Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 November 2004
14 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the progress being made on the implementation of the OECD report on third-level education policy here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30466/04]
View answer36 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Science the action she has taken on the recent report from the OECD on third level education here; if she has considered the implementation of any of the recommendations in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30509/04]
View answer39 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Education and Science if she has met representatives of the universities or institutes of technology to discuss the implementation of the OECD review of third level education policy; if so, the outcome of such meetings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30484/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 36 and 39 together.
The OECD review on the future of higher education in Ireland makes far-reaching recommendations for reform and development of the sector. The extensive consultation undertaken by the OECD team with all of the key stakeholders in the sector and their own undoubted expertise lend considerable weight to these recommendations. Obviously it is now incumbent on me to give serious consideration to possible implementation approaches and also to engage in consultation with my colleagues in Government and with the Higher Education Authority, the universities and the institutes of technology.
From the outset, it is important to note that a number of the recommendations, such as the designation of the institutes of technology within the proposed new tertiary education authority, require legislative amendments while others, such as the structures required to maximise research output, require extensive consultation, not only with the agencies involved but also with my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Since my appointment, I have already met representatives from the universities and the institutes of technology and emphasised my commitment to progress the recommendations of the OECD. I hope to start an intensive round of formal consultation early in the new year with the appropriate parties.
I have already signalled the Government's position on the re-introduction of fees for undergraduate programmes and, once again, I emphasise that this will not take place during the lifetime of this Government.
Read my lips.
This clearly places pressure on funding in higher education and I was therefore pleased to be able to announce recently in the context of the 2005 Estimates that I had secured a 35% increase for research funding in the sector, in addition to increases of 6% and 7% respectively for recurrent funding in the universities and institutes of technology. These increases represent a step in the right direction.
The OECD report also makes important recommendations on governance and leadership of higher education institutions and gives us a detailed analysis of required changes to the funding allocation model for the sector. The Higher Education Authority, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, is already working on a revised funding mechanism.
Will the Minister give a commitment that if private sector funding is given to third level institutions, this will not be used instead of or as a replacement for State funding?
Does the Minister intend to bring institutes of technology under the Higher Education Authority, which is one of the recommendations? The institutes are concerned with the recommendation that they would no longer be allowed to have PhD programmes and there is validity in their argument, to which I have listened. Will the Minister consider these two areas in regard to the institutes of technology?
The recommendations in the report have wide-reaching implications for the entire sector. I had occasion recently to meet the author of the report. When I told him he had provided me with the road map for third level, he disagreed and told me it was up to me to decide which of the recommendations I intended to implement. I will only do this in consultation with all the relevant bodies, with which I intend to formally consult immediately.
