Vol. 503 No. 3
608 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 136 of 31 March 1999, if he will expand on the contents of the reply about the distinctive and unique mission in the south-east region which the Government intends to maintain. [10305/99]
Waterford Institute of Technology plays a vital role in the life of the south-east region. Through the breadth and quality of its activities, unmatched by any other institution in the region, it has achieved a position of considerable standing. The Government is conscious that, while promising much, previous Governments failed to properly invest in the development of the institute in order to maintain and expand its contribution to the region.
As a result, we have put in place unprecedented levels of investment in the future of the institute. For example, recurrent funding, excluding fees, was increased by 21 per cent last year alone and the institute's facilities are being transformed as a result of the millions allocated to capital developments.
609 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 137 of 31 March 1999 and in view of the fact that his reply stated that there was no significance in the different wording of the reports on Waterford Institute of Technology and Cork Institute of Technology in relation to further delegation of degree awarding powers, he will ask the interim review group to make the appropriate alteration to the recommendations for Waterford Institute of Technology by deleting the word primary in order that the recommendations for Waterford are in line with the recommendation for Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10306/99]
As I have indicated to the Deputy in my reply of 31 March reports of the interim review group have been completed and published. The group operated entirely independently of my Department and I am sure the Deputy would agree that it would be highly inappropriate for me to interfere in the process by seeking to have final reports withdrawn and changed, especially on the basis of a difference between the reports which has no significance.
The crucial point is that each institute will have, under the Qualifications (Education and Training) Bill, 1999, delegated authority to make awards in relation to existing and new programmes at the level of certificate and diploma. In addition, each institute will be free to seek further delegation in respect of degree qualifications when they wish.
