I propose to take Questions Nos. 404 to 407, inclusive, and 410 together.
As Deputies are well aware, the president of the college covered by the Deputies' questions resigned from that position on Friday, 29 April. Arising from this development and various related matters, I have asked that one of the country's leading independent accountancy firms examine the question of the use of moneys paid by my Department to the institution in question. I have also asked that a report be prepared as promptly as possible and that the outcome be presented to me once completed. I intend to make its findings public.
At this stage, there is nothing to show that funding provided by my Department to the institution in question has not been applied solely and properly for its intended purposes, but it is important to secure confirmation that this is indeed the case. I also commend and acknowledge that the staff of the institution in question are ensuring that the education of its students is of paramount importance and, despite the current difficulties at the institution, they continue to provide a properly professional service to students. I have been assured that the lectures, teaching practice and examinations are proceeding as planned.
The recent reported difficulties at the institution in question relate to the employee-employer relationship between the head of the college and that person's employers which, I understand, were subject to legal proceedings. In this regard, it is considered that it is not appropriate for me to make any comment on them.
Apart from the provision of funding, my Department also has a role in regard to the quality of graduates from the college. This role is similar to its role vis-à-vis other State-supported colleges of this nature. My Department’s inspectorate actively monitors the quality of the graduates on an ongoing basis to ensure that the highest quality students leave all colleges of this nature. This is a well established monitoring process and one which has worked very well.