Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 365: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Skills the position of the feasibility study for the assessment of higher education learning outcomes; the Irish involvement in this study; the overall cost of the study and projects; and the size of the Irish contribution. [18690/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The OECD Assessment of Higher Education Learning Outcomes (AHELO) feasibility study aims to assess whether it is possible to measure learning outcomes at the international level in order to provide relevant information to higher education institutions, governments and other stakeholders, including students and employers.

The feasibility study was launched with the participation of ten countries: Australia, Belgium (Flanders), Finland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, The Netherlands, Norway and Sweden. Ireland is not a participant and the Department has not contributed any funds to the study.

Detailed planning for the feasibility study started in May 2008 and the original aim was to complete the study by 2012. I understand that the originally forecast cost of the study was in the order of €12.5 million.