University amendment Bill
Deputy McConalogue seeks progress on the long-delayed Universities (Amendment) Bill and action over falling international rankings. The Tánaiste expects the Bill around mid-next year and suggests a topical debate on higher-education performance.
I ask the Minister for an update on the universities (amendment) Bill, which has been on the B list for nearly three years. Does the Government intend to proceed with it? With regard to the publication yesterday of the Times Higher Education rankings, the fall of Trinity College Dublin from the top 100 and UCD from the top 200-----
Comment on this
Will the Minister take action to stop the slide by not cutting third level education funding?
Comment on this
I understand the university (amendment) Bill will be taken in the middle of next year. Perhaps the Deputy can submit a topical issue to receive a detailed response on the various surveys of higher education. In some of them, Ireland scores extremely well but many of them are undergoing constant revision. A topical issue debate, in which people have time to provide the fine detail, would elicit a detailed response.