Brian Hayes
Ceist:3 Deputy Brian Hayes asked the Minister for Education and Science the person who will chair the forthcoming national strategy on higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44582/08]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 4 December 2008
Ceisteanna (3)
Freagraí ó Béal (7 píosaí cainte)
I intend to bring proposals to Government shortly in regard to the process of developing a new national strategy for higher education. It is envisaged the process will be led by a high level steering group which will provide business, student, wider community and international perspectives. Senior officials from key Departments will also participate.
The development of a national strategy provides an important opportunity to bring together in a coherent manner our stated ambitions for the sector and to set out the systems which we will use to achieve these ambitions. Furthermore, by its very nature, the process of developing a national strategy provides an opportunity to engage in consultations with those who have an interest in the sector, enhance the quality of the analysis and recommendations and generate a shared understanding of the needs and challenges of the sector, together with a commitment to the change that will be needed to underpin implementation.
The strategy will provide for a survey of the operational environment for higher education and research, an analysis of the demands likely to be placed on the system and a review of capacity to meet those demands. A review will be conducted of the effectiveness of current use of resources with a view to identifying potential for rationalisation or change to maximise the use of those resources and how additional resource requirements to support the achievement of stated objectives can be met over the medium term. Clear strategic guidance will be provided for the development of the sector and of individual institutions and types of institutions within it. Structures will be developed to oversee the planning and development of the system, as well as ensuring quality and accountability. Membership of the steering group is currently under consideration and I do not propose to speculate or comment on any particular names until all are agreed.
Is it not the case that the Minister's predecessor outlined her support for such a strategy when she was in office? It has taken us a very long time to get to the stage of announcing this strategy. Does the Minister agree that whoever chairs this strategic way forward for higher education in this country must be internationally and domestically eminent in industry and the connections between industry and education?
Will the Minister put on the record of the House the suggestion that was mooted some time ago that former EU Commissioner Peter Sutherland had been considered for the chair of this august body, and while the Minister had been "open-minded" to the suggestion, others in Government felt he was the wrong political colour and consequently would not be considered for the chair?
He was a Taliban faction.
He was somehow outside the core. Will the Minister give his views on this issue as it is important that the person chairing this body can hold his or her weight locally and nationally?
There has been no mention of any person to chair this committee. I have never discussed the chairmanship of this committee with anybody and I was never privy to any information that a particular person was being proposed for it. It was news to me when I read the newspaper article that a particular person was mentioned.
With regard to the chairmanship, I agree we need somebody of outstanding ability and achievement. He or she should have a very good knowledge of the third level sector and be able to direct and guide this process for the next 20 years. From my perspective and that of the Government, finding the best person to chair this body will be paramount. Politics will not come into play in what I see as being one of the most strategic roles to be played for the next 20 years in terms of developing an educational strategy.
Will the Minister indicate when he is likely to propose to Government the strategic group and the chairperson of this important body? Will the Minister further outline his strategy in terms of the establishment of this higher level group? As I understand it, he has asked as one of the first functions to bring forward a report on the potential funding arrangement for third level and higher education in this country.
Does the Minister agree that it would be much more sensible to have the vision and the issue of funding dealt with at the same time? If the Minister is proposing to consider funding first, without looking at the broader remit of vision for higher education — which I referred to two weeks ago in a speech at my own party conference — it will effectively put the cart before the horse. We need both issues to be addressed at the same time rather than rushing in to a funding solution — or not as the case may be — without looking at the wider issues of quality, participation and where exactly we want higher education to be in 20 years.
Having committed to the strategy, I thought it appropriate in the first place that I have a look at the budgetary parameters and the financial framework. I also wanted to have an opportunity for in-depth discussions with various people relating to the higher education strategy. I will not be looking at one in isolation of the other; both issues will be considered in tandem.
I see in-depth knowledge of future student commitment as being separate from the overall strategy. The issues will impinge on each other but will coincide in terms of any discussions taking place.