asked the Minister for Education if the National College of Art and Design will be awarding degrees to students who have pursued a four-year course in industrial design and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The National College of Art and Design do not award degrees to students pursuing courses at the college. The National Council for Educational Awards are at present evaluating the college's four-year course in industrial design with a view to awarding degrees to students who successfully complete the course.

Will there be a positive response from the NCEA in respect of students about to complete the four-year course in that college?

I am urging the college to have the matter dealt with as expeditiously as possible.

The Minister will appreciate that it is very important that young students about to graduate are given an assurance that they will be awarded degrees at the end of the course.

I asked that the matter be dealt with expeditiously.