I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter which concerns the institute of technology in Tralee. I am sure the Minister of State is well aware of the importance of the institute to County Kerry and indeed the south-west. The college is at a very important phase of its development. It has 3,500 full-time and part-time students and 250 staff, and has an important European Union dimension with many foreign students enrolled. The college is very well placed to contribute to the future development of County Kerry, in particular with the opening of the Kerry Technology Park, which many of us worked very hard to achieve over the years, on an adjoining site and the opening of the institute's new north campus.
These events augur well for the educational, industrial and technological development of the county. Unfortunately, all has not been well in the college. My understanding is that the Department appointed an inspector to investigate certain matters regarding the administration of the college and the virtual breakdown of relations between the management and staff. Despite my best efforts and numerous requests to the Department of Education and Science, no information has been forthcoming from the Minister's office regarding this report. I understand that the Mini ster received this prior to July of this year. I am not here to play politics with the problems encountered in the institute of technology in Tralee – they are much too serious for that. We are entitled to information and answers, particularly in the public interest.
There are questions the Minister must answer and they should be answered in the House tonight. Recent days have been extremely frustrating for staff and those interested in education in Kerry. The Department was poised to make a statement last Thursday, but despite persistent requests from my office and others, no statement was forthcoming. Likewise on Friday, the Department of Education and Science absolutely failed to offer clarification.
I would like the Minister of State to answer these questions in the House. They are in the public interest and should be answered. Perhaps she will tell the House the status of the chairman of the board of the institute. What is the status of the director of the institute of technology? Consequent on the answers to those questions, what action does the Minister propose to take to restore confidence in the administration of the institute and to ensure that there is a constructive relationship between management, staff and students?
This is a very valuable resource to the education infrastructure of the country. I do not believe we can stand by and watch what is happening. The Department has responsibilities – indeed it is probably not the responsibility of the Minister of State but rather of the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Woods. It is long overdue that he takes action on what is happening in the college. It is important that the people of Kerry have answers and that action is taken on these matters. For too long the Department has failed to act and we now see the consequences, an administrative breakdown in the college.
I am sure the acting director – as I understand appointed informally or otherwise by the Department last Friday – will have the confidence and support of all who care about third level education in County Kerry. I wish him well in his new responsibilities. He will need the full support of the Minister and the Department if he is to make progress in the current difficult circumstances. The responsibility lies with the Department of Education and Science and the sooner the information is in the public domain the better for everybody.
