Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 July 2021
285. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports planned to integrate students back on campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38731/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has committed to planning for a significant increase in on-site attendance in the tertiary education sector in the next academic year.
Following intensive consultation with sectoral stakeholders and Government approval, I published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22.
The Plan reflects the essential nature of higher and further education and training, and research activities, and in that context provides for comprehensive on-site activity for the next academic year, with almost full scale on-site activities. Institutions and providers in the sector have committed to ensuring that all learners across all areas have significant scheduled on-site learning in the forthcoming year.
The protection of and support for students and learners is one of the central tenets of the Plan whose purpose, among others, is to enable maximum provision of on-site activities, support the ongoing public health requirements, and support the ongoing needs of students and learners
Institutions and providers are currently progressing with their own detailed planning and work for a comprehensive return to on-site activity. This will include planning for orientation, re-orientation and transitions programmes to assist students in familiarising or re-familiarising themselves with the on-site environment and learning resources. Issues around supports for students returning to campus, and the need for resources to support these students, have been discussed by the Student and Learning Wellbeing and Engagement Working Group.
In the Plan, my Department commits to developing a funding proposal for agreement with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to support the sector in responding to specific costs and particular issues arising from the impact of the pandemic on for the tertiary sector and students. The proposal, building on the funding provided in 2020 under the Covid support package is intended to help enable the return to substantial on-site activity under this Plan.
