A chara, - I read with deep interest your article of September 13th headed "Economic success depends on better education - IDA head". Mr McGowan, chief executive, of the IDA, mentioned software as one of the areas that will suffer from skills shortages unless more third-level places are created in education.
While welcoming the £5 million investment by the Government to increase the number of computer technicians and software graduates, he stated that significantly more follow-up investment would be needed. You quote the Minister for Education, Mr Martin, as saying his objective was to support and promote close interaction and continuous communication between education providers and industry.
Here in Ireland, we have many reputable third-level Department of Education recognised (NCEA) private colleges (such as Portobello College) which are extremely well equipped to offer validated Department of Education (NCEA) certificate, diploma and degree courses in computer science and information technology - all this without any capital expenditure by the Government. Portobello College has facilities comparable with those in RTCs or universities.
Our new, innovative Minister for Educaton should recognise the opportunity that exists by involving these private colleges and extend the third-level free fees scheme to all those private colleges recognised by the Department of Education. By so doing he would end the injustice and discrimination which he now has inherited; help reduce the skills shortage; help reduce further the mad scramble for points which now exists, and which he is so anxious to address. - Yours, etc.,
President, Portobello College, South Richmond Street, Dublin 2.