Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for the question. Approximately two weeks ago, the Minister and I held a Zoom conference with the presidents and heads of all of the universities, institutes of technology and institutions funded through the HEA. The main part of the discussion related to a request by us to the colleges, insofar as possible in light public health guidance, the public health advice available and the levels we are at in the living with Covid plan, to afford more on-campus time, particularly to first years, and even if this does not entail lectures or tutorials, to try to roster and schedule students on campus more to show them the facilities and make them aware of the depth of services and facilities available.

The Deputy is right in what he says about the vaccine. We are all watching developments eagerly day in, day out. It is giving us huge hope and optimism about a return to normality across so many levels including further and higher education. I caution everybody on their optimism. When the vaccine starts to roll out here, and the indication seems to be that it will be early in the new year, we will all have to avail of two doses two weeks apart. We will be doing the equivalent of vaccinating the population twice, so it will be a big logistical operation. I hope that with the collective minds, will and energy of everybody involved, it will help students to get back to normality and enjoy more student life than they have heretofore, particularly with regard to sport.