Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will ask the Minister, Deputy Foley, and will come back to the Deputy on the issue of engaging. It is always important that Government engages with people, so I hope that could happen.

On the specific issue on lecturers and staffing, if people have underlying health conditions their health must be our priority. There are established protocols in primary, second level, and higher education with regard to how one goes about that in the workplace.

On the funding for additional lecturers and so on, we have divided our Covid-19 package of €168 million for further and higher education among the institutions to use as they see necessary to adapt their facilities for Covid-19. In many cases this may involve staffing.

The Deputy is right to ask about the plan, and there is no point in being dishonest about this at all. The plan for the return to higher education is to see a blended mix, which will mean online and on site. The safety of staff and students has to be our priority.

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