Mr. Colm Kelly:

In regard to issues and challenges the union is aware of, the speakers from the HEA and SOLAS have set out their various strategies. However, the SOLAS FET strategy is dependent on an FET staffing structure that is not in existence as yet. The TUI has for ten years been engaging on a staffing structure for the organisational design of education and training boards. As we approach the tenth anniversary of the formation of education and training boards there still is not a clear FET staffing strategy, not for the want of the trade unions - ourselves, SIPTU, FORSA and AHCPS - seeking a strategy from ETBI, from the Department of Education initially and then the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The implementation of the FET strategy, which is a very fine strategy, will be dependent on ensuring that it has an FET staffing structure to match the requirements of that strategy, that provides programmes in an accessible and understandable way for students on both sides of the Border.

In terms of presenting those programmes accessibly, some excellent work is going on which the TUI has highlighted in its submission in the Minister’s new unified tertiary education strategy. As that work commences we are aware of projects that a number of our members are involved in, in particular a project run by the Technological Higher Education Association on recognition of prior learning, RPL. While at the moment it does not consider RPL that might be gained in the North, it is a broad project that considers the recognition of prior learning where it seeks to assess lifelong learning and other life experiences very broadly. If THEA could be encouraged to give consideration to extending that project across the Border it may be of benefit to the implementation of the committee’s recommendations. Equally, there is work going on in the HEA on microcredentials. That is work that should have cross-Border consideration.

In regard to the development of TUs, accessibility of pathways into TUs is something of which the TUI is proud. The TU sector traditionally had more access programmes and access routes have been more available, as we said in our submission, to a variety of different communities, including communities that may not have a second language.

That is an issue for Northern Irish students who have completed A Levels, in seeking access to higher education in the South. Certainly the technological universities enshrined mission to provide for regional provision highlights that. Regional provision will require consideration of Dundalk Institute of Technology's position within the technological university sector to ensure it is a core part of the sector.

In relation to the question on our position on the 1%, I do not have the facts and figures here with me, but we can send them on to the committee.