Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. I recently attended a symposium in DIT on the issue of preparing for the technological university regarding quality and standards, which was very useful as a backdrop to this Bill. To follow up on Senator Power's question, I have a question for Professor Norton, Mr. Boland and Mr. Hannigan. What will be the difference between, say, a level 8 degree in mechanical engineering or hospitality-hotel management from GMIT in Galway and the Waterford Technological University or DIT when it becomes a technological university? How will the student experience differ in a technological university from that in an IOT, both offering level 8 in that category?

My next question, on funding, is for Mr. Costello, who has very great concerns about it, Professor Boland and anybody else who wants to address it. How is it proposed that we will address the funding and drop-out issues at third level? Figures from the HEA show that for the academic year 2010 to 2011 11% of level 8 students dropped out or withdrew in first year and 29% of students at levels 6 and 7 dropped out. Bearing in mind that it costs the State an average of €3,300 for level 8 students and approximately €450 for level 6 or 7, it is a massive financial loss to the State through early drop out and withdrawal. It is a major investment by families and the State and a poor experience for the student.

I do not blame the institutions but I ask how they will address it because the causes are much earlier. How are they working with second level to ensure better student choice? How will the new technological university model address it? Will we have the same problems? If 4,000 level 8 students drop out, the State loses €13.2 million. We have major funding problems at third level and maybe investing more in second level career guidance would be a place to start.