I move:
"That Seanad Éireann approves the following Order in draft:
Dublin Institute of Technology Act, 1992 (Assignment of Function) Order, 1997,
a copy of which Order in draft was laid before Seanad Éireann on 30th April, 1997."
Dublin Institute of Technology Act, 1992 (Assignment of Function) Order, 1997: Motion.
Section 5(2)(a) of the Dublin Institute of Technology Act, 1992, provides that the institute shall have such other functions, which may include the function of conferring degrees, post-graduate degrees and honorary awards as may be assigned to it from time to time by order made by the Minister with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance. Section 5(2)(c) of the said Act provides that "Whenever an order is proposed to be made under this subsection, a draft of the proposed order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House." The consideration of this order by the Houses of the Oireachtas following the successful completion of the review group process on degree awarding status is another step in the history of the DIT.
I am happy to return to the House with this draft order so soon after the future of the Dublin Institute of Technology was debated here. This House has had an important role and most effective input into the formulation of policy in relation to higher education.
I would like to stress my role in initiating this process. I put the formal mechanism to evaluate the institution for degree awarding powers in place. I asked the Higher Education Authority to establish an international review team to recommend whether degree awarding powers should be given to the Dublin Institute of Technology. This was not a general review of the legislation governing the operation of the institute, rather it dealt in detail with the important issue of degree awarding powers.
The review group recommended principally that the Dublin Institute of Technology be granted authority to award its own degrees in respect of undergraduate and post-graduate courses, with effect from the academic year 1998-9. The Higher Education Authority endorsed this recommendation. The group also recommended that the system of quality assurance and quality improvement in the Dublin Institute of Technology should be subject to periodic review and that the Dublin Institute of Technology should ensure that its organisational structures and processes are firmly in place and operating effectively.
In line with the recommendations of the international review team, the order we are discussing will, when signed, formally grant degree awarding powers from 1998 onwards. The draft order assigns to the institute the function of conferring degrees, post-graduate degrees and honorary awards with effect from 1 September 1998. The effective date of 1 September 1998 is to allow the institute time to put the necessary procedures in place.
The City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee entered a partnership agreement with the University of Dublin in 1975 whereby a number of college diplomas were recognised by the university for the award of its degrees. Since that time, more than 8,000 Dublin Institute of Technology graduates have become eligible for degree awards of the University of Dublin. The institute has developed academic links with other universities, including Dublin City University and University College Dublin. Post-graduate degree programmes have also been initiated by the institute in collaboration with a number of universities within the European Union.
This is evidence of the fact that the institute has over 20 years active experience in a rigorous course evaluation process where new course programmes are proposed for degree recognition. An academic council has been functioning in the institute since 1970, before being established on a statutory basis under the Dublin Institute of Technology Act, 1992, and in recent years the institute has put considerable effort into the development of its quality assurance procedures. These developments are further evidence of the institute's endeavour and commitment in this area.
The conferral of degree awarding powers on the institute must also be seen in the context of the policy framework set out in the White Paper on Education. The White Paper sets out the Government's approach for the overall development of higher education. It notes that developments in higher education in Ireland have been based on a differentiated system of third level education. One part is formed by the universities and the designated institutions under the Higher Education Authority, with State funding allocated by the authority and the other part includes the regional technical colleges and the Dublin Institute of Technology, with State funding allocated directly by the Department of Education. The White Paper clearly states that "the diversity of institutions and the separate missions of the two broad sectors will be maintained to ensure maximum flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of students and to the wide variety of social and economic requirements".
The White Paper also states in relation to the Dublin Institute of Technology:
Particular considerations apply to the Dublin Institute of Technology, given its historical development, size and present academic profile. The work currently under way to create a single unified Institute, including the establishment of appropriate academic and administrative structures, will be continued and completed. Given the existing level of degree provision in the Institute, the guidelines in relation to the balance of provision will allow for more degree provision than in Regional Technical Colleges generally, while still maintaining a substantial level of provision at certificate and diploma level.
The institute has, since its statutory establishment in 1993, made great progress in building a single integrated institution. It has a vital role to play not only throughout the Dublin region but throughout the country in providing a comprehensive and high quality range of third level programmes. Conferral of degree awarding powers on the institute will greatly enhance its already high academic standing both nationally and internationally and meet the growing need for the highest possible attainment in educational standards.
I take this opportunity to again congratulate the DIT on the progress it has made since 1992 in building a single integrated institute. The DIT has a vital role in higher education in providing qualifications at certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate levels. Building on its legislative base put in place in 1993, it has made major strides with the active support of my Department. I stress my commitment in my time as Minister to the development of the Dublin Institute of Technology. Staffing and student numbers in the Dublin Institute of Technology have increased substantially in this time. Many new courses at certificate, diploma, degree and post-graduate level have been developed. There is now recurrent funding of over £50 million in this academic year. In addition, since 1993 over £18.5 million of capital funding has been invested.
I would like to mention two further elements of the recommendations of the review group. The review team recommended that the funding and oversight of the Dublin Institute of Technology be transferred from the Department of Education to the Higher Education Authority. There is a commitment to this in the White Paper. It is my intention that the appropriate legislative and administrative changes will be brought forward to do this.
