Seanad debates

Thursday, 24 September 2020

Safe Reopening of Tertiary Sector and Key Priorities for Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science: Statements

 

10:30 am

Photo of Malcolm ByrneMalcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming to the Chamber and for the energy and enthusiasm he has shown in the establishment of this new Department and the work that he and the Minister of State, Deputy Niall Collins, have done so far. I echo the Minister in thanking the higher and further education institutions for doing Trojan work in the past few months both to adapt to the pandemic but also to prepare for reopening in these difficult times. This is particularly true for how they have ensured students, learners and trainees are at the heart of the discussion. In the limited time I have I had hoped to talk about the role of the new Department but there are a number of specific issues which the Minister may wish to respond to or that the Department could get back to me on.

I welcome the Minister's commitment to additional college-owned campus accommodation and the commitment on adult literacy particularly with regard to digital literacy, which is a challenge for us. The Minister is very committed to the area of positive mental health and the well-being of students and I am happy to repeat the 50808 support service number the Minister mentioned. I was conscious of the priority the Minister gave to that at the Technological Higher Education Association, THEA, online seminar with the Royal Irish Academy on Monday and also of the remarks of Professor Pete Lunn.I echo the point that when Government is providing resources, this has to be for mental health and well-being services. Key to that is the role of clubs, societies and student unions, which the Minister has recognised. They need to be supported. I know the Minister is committed to a multