice of the course committee, the external examiner and the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland; if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the new course substituted by the institute is unsuitable and a lot of the students have been forced to give up the course and leave; and if he will intervene to resolve the problem. [11385/00]

Gerry Reynolds

Question:

305 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Education and Science the steps, if any, he will take concerning the dismissal on 6 April 2000 of second year students at Limerick Institute of Technology studying for a degree in architectural technology. [11617/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 305 together.

Under the Regional Technical Colleges Acts, 1992 to 1999 the management and control of Limerick Institute of Technology is the responsibility of the governing body and the director. In academic matters such as course modifications or alterations and in matters of student discipline I, as Minister, have no function under the Regional Technical College Acts. However, I propose to make arrangements for a facilitator who will meet and interview the relevant interests with a view to arriving at a resolution of the problem.