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Education Standards

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 November 2021

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Questions (459)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he remains satisfied that the second and third level education system in this country remains sufficiently open to encouraging the highest possible level of expertise, efficiency and competitiveness in the global context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59058/21]

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Written answers

The encouragement and incubation of talent and innovation is of primary concern to me and my Department. The establishment of the Department last year signals the Government's commitment in this regard.

My Department is guided by the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030. This strategy sets the following high-level objectives:

- Ireland will have an excellent higher education system that will attract and respond to a wide range of potential students from Ireland and abroad and will be fully accessible throughout their lives and changing circumstances;

- Students will experience an education that is excellent, relevant and responsive to their personal development and growth as fully engaged citizens within society;

- Research activity in Irish higher education will continue to increase. It will be characterised by its international level quality, by a strong and broad base across all disciplines, as well as significant focus in niche areas that are aligned with and are a significant support for Irish national economic social and cultural needs;

- Institutions will be autonomous, collaborative and outward looking, effectively governed and fully accountable for both quality and efficiency outcomes. They will respond flexibly to the changing needs of the economy and of society. Higher education institutions will recruit, develop and retain high-quality staff, fully accountable for their performance to a strong and dynamic leadership;

- Higher education will accommodate a diversity of institutional missions that will be clearly articulated and defined. Together, the institutions will form a coherent and inter-related system and collectively will have the requisite critical mass for optimal quality and efficiency;

- The policy framework for higher education will make national expectations clear. The objectives and operations of the institutions and those of the funding and quality agencies will be mutually aligned, and will be underpinned by a sustainable funding model and clearly defined structures for system governance and accountability.

Significant progress has been made on furthering these objectives.

For example, three technological universities have been established to date, with two further on course to be established in 2022. The development of the next National Access Plan (NAP) 2022 - 2026 is currently underway while the review of the Student Grant Scheme is at an advanced stage.

A report on the future sustainability of further and higher education will be considered by Government in the near future.

Together these actions will support the development of our further and higher education and research systems to support people in reaching their full potential and to create value, prosperity, resilience and a cohesive, sustainable and vibrant society.

Question No. 460 answered with Question No. 457.
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