Deal sees Athlone students resume audiology studies

Twenty-one students at Athlone Institute of Technology, who had been told in July last that their BSc degree programme in audiology had been cancelled, will now be able to complete the course.

The High Court had heard the Institute had been forced to cancel the only audiology undergraduate course in Ireland because the Higher Education Authority had refused to fund it.

This, the AIT claimed, was because the Health Services Executive would not guarantee the students with clinical placements. The Institute had offered the students places in alternative courses.

Two students, Megan Munnelly, of Knockbrack, Corballa, Co Sligo, and Diarmuid O'Connor, of Ballyvodock, East Midleton, sued AIT, the HEA and the HSE and asked the High Court to quash the Institute's decision. Mr Justice Gerard Hogan was told yesterday (Wed) that the case had been settled.

Feichin McDonagh SC, counsel for AIT, said the students would be able to resume their studies in audiology in early September.

Mr Paul Anthony McDermott, for the HSE, said it was in a position to offer a number of clinical placements for the students when they entered their third year. He said the offer was being made on a once off basis only to this particular group of students.

Counsel said the offer was dependent on the course being approved by a Professor of Audiology as being of a standard comparable to BSc’s courses in audiology offered internationally. Counsel added the offer was being made on a once off basis to this particular group of students.

Mr Gary Compton told the court the HEA was happy to provide funding for the course now that suitable arrangements had been put in place.

Mark Harty SC, who appeared with Eoin O’Shea for the students, said his clients, their classmates and their families were delighted with the outcome. The students were looking forward to continuing with their studies.

Mr Justice Hogan, who had previously suggested that the parties see if some ad-hoc arrangement could be put in place, welcomed the announcement. Describing the resolution of the case as “splendid news” the Judge said he was “thrilled” for the students.

AIT welcomed the agreement with the HEA and the HSE, saying in a statement it would enable the student’s to complete the remaining three years of their degree programme.

“AIT regretted the inconvenience occasioned to our committed students but we are delighted that a satisfactory resolution has been achieved,” the statement said.

“We are delighted that these students will be able to complete their studies in audiology with us,” the president of AIT, Prof Ciarán Ó Catháin said in a statement yesterday. “It was always our intention to support the students and we are very pleased for them that this agreement has been reached.”