To take forward implementation of Funding the Future, I established a steering group which I chair alongside Professor Anne Looney and Professor Tom Collins. Two working groups have been established led by Professors Looney and Collins. The working group focused on skills, participation and cost is examining the potential to support students to avail of more flexible learning opportunities.
The Irish Universities Association (IUA) recently presented to this working group on a position paper an IUA reference group developed in 2020 on Part-Time and Flexible Study. The paper outlined a principles-based proposed approach to the funding of part-time study. The group has also considered flexible study in the context of achieving goals set by the National Access Plan.
The group has also put a focus on skills shortages in Nursing, and has a further subgroup considering expansion issues impacting on expansion - particularly in relation to securing appropriate placements.
This year Working Group 2 has met 5 times at the below dates:
- 13th June 2022
- 1st July 2022
- 18th July 2022
- 29th August 2022
- 7th November 2022
The working group updates the steering group at its regular meetings, and there is no report scheduled from the group. It will continue to inform the work of my Department on an ongoing basis.
