Michael Creed
Question:467 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the establishment of a national technological university. [13748/01]
Written Answers - National Technological University.
Higher education in Ireland is based on the binary system, comprising the university sector and the institute of technology sector. 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.
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.