Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 9 June 2010
343 Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills her views on comments by the chief executive officer of the Higher Education Authority that third level institutes and universities must merge; if the new national strategy for third level education that is currently being prepared by her will deal with this proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24302/10]
Amharc ar fhreagraI believe that the Chief Executive Officer's comments are a recognition of many of the challenges that face our higher education system over the coming years.
The High Level Strategy Group is examining all aspects of Ireland's higher education system; how it is performing, how it ranks internationally, how well existing resources are being used and how the system should be configured to best meet the many challenges it faces over the next decade having regard to the key role it has to play in contributing to Ireland's economic recovery. A round of consultation was completed in summer 2009, under which an open call for written submissions elicited a significant and valuable response. In addition, a series of discussion forums with academics, students, enterprise as well as bilateral meetings with other stakeholders, including the institutions, have been held. The outcomes of these consultations and other ongoing discussions are feeding into the current deliberations of the Strategy Group who are expected to complete their report before this summer.
