John Deasy
Question:566 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the recent OECD report which recommends that no additional university status be granted to colleges here. [22518/04]
View answerWednesday, 29 September 2004
Questions (389)
Written answers
The OECD report on the higher education sector in Ireland makes a series of far-reaching recommendations for structural and institutional reform as well as addressing wider policy and funding issues. The extensive consultation that took place with all of the key stakeholders and the expertise of the distinguished team assembled by the OECD Education Directorate to conduct the review, lend considerable weight to these recommendations.
The analysis of the review team in relation to the strategic framework within which Irish higher education should develop and in relation to the roles of institutions within a unified higher education system is extremely welcome. The report emphasises the great strengths that the institute of technology sector have brought to the Irish system. The differentiated focus of the institute of technology and university sectors has been a key factor in successfully meeting the varying needs of students, the economy and society.
The report advocates that this diversified approach should be maintained as part of a unified higher education system in which strong emphasis is laid on inter-institutional collaboration. It recommends a single funding and policy advisory authority for the university and institute of technology sectors to support this approach and recommends greater managerial autonomy for the institutes of technology in allowing them to develop their roles within this strategic framework. The emphasis in the report on defining the institute of technology sector as an equal partner with the university sector in a dynamic, binary, higher education system is important in this regard.
The OECD review team has emphasised the integrated nature of the full set of recommendations of the report. In this regard, it would not be appropriate to focus on any single recommendation in isolation in advance of full consideration of the report, in its entirety, by my Department, the Government and wider stakeholders. I look forward to working constructively with the HEA, leadership in the university and institute of technology sectors, my Government colleagues and the various other agencies and interests in the sector in considering and taking forward the extremely important agenda that the OECD have presented.
Question No. 567 answered with QuestionNo. 493.