Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 20 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 1

Written Answers. - Institutes of Technology.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

260 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science the reason a former head of the department of management information systems in the business faculty of Dublin Institute of Technology, who now lectures in Tipperary Rural Business Development Institute, was given a career break of five years and during that time lectured in UCD, although it is a condition that persons on career breaks from the public service cannot take up other paid employment in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13781/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The career break scheme for academic staff in institutes of technology provides that the taking up of an appointment in another wholetime teaching post within the State shall not constitute a career break. My Department has no involvement in approving career breaks for individual staff members in third level institutions – these are matters for the management authorities of the institutions concerned.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

261 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if his attention has been drawn to the very bad industrial relations situation in the faculty of applied arts in the Dublin Institute of Technology and of the widespread non co-operation with the director of the faculty of applied arts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13782/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The Dublin Institute of Technology is a statutory body established under the Dublin Institute of Technology Act 1992. Under that Act, the governance and day to day activities of the institute are matters for which the governing body and management staff of the institute are responsible. This includes the management of internal industrial relations matters.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

262 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Education and Science if the outgoing president of Dublin Institute of Technology will continue to have a remunerated post in the Dublin Institute of Technology in addition to his pension after his retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13783/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The arrangements that will obtain for the outgoing president of the Dublin Institute of Technology are the subject of correspondence between the Dublin Institute of Technology and my Department.

In the circumstances, it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage on what the final arrangements will be.

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

263 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Science when he will commence the sworn inquiry which was promised, following the O'Hanlon report into examination fraud at Limerick Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13785/03]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. N. Dempsey)

The inquiry into the particular breach in the integrity of examinations in the institute in question was delayed because the individual involved initiated legal proceedings in relation to his suspension by the institute. I understand that the legal proceedings in question have now been settled by mutual consent. In the context of the settlement reached, and on the basis of legal advice, an inquiry into the conduct of the individual involved will not now proceed.