asked the Minister for Education her present plans in relation to provision of third level education in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15; whether or not she plans to proceed with a regional technical college; whether or not she will consider some arrangement whereby at least some elements of such a college could be developed together with the new community college on Blanchardstown Road North, Corduff, Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Third Level Education.
221.
The position is that during the course of my speech to Dáil Éireann on the 1988 Estimates I announced that with regard to additional productivity in the area of higher education I will be having a study carried out which, inter alia, will look at the savings that could be made, or the additional student numbers that could be accommodated at no extra cost, by reducing the length of courses for qualifications awarded by the NCEA. I have also asked the Higher Education Authority to carry out a similar exercise in their own sector by examining the question of shortening four year degree courses to three years.
I also stated that I will be presenting proposals to the Government on the establishment of an interdepartmental committee representative of the Departments of Education, Finance, Industry and Commerce, Labour, Health and Agriculture and Food to examine:
— the provision of third-level places,
— the rationalisation of third-level departments and institutions, and
— the funding of these institutions.
This committee will take into account the study already referred to and such factors as demographic trends, personnel requirements and the existing numbers of student places in third level institutions.
In view of the above and of the considerable building developments in the universities and other third level institutions in recent years, the Government have decided not to proceed with a range of capital developments to provide additional student places at third level. It was felt that to proceed would be inappropriate in present financial circumstances and that all other possible options in relation to additional productivity and student throughput must be fully and carefully considered before any new major building programme is initiated.
Meanwhile the proposed new regional technical college at Blanchardstown is among a number of building projects which have been deferred.
Pending the report of the interdepartmental committee to which I have referred, it would be inappropriate to consider whether any elements of a proposed regional technical college for Blanchardstown should be developed in conjunction with the Corduff Community College.