Richard Bruton
Ceist:5 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Education and Science the proposals, if any, he has for upgrading regional technical colleges. [16806/97]
Ceisteanna—Questions. Priority Questions. - Regional Technical Colleges.
I announced on 18 July that my objective is to develop a framework for the structured development of institutions in the technological sector to address changing local and national demands while ensuring the maintenance of the complementary third level systems of university and technological education. I further stated that the diversity of institutions and the separate missions of the two broad sectors will be maintained to ensure maximum flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of students and to the wide variety of social and economic requirements. I agree with the need to change the title of regional technical colleges, incorporating the common feature "institute of technology", as recommended in the report of the high level group on the technological sector.
A consultation process is under way and I hope, following conclusion of this process, to publish legislation as early as possible next year, which will provide for the co-ordinated development of the technological sector and enhance its contribution to national and regional development. I am giving this matter priority but, pending the conclusion of the consultative process, I cannot be more precise about the timing of the publication of the legislation. I am concerned with the need to upgrade the infrastructure of the technological sector which has suffered from lack of investment over many years. I am determined to put in place a framework for the technological sector which will protect and promote the quality provision of courses which have been so important to regional and national development.
Will the Minister confirm he plans to set up a body entitled INIT, a national institute of technology which would be the awarding body to all institutes of technology?
The high level group that reported on this matter put forward a proposal to that effect. The consultation process is designed to deal with that. Consultation will take place with the heads of the institutions that have an interest in this matter. I will make no announcements today. I am conscious the binary system should be retained in the university and technological sectors in the national interest. The interim review group was announced by the outgoing Minister but had not commenced work. I immediately set up a committee under the chairmanship of Professor Dearbhla Donnelly to commence work on assessing institutions for the delegation of authority to make awards. The review team is working on that matter and has visited——
More information would be elucidated if the Minister gave briefer replies.
I am giving important information. The review team has visited the colleges in Waterford and Cork, which had made application, and any other college that applies will be assessed by the group in terms of delegating authority. The matter of INIT is under discussion at present.
In the context of the binary system, will the Minister explain why his colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Cullen, indicated the Waterford Institute of Technology will be a stand alone institute? He said that in the context of future developments of institutes, whatever structure may exist, the institute in Waterford will be a stand alone institute, will have its own degree awarding status and will not be answerable to INIT. Will the Minister comment on the reason offered by the Minister of State, that no other college in the previous regional college structure stands up to the marking quality of the institute? Does that indicate the Minister will grant a different status to Cork and other areas that aspire to institute of technology status from that in Waterford?
The interim review group has met and the process of delegating the authority to make awards has already started in Waterford and Cork. Every area which has a regional technical college has a perspective on its needs and objectives. That is clear from the debate last year. What happened was that all sectors were not included in the process. I am determined to discuss this issue in a genuinely consultative way with all involved, notwithstanding and acknowledging the various interest groups from the different regions. It is extremely important we retain a national technological structure which retains the distinctive feature of the technological sector which is the multi-level nature of the qualifications on offer.
I have met the heads and directors of the regional technical colleges and made it clear to them that I consider the multi-level provision essential to their remit. That includes the Waterford and the Dublin institutes of technology. Whatever new institutes emerge in time and no matter how they progress and evolve, they will have to retain that multi-level profile of awards because it is very important to industry and business needs. It is important we focus in on this debate. Many regional technical colleges have sold themselves short in terms of this debate. They have done a fantastic job to date and industry and business have tremendous confidence in what they have produced. I am confident we can work out a solution in the national and regional interest.
One final supplementary, please, Deputy Bruton. Other Members have questions.
The Minister, Deputy Martin, is using tactics to prevent the Dáil and the Oireachtas getting access to information it has a duty——
What information?
The Minister is unwilling to allow questions——
That is unfair.
I gave the Deputy the answer.
Minister of State, Deputy Cullen, said the Department of Education was fully aware of what he was stating and that he was not on a solo run. Was he speaking on behalf of himself or on behalf of the Minister, Deputy Martin, when he said Waterford would have a different status from all the others and would not be under the technological structure the Minister envisages because of its superior quality? Is that enunciating Government policy? Yes or no?
Government policy in terms of the technological sector is as I have stated.
Was Minister of State Cullen on a solo run?
No. Work in terms of the power to delegate is under way in Waterford and Cork and other colleges which wish to apply. Having such power will be an important feature of any institution.
The Minister may filibuster here but he will not convince his own constituents.
We will wait and see. The Deputy's party did not convince the people in the last election.