Vol. 568 No. 1
119 Mr. Costello asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the call from the heads of the 13 institutes of technology for a new policy framework to help bolster the sector at a time of declining student numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15725/03]
I assume that the Deputy is referring to the recently published report entitled "Institutes of Technology and the Knowledge Society-Their Future Position and Roles", commissioned by the Council of Directors of Institutes of Technology and conducted by an expert working group headed by Professor Pat Fottrell. I received a copy of this report in the last three weeks and will be considering it in due course. This report will be taken into account in the context of the future development of the sec tor and the proposals to extend the remit of the Higher Education Authority to include the institutes of technology.
My Department has not yet received a complete return in respect of full-time student numbers enrolled in institutes of technology for the academic-year 2002-03. However, my Department's published statistical reports in respect of the academic-years 1999-2000, 2000-01 and 2001-02 do not show a decline in full-time third-level students in institutes of technology.
|
1999-2000 |
|
|
Institutes of Technology |
45,960 |
|
Killybegs HTC and TRBDI |
464 |
|
Total |
46,424 |
|
2000-01 |
|
|
Institutes of Technology |
47,903 |
|
Killybegs HTC and TRBDI |
457 |
|
Total |
48,360 |
|
2001-02 |
|
|
Institutes of Technology |
*49,385 |
|
Killybegs HTC and TRBDI |
*505 |
|
Total |
*49,890 |
