Arthur Morgan
Question:48 Mr. Morgan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the suggestion by the HEA that State-owned colleges should be privatised. [5296/04]
View answerThursday, 19 February 2004
Questions (52, 53)
Jan O'Sullivan
Question:93 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the recent proposal from the Higher Education Authority to allow a number of colleges and universities to become private institutions; his further views on whether such a move would be likely to lead to higher fees in the privatised institutions, thus making access by students from disadvantaged backgrounds more difficult; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5229/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 93 together.
I understand the Deputy is referring to the contents of the Higher Education Authority's submission to the OECD review of higher education in Ireland. A total of 80 submissions have now been made to the OECD team from a range of interested organisations and individuals. All of these are being considered as part of the review. The OECD review team is also currently meeting with a range of organisations as part of its deliberations and will be bringing forward recommendations on the full range of issues relevant to its terms of reference later this year. I look forward to considering these recommendations when they become available.