Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 500: To ask the Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application of Waterford Institute of Technology for upgrading to the University of the South East (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25909/08]

Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Applications have been received from 3 Institutes of Technology for designation as universities. The applications raise significant issues regarding Government policy towards higher education, in particular the existing roles of the Universities and Institutes of Technology which have distinctive missions from each other, provide different levels and types of academic programmes, fulfil different roles in the community and have separate academic and governance structures. I am considering the appropriate next steps in relation to all the applications for designation on hand, having regard to the need 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.