State 'needs Catholic university'
Saturday October 31 2009
The setting up of a Catholic university in Ireland has been called for by a prominent educational leader.
Dr Peadar Cremin, President of Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick, said it was time to take stock of the standing of denominational education at third level.
"The State now has seven secular, state-funded universities, as well as 14 institutes of technology. At a time of severe cutbacks in state funding, the dominance of the State . . . has to be a matter of concern."
His call came as a national strategy group is considering the higher education sector.
"Are we satisfied that it has become almost inevitable that the individual's education is to be completed at a state college or university rather than in a Catholic university," he asked.
"If we believe that Catholic education is a lifelong process of human growth and development, including spiritual growth, is it not important that we have a Catholic presence as part of the diversity of the third-level sector?"
- John Walshe Education Editor
Irish Independent
