Mr. Tim Conlon:

I wish to comment on Irish Sign Language, ISL, provision. In terms of higher education, there is both formal and informal provision. There is a particular course nationally. It goes to some of conversations we were having earlier and I will get to the point in a second. Indeed, Senator Dolan raised a point about lifelong learning as well. To provide a high-quality provision, it is by nature specialised and provided in one location, because all of the expertise is in the right place. However, that of course does not serve a student population around the country very well. How do they engage in a programme that is provided in one institution and one place? It goes to the point about lifelong learning and the micro-credentials that we started to discuss and how the funding model might follow that.

The Deputy made the point earlier with the example of an older learner who wants to re-engage. They cannot re-engage full time or formally because they have work, life and a mortgage and all kinds of responsibilities. One of the areas we started to discuss was around micro-credentials and the way in which the funding model would follow that. At the moment, the funding model very much follows a student who enters further or higher education for a period of time in their lives and it funds them, the grant follows that and that all works. What if one wants to dip in and out and does a bit here and there? What if one wants to do some ISL in Tralee or Wexford or wherever? How can one engage with an institution flexibly? We are at a very interesting time with the use of digital and online tools and the digital divide is starting to be overcome. We are delivering education in new and inventive ways. However, the student-supported funding model does not necessary follow that. That will be very complex to work through and to work out. That is the big opportunity in terms of the funding model. On micro-credentials, and Dr. Murray kicked me under the table over it, that will be very complicated in terms of qualification recognition and how to knit it all together and how it all comes to form a degree in time. That is the opportunity, both in terms of ISL provision and doing it in a more flexible, open way to engage with more students in their communities in different ways. Sorry, I did not want to ramble on that, but my broadcast is there is an opportunity to look at how the funding model can follow the student in a more flexible way than has been the case.