Vol. 591 Wednesday, No. 1 27 October 2004 DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES DA´ IL E´ IREANN TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL—Neamhcheartaithe (OFFICIAL REPORT—Unrevised) Wednesday, 27 October 2004. Ceisteanna—Questions Minister for Education and Science Priority Questions …………………………… 1 Other Questions …………………………… 14 Adjournment Debate Matters …………………………… 28 Leaders’ Questions ……………………………… 29 Ceisteanna—Questions (resumed) Taoiseach ………………………………… 36 Requests to move Adjournment of Da´il under Standing Order 31 ……………… 51 Order of Business ……………………………… 53 Houses of the Oireachtas Commission: Motion …………………… 57 Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill 2004: Order for Second Stage …………………………… 57 Second Stage ……………………………… 58 Private Members’ Business Childhood Development Initiative: Motion …………………… 96 Adjournment Debate Northern Ireland Issues …………………………… 124 Flood Relief ……………………………… 126 Deportation Orders …………………………… 128 Schools Amalgamation …………………………… 133 Questions: Written Answers …………………………… 137 1 2 DA´ IL E´ IREANN DI´OSPO´ IREACHTAI´ PARLAIMINTE PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES TUAIRISC OIFIGIU´ IL OFFICIAL REPORT Imleabhar 591 Volume 591 De´ Ce´adaoin, 27 Deireadh Fo´mhair 2004. Wednesday, 27 October 2004. ———— Chuaigh an Leas-Cheann Comhairle i gceannas ar 2.30 p.m. ———— Paidir. Prayer. ———— Ceisteanna — Questions. considerable weight to these recommendations. Obviously a good deal of consideration and Priority Questions. examination of these is necessary on my part. The major importance of the challenge that has been ———— put to Government and to the higher education sector through these recommendations cannot be Higher Education Review. underestimated. As Minister, I intend to take these seriously and, as a priority, work closely 112. Ms Enright asked the Minister for Edu- with my Government colleagues and consult cation and Science the OECD recommendations widely with the higher education sector in relating to higher education here which will be advancing progress on them. In this regard, it is progressed by her immediately; those which will my intention to bring proposals to Government be implemented before the end of 2005; and if she shortly on an implementation approach and will make a statement on the matter. [26283/04] priorities. Minister for Education and Science (Ms However, in terms of an immediate response, I Hanafin): The OECD review on the future of welcome certain aspects of the report, including, higher education in Ireland makes far-reaching for example, those relating to the strategic frame- recommendations for reform and development of work within which higher education should the sector. The review comes against a back- develop. The analysis of the review team in ground of the crucial role that has been identified respect of the development of a unified strategy for our higher education system which is not only for the sector is welcome. As the report outlines, producing well-educated graduates but is also the institute of technology sector has brought achieving Ireland’s broad strategic objective to great strength to the Irish system and has been become a world leading knowledge-based society. successful in meeting the varying needs of The extensive consultation that the OECD students, the economy and society. The emphasis team undertook with all the key stakeholders in the report on the institute of technology sector here, and the expertise of the team itself, lend as an equal partner with the universities in a 3 Priority 27 October 2004. Questions 4 [Ms Hanafin.] tinues to make a very valuable contribution not dynamic, diversified system is important in that just to education but also to the economy. regard. Increasing the number of undergraduates and The report has identified a continuing need for improving the facilities available particularly in an independent policy advisory and funding auth- the science and technology sector would encour- ority for the sector. I agree that this is the appro- age postgraduates as would funding for that sec- priate vehicle for ensuring an integrated policy tor, which I intend to promote. approach to the entire sector, including the As part of the current Estimates process we are institutes of technology and other non-designated addressing the funding of third-level education. bodies. If we are to maximise available strengths Representatives of every sector will make the and resources within a unified Irish higher edu- case to have their sector treated as a priority, cation system, stronger inter-institutional collab- which is true. Each sector needs to be a priority oration needs to be encouraged. A single over- for different reasons: primary education to get at sight body is well-placed to incentivise and the roots; post primary because of the academic promote that. and other issues dealt with at that level; and third As the Deputy is aware, it has been a long- level. It would not be fair for me to identify any standing policy objective to designate the area as a priority over another. A case has been institutes of technology under the Higher Edu- made for