Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator Sean D. Barrett for bringing the Bill before the House and his work on it. He must be commended for his comprehensive explanatory note which was kindly circulated to all Senators.

I would welcome if Senators from both sides of the House would circulate any information which they feel would be helpful in progressing an educational or other idea or Bill through the House. I thank the Minister for that also.

Higher education remains in constant focus throughout the year as there are so many people at all stages of life who engage either part-time or full-time at third level. I know it is in the thoughts of many students currently studying for their leaving certificate examinations. I am very busy myself at the moment ensuring CAO forms are completed and returned within deadlines. We are all very conscious of the system of third level education.

Ireland's education sector from top to bottom is experiencing difficulties. We have seven universities, 14 institutes of technology and a further range of colleges designated under the Higher Education Authority. It is important to bear in mind when speaking about the education sector the there are also many private colleges throughout this State. Between 2008 and 2014 income to the higher education sector fell by 9% while demand increased. An additional 25,000 student places were provided but staff numbers were reduced by 11%. Within this time the proportion of students requiring a higher education grant rose significantly from 41% in 2009 to 52% in 2013. Participation in higher education is estimated to have increased by 2% per annum since 1960, with the outlook on demand estimated to increase further over the next 15 years. It is expected that this will result in an estimated 212,000 full-time students in 2028. There were 165,000 full time students in 2013. I do not know from where all the jobs required will come. Sustainability, capacity and funding, while maintaining quality and standards, remain a major issue for the sector.

Reforms of the higher education system have been undertaken since 2011. We need to have a system which supports and provides students of all ages with a range of skills and knowledge and an availability of courses to prepare them for the next phase. One reform measure under way is the creation and identification of higher education regional clusters. These clusters have been identified and the heads of the institutions in each will, among other things, agree regional plans to enhance co-ordination at a regional level. It is intended that the grouping of higher education institutions into these clusters will result in the removal of unnecessary duplication and the provision of a host of new benefits to students, and build on the current positives and benefits.

Further measures of reform were also approved in 2013 by the then Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Ruairí Quinn to consolidate the system. This included the creation of centres of excellence in teacher education, bringing the 19 State-funded providers of initial teacher education to six centres of teacher education, a consolidation of the institutes of technology and the rationalisation of smaller colleges. In 2012, the Qualifications and Quality Assurance Authority of Ireland, QQAAI was established through the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act. I recall that during the debate in the Seanad on that Bill many said the name of the agency was too long-winded. The QQAAI is responsible for external quality assurance, validation of programmes and the making of awards by providers, ensuring that the provisions of courses and programmes meet the standards set out in the national framework, of qualifications, and the maintenance, development and review of the national framework of qualifications. This legislation brought together the HETAC, FETAC, National Framework of Qualifications Authority of Ireland and the Irish Universities Quality Board. The reform measures outlined above have had impacts and have attempted to reduce duplication, improve student experience and overall quality within the system.

The Minister referred earlier to some of the measures which pose a difficulty, including section 5 regarding academic tenure and whether this section would result in the introduction of further and, possibly, unnecessary procedures. On the issue of pay, section 6 provides the Commission for Public Service Appointments with a role in determining pay rates in universities. In this regard, the Minister outlined why to date it has not done so. I commend the Minister on taking on board Senator Barrett's points in this regard. That the views of Senators, including from the opposite side of the House, are taken on board in the context of the enactment of legislation is very positive.

I commend Senator Barrett on his attention to the areas of reform within the Bill. As with most Bills, positives and negatives emerge and provide us all with food for thought, which is exactly what Private Members' time should be about. The problems within the higher education sector appear to be ones which we need to addressed in the longer term context and, that said, may take a longer time to address in the context of our economic circumstances. As I said earlier, the Minister, Deputy O'Sullivan, is committed and clear on the need to invest in our education system. She is a partner with whom we can work in terms of the reforms being undertaken and requiring to be made at each stage of education from primary to doctorate level. I thank Senator Barrett for continuing to generate conversation and consideration of higher education.