I call for extra places for business studies students who want to attend a fourth year degree course at Cork Regional Technical College. The students at that college, who have completed their diploma, and their parents hope that the Minister's response will be positive.
The Minister will recall that three years ago additional places were provided in the business studies course at Cork regional technical college, in line with Government policy to ensure that additional third-level places were made available to meet the demand.
It is to the credit of those students who began their business studies course that year that 84 graduated, receiving a merit or distinction in their diploma examination. It is only logical, the natural progression, that the vast majority of them want to continue their studies and obtain a degree.
The Minister will be aware also that 35 places only exist for this degree course which means that, if the current position is allowed to continue, some 49 students will be disappointed, apart altogether from students from other regional colleges who may wish to attend the Cork regional technical college to pursue a degree course there.
It is appalling that students, already on their summer break, having finished their examinations, continue to feel stressed and very insecure, because they may not be given an opportunity to finish their education while having earned the right to do so. They have done everything asked of them and ask the Minister to follow through on the commitment she gave at the time they embarked on this course.
Is it not logical to conclude that if, in the first year, an increased intake is approved by the Department of Education, the Minister should take cognisance of the need for increased places down the line and that her Department be in a position to meet that extra demand?
Is it not that the Department has been unaware of the position, given that last year it was signalled to the Minister when the college management included this as a requirement when presenting its programmes and budgets for the following two years?
It is natural that Cork regional technical college management immediately require approval to enrol an additional 40 students on the final year degree course. I trust the Minister will formally give that permission tonight. As Minister for Education she will appreciate it is extremely late in the day and the college authority needs to plan for such an additional intake. Granting such permission would alleviate the stress of parents and students concerned.
Additional resources would be required to enable the college provide additional lecturers and class resources to meet the exigencies of such an additional intake. Having worked in the college for many years, I consider such an increased additional intake of students would be cost effective as the necessary technology is available in the college. As the Minister is aware, the class sizes in many of the subjects would not be a major problem, given that the students would be attending lectures.
I remind the Minister that we encourage students to remain in college as long as possible and to attain the highest possible level of achievement. We tell them that is imperative to obtain meaningful employment. We also tell them that it is in line with Government expressed policy that students should attempt to attain the highest qualifications because the availability of high calibre graduates for this type of industry helps attract international mobile investment.
The case speaks for itself. I recognise the humanity within the Minister and the appeal to her tonight is on the need to cater for these students. The college is willing and able to cater for the additional places and I ask her to give a positive message so that the necessary preparations can be made and such an additional intake can proceed.
