Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 March 2022
521. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that third-level student attending the Technological University Dublin, Tallaght campus have concerns in relation to in-person examinations given the current high numbers of Covid-19 cases; and if he will instruct the institution that they must offer online examination. [16112/22]
View answerFurther to the lifting of restrictions earlier this year, the opening up of society, including the further education, higher education and research sector, has been ongoing. The Safe Return Plan, which has facilitated the safe return of staff and students to onsite activity since June 2020, supports this wider opening of the sector and continues to provide a comprehensive framework for institutions to plan for the provision of significant on-site activity and a broader student experience fully supported by public health authorities.
In this way, the Safe Return Plan, facilitates institutions to be flexible and adaptable in response to changes in the public health environment. For activities that are context dependent, the Safe Return Plan supports institutions in using discretion to adopt public health measures appropriate to their own context, actively using significant precautionary measures to mitigate risk based on risk assessment and management systems, engagement with their stakeholders and building on the practices that have been accrued during the pandemic.
In relation to the holding of in-person examinations, the Department does not regulate sector specific matters at this level and there is no intention to introduce a specific direction in this regard. However, in line with the successful approach taken in relation to the holding of in-person examinations at the end of Semester 1, facilitated by the Safe Return Plan, the basic principle of risk assessment and the considered application of appropriate precautionary measures, continues to apply. In that context, institutions should ensure that in-person examinations are conducted safely and any protective measures considered appropriate are put in place, consistent with local risk assessment of the approach, taking into account the significant contextual factors that arise in different instances. Institutions should also ensure that the requirements of students who may have Covid-19 or underlying health conditions can be addressed.
Consistent with the successful operation of the Safe Return Plan, timely engagement and communications with their stakeholders will be essential and all institutions should continue to engage with their students on their arrangements for the holding of in-person examinations. In all instances public health must remain a priority and I know that there will be a continuing focus on the evolving and often quickly changing public health situation overall.
