Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures he is taking to prevent the duplication of third-level courses in institutes of technology across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17004/13]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Ensuring streamlined and diverse provision of higher education is a key priority of the higher education reform agenda. The Higher Education Authority will shortly advise me on a future outline configuration for the system which will incorporate consolidation within the institute of technology sector and greater collaboration between all higher education institutions on a regional basis. One of the main objectives of the reconfiguration will be to improve quality outcomes for students and other stakeholders and to realise efficiencies and reduce duplication in higher education provision. In implementing the regional clusters, the HEA will engage with all higher education institutions in a strategic dialogue in a systematic way to ensure that there are clear pathways and higher education opportunities available to students on a regional basis, while avoiding unnecessary duplication.