Written Answers Nos. 374-383
374. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out the supports his Department offers to students living in the Republic of Ireland who are studying in universities and colleges of further education in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45810/23]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
The Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses in other EU Member States. Student grant legislation was amended in 2020 to retain the status quo to allow maintenance grant funding for eligible students attending an approved undergraduate course in Northern Ireland / the UK to continue post-Brexit.
An approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State or the UK.
The Student Grant Scheme does not generally extend to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than the exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in four approved institutions in Northern Ireland. This provision is consistent with the principles of the Good Friday agreement and is intended to promote greater tolerance and understanding between both jurisdictions.
The Scheme does not extend to PLC courses pursued outside of the State.
Students seeking to pursue their studies in the UK are advised to contact the Student Finance agency in each of the Devolved Administration in the UK, as each jurisdiction may have variations in eligibility criteria. Students may also wish to contact the relevant Further or Higher Education Institution in the UK for advice on the type and range of supports that may be available in any specific college.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie.
375. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review an application for a SUSI grant for a person (details supplied) who returned to third-level education as a mature student; if he will review the requirement that a three year gap occurs between leaving a course and commencing a further course to qualify for a SUSI grant, regardless of personal circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45813/23]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
With regard to the student referred to by the Deputy, my officials have advised me that this application has been reviewed by SUSI and SUSI has been in contact with the student in question to outline next steps.
376. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the Killarney centre of excellence for tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45805/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising this question. The Deputy will be aware that late last year I was very happy to announce that Kerry ETB's (KETB) proposal for Killarney under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund was successful at the first stage of the assessment process.
The proposal put forward by KETB is to transform FET provision in Killarney. This is a really exciting project for Killarney and the wider Kerry region as it involves the transformation of a site into a state-of-the-art campus focusing on skills development in Hospitality Training, while also supporting Renewable Energy and Sustainable Green Technologies.
This proposal is now at the next stage of development, which involves the development of a preliminary business case which is a fundamental part of the public spending code requirements.
The original date for receipt by SOLAS of the preliminary business case submissions was the 30th of September, however ETBs have sought additional time. This is a really exciting development for Killarney and I know the Deputy is a strong supporter.
377. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work his Department is carrying out to address precarious employment in higher education as identified in a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45924/23]
View answerThe issue of academic career precarity is and will remain an important element of the work of my Department.
As announced in the recent Budget, an additional €193 million in funding is being provided over 2023 and 2024 to the Higher Education sector. This includes some €60m under the Funding the Future policy framework to build capacity and to ensure the sector is funded on a sustainable basis. Among other things, this will allow more staff to be recruited and provide additional scope to help address the issue of precarious work.
In addition, my officials have already undertaken a considerable amount of work to develop a revised staffing framework to replace the current Employment Control Framework (ECF). Work is continuing on this new approach which will better align with the realities that the higher education sector now faces. In addition, an uplift of some 1,500 core-funded posts under the current ECF was announced in the summer which will facilitate Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in recruiting more permanent staff.
My officials will continue to engage with stakeholders, including trade unions and HEIs, with the aim of ensuring that there is optimal security and stability for staff. At the same time, the autonomy of HEIs must be recognised, while the legitimate need for an appropriate staffing mix that supports a high-performing higher education sector should also be acknowledged.
378. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports that are available to assist apprentices through their courses of study in view of the substantial costs incurred by many apprentices in travelling and/or accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45987/23]
View answerApprentices are primarily employees and all of the 73 available apprenticeships are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer. The apprentice continues to be paid during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements of the apprenticeship.
While attending off-the-job training, craft apprentices are paid a training allowance appropriate to their training phase. In addition to training allowances, craft apprentices attending phases of off-the-job training in an Education and Training Board (ETB) training centre, Institute of Technology, or a Technological University are entitled to make an application for either travel or accommodation allowances for the duration of the period of off-the-job training.
The impact that the cost of living is having on our apprentices continues to be a concern. For my part, in addition to the more broad measures taken by this government, apprentices will specifically benefit from funding of €3.8m for a one-third reduction in the Apprenticeship Student Contribution Fee for those attending Higher Education Institutions in the 2023/24 academic year. This measure is targeted at relieving the immediate pressure associated with making this payment. It is anticipated that circa 11,000 apprentices in higher education could benefit from this measure.
