Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 10 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 1

Written Answers - Institutes of Technology.

Denis Naughten

Question:

181 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Science if, in view of the economic benefits which would accrue to the north-west region from the establishment of a university in Athlone, the Government will, under section 9 of the Universities Act, 1997, appoint the necessary body to advise the Higher Education Authority on the upgrading of Athlone Institute of Technology to university status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13399/01]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

There are no plans at present to change the status of the institute of technology in Athlone. I do not propose therefore to appoint a body to advise the Higher Education Authority on the upgrading of the Athlone Institute of Technology to university status.

In July 1996 the Government approved in principle the recommendations in the report of the Steering Committee on the Future Development of Higher Education as a benchmark for future planning in the sector, subject to regular review. The steering committee report endorsed the maintenance of a diversified system of higher education to meet the varying needs of students, society and the economy. The report did not recommend any change in status for the institutes of technology.

Subsequent to the publication of the steering committee's report arrangements were put in place for a process to enable institutes of technology to apply for delegated authority to make awards within a national qualifications framework.

The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999, provides for the establishment of three new bodies: the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland, the Further Education and Training Awards Council and the Higher Education and Training Awards Council. I established the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland on a statutory basis on 26 February last and it is my intention to establish the new awarding councils in the near future.

The main objects of the Act are to establish and develop standards of knowledge, skill or competence; promote the quality of further education and training and higher education and training; provide a system for co-ordinating and comparing education and training awards and to promote and maintain procedures for access, transfer and progression.

The Act provides for the delegation of authority from the Higher Education and Training Awards Council – HETAC – within the framework of qualifications, to institutes of technology who may seek such powers. Under section 29 of the Act, it is open to any institute of technology to request HETAC to delegate to it the authority to make higher education and training awards.

My policy is to continue 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. 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.

Athlone Institute of Technology will continue to play a major role in Irish higher education.