asked the Minister for Education if he has any plans to allow student representation on the boards of management of regional technical colleges and other third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Arrangements are made for the representation of students on the governing bodies of the University Colleges, the National Institutes of Higher Education in Limerick and Dublin, the National College of Art and Design and of Thomond College. I have under consideration what arrangements might be made for the representation of students on the boards of management of the regional technical colleges.

Is the Minister stating that he will give students representation on the boards of third level colleges?

Arrangements are in train for a number of third level institutions. As far as the regional technical colleges are concerned, their boards of management are, in effect, sub-committees of their respective vocational education committees and the total membership of these sub-committees is fixed at 12. There are existing agreements as to the composition of that membership. The normal practice is that committees, and in this case sub-committees, are formed by vocational education committees after local elections. According to the usual pattern, therefore, these committees would not fall to be reconstituted until after the next local elections in 1984. The position is being examined to see if we can arrive at some developments in the interim.

Would the Minister consider it reasonable that he should make arrangements to have two student representatives on the board of each third level institution?

I would not like to pre-judge the question of the actual number because some of the arrangements already operating may have different numbers.

Question No. 20, Deputy Deasy.

What is the average number on each board?

On each of these committees there are 12 members.

Would two not be a reasonable number?

There are various existing groups who are represented and there is also the question of teacher representation on these committees.

Supplementary questions should be asked in the normal way.

I assure the House that the issue is being examined but I would not like to pre-judge the outcome.

Has the Minister received submissions from the USI regarding student representation at third level colleges?

Yes.

What is the effect of those submissions?

They are being taken into account, along with various other views.

Did they request a particular number of representatives and, if so, what number?

One of the number of ministerial nominees.

Surely there is some mechanism by which the Minister can give student representation immediately without waiting until 1984. Can he make a ministerial order or bring in any necessary legislation?

As the Deputy is aware, these sub-committees are sub-committees of the respective vocational education committees. The normal practice is to have the VEC function in their own right. While Ministers have some powers in respect of the activities of VECs, it certainly would not be the usual pattern to have a Minister issue a directive of that nature. I am sure the Deputy would agree that it would be better to approach it on the basis of having discussions with the interests involved.

May I take it from the Minister that, if a request came in from the VEC committees that there be two student representatives, such a request would receive the Minister's favourable reply?

Yes, the Deputy can certainly take it that I have no objection to student representation. I said that the question of the actual numbers of student representatives and the manner in which the arrangement should be made for student representation is something which must be decided after consultation with the respective bodies.

Can the Minister say if he has initiated any discussions with the IVEA regarding this matter and if he would be prepared to change the total size of the sub-committees which are allowable at present to allow student representation at an earlier date than 1984 without upsetting the existing membership?

I have already indicated the nature of my approach to the question and, as I have already said, I would not like to prejudge the eventual form of the solution.

I asked the Minister if he had initiated any discussions with the IVEA and if he is prepared to consider amendments to the size of the sub-committees prior to 1984?

I said I did not want to prejudge the question of the size of the committees or what other changes in the composition might take place. With regard to consultations with the IVEA, that is something which has taken place. I have not directly met them but I will be meeting them at a relatively early date.