Jim O'Keeffe
Question:110 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason for the delay in the publication of the Mulcahy report on third level outreach centres; and when it will be published. [11717/00]
Written Answers. - Outreach Centres.
I understand that the Higher Education Authority will be publishing the report of the technical working group on the review of Outreach centres of higher education institutions, which was chaired by Professor Noel Mulcahy, this week. As previously indicated, I have asked the authority to consider the recommendations in the report and advise me accordingly.
As the Deputy will appreciate the role of outreach centres forms part of the wider area of open and distance learning and the Higher Education Authority and Oscail, the National Distance Education Centre, jointly hosted a symposium on the future of open and distance learning in higher education in Ireland last month. I understand that a rapporteur's report on the symposium is being prepared.
Another relevant issue in this regard is the work that the Higher Education Authority has been asked to undertake in the light of the report of review committee on post secondary education and training places, which was chaired by Dr Donal deBuitleir. The market research that the authority has been asked to undertake in relation to mature students and the proposals that it will bring forward in relation to the provision of mature student places are of particular relevance in this regard.