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Third Level Reform

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (815)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

815. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether reform to the HEA legislation should contain an explicit reference to the aim of restoring the Irish language as is currently present within the 1971 Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41656/21]

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Written answers

The vision for the higher education system is that it provides high quality education which is innovative and adaptive to the needs of the learner, advances equality, diversity and inclusion, strengthens engagement with the wider education system and wider society, creates knowledge and maximises the contribution of higher education to social, economic and cultural development.

The reformed HEA legislation will provide a detailed and modernised framework to provide for the achievement of this vision and for the regulation and oversight of the performance of Higher Education Institutions including the safeguarding of the reputation of the Irish higher education system aligned with best international practice.

The core objectives of the HEA legislation have remained consistent throughout the development of the legislation and are as follows:

- Promote and support Higher Education Institutions in achieving excellence in teaching, learning and research in higher education,

- Promote and safeguard the interests of students,

- Advance equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education,

- Provide a comprehensive governance and accountability framework to safeguard Exchequer investment in the sector and ensure accountability by HEIs for that funding,

- Maximise the contributions of higher education to social, economic,  cultural and environmental development and sustainability and

- Maintain and enhance the reputation of the higher education sector, including international reputation.

The overall aim being to provide a high quality, student focused system with appropriate oversight and accountability to underpin public confidence of stakeholders, students and the public.

Section 4 of the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971 provides that – in performing its functions, An tÚdarás shall have regard to the national aims of maximising the contribution of higher education to social and economic progress, restoring the Irish language and preserving the national culture and shall endeavour to promote the attainment of those aims.

This has been updated in the General Scheme of a Bill to reform the Higher Education Authority Act to the following Object –

An tÚdarás shall have regard to the following objects in undertaking its functions –

(b) to support higher education providers in contributing to social, economic, cultural and environmental development and sustainability through leadership, innovation and agility.

The reference to cultural development and sustainability is intended to include HEA support for higher education providers in contributing to Irish language development and sustainability.

There is also a provision in the legislation for the Minister to prepare a Strategy encompassing the provision in the State of higher education, including teaching, learning and research.  This provision includes the requirement that the Minister shall have regard to any relevant national policies in the preparation of this Strategy. This includes any national policies in place on the Irish language.

The legislation also provides that the HEA shall maintain a continuous review of the demand for higher education and shall make recommendations of the overall provision of student places within the higher education system. This review and recommendations will take account of social, economic and cultural requirements. The cultural requirements incorporate Irish language requirements.

The pre-legislative scrutiny process on the General Scheme is ongoing and I will consider any recommendations from this process, including in relation to the Irish language.

I am committed to the Irish language remaining as an integral part of our culture and our higher education system.

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