Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I was in my conclusion going to say there are examples of technological universities making provision in this area. The bachelor of education in technology, engineering and graphics at post-primary level is being delivered by a partnership between DCU and Technological University Shannon Athlone. The first two years of study takes place at the TUS Athlone campus and the final two years at the DCU institute of education in Dublin. This is an excellent example of the type of innovative collaboration which can take place.

As autonomous bodies, it falls to individual higher education institutions to consider the scope of their further provision in line with their missions or strategies. The Department of Education favours new programmes being introduced in areas where there is an identified national need. In this regard, it would be expected there would be a liaison with the Department by higher education institutions, as well as with the Teaching Council and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, when considering new programme proposals. It is also expected due regard would be given to the available data on teacher supply needs. The policy statement includes a number of actions in this vein, as previously outlined.

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