Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 15 September 2021
525. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will respond to queries raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of their upcoming graduation ceremony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43954/21]
View answer526. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the decision by a university (details supplied) to hold a graduation ceremony online despite the return of face-to-face lecturing and the planned easing of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43959/21]
View answer528. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will work with Technological University Dublin and those due to graduate to help them provide, if possible, an in-person graduation ceremony within public health guidelines considering the graduation is due to be held in the week between 26 and 29 October 2021 after the date for lifting the final Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44053/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 525, 526 and 528 together.
Following Government approval, I published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22 on June 15th. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-further-and-higher-education-and-research/
The plan, which emerged following extensive discussions between university representatives, public health and other relevant stakeholders, provided a framework for higher education institutions to proceed with planning for a return to onsite campus learning that would be in line with public health guidance.
In that context, institutions and providers are currently progressing with their own detailed planning and work for a comprehensive return to on-site activity. At a minimum, on-site activity next year will include laboratory teaching and learning, classroom based teaching and learning, tutorials, workshops, smaller lectures, research, return to work-spaces and access to libraries with appropriate protective measures in place. As part of the safe return to on-site learning, other on campus non-educational activities and facilities such as sports, bars, canteens, clubs and societies will operate in line with prevailing general public health advice for those activities.
However higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and the way in which the Plan will be implemented will vary from institution to institution. It is not for me to determine how individual institutions will carry out the return to on-site activity or to determine whether specific activities, such as graduation, will take place in person or on-line. I encourage students to to engage with TU Dublin directly on this matter, as the decision on how graduations will take place ultimately rests with them. However, I note other colleges have allowed in-person graduations to proceed in line with public health advice.
