Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 18 Dec 1990

Vol. 404 No. 1

Written Answers. - Third Level College Places.

Michael Lowry

Ceist:

231 Mr. Lowry asked the Minister for Education the way in which she proposes to meet the shortfall of places available to students seeking admittance to third level colleges with particular reference to her statement in Dáil Éireann of July 1989 that 10,000 extra places will be required by the year 2,000; if she will outline (a) her approach and its impact on existing colleges and (b) the colleges targeted for expansion and refurbishment; and the approximate costs involved.

Minister for Education (Mrs. O'Rourke)

In the universities 3,600 additional places are being provided over the next three years. Numbers in the vocational education committee third level colleges have expanded rapidly in recent years and the new regional technical college in Tallaght will provide when completed a further 1,200 places.

Because of the transfer of the students from the Belfield Campus at UCD to Carysfort College Campus this will enable the intake of additional students to UCD.

Colleges have not been targeted for expansion on an individual basis. In the universities a special capital investment programme of £15 million, spread over five years, has been initiated to cater for the increased intake. In the vocational education committee third level sector a building programme is currently underway to cater for the growth in numbers. This involves modification and adaptation work which is intended to upgrade and enhance the colleges' existing facilities. The programme, which is in conjunction with the European Community Structural Funds is expected to cost £12 million in the period 1990-1993.

The Deputy will be aware from my reply to Question No. 223 of the overall infrastructural development programme for the third level sector costing almost £76 million which is planned over the next three years and which is supported by the European Structural Fund.