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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 17 May 1989

Vol. 390 No. 2

Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - International Commission on Technological Education in Ireland Report.

2.

asked the Minister for Education if the Government have completed their deliberations in relation to the report of the International Commission on Technological Education in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

The Government have accepted and are implementing the recommendation in the report of the International Study Group on Technological Education regarding the conferring of university status on the National Institutes for Higher Education in Dublin and Limerick.

The Government have not yet completed their deliberations on the other recommendations in the report.

Would the Minister accept that the study group made more than 20 recommendations, not just in relation to the NIHEs but also in relation to the Dublin Institute of Technology colleges, the RTCs, the National College of Art and Design and many other matters, and that the Government have now had their report sufficiently long to be in a position to indicate their thinking in these areas?

The technological study group did make various other recommendations. Their first was with regard to the status of the two NIHEs. As I have explained, it is hoped that legislation will be published this week or very early next week in relation to that matter. The other matters which are of equal importance — relating to the role and status of the colleges within the Dublin Institute of Technology, all of the RTCs and the various other third level colleges are at present being considered. I might add that I am at present preparing a Bill — which I hope will be entitled the Colleges Bill — which will contain various provisions with regard to the status and co-ordination of the various colleges within the Dublin Institute of Technology. Its provisions will also give greater operational autonomy to the regional colleges, and greater autonomy in general matters. I might add that it is our intention to have a partnership arrangement between the various VECs, the Department and the colleges. That will be the overall thrust of the legislation.

Specifically in relation to the RTCs, would the Minister accept that there is a considerable degree of urgency? Is she aware that the RTCs believe that their capacity to raise funds for themselves, through research and consultancy services, is severely curtailed by their present legislative status? In those circumstances, would she do what she can to expedite matters? In addition, would the Minister accept, as a general framework, the concept of autonomy for the RTCs but within the VEC family? Would she regard that as a suitable definition?

I know Deputy Birmingham has a very great interest in this area. The RTCs operate at present in a particular manner. They find themselves somewhat fettered in developing other ways of research and development and in getting private funding. It would be my aim to loosen them up in that regard to a very great extent. As well as giving them greater operational autonomy and freedom in their day-to-day operations, it would also be my aim to keep them, in a partnership sense, within the relevant VEC family.

May I ask for the utmost brevity in relation to supplementary questions so that I may be enabled to dispose of the four remaining questions?

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