Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 29 Nov 2000

Vol. 527 No. 1

Written Answers. - Institutes of Technology.

John Perry

Ceist:

137 Mr. Perry asked the Minister for Education and Science the plans he has in place to grant Institute of Technology, Sligo the power to award its own national certificates and diplomas, where new national bodies for third level education awards will be put into operation under the new legislation to be introduced next year, in view of the fact that up to 1,400 students graduated in this year alone; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this autonomy would have major benefits for the educational, economic and cultural development of the north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27856/00]

Minister for Education and Science (Dr. Woods)

An independent academic review group chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly recommended that Sligo Institute of Technology , subject to criteria, become one of the first institutes to have the delegated power to make awards in respect of all existing NCEA-validated national certificate and diploma courses.

The Qualifications (Education and Training) Act, 1999, enables me to formally implement this recommendation for delegated authority.

On Friday 10 November last, I launched the designate National Qualifications Authority of Ireland. The incoming authority will establish and maintain a framework of qualifications based on standards of knowledge, skill or competence to be acquired by learners in all institutes, colleges and places of further and higher education and training. It will also facilitate lifelong learning and promote access, transfer and progression for all learners including those who have special needs. An important feature of the work of the new authority will be to ensure the recognition of Irish qualifications internationally and of outside qualifications here.

The designate authority will immediately enter into consultations with the relevant stakeholders in the process to clear the way for me to bring the Qualifications (Education and Training) Act fully into operation in the new year.

The provisions of section 29(8) of the Act enables the Minister to give effect to the recommendations of the independent review group, chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly, on the Institute of Technology, Sligo. When the relevant sections of the Act are brought into operation it is intended that the higher education and training awards council and the National Qualifications Authority of Ireland will be directed under the terms of this section, to implement the recommendations of the report of the review group.