asked the Minister for Education the terms of reference of the Inter-Departmental Review Committee on Third Level Education; the names of those with whom it has held consultations to date; when it is expected to conclude its report; and if its report will be made public.
Written Answers. - Inter-Departmental Review Committee on Third Level Education.
187.
The information sought by the Deputy is as follows:
(1) Terms of reference: To set out the principles which the committee recommends should guide future policy in relation to third-level education. In the light of these principles to: (a) Identify policies to reduce third level costs by rationalisation and otherwise; (b) Recommend the desirable level of third-level education provision up to the year 2,000 and, to the extent possible, to 2,010, with due regard to current and foreseeable demographic and labour force trends and labour market and manpower requirements; (c) Recommend the manner in which decisions should be taken about the desirable level of provision in particular discipline or faculties, within the overall total at (b); (d) Indicate, in the event of a recommendation to increase the present overall number of places available, which of the possible alternative ways of providing these places should be adopted; and (e) Make recommendations about how third-level education and research should be funded.
(2) Consultations: The committee has recently invited written submissions from colleges, teacher and student unions, education bodies and other interested groups.
(3) Report: I would anticipate receiving a report from the committee before the end of the year. The question of the report being made public will be considered by the Government at that stage.