Additionally, I want to make apprenticeship an attractive career path that is accessible for all young people. I am also delighted to confirm that there will be additional funding of €400,000 for a bursary for apprentices from under-represented groups. Bursaries would be proposed to support apprenticeship learners in all ETBs and at TUS Limerick and Athlone, MTU, ATU Galway and TU Dublin.
As employees, apprentices who find themselves in difficulty are correspondingly entitled to access general employment supports through the social welfare system. I would also advise any apprentice to discuss the matter with their Authorised Officer who may be in a position to provide guidance.
379. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if this jurisdiction is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45988/23]
View answer385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to what extent he continues to liaise with the technical sector in education with a view to ensuring adequate provision in respect of graduates in both areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45994/23]
View answer387. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects science to play an increased role in the higher education sector, with particular reference to ensuring an adequate number of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45996/23]
View answer389. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the individual areas in the academic or technical sectors showing the greatest requirement in respect of graduates; the extent to which he and his Department continue to respond to this need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45998/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 379, 385, 387 and 389 together.
The tertiary education system plays a central role in ensuring that our graduates from higher education, further education and training and from apprenticeship are equipped with the cognitive skills, the essential transversal skills, and the vocational and professional skills and competencies which will equip them for success in work and society.
Against the backdrop of the accelerating and intensifying digital and green transitions, it is essential that our skills ecosystem has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape. In this context, one of the key themes of the OECD Review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy published last May was the need to secure a balance in skills through a responsive, diversified supply of skills in Ireland.
Investing in further and higher education is an investment in innovation, creativity, and our future. In 2024, I am allocating over €4.1 billion to these sectors. In Budget 2024 I have secured an investment of €239 million for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science. With this significant new investment, I will be able to fund several major priorities for this Government, including the Housing for All and Climate Action plans. Steps being taken to meet these priorities include greater alignment of provision with priority skills needs, as well as further development of tertiary programmes.
This Budget also makes significant investment of €94 million to reskill and upskill the citizens of Ireland as we face challenges created by the pandemic, climate change and the move to an increasingly digital working environment.
The agility and flexibility of the tertiary system is underscored by responsiveness to priority industry and enterprise workforce needs under key policy initiatives such as, for example; the Action Plan for Apprenticeship; Funding the Future; the Green Skills for FET Roadmap; and the National Digital Strategy Harnessing Digital.
Ireland's success in ensuring that those with qualifications from the tertiary system are meeting the economy's skills needs are evidenced by the results of the Higher Education Authority's national Graduate Outcomes Survey which shows that overall, 81.9% of graduates in 2021 were in employment nine months after graduation. It will be a priority to ensure a continued high level of responsiveness by the tertiary education system to the rapid pace of technological change, including the expected substantial impact of AI on the workforce.
380. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of apprentices currently available; the extent to which this is sufficient to meet requirements; his plans to introduce any new apprenticeship programmes in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45989/23]
View answerThe ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’ sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship more accessible to employers and learners. Expansion to date has widened the impact of apprenticeship to areas of skills shortage such as engineering, technology skills, logistics, and fintech. The ambition of the Plan is to reach 10,000 annual registrations by 2025. It will also support skills development in key areas, especially in construction skills, and assist with achieving delivery of Government commitments on Housing for All, and the Climate Action Plan
2021 figures showed 8,607 registrations – an increase of 40% on figures for 2019 (the last full pre-Covid year). 2022 saw 8,286 registrations and a population of over 26,000, and this strong growth in apprentice registrations is continuing into 2023, with over 6,000 registrations by end-September. The population is currently over 26,200 apprentices.
The development of new apprenticeship programmes is intended to help deliver on the commitments made under the Programme for Government to support and drive the economy, while addressing the skills requirements identified across society. This is evidenced by the variety of programmes now available, with 73 in total. Of these, 47 have been developed since 2016 and more programmes continue to progress through the national development processes.
Since the launch of this Action Plan, more new programmes have come on stream. In 2021, Equipment services engineer, healthcare assistant and scaffolding came on stream. In 2022, Bar Manager, Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician, Transport Operations & Commercial Driving, and Cybersecurity Practitioner Level 8 were added to the offering. So far in 2023 we have seen launched a Sportsturf Technician Level 6, Farm Technician, Farm Manager, Horticulture, Civil Engineering Level 6, Civil Engineering Level 7 and Advanced Quantity Surveying Level 9.
