Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

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.

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