Dr. Joseph Ryan:

I will capture a couple of points. I noticed the number of people who mentioned EDI, which is really encouraging. I thank members for that. It is a priority for all our institutions and our sector. We are completing a propel project on consent, which we will launching next month. We see that as being very significant because it has been an integrated and cohesive response from the sector. We have also set out on delivering the first part of race training, which is around the broader understanding of the race background. We see this and intersectionality as really important work over the next while. I acknowledge the work of colleagues on that. I am delighted to hear Professor Cusack say that this will be sitting right at the top table.

Professor Cunnane addressed the learnings from Covid, which were mentioned by Deputy O'Callaghan. We see that the impact of that has been disproportionate. The disadvantaged are more impacted. A lot of very good work has been done cohesively by the sector working with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and its agencies in delivering things like devices etc. for students. What we also see is disadvantage in terms of broadband access. I know there is very good work happening through my colleagues in HEAnet and EduCampus to extend that capacity throughout the country. We should also say that our staff have been hugely supportive with regard to the broader pastoral support for students even at a distance. We should not forget the professional and management support functions have been hugely important in this role as well.

Senator Dolan referred to Horizon funding and the disproportionate access to that by our institutions. She is absolutely right. That is exactly what the legislation is about. It is to build the capacity to compete better for European funding. It is worth noting that over the past few years, 33% of our funding has come from Europe. Our institutions are performing better on this front.

In response to Senator Byrne, I would not like to end this meeting without referring to the question that he and Senator Mullen raised about that part of the funding and the balance between quality, access and whether there is a universal right to access higher education. Ours is a wealthy society and there is a question of what we prioritise and invest in as a society. Professor Cusack used a lovely word, "stickiness", earlier on. If we are to empower regions and stay in regions, we will have to invest in that. The key aspect of what we are doing here today is a plea to the committee for an initial injection of funds to ensure that these technological universities can do exactly what we propose they can do. Professor Cunnane can answer the Senator's question.