Apprenticeship programmes are employer-led and the development of new apprenticeships is undertaken in accordance with published criteria and led by apprenticeship consortia comprising of employers, education and training providers and sectoral representatives. Timing and progress on the development of new apprenticeships is therefore generally under the control of the individual apprenticeship consortium and progress through the national qualification quality assurance processes (QQI).
Under the Action Plan, there will be increased online visibility regarding apprenticeship engagement and development processes for employers/sectors who wish to assess the potential for new apprenticeships. Applications for new apprenticeship development are open on an ongoing basis, allowing employers to progress the development of programmes in response to emerging skills needs on an as-needed basis in all sectors of the economy. Such is the dynamic nature of apprenticeship programme development, additional programmes are continually being proposed for assessment by the National Apprenticeship Alliance.
The increased diversity of new apprenticeships, many of which have off-the-job training delivered through online or blended learning, provides a significant opportunity for widening of access to apprenticeship for rural businesses and learners. In addition, Education and Training Boards, Institutes of Technology, and Technological Universities are spread throughout the country and play a very important role in ensuring apprenticeship provision has a strong regional dimension.
381. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure continued access to third-level for all students seeking to avail of education at this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45990/23]
View answerFollowing on from improvements made to the Student Grant Scheme in Budget 2023, a range of further measures were announced to enhance the scheme and other supports as part of Budget 2024.
The once off cost-of-living measures benefiting students in the 2023/24 academic year will include:
• A €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative. When taken together with the new €500 student contribution grant the student contribution fee will be halved to €1,500 for eligible families with a household income of between €62,000 and €100,000
• An increase to the Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant from €4,000 to €5,000
• A once-off reduction of 33 per cent in the contribution fee for apprentices in higher education
• Renters’ tax credit is being extended to parents who pay for student children’s rent in the case of Rent a Room accommodation or “digs”. This change will also apply retrospectively for the years 2022 and 2023.
Budget 2024 also provides for:
• The removal of Post Leaving Cert (PLC) fees from September 2024
• An increase to all non-adjacent maintenance rates by €615 and adjacent maintenance rates by 10% from September 2024. Eligible PLC and undergraduate students will see a pro-rata increase effective from January 2024
• The full restoration of student maintenance grants for post graduates from September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash. A pro-rata increase will also be effective from January 2024
From September 2024, student contribution fees will be abolished for all incomes under €55,924.
For the first time ever and as part of the tertiary education package for Budget 2024, a part-time fee grant pilot scheme will be introduced for September 2024 providing support for eligible students who are undertaking specified undergraduate part-time programmes leading to a major award, both in-person, blended and online.
This Scheme will mean fees for these courses will be abolished for eligible students whose household earnings are also less than €55,924 with the support and added flexibility benefiting low-income families.
In terms of other supports available, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.
As part of Budget 2024 a further €8.1 million investment in the Student Assistance Fund for the 2023/24 academic year brings the total to over €17 million. The SAF is available to assist students who are unable to meet costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education, including: books and class materials, rent lighting, food, essential travel and childcare. The SAF is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. Further details of the fund is available from the Access Office in the higher education institution attended. Further information on the SAF is available at www.studentfinance.ie.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
382. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and his Department have identified any specific obstacles which may impede improvement and achievement in the further and higher educational sectors and impact our ability to continue to establish Ireland's reputation as equal to the best globally in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45991/23]
View answer384. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department propose to broaden the higher education opportunities for undergraduates with a view to maximisation of their opportunities in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45993/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 384 together.
Supporting all third level students on their education journey and addressing and overcoming obstacles which may make this journey more challenging is a core strategic function of, and one of the key reasons for the establishment of, my Department.
It should be said that there has been much progress made by my Department in enabling and supporting Higher Education Institutes to deliver in key performance areas, as well as tackling some of these challenges faced by students, since its establishment. This progress is underlined by the recently released Times Higher Education University Rankings 2024, which show that Irish HEIs do particularly well in metrics related to research productivity, industry links and international outlook.
I acknowledge, however, that the rankings also highlight areas where we can and must improve. One such area is the high staff to student ratio, which has been noted by my Department and HEIs as an area that requires improvement.
