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Third Level Education

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 October 2021

Wednesday, 20 October 2021

Questions (184)

Alan Farrell

Question:

184. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an update will be provided with regard to engagement with third and higher-level students in relation to consent, harassment and gender-based violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51596/21]

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Written answers

Our higher education institutions have a responsibility to their students and staff to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as barriers to their safety and their active participation in college life. Over €400,000 has been provided to our Higher Education Institutions to fund a number of initiatives. In addition, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has allocated over €500,000 towards such areas as consent workshops, the development of the anonymous report and support tool, and the UCC Bystander intervention programme. 

As the Deputy is aware, I wrote to the Presidents of the publicly funded higher education institutions, in August 2020 with the objective of  strengthen institutional action in this area. Institutions were requested to produce individual action plans on tackling sexual violence and harassment. These action plans were completed earlier this year, and institutions must report annually on their progress in implementing the Framework.

Surveys into staff and student experiences of sexual violence and sexual harassment in our higher education institutions were launched in April 2021. The surveys, which were conducted by the HEA, were sent to all students and staff by their higher education institution, and a report on the surveys will be submitted to the Department shortly.

In addition, Speak Out, an Online Anonymous Reporting Tool for Sexual Harassment and Violence across higher education institutions has been launched this week. This project is led by the Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education in Ireland, with the support of the HEA. Embedding the Framework for Consent into the policies and procedures of HEIs, ensuring their long-lasting impact, is a priority for the Department, as is the ending of sexual violence and harassment.  Third level can be a leader in this area and I am determined to ensure there is a zero tolerance approach.

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