Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2020
72. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for a return to campus to allow students to enjoy a full third level experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43158/20]
View answer76. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when universities and colleges will be permitted to reopen. [43308/20]
View answer91. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he will provide clarity to students in terms of on-campus time in the next semester given the experience of the last semester; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43161/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 76 and 91 together.
The further and higher education and research sector remains open and continuity of high quality provision has been achieved.
Though dialogue is ongoing, there is a strong shared perspective on planning and communicating the arrangements for the remainder of the academic year 2020/21. As we have now moved to Level 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID, it is hoped that face to face learning will be increased on a phased and incremental basis for some priority groups. While large-scale learning such as lectures will remain online for the rest of the year, it is intended that priority groups identified by institutions such as first-year students, students who don’t have suitable studying facilities at home or vulnerable or marginalised learners will be invited to have more on campus activity, in line with public health advice.
It is also hoped that it will be possible to restart social activities such as sports, clubs and societies to allow students to experience these elements of college life again.
It is important to be realistic and to continue to stick to public health advice. The scope for onsite activities will continue to be shaped by the prevailing public health circumstances.
Further and higher education providers are making their own plans, within the agreed framework, on how to move forward for the next semester and have begun communicating these to students, learners and staff.
Work will also continue on the communication of coherent, clear, positive and hopeful messages to stakeholders, especially to students and learners. However, there is also a pragmatic recognition of the unpredictable nature of the pandemic and a caution against unrealistically raising hopes.