The monies secured in Budget 2024 will see some €195m in additional funding for the higher education sector in 2023 and 2024. This includes €95m in once off funding in 2023 for pay, pensions and non-pay costs and €99m in core funding, pay, pensions, medicine place, other strategic healthcare expansion and part-time fee supports.
Additional core funding of €60m for the higher education system in 2024 will be allocated to strengthen capacity and increased staffing levels, enhance support services for students, and supported greater alignment of provision with priority skills needs.
Other areas such as affordability for students and achieving greater access to education are also key priority areas for my Department. Cost of living in particular has been identified as a key barrier to students, educators and other staff in the sector.
As a result, at the Budget 2024 announcement last week Minister Collins and I announced a range of measures to support students, including a package of once off cost-of-living measures in the 23/24 academic year. These will include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative, and for September 2024 the abolishing of all student contribution fees for all incomes under €55,924.
Other key measures include the further investment of €8.1 million, and increase to €17 million overall, in the Student Assistance Fund for the 2023/24 academic year, the increase in maintenance rates of 10% from 2024, as well as the introduction of a renter’s tax credit for parents of adult students, and the full restoration of student maintenance grants for post graduates from September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash.
Encouraging those who are unable to study full time because of work, long distance travel or other challenges or commitments in their lives is also a key priority for my Department. As a result I announced that students on specified undergraduate part-time and part-time online courses will also be eligible for the fee support from September 2024 for the first time.
These and other targeted funding measures announced by Government will help to deliver on these key priority areas. My Department and I will continue to work towards securing a Higher and Further education system that is accessible and affordable for all, as well as providing for learners and educators a system that delivers according to the highest international standards.
383. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role he sees for the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sectors in the current year and future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45992/23]
View answerMy Department has made significant changes in the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sectors since its establishment in 2020, and are looking forward to seeing these sectors flourish over this current year and the years to follow.
With 400,000 people enrolled in learning across further and higher education, the Department is responsible for a fairly sizeable sector. Learning outcomes have a significant influence on people's life paths.
One of my key priorities is to remove barriers and to ensure that further and higher education is accessible for more people. Education is a driver of innovation, a driver of skills development and a tool that can break down inter-generational poverty.
Compared to the EU and OECD averages, Ireland has high levels of higher education attainment. Survey results indicate that 86% of employers that have recruited graduates from higher education are satisfied with their quality.
The major priorities for my Department over the current period include:
Unified Tertiary System
In order to ensure the Further and Higher Education and Research and Innovation sectors work collaboratively and effectively together to meet the diverse learning and development needs of all people, my Department is seeking more agile, sustainable and integrated approaches to equipping the whole of the workforce and population with the skills and knowledge that they need and thereby expand the capacity for knowledge creation in a rapidly changing labour market and society.
We will develop a new Tertiary Education Strategy, as provided for in the Higher Education Authority Act, 2022, continuing and expanding a co-creative approach with sectors and stakeholders, drawing on a range of engagements with the sector including a series of regional dialogue meetings which were held in June 2023 involving all regional actors, to shape and guide policy and ensure the achievement of major cross-Government policy objectives.
In addition, my Department is working with the HEA and SOLAS to embed and progress the new National Tertiary Office to jointly develop programmes between Further and Higher education to provide firm and systemic pathways for learners, enabled by qualifications and quality assurance systems.
The Department will continue to drive the transformation in Technological Universities, where the past decade has seen a major reconfiguration of higher education with the establishment of five Technological Universities, with a mandate to drive skills, innovation and smart specialisation in their regions, ultimately contributing to more balanced regional development. The challenge in the next phase is to transform the systemic capabilities of the TU sector to enable them to deliver most effectively for their regions.
We will implement the National Access Plan, in collaboration with the HEA, including a focus on the development of programmes for people with intellectual disabilities and continue to develop policy and funding initiatives to support equality, diversity and inclusion among staff and students and to implement key policies including the strategy to prevent sexual violence and harassment.
I am also committed to making further progress in addressing cost as a barrier to higher education by identifying the measures which provide the most benefit to learners and families. Budget 2024 focuses on my priority of reducing the cost associated with further and higher education and increases to the SUSI grants system. Budget 2024 will see a change for the first time ever to the free fees initiative to include part time, online and blended education. In addition to this, postgraduate students will see a return of maintenance grants.
