During the Dáil and Seanad debate on the provision of a regional technical college in Castlebar and the general provision of higher education on a nation-wide basis I made a commitment to visit four centres which over a period of years have been seeking regional technical colleges. These centres are Blanchardstown, Dún Laoghaire, Castlebar and Thurles. I honoured this commitment over a two-month period before the summer holdiays. I met the local vocational education committees and other interested parties for each area and gave them an opportunity to put their case to me.
In the case of Dún Laoghaire I met the local vocational education committee on 31 May 1993. In the course of making their case for a regional technical college for Dún Laoghaire they referred to the existence of the College of Art and Design on the Carriglea site and made the case for the establishment of the regional technical college on this site.
As the Deputy may be aware, I have asked a Steering Committee, established under the aegis of the Higher Education Authority, to advise me on the future development of the higher education sector in Ireland. The Steering Committee will prepare projections to the year 2015 of the total potential enrolments in higher education and the corresponding needs required by the sector to facilitate these enrolments.
The committee will carry out a comprehensive needs analysis of higher education requirements. Its remit includes the overall needs of society and the economy as well as regional, socio-economic and equality considerations together with the needs of students and the world of work. The committee will also focus on the appropriate provision for mature students as well as the need to provide access to third level education for disadvantaged students.
As indicated by me in the Dáil, the work of the committee, will have to be informed by, and take account of, budgetary and financial considerations. The committee will commence its work immediately and will report to me no later than 30 June 1994.
