Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 February 2005
68 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Education and Science the content and context of her discussions with the Department of Finance regarding the establishment of a fund which would reward universities for pushing through a reform programme; if this has been discussed with the university sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3009/05]
View answerI am currently considering a number of mechanisms to support the process of reform in the higher education system as identified as a priority in the OECD report on the future of third level education in Ireland and in that context, I am examining the way to meet this challenging agenda.
I am now initiating an extensive consultative process with stakeholders affected by the report with a view to developing a comprehensive response to the report and bringing proposals, including any necessary legislative proposals, to Government when appropriate. Following on from the initial colloquium held last year by my predecessor, I have arranged to meet shortly representatives of my Department, the Higher Education Authority, the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities, the Council of Directors of Institutes of Technology and Dublin Institute of Technology to begin a series of focused discussions on aspects of the report and its implications for the development of a unified strategy for the future of the sector. I envisage that this will be the first in a series of meetings with interested parties which will ensure that their views are fully taken account of in developing the response to the report.
69 Mr. J. O’Keeffe asked the Minister for Education and Science if the establishment of a tertiary education authority is under consideration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2890/05]
View answer80 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Education and Science her plans for a special summit to chart a future for the third level sector; the intended goals of such a summit and the persons who will be involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3018/05]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 80 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 the key stakeholders in the sector, and its own undoubted expertise, lend considerable weight to these recommendations.
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 am now initiating an extensive consultative process with stakeholders affected by the report with a view to developing a comprehensive response to the report and bringing proposals, including any necessary legislative proposals, to Government when appropriate. Following on from the initial colloquium held last year by my predecessor, I have arranged to meet shortly representatives of my Department, the Higher Education Authority, the Conference of Heads of Irish Universities, the Council of Directors of Institutes of Technology and Dublin Institute of Technology to begin a series of focused discussions on aspects of the report and its implications for the development of a unified strategy for the future of the sector. I envisage that this will be the first in a series of meetings with interested parties which will ensure that their views are fully taken account of in developing the response to the report.
