Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
837. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to the long-awaited reopening of third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42242/21]
View answer846. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of third-level institutions that will be resuming classes this term with the majority of their students still learning remotely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42676/21]
View answer848. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it will be made clear to students the way the return to third-level education will be undertaken under the current restrictions; if clarity will be given to students on whether they will return to campus or will continue to conduct their education primarily online in view of the fact students are becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of clear communication from third- level institutions and from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42678/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 837, 846 and 848 together.
The Safe Return Plan for further and higher education, which was agreed following extensive discussions between sectoral representatives, institutions, public health, students, staff and other stakeholders was published on the 15th June.
The Plan provided a comprehensive framework for institutions to proceed with planning to safely return to significant on-campus learning, teaching, research and a broader student experience fully supported by public health authorities through the implementation of a comprehensive and extensive suite of precautionary measures.
The Plan fully recognises the autonomy and diversity of the higher and further education sector, and recognises that institutions will develop and implement their own plans for returning on-site, in line with their local context and physical infrastructure. Local engagement with staff and student representatives is central on these plans and clear and consistent communication to learners and staff is a fundamental principle underlying the sectoral approach.
All higher education institutions have confirmed the return to on-site small group learning for 2021. The majority of institutions have made plans for large-scale on site learning in 2021. Large lecture theatres, in particular, will be actively managed, either through applying percentage occupancy limits, setting a maximum class size, an upper limit on lecture length/ period of continuous occupancy or otherwise, depending on local context and risk assessment. These variations are in line with the autonomy given to the HEIs in the Plan to make decisions on the return to campus in line with their own infrastructure and institutional contexts.
The sector has now commenced to move from planning into the implementation phase with the realisation on the 6th September, of the commencement of the return of this sector to significant on-site teaching, learning and research in a number of centres including 6 higher education campuses.
