Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
172. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to address a matter in relation to the recommencement of third-level education (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7436/20]
View answer233. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if it is planned that colleges and universities will commence their respective academic years as normal; if delays are expected; and if his Department has begun planning for a scenario in which they are not in a position to commence the academic year as normal. [7790/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 233 together.
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Therefore the timelines for re-opening are a matter for each institution to decide.
The national co-ordination group for tertiary education is meeting on a regular basis to consider key issues impacting the tertiary sector, including arrangements for re-opening insitutions. These arrangements will be dependent on public health advice, and will be communicated to learners as soon as possible.
