asked the Minister for Education when he proposes to establish the new university in Limerick.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - New Limerick University.
47.
Mr. R. Burke
I have nothing to add to the statement which I made recently and which was as follows:
There are in the Limerick area three major institutes of higher education—the National Institute of Higher Education at Plassy, the National College of Physical Education which will be expanded into an institute for the training of teachers of many specialist subjects, electronics, metal work, woodwork and so on, and, thirdly, Mary Immaculate College of Education, Summerhill, Limerick which offers training courses for teachers in primary schools and courses leading to the Higher Diploma in Education from University College, Cork.
These three institutes, therefore, will provide, when fully developed, a substantial concentration of students in the Limerick area.
At present these institutes must seek certification, graduate or otherwise, from the National Council of Education Awards, or from one or other of the university colleges, but when the institutes approach their potential development I would envisage the combination of the three institutes in a single university, with its own certificate and degree-giving facilities.
I will, of course, at all stages seek the advice of the Higher Education Authority as to how this could be brought about.
In view of statistics and forecasts available to the Minister at the moment for the Limerick area, would he say when the potential will be realised?
Mr. R. Burke
I opened my reply by saying that I did not wish to add anything to the statement already made on this point.
Would the Minister agree that there are areas of pressure in the university world that would command the Minister's attention far more than the Limerick area such as the provision of a student's union building for University College, Dublin which is pressing?
The Deputy is broadening the scope of the question.