Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 May 2021
460. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the dropout rate across universities for first-year students commencing in 2020; the steps he is taking to support students that may be struggling with online learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27765/21]
View answerMy officials have spoken on a number of occasions with representatives from the higher education sector regarding any changes to the non-progression rate among students in this year. While precise figures on non-progression are not available at this time, the higher education institutions have indicated that there is no significant change either upwards or downwards in the non-progression rate this year compared to previous years.
The mental health and well-being of our students is one of my priorities particularly against the backdrop of the intensified stresses and pressures impacting on our students arising from their experiences in seeking to pursue their studies primarily on an online basis during the pandemic.
In 2020, I secured a comprehensive package of financial supports from Government for the higher education and further education and training sectors to mitigate the impact of Covid. This package included funding of €3 m to underpin well-being and mental health and student services in our higher education institutions (HEIs) which was in addition to the €2 m funding that was allocated in Budget 2020 and funding that institutions already provide for these services.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) requested that the HEIs distribute this funding in support of specific student engagement such as the recruitment of additional student counsellors, and implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework, which I launched last year.
In addition, a Working Group for Student and Learner Well-being and Engagement was established in January 2021 under the aegis of the Tertiary Education Covid Steering Group chaired by the Union of Students in Ireland and comprising representatives from across the higher and further education and training sector.
The main purpose of this working group has been to further reflect on the challenges facing student and learner well-being and engagement as a result of Covid and to identify existing and further measures to address these. The group examined key issues for students and learners including in relation to mental health and well-being, social engagement and strategies for retention. The proposals from this group are currently under consideration by my Department and individual providers, with a view to developing a further sectoral response appropriate to the needs of students and learners.
