Vol. 508 No. 1
855 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Education and Science if he will sanction recognition of outreach courses currently being pursued by students in Kilkenny city affiliated to Carlow Institute of Technology and University of Maynooth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17670/99]
The core programme offered by the National University of Maynooth in Kilkenny is the BA degree in Local and Community Studies. This part-time degree programme was approved by the Higher Education Authority in 1996 on a self-financing basis. The course is approved for the purposes of tax relief under section 475 of the Taxes Consolidation Act, 1997.
My Department has sanctioned the continuation of the outreach centres operated by the Institute of Technology, Carlow at Seville Lodge, Kilkenny and at St. Peter's, Wexford for the academic year 1999/2000.
On the issue of outreach centres generally, I understand that Higher Education Authority will be submitting the review report of the technical working group on outreach centres of education to my Department shortly. The question of approving any new outreach centres and the general question of support for existing arrangements will be considered on receipt of the report and in the context of the ongoing review of third level provision nationally and the competing demands for resources.
