Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 May 2022
135. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the high-level Higher Education Reform Implementation Review Group; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of the group; the number of meetings the group has had to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25352/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra174. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm, following his announcement of a policy on future funding, when the oversight group will meet to discuss the detail behind this policy; if trade union representatives will be invited to take part in this engagement; if so, the details of their intended membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25384/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 174 together.
The Implementation Group to which the Deputy refers will - per the Government's response to the Cassells Report, Funding the Future - be based on partnership between Government, the higher education sector and wider societal and enterprise interests.
This will entail a stronger focus on measuring and verifying performance from the system, as well as assessing information on costs, quality issues and outcomes which respond to economic and societal need.
I am delighted to chair this Implementation and review group alongside my co-chairs Professor Tom Collins and Professor Anne Looney, both experts in the field. This group will provide guidance to my Department in the rollout of the Funding and Reform Framework and focus on creating a unified system and improving pathways between further and higher education. The wider group will comprise of membership to ensure ongoing consensus on the outcomes required from the higher education system and to oversee progress against identified reforms to take place alongside implementation of the funding model. It is also intended that sub-groups will be established as necessary to take forward key workstreams.
The terms of reference for the group will be finalised and invitations will issue in the coming week for representatives, in advance of the inaugural meeting of this group which is provisionally scheduled for May 25th subject to the availability of members.
