Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 1018: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if following the formal endorsement by the Cabinet on 22 April 2005 of the review and recommendations of the OECD on third level education it is policy that there will be no further institutional transfers into the university sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11216/05]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The OECD review of higher education in Ireland recommended the development of a unified strategy for the higher education sector, including the creation of a single management authority. The report identified the differentiated nature of the provision of higher education as a key factor in our having successfully met the varying needs of students, the economy and society. The report advocated the maintenance of this diversified approach within a unified system with a strong emphasis on inter-institutional collaboration.

The Government recently considered and approved of the broad thrust of the OECD report, while noting that an extensive process of consultation with interested parties is ongoing with a view to developing a detailed response to the recommendations. Institutes of technology can apply for university status as provided for in the Universities Act 1997.