Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has published its Report on North South Enrolment

Speaking on the report, Deputy Paul Kehoe TD, Cathaoirleach of the Committee said “This report examines the barriers to north-south student enrolment in third-level education and examines how to increase educational opportunities across the Island by outlining clear and actionable recommendations.”

The Deputy added “Cross-border enrolment is broadly seen as mutually beneficial in economic and social terms. Despite broad support in both the political system and wider society the number of cross-border enrolments has remained at a very low level. A targeted strategy is required to channel political support and bring about positive change.”

Deputy Kehoe said “As the rapporteur assigned to produce this report, Deputy Rose Conway Walsh met with a wide array of stakeholders on both sides of the border. Deputy Walsh held extensive meetings over a six month period and received a wide array of written submissions. The high level of interest and support for this initiative was clearly evident throughout the course of her engagements with Institutes of further and higher education, students and civil society.

The Deputy said “The Joint Committee asks that immediate action be taken to implement the recommendations in this report. It is imperative that this vitally important issue is treated as a matter of top priority by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.”

Read the full report here

Below are the Report’s Recommendations:

Task the HEA and SOLAS with the promotion of cross border student enrolment.
The HEA and the SOLAS should be given the clear objectives of increasing cross border student enrolment in Ireland in a balanced manner. The HEA and SOLAS are best placed to support the further and higher education sectors to achieve higher levels of cross border student enrolment.

Set government targets for cross border enrolment in further and higher education.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, in collaboration with the NI Department for Education, should set specific targets for cross border student enrolment for both the short and medium term.

3.     Promotion and outreach campaign run in collaboration with the NI Executive.

In order to overcome the lack of information and knowledge among many post-secondary students and parents of the third level education options in both jurisdictions, this will require a unified all-Ireland campaign on further and higher education options available.

4.     Adjust grade equivalences and matriculation to support cross border enrolment

To increase cross border student enrolment in Ireland a special NI policy on A-Levels and their conversion to CAO points will be required. A re-balancing of the system is required to produce more equitable outcomes and allow for greater levels of cross border enrolment.

5.     Ensure consistency in access to supports and pathways for students enrolling cross border.

Extend SUSI support to the payment of tuition fees to the four approved institutions in NI as is currently the case for postgraduate studies. This issue should be included in the larger reform agenda of SUSI.

6.     Provide a Brexit guarantee to give certainty to all current and prospective students.

Cross border enrolment could be strengthened by a cross-party commitment that students from NI will never face international fees in public institutes of higher education in the ROI and will continue to have access to all supports on the same basis as is currently available.

7.     Deliver on commitments made in New Decade New Approach.

As part of the New Decade New Approach agreement the Irish government committed ‘to contribute to capital investment to support expanded provision at Ulster University Magee Campus’. This is a very positive commitment and needs to be delivered upon.

8.     Increase North-South research funding.

Cross border enrolment becomes intertwined with research funding as we begin to look at postgraduate students and PhD researchers. Continued investment in research and the availability of competitive funding that enable HEIs to collaborate on a cross border basis is vital. 

9.     The timely implementation of a sustainable funding model for higher education

Many of the proposals outlined in this report will be contingent on putting a sustainable funding model in place for third level education. The implementation of funding commitments as outlined in the ‘Funding the Future’[1] document must be the first step towards ensuring the HE sector is adequately funded.

10.   Publish new student accommodation strategy

The cost of living and in particular the cost of rent is one of the most cited reasons for students turning down offers from HEIs in the ROI. The government should bring forward a new student accommodation strategy to deliver affordable accommodation.

11.   Increase cross border public transport links

Cross border public transport links was an issue raised by students’ unions in particular as a barrier to cross border enrolment. The report welcomes the fact that the current strategic rail review is being conducted on an all-Ireland basis, but more progress is needed.