In 2024, we will continue implementation of the Review of the Student Grant Scheme (2022) including by introducing reforms to the student support system to ensure it is aligned with the changing needs of students and families.
An investment of €3 million will reduce the costs of education by removing PLC fees with effect from September 2024. We are breaking down barriers to education by expanding the scope of the Fund for Students with Disabilities to help students with disabilities access further education and training with an allocation of €2 million. We are mainstreaming an additional €1 million to support the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy to ensure that every adult in Ireland has the literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to fully participate in society. We are supporting prisoners to access employment opportunities upon release by providing €1 million to the Building Bridges initiative. Our Education and Training Boards have been to the forefront of the ongoing response to the needs of the substantial number of Ukrainian citizens arriving in Ireland, as well as the increase in those seeking international protection. We are providing €15 million in 2024 to support the continued provision of English languages courses to support the integration of Ukrainian nationals into Irish society.
Increased overall tertiary demand, pandemic-related training delays and buoyant employment opportunities in apprenticeship-related trades has created backlogs in apprenticeship training. As a result, I prioritised apprenticeship in the recent Estimates, resulting in a €67 million investment into the apprenticeship system. This will enable growth in the craft apprenticeship training system from 13,000 places in 2022 to over 16,000 places in 2024 - an increase approaching 25%.
Reform of Further Education and Training (FET)
My Department is working closely with SOLAS and the ETBs to develop the integrated FET College of the Future and review its organisational design, securing improvements in quality assurance, programme development, enterprise engagement, digital transformation and data management to maximise the impact of FET Reform.
The provision of €3 million in Budget 2024 will allow this progress to be consolidated and expanded. It will focus on quality assurance processes and the development of a centralised ETB resource to support new programme development, building on recent success in collaboration of development of new micro-credentials.
Reconfigure Ireland’s Skills system:
We are on track to complete the OECD review of the National Skills Strategy to meet skills and workforce development priorities for the climate, digital and demographic transition. We will develop a 2023 Strategic Framework for Skills responding to the recommendations in the OECD Review with a particular focus on securing a step-change in Ireland’s performance on Lifelong Learning.
My Department will be examining options to strengthen structures for regional engagement between enterprise and the tertiary education system in order to meet regional skills and clustering priorities.
National Training Fund
The National Training Fund can play a key role in future proofing the skills needs of the labour market and ensuring that workers can upskill and reskill, accessing lifelong learning opportunities. Following Minister Donohoe’s comments on the future operation of the Fund in his Budget Speech, my officials will collaborate with their colleagues in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, on options including legislative changes.
Research and Innovation
My Department is progressing a landmark Research Bill to amalgamate the functions of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council into a new Research Agency, to maximise the impact of the approximately €300 million of national competitive research funding which is currently being invested in this area; importantly, this represents almost 40% of Government expenditure on R&D.
A whole of government approach to the implementation of Ireland’s National Research and Innovation strategy, Impact 2030, is also being progressed to ensure the national research and innovation system supports key Government strategies such as the White Paper for Enterprise, the Climate Action Plan and Smart Specialisation of regions. A key focus will be on ensuring and communicating the impact of research and innovation at every level - local, regional, national and international.
As part of the Talent Pillar of Impact 2030 a review of National Supports for PhD researchers has been undertaken. Work is continuing with enterprise co-funders on a new internationally prestigious Innovate for Ireland PhD scholarship programme focused on national challenges.
In addition to these core priorities, my Department is actively engaged in the Shared Island initiative and the EU Peaceplus programme for Northern Ireland. Projects underway include all-island research centres managed by SFI, North/South research programmes managed by the HEA, student mobility and education and skills initiatives.
I am also committed to ensuring Ireland maximises participation in relevant international and European education, research and innovation fora including the European Research Area, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and the European Universities initiative. I am pleased to confirm that we have secured funding to make an application to join CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research and to appoint a chief scientific advisor for Ireland.
Finally, a new international education and research strategy is currently being finalised. The Strategy will emphasise Shared Island, European and Global Ireland engagements across the spectrum of further education, higher education, skills, research and innovation.
Underpinning all of these initiatives is a major programme of capital investment, focused on meeting the needs of the sector as a whole, including the further development of our Student Accommodation provision, which must also be delivered in such a way as to meet the challenges of Climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions.
