Jimmy Devins (Sligo-Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

In the interests of transparency, I will declare my interest in this Bill, having spent eight years as chairman of the Institute of Technology Sligo. This Bill is very welcome and will be widely supported. It is most important and timely legislation which should allow our buoyant institutes of technology sector to prosper and grow. The institutes of technology have been widely acknowledged as the success story of higher education over the past 20 years. Their clear focus on supporting the needs of national and regional economic development has been a driving force behind the tiger economy.

The institutes of technology have not only contributed to the economy through the quality and relevance of their graduates and applied research but have led the way in providing better access to higher education to under-represented and disadvantaged groups. A consequence of this strategic decision has been the considerable increase in enrolments to a position where there are approximately 90,000 students in institutes of technology today. This represents a considerable increase from the national figure of approximately 4,000 enrolments in the early 1970s.

The growth in student numbers has outpaced the ability of institutes of technology to accommodate them and this, in turn, has led to a deficit in infrastructure, a fact recognised and addressed in the capital programme announced in last year's budget. The publication of this Bill comes less than six months after the Government and Minister addressed this need for investment in facilities in the institutes of technology. By setting up a strategic investment fund and a capital investment package that will help deliver world class infrastructure in the institutes of technology, the Government is helping them to deliver the type and numbers of graduates so essential to Ireland's developing knowledge-based economy.

The financial measures announced in the budget will enable all institutes of technology to address the capital project priorities identified in a 2004 independent review of what was needed. This Bill will give the institutes of technology the freedom and operational independence to plan for the occupation and programmes for these new buildings as part of a restructured HEA.

The significant commitment of funding, and now administrative reform, underscores the Minister's recognition of the essential role played by higher education in national and regional economic development. Across all the institutes of technology, investment plans for facilities have been drawn up which will make a measurable and decisive contribution to regional economic development. The Institute of Technology Sligo will receive funding to refurbish the original engineering wing on the campus.

As this Bill proposes, putting the institutes of technology alongside the universities under the roof of the HEA should also lead to more transparent competition among third-level institutions for the €300 million strategic innovation fund for higher education over the next five years. This fund will stimulate excellence through collaboration and change in the institutes of technology and universities and will enable institutions to address the imperatives of better strategic planning, widening access, flexible provision and lifelong learning, restructuring and collaboration and building towards the fourth level in Ireland.

In bringing forward the funding package late last year, the Minister is building on the valuable investment programme in the sector in the late 1990s. The Minister is correctly insisting that the higher education system must substantially change. The institutes of technology have shown over many years that they are among the most flexible and responsive institutions in the State and I do not doubt they will rise to the challenge.

The institutes of technology have worked very closely with industry and employers at regional and national level to enhance research and development capacity and provide specialist skills and competencies education to meet rapidly evolving technological needs. By their very nature and mission, their close work with industry has given them a distinctive understanding of industry needs and the capacity to respond. This is what drives the continued development of research in the sector.

As I mentioned at the outset, I am particularly familiar with the fine work carried out by the Institute of Technology Sligo. A few weeks ago, Sligo Chamber of Commerce named Dr. Richard Thorn, Director of the Institute of Technology Sligo, as Sligo Chamber of Commerce business person of the year. The designation by a business organisation of a figure from higher education as its symbolic business model was unusual, noteworthy and well deserved. It is not common for a public body such as an institute of technology to be accorded this kind of recognition. Rather, higher education institutions have sometimes been perceived as not being business-minded or responsive to the world of business and work.

The honour accorded to the Institute of Technology Sligo is a public recognition of the college's achievements. It reflects the manner and success with which it is fulfilling its mission of supporting industry and the world of work, in particular by developing programmes that are learner-led, such as distance education and lifelong learning. It also reflects the social leadership role it plays in supporting the economic, social and cultural development of the region. ln its citation, Sligo Chamber of Commerce commended the Institute of Technology Sligo for all its achievements and congratulated Dr. Thorn "for his contribution and unwavering dedication and commitment". It stated that the institute of technology was progressive and forward thinking and one of Sligo's greatest assets, adding that its unprecedented growth and development over the last number of years resulted in it being a leading-edge and innovative institute of technology in both the higher education and commercial arenas.

Sligo was one of the first institutes to draw up a strategic development plan, which clearly maps its aims and priorities over a five year period and sets specific target measurements. A review of IT Sligo's strategic plan is currently under way. Internal auditing and service level agreements have also been introduced. Aside from managing resources, risk-taking and compliancy requirements, they enhance the commercial credibility of the institution.

The institution works closely with renowned companies to design new training programmes. In recent years, it has developed ground-breaking links with Coca Cola, which is based in Ballina. It has also worked closely with local authorities and major regional employers in the north west, such as Abbott and Masonite.

Progressive and forward thinking, Sligo IT is one of Sligo's greatest assets. It has more than 5,500 registered students, more than 500 staff and makes a contribution in excess of €40 million to the local economy every year. It recently celebrated 35 years of academic achievement, which coincided with the attainment of the right to make awards at doctorate level.

I warmly welcome the publication of this Bill, as it marks a major step forward in the development of higher education. I congratulate the Minister and support the Bill.

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