Brendan Howlin
Ceist:457 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Education if she will give details of her plans to establish a comprehensive distance learning service to cover all of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Comprehensive Distance Learning Service.
The National Distance Education Council—NDEC—has been given the task of establishing and coordinating a national distance education service in this country. Various third-level institutions are active participants in the service. Programmes have already been introduced and further expansion is planned.
I recently announced that an agreement has been reached between the National Distance Education Council and the UK Open University. Under this agreement Open University courses or Open University material in courses provided by the NDEC will be used as appropriate, to assist in the expansion of the distance education service.