Vol. 511 No. 3
396 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans, if any, he has to make funds available to the Dublin Institute of Technology for the purpose of providing campus accommodation for a growing number of students living outside of the capital who have commenced studying at the institute or who aspire to study there. [24432/99]
398 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Education and Science his views on the need to acquire the site at St. Brendan's psychiatric unit, Grangegorman for the Dublin Institute of Technology in order that it can provide much needed student accommodation, sports fields and other amenities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24457/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 398 together.
The Dublin Institute of Technology consists in physical resources of ten acres of land spread over seven major sites all of which are covered by buildings. These buildings together with premises which the Dublin Institute of Technology is currently renting are required for the delivery of the full range of courses on offer from the Dublin Institute of Technology.
A site of sixty five acres at St. Brendan's psychiatric unit, Grangegorman, is no longer required by the Eastern Health Board and would meet the requirements of the Dublin Institute of Technology for additional space. This space would address the concerns of the Dublin Institute of Technology in respect of student accommodation, sports fields and other amenities. This matter is under active consideration.
397 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Education and Science the number of students from County Mayo pursuing full-time degree courses at the Dublin Institute of Technology. [24433/99]
My Department seeks data from third-level institutes annually on the domiciliary origin by county of full-time students, covering all courses from certificate and diploma to degree and post-graduate. These data are not sought by individual level of course but for third-level courses as a whole.
I can inform the Deputy that some 199 students, 81 male and 118 female, from County Mayo were pursuing courses in the Dublin Institute of Technology in 1998-99. My Department is currently gathering the data in respect of the 1999-2000 academic year.
399 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will implement the provisions of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999, as they apply to Waterford Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24514/99]
The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999 was enacted during the summer. An interdepartmental implementation group, comprising those Departments concerned with the operation of the Act, has been established to oversee its implementation. This group had its first meeting in September last and is to report to me in the near future on the necessary steps to bring the Act into operation.
As the Deputy will be aware, the provisions of section 29(8) of the Act will enable me as Minister to give effect to the recommendations of the independent review group on Waterford Institute of Technology chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly. When the relevant sections of the Act are brought into operation it is my intention to direct the Higher Education and Training Awards Council and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland to implement the recommendations of the report of the review group. Subject to the other provisions of the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act and the Regional Technical Colleges Acts, Waterford Institute of Technology would have authority delegated from the Higher Education and Training Awards Council to make awards in relation to existing and new programmes at certificate and diploma level currently awarded by the National Council for Educational Awards.