The report of the review team also recommended that the relevant authorities should consider whether the key features of the university legislation should be extended to the Dublin Institute of Technology and its legislation amended. In particular, this was in the context of a reference to the devolution of increased levels of responsibility under the universities' legislation so that institutions could run their affairs within budgetary and staffing constraints, subject to appropriate statutory obligations in relation to the discharge of those responsibilities. Arising from this, the Dublin Institute of Technology made a strong case for inclusion in the Universities Bill, 1996, over the past few months.
The Universities Bill provides, for the first time, a statutory mechanism in section 9 for the recognition of a third level institution as a university. I listened carefully and with interest to its views and have announced that when the Universities Bill becomes law I will request the Government to appoint a body pursuant to section 9 to advise it on whether, having regard to the objects and functions of a university, the Dublin Institute of Technology should be established as a university. The outcome of that process will be for consideration on another day.
This is a momentous day. I ask the House to approve of the draft order and thus support the development of the Dublin Institute of Technology. I ask that the said resolution be agreed.
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire agus an t-ordú. Today at the meeting of the UCD governing body there was a great welcome for the Universities Bill.
I welcome the draft order which gives the Dublin Institute of Technology the function of conferring post-graduate degrees and honorary awards. In 1992 the six colleges were amalgamated and have a student population of 22,000, both full and part-time and apprentices.
The Minister has stated that the Universities Bill provides for the first time a statutory mechanism in section 9 for the recognition of a third level institution as a university. All Members wish the Dublin Institute of Technology to receive university status. Senators Ormonde, Dardis, Norris, Henry, O'Toole and Lee supported the amendment on the last occasion. Senator Ross was the only Member to oppose this amendment. Where is Senator Ross? He could lend his support today in giving university status to the Dublin Institute of Technology. I support the draft order before the House.
I am delighted that under section 9 consideration will be given to granting university status to the Dublin Institute of Technology. This is long overdue. The Minister and her predecessors looked at this issue in the past. For too long, universities were separated from other institutes of education.
As a Cork representative and someone who lives in the regional technical college area I believe it must be given recognition. I know there are requests for recognition and they must be considered properly. I understand what happened with Waterford Regional Technical College. When I look at how Dublin is being treated and at section 9 of the Universities Bill I would remind the Minister that there are over 10,000 students in Cork Regional Technical College. A few years ago there were only 3,000 students in Cork Regional Technical College. I did not receive third level education but I recognise the importance of a proper education. So much good has come out of Cork Regional Technical College that it must be given due recognition. I know the Minister has established a body to look at the granting of a higher status to regional technical colleges and I hope she will promote that. It is very important for many areas, in particular, Cork Regional Technical College. I welcome this long overdue resolution and I congratulate the Minister on it. This will be the last occasion we will be speaking to each other as Minister and Senator, at least for a while. However, the Minister has done an excellent job.
I, too, congratulate the Minister on an excellent job. As a representative of the Dublin Institute of Technology graduates I welcome this order. Giving the institute degree awarding status will give it more flexibility. It will be the master of its own destiny. I hope it will respond to the educational needs in a positive and distinctive way. For example, the institute knows what industries such as software, technology and electronic engineering require and I hope it will maximise its strengths.
As an independent body that will award its own degrees, I hope it realises the value of its degrees and does not believe it must emulate other universities. As I stated during the debate on the Universities Bill, one of the great strengths of Irish universities is that their ethos, tradition and admission systems are so different. That must be fostered. I hope the Dublin Institute of Technology will continue on the path it has chosen. We should remember that it gave members of our society access to third level education who would not otherwise have had such access. This is a very significant step in the evolution of the Dublin Institute of Technology.
I am delighted the Minister mentioned in her speech that the next step for the institute is its recognition as a university. I hope the Universities Bill is enacted before the Minister leaves office so she will be in a position to ensure the body is set up by the AGA to examine the institute for degree awarding status. Naturally the Minister will be able to take up whatever portfolio she is offered.
As the Minister said, the first undergraduates who will enter the Dublin Institute of Technology knowing they will be awarded degrees from there will do so in 1998. Students will make their choices on the central application forms with this in mind. Within a few years we may have postgraduate degrees from the Dublin Institute of Technology as given the diversity of courses that will be available, many people will apply for masters degrees of one or two years duration.
I congratulate the Minister on bringing this forward. I hope the case of the Dublin Institute of Technology will be examined by the body to see if it can achieve university status.
I thank Senators for their contributions. This is a very important day. I have taken on board the comments from UCD. I have also taken on board the remarks by the Senator representing the students and wish them well. I accept the comments made on the regional technical college sector. This is an exciting time in education but it will be even more exciting in the future. I assure Senators there are no cul de sacs but there is a framework in place to allow institutions to develop in the future. It was an extraordinary experience for me that, together, right across the House, we have made our contribution. The Universities Bill, as amended, has progressed through both Houses. I ask that the House approve the Dublin Institute of Technology Act, 1992 (Assignment of Function) Order, 1997.
Question put and agreed to.
Sitting suspended at 6.10 p.m. and resumed at 6.30 p.m.