Regional Technical Colleges Act, 1992

Functions of colleges.

5.—(1) The principal function of a college shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, be to provide vocational and technical education and training for the economic, technological, scientific, commercial, industrial, social and cultural development of the State with particular reference to the region served by the college, and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, a college shall have the following functions—

(a) to provide such courses of study as the governing body of the college considers appropriate;

(b) to enter into arrangements with the National Council for Educational Awards, with any university in the State or with any other authority approved by the Minister from time to time for the purpose of having degrees, diplomas, certificates or other educational awards conferred, granted or given and to make such other arrangements as may be approved by the Minister from time to time for this purpose;

(c) subject to such conditions as the Minister may determine, to engage in research, consultancy and development work and to provide such services in relation to these matters as the governing body of the college considers appropriate;

(d) to enter into arrangements with other institutions in or outside the State for the purpose of offering joint courses of study and of engaging jointly in programmes of research, consultancy and development work in relation to such matters as the governing body of the college considers appropriate;

(e) subject to such conditions as the Minister may determine, to enter into arrangements, including participation in limited liability companies, to exploit any research, consultancy or development work undertaken by a college either separately or jointly;

(f) to institute and, if thought fit, to award scholarships, prizes and other awards;

(g) to maintain, manage, administer and invest all the money and assets of the college;

(h) to accept gifts of money, land or other property upon such trusts and conditions, if any, as may be specified by the donors: provided that nothing in any such trust or condition is contrary to the provisions of this Act;

(i) subject to the approval of the Minister, to acquire land;

(j) to do all such acts and things as may be necessary to further the objects and development of the college.

(2) (a) A college shall have such other functions as may be assigned to it from time to time by the Minister by order made with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance.

(b) The Minister may, with the concurrence of the Minister for Finance, by order revoke or amend an order under this subsection.

(c) Whenever an order is proposed to be made under this subsection, a draft of the proposed order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made until a resolution approving of the draft has been passed by each such House.