third level as part of the Estimates cation Authority. The OECD report endorses process. this and, with the agreement of my Government The report makes some interesting suggestions colleagues, I propose to move on this now on a on private funding. A number of colleges and uni- transitional basis in advance of full legislation for versities have been very successful in attracting a new authority. private investment including foreign investment, The report makes important recommendations which has helped their capital infrastructure in on governance and leadership for higher edu- particular. Equally other colleges and institutes cation institutions and presents a detailed analysis feel they have not been able to benefit from such of required changes to the funding allocation funding. For example, representatives of the DIT model for the sector. These are very welcome. I feel that when it moves to the Grangegorman am glad to say the HEA is already advancing site, because it will be a single entity, it will then work on a revised funding mechanism in consul- be able to attract investment. The balancing of tation with the relevant stakeholders. The empha- private investment against resources to be pro- sis laid by the OECD report on particular aspects vided by the State will have to be considered in of what is required is a valuable input in this any one year having regard to the resources avail- regard. able. However, they could be considered in a different context depending on whether it is for Ms Enright: I share the Minister’s views on the research, capital or ongoing spending. I envisage IT sector. At the outset she said she welcomed considering it in different ways depending on the the number of well educated graduates, but does investment achieved. she accept that we have insufficient postgradu- The low intake of mature students could also ates? What steps will she take to ensure we reach be addressed by some of the recommendations of 10,000 postgraduates qualifying per year by 2010? the report, which mentions improving the Given that she is aware of the OECD’s figures on numbers of part-time students. This would partic- this matter, how will the Minister address the ularly suit many mature students and I would like issue of under funding? If more private sector to see this progressed at third level. A huge dis- money is made available to the third level sector crepancy exists between the number of full-time can the Government give a commitment that it and part-time students. This clearly raises ques- will not be used as a substitute for public funds? tions about funding and support for such The fear of this is currently deterring such students. However, in the early years this might investment. be a way to attract more mature students into the Does the Minister have plans to address the third-level sector. low intake of mature students in the third level Regarding the tertiary education authority, sector? I welcome her comments on the tertiary while they obviously talk about funding, the education authority. She mentioned the long- HEA, whose members I have already met, and standing policy objective to designate the the Council of Directors of Institutes of Tech- institutes of technology under the HEA; my con- nology, whose members I have not yet met but cern is that it is of long standing. Will she consider will do so this week, are also looking forward to also having a tertiary authority or is this only progressing that matter. Following my discussions from a HEA perspective? Has the Minister given with them I hope to be able to progress it. any consideration to changing the governing structures of both universities and the ITs? Educational Disadvantage. 113. Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Edu- Ms Hanafin: In my three weeks in office I have cation and Science when she intends to finalise not made decisions on all those aspects each of and publish the draft report on educational disad- which is important. I share the Deputy’s opinion vantage; her priorities in terms of tackling edu- on postgraduates. The postgraduate sector con- cational disadvantage; if she proposes to secure 5 Priority 27 October 2004. Questions 6 funding in the Estimates and budget for 2005 to tired of hearing him talking about educational begin to implement a strategy in 2005; and if she disadvantage while doing absolutely nothing will make a statement on the matter. [26297/04] about it. I understand the report is ready — we even Ms Hanafin: My Department has been engaged saw a draft of it in The Irish Times. It should be in an overall review of its educational disadvan- published as soon as possible. Will the Minister tage programmes with a view to building on what give us a date for its publication and an indication has been achieved to date, adopting a more sys- if it will address literacy, where, according to the tematic, targeted and integrated approach and leaked report, up to 30% of students in poorer strengthening the capacity of the system to meet areas suffer from severe literacy problems? The the educational needs of disadvantaged children Minister must ensure it receives the proper fund- and young people.