Dáil debates

Wednesday, 20 February 2008

12:00 pm

Photo of Ulick BurkeUlick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Education and Science when she will publish the Port report regarding the need for a new university for the south east; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6432/08]

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The report prepared by Dr. Jim Port of J M Consulting on the application from Waterford Institute of Technology for designation as a university under section 9 of the Universities Act 1997, is available on my Department's website since this morning.

I was wondering why the Leas-Cheann Comhairle wanted to get to the question.

Waterford Institute of Technology is a very important institution making a great contribution to education generally and to the economic and social wellbeing of the region. We are considering carefully its request and also that of the Dublin Institute of Technology, to be designated as a university. This issue does not just affect Waterford or DIT, but will have a major impact on the future structure of the higher education system throughout the country.

The Government wants to build on our strengths and to provide an environment where all our higher education institutions can develop in a way that best serves the country as a whole and the regions where they are based. These issues must be central to consideration of the appropriate next steps in respect of both applications which I am examining in conjunction with my Government colleagues.

While Dr. Port's report is specifically on the Waterford application, it also provides a useful analysis of the context in which any application for designation as a university must be considered. I hope the publication of the report will provide an overview of the complex issues involved and encourage an informed debate, both nationally and regionally, on the issue and help inform final consideration of the issues.

Photo of Michael D'ArcyMichael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for reading her press release. It is unfortunate she did not take the opportunity to expand upon it. I find it disappointing that the Minister has had the report for about eight or nine months but it was only released just before Question Time today.

I can only describe the report as a political manoeuvre to get over the 2007 election. I can only assume she has an open mind about this application but the perception is that she does not have an open mind on this issue. I was speaking to my friends on the Fianna Fáil backbenches about the little one-to-one she had with Deputy Cullen and it is said she is not in favour of Waterford Institute of Technology being upgraded to a regional university.

She must consider the regional aspects. We have the highest rate of unemployment in the country, the lowest number of students attending third level courses and the lowest number of graduates returning to the region, the lowest level of disposable income and the lowest rate of gross valued-added product. The Minister cannot ignore these issues.

The aspect of the report which is of the greatest concern is its terms of reference. The two main terms of reference——

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am loath to interrupt the Deputy when he is making this important contribution but a question is required.

Photo of Michael D'ArcyMichael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Has the Minister an open mind about the upgrading of Waterford Institute of Technology to the status of a regional university?

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The reason the report has been published today is because it was cleared by Government just yesterday. Any consideration of a university for anywhere, be it the Dublin Institute of Technology or the Waterford Institute of Technology, must be based on very strict academic criteria, on the case made for the region, as the Deputy said and must be considered in the context of national education policy. We are very well served by the existing dual system of the institutes of technology and of the universities which have served to develop our regions, to strengthen our economy and in particular, to support society.

One of the issues highlighted in the Port report is that we do not have set criteria under section 9 of the Education Act and this needs to be re-examined. The section states merely that it should be in keeping with sections 12 and 13 of the Act but it does not set out the criteria and the hoops that must be jumped.

With regard to the third level participation rate, Waterford does not have the lowest rate in the country; it is below average but its participation rate has increased by 8%. It is interesting to note that the highest rates of participation in the country are in counties which do not have a university. The highest rates are in counties Kerry, Sligo, Leitrim.

Photo of Michael D'ArcyMichael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I was referring to the south-east region as a whole.

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The increased participation rate is very good. County Wexford is above average.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I am very glad to hear it. I am sure it could do better.

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I must correct myself, it is on the average figure.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I agree with my colleague, Deputy D'Arcy.

The Taoiseach said in September 2005 that the university was on the point of being delivered. He said many things before the general election.

The Minister is treating the university for the south east in the same way as she is treating ABA schools. She does not want to make a decision. She has her own view and she could not care less about her backbenchers.

I am not sure if she heard one of those backbenchers, Deputy Aylward, this morning on local radio in Kilkenny. It almost came to fisticuffs with a local Fianna Fáil councillor. That is how hot this issue is in the south east.

The Minister is turning her back on this issue. It is great to commission a report and this was promised before the general election. Previous to the election she knew exactly what she wanted in the report. Is the Minister in favour of a university for the south-east region? How long will it take the Government to make up its mind in the consideration of this important report?

A map of Ireland will show that the south-east region is completely neglected with regard to university status.

Photo of James BannonJames Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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She will promise it when she is going for the Taoiseach's job.

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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If one was starting again, one would probably not put the universities where they are now but we are where we are and it is not fair to tell us to look at a map.

However, with regard to Waterford I understand the great demand in the area but the Deputy is showing a scant lack of knowledge about the process. I do not have the say; I do not designate universities. One of the great provisions of the Education Act 1998 is that anyone——

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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What about the Cabinet?

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Deputy is misinformed. Neither does the Cabinet have a say. That power was taken away under the Education Act. A process must be undergone with regard to academic criteria——

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Minister should at least give it her support.

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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——and all the other criteria set in the context of policy. My views do not matter in this regard. The power to designate a third level institution, by whatever status, is no longer the power of the Minister and this is as it should be.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Minister could give it her support.

Photo of Mary HanafinMary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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We do not have that power.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Unfortunately, that concludes Question Time for today.

Photo of Paul KehoePaul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Minister is running from the Chamber.

Photo of Brendan HowlinBrendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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The Minister has concluded questions for today and we have given extra time. I am in the Chair but the Deputy will realise this is an issue that will be forcibly returned to in another debate.