Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 October 2004
112 Ms Enright asked the Minister for Education and Science the OECD recommendations relating to higher education here which will be progressed by her immediately; those which will be implemented before the end of 2005; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26283/04]
View answerThe OECD review on the future of higher education in Ireland makes far-reaching recommendations for reform and development of the sector. The review comes against a background of the crucial role that has been identified for our higher education system which is not only producing well-educated graduates but is also achieving Ireland's broad strategic objective to become a world leading knowledge-based society.
The extensive consultation that the OECD team undertook with all the key stakeholders here, and the expertise of the team itself, lend considerable weight to these recommendations. Obviously a good deal of consideration and examination of these is necessary on my part. The major importance of the challenge that has been put to Government and to the higher education sector through these recommendations cannot be underestimated. As Minister, I intend to take these seriously and, as a priority, work closely with my Government colleagues and consult widely with the higher education sector in advancing progress on them. In this regard, it is my intention to bring proposals to Government shortly on an implementation approach and priorities.
However, in terms of an immediate response, I welcome certain aspects of the report, including, for example, those relating to the strategic framework within which higher education should develop. The analysis of the review team in respect of the development of a unified strategy for the sector is welcome. As the report outlines, the institute of technology sector has brought great strength to the Irish system and has been successful in meeting the varying needs of students, the economy and society. The emphasis in the report on the institute of technology sector as an equal partner with the universities in a dynamic, diversified system is important in that regard.
The report has identified a continuing need for an independent policy advisory and funding authority for the sector. I agree that this is the appropriate vehicle for ensuring an integrated policy approach to the entire sector, including the institutes of technology and other non-designated bodies. If we are to maximise available strengths and resources within a unified Irish higher education system, stronger inter-institutional collaboration needs to be encouraged. A single oversight body is well-placed to incentivise and promote that.
As the Deputy is aware, it has been a long-standing policy objective to designate the institutes of technology under the Higher Education Authority. The OECD report endorses this and, with the agreement of my Government colleagues, I propose to move on this now on a transitional basis in advance of full legislation for a new authority.
The report makes important recommendations on governance and leadership for higher education institutions and presents a detailed analysis of required changes to the funding allocation model for the sector. These are very welcome. I am glad to say the HEA is already advancing work on a revised funding mechanism in consultation with the relevant stakeholders. The emphasis laid by the OECD report on particular aspects of what is required is a valuable input in this regard.
I share the Minister's views on the IT sector. At the outset she said she welcomed the number of well educated graduates, but does she accept that we have insufficient postgraduates? What steps will she take to ensure we reach 10,000 postgraduates qualifying per year by 2010? Given that she is aware of the OECD's figures on this matter, how will the Minister address the issue of under funding? If more private sector money is made available to the third level sector can the Government give a commitment that it will not be used as a substitute for public funds? The fear of this is currently deterring such investment.
Does the Minister have plans to address the low intake of mature students in the third level sector? I welcome her comments on the tertiary education authority. She mentioned the long-standing policy objective to designate the institutes of technology under the HEA; my concern is that it is of long standing. Will she consider also having a tertiary authority or is this only from a HEA perspective? Has the Minister given any consideration to changing the governing structures of both universities and the ITs?
In my three weeks in office I have not made decisions on all those aspects each of which is important. I share the Deputy's opinion on postgraduates. The postgraduate sector continues to make a very valuable contribution not just to education but also to the economy. Increasing the number of undergraduates and improving the facilities available particularly in the science and technology sector would encourage postgraduates as would funding for that sector, which I intend to promote.
As part of the current Estimates process we are addressing the funding of third-level education. Representatives of every sector will make the case to have their sector treated as a priority, which is true. Each sector needs to be a priority for different reasons: primary education to get at the roots; post primary because of the academic and other issues dealt with at that level; and third level. It would not be fair for me to identify any area as a priority over another. A case has been made for third level as part of the Estimates process.
The report makes some interesting suggestions on private funding. A number of colleges and universities have been very successful in attracting private investment including foreign investment, which has helped their capital infrastructure in particular. Equally other colleges and institutes feel they have not been able to benefit from such funding. For example, representatives of the DIT feel that when it moves to the Grangegorman site, because it will be a single entity, it will then be able to attract investment. The balancing of private investment against resources to be provided by the State will have to be considered in any one year having regard to the resources available. However, they could be considered in a different context depending on whether it is for research, capital or ongoing spending. I envisage considering it in different ways depending on the investment achieved.
The low intake of mature students could also be addressed by some of the recommendations of the report, which mentions improving the numbers of part-time students. This would particularly suit many mature students and I would like to see this progressed at third level. A huge discrepancy exists between the number of full-time and part-time students. This clearly raises questions about funding and support for such students. However, in the early years this might be a way to attract more mature students into the third-level sector.
Regarding the tertiary education authority, while they obviously talk about funding, the HEA, whose members I have already met, and the Council of Directors of Institutes of Technology, whose members I have not yet met but will do so this week, are also looking forward to progressing that matter. Following my discussions with them I hope to be able to progress it.
