Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will start by taking this opportunity to acknowledge the unparalleled investment the Government has made in higher education throughout the country. The publication of the Government’s landmark policy on funding higher education and reducing the cost of education for families has been welcomed by all since it was announced last month. I welcome that the Government has confirmed its commitment to address legacy issues in higher education, to increase investment and to reform the sector.

I am particularly pleased to see that the Government has decided that the income-contingent loans for fees will not form part of the future funding model and that it will reduce the cost of education through changes to the student grant scheme and student contributions, which will be discussed in the coming budgets. This will make a huge difference for many students and their families. Costs should not be a barrier to education.

Recent proposals for the developed of a unified third level education system are also important, as is the work the Minister and his Department are doing in developing apprenticeships as part of the higher education system. The recent announcement of more than 10,500 free or heavily subsidised courses for unemployed, self-employed or returners to work under the human capital initiative are vital to ensure we are planning for the future skill needs of our economy, which, as we all know, is critical to delivering on our ambitions as a nation. Again, it removes the cost barrier for many wishing to take part in these courses and, of course, to upskill.

I also wish to commend the efforts being made to assist displaced Ukrainian students. That is very important. I met many students in Carlow and I want to welcome that.

Yesterday, it was announced that €3.7 million in funding is to be invested in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, STEM, projects aimed at improving public understanding of those areas. I note that the funding on will be focused on encouraging diversity and inclusion in STEM, while also targeting a wide-range of ages including young children, teens and adults. It would be great if similar funding could be invested in the arts, humanities and social science, which are also of importance and play a significant role in our economy and society. I am thinking of various higher education providers, such as Carlow College, St. Patrick’s, where the focus is on arts, humanities and social science. These providers and their students need our ongoing support.

Now that I mention Carlow College, St. Patrick’s – which I have mentioned to the Minister many times before – what is the current position on discussions between his Department and Carlow College regarding strategic positioning of the college in the higher education framework within the south-east region? I ask this being mindful of the national strategy for higher education to 2030 and the changing landscape of higher education, which includes consolidation of smaller institutes and economies of the same scale.

The Government is delivering. I really mean that. The Minister is making genuine steps to change our higher education. The creation of the South East Technological University, SETU, was a game changer. I am delighted that the south-east region now has its own technological university, TU. It has been so important for the region since the establishment of it on 1 May. I want to welcome it, again, for Carlow because, as the Minister knows, Carlow is my priority. Following recent attention on Carlow College that the Minister is well aware of, people in the area have contacted me asking when it will become part of the SETU. Momentum is building and it is important that we now expedite the process. There is great potential to create an opportunity to develop an enhanced faculty of the arts, humanities and social science and to enhance the number of subjects on offer in a facility with high-level educational expertise and to deliver greater institutional quality.

In addition to the educational, social and cultural benefits, we know the SETU is a key stakeholder in the economic growth of the region. Integration of the Carlow College campus into the SETU would demonstrate recognition of the objectives of Project Ireland 2040. The national planning framework states that by creating institutions of scale and strength, multi-campus technological universities will bring greater social and economic benefits to the regions through a strengthening role in research and innovation and by delivering on a broad range of high quality education and training in each of their campuses.

As we welcomed our American visitors earlier today, the Minister will be aware from his recent visit to Carlow College that it runs a very successful international study abroad programme. Over the years, it has developed many US partnerships. It is now working with SETU to build on those important partnerships. It is critical that discussions between the SETU and Carlow College, St. Patrick’s are expedited with the support of the Minister’s Department.

The Government is introducing the most radical changes to the leaving certificate examination in half a century and this is very welcome. We need greater collaboration and more unified regional systems to provide more choice, where all possible pathways are equally valued and learners can move and progress across further and higher education systems seamlessly. It is also important that our education system can meet the different needs of individual learners throughout their working and personal lives.

I would also like to welcome that under the new phase of the capital investment in the further and higher education sectors, some 45% of the total allocation of €430 million is being directed to further education and training. This investment will address the expansion of skill centres and apprenticeship programmes across the country, as well as the establishment of further education and training colleges of the future. The further education and training strategy will underpin the development of the new strategic performance agreements between SOLAS and each of the education and training boards, ETBs, the next three years - from 2022 to 2024. The provision in the budget for 2022 will support building the required capacity within the ETBs, which play an important and valuable role in the further and higher education sector nationwide. It is crucial that we support them.

As I finish, I would like to take the opportunity to return to the core issue of the cost of living and higher education. Can the Minister tell us more about plans for specific measures to reduce the cost of education through changes to the student grant scheme and the student contribution planned for the coming budget?

As the Minister is aware, we need to address the increasing cost of third level education urgently. Students and their families need and deserve certainty as they plan ahead for their education.

I have been working with the Minister since he became Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and I can only compliment him on the work he has done and on this commitment to the this sector. But before I finish, can the Minister come back to me as quickly as he can about Carlow College, St. Patrick’s and the meetings with the college? It is important that this college is integrated into the TU. It has one of the most beautiful buildings in what is known as the cultural quarter of Carlow town. It has much to offer. It is important that I mention Fr. Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh who has had several meetings with the Minister and with his Department and who is so dedicated, as are his staff in their commitment. They can offer much to the people of Carlow and to the south-east region, which will be very beneficial. Timing is of the essence.

Every Wednesday, when the Minister, Deputy Harris, is sitting over there in his seat, I will address him about Carlow College, St. Patrick’s. The Minister knows for certain that this is a priority for me, for Fr. Conn Ó Maoldhomhnaigh and for the people of Carlow and I reiterate it has so much to offer to the south east.

I thank the Minister again for always being so helpful and obliging whenever I have gone to him with issues that concern me. I thank the Ceann Comhairle.

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