Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 10 June 2014
209. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has considered providing assistance to a college (details supplied) in order that it can remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24166/14]
View answer213. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills in view of the closure of its current provider, if he will ensure that an ALBA course remains available to mature students in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24183/14]
View answer242. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has engaged with the management of a college (details supplied) in Dublin 9 with a view to salvaging the institution in a new form; if he has been assured that students who have partially completed their studies will retain credits for work completed; the discussions that have taken place between his Department and management at the institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24574/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 209, 213 and 242 together.
The College to which the Deputies refer is a private college and is not an approved institution under the Higher Education Authority (HEA). It does not receive core funding; however, my Department provides grant in lieu of tuition fee funding to the College in respect of three approved undergraduate courses. Funding of some €436,000 for the 2013/14 academic year was allocated to the College in respect of this funding.
The ALBA programme referred to is a part-time course and is therefore not an approved course for fee fees funding.
My Department does not have a role in the placement of students in any third level institution; however, I welcome the fact that the college has stated that it intends to wind down in a phased basis in order to facilitate as much as possible the completion of students' studies.
