Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 June 2022
334. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has read the recent report by an organisation (details supplied) comparing the education systems North and South; and if his Department will take any actions on foot of same. [28635/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main focus of the report to which the Deputy refers is on education in the context of primary and post-primary, although it does refer to the promotion of collaboration at further and higher education, as well as research and innovation. I was struck by its message of the common challenges facing systems North and South, and how the promotion of collaboration and shared practice is central to increasing opportunities for all on this island.
It is important to note that my Department has undertaken a series of measures to facilitate further the promotion of North-South collaboration, not least the signing last year of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Common Travel Area. This ensured that student mobility would continue to be protected after Brexit, through continued access to SUSI loans and Home Fee tuition.
I was also pleased to see SCoTENS and Universities Ireland referenced as positive forces for North South Collaboration. My Department funds both of these organisations, and their role has proved vital in the sharing of best practice, North and South, as the promotion of activities of mutual interest and benefit throughout the higher education system.
Reflective of this Government's commitment to maintain and enhance cross-border, the Taoiseach and I have collaborated closely through the Shared Island Unit on the North South Research Programme, in order to strengthen and formalise the commitment to research collaboration between Higher Education Institutes, which was mentioned in the report as being on “somewhat of an ad-hoc basis.” In March, we awarded a total of €37.3 million to fund collaborative research projects between academics and institutions in Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The report also referenced Further Education, and I am very committed to the development of stronger North-South links in Further Education and Training (FET), which continues to be a major focus for my Department under its Statement of Strategy.
There is good co-operation which currently exists between Education and Training Boards, and the Regional Colleges in Northern Ireland, of which my Department and the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland are very supportive. The North West Strategic Growth Partnership is an example of this, where Donegal ETB and the North West Regional College in Northern Ireland ensure their programme complement, rather than compete with each other to ensure the FET needs of that region are addressed.
I also believe that there is further potential for strengthened collaboration in FET, through the forthcoming PEACE PLUS programme. This new programme will look to support area-based approaches, designed to address skills gaps, which will result in increased productivity and employment and higher levels of cross-border labour mobility.
