Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Question 148: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if her attention has been drawn to a recently published study (details supplied) which indicates that Ireland ranks seventh in national terms for the years required to obtain a first degree, and sixth with regards to the number of hours per week spent studying by students; her proposals to raise the contents and conclusions of this report with the Higher Education Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21599/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Higher Education Policy Institute report (2007) references data derived from the Eurostudent Survey of 2005 and from a more detailed survey that took place in England and Wales. In Ireland the Eurostudent Survey was undertaken by the Higher Education Authority who commissioned the ESRI to manage the survey.

The Higher Education Policy Institute report indicates that of the 8 European countries referenced, Ireland has the second shortest duration of study leading to a first degree. The country with the shortest duration (England and Wales) is only slightly below Ireland. These findings indicate that the implementation of the Bologna process has yet to lead to much reduced programme lengths outside of Ireland and the UK. It is anticipated that this pattern will change over the coming years with an increasing focus on countries to reduce the length of programmes associated with a first degree.

There is no suggestion in the report that the length of study directly correlates with the quality of learning and the quality of the outcomes attained. Nevertheless, the survey does highlight the need to ensure that continuous measures are undertaken within higher education to ensure that the quality of outcomes is maintained and enhanced. In this regard, the establishment by Ireland of the National Framework of Qualifications is a vital development as are the quality assurance arrangements that underpin Irish higher education. The Framework is one of the first two National Frameworks in Europe to be formally aligned with the Framework for Qualifications of the European Higher Education Area. It is also noteworthy that all Irish quality assurance agencies will have completed reviews in relation to their compliance with European Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance by mid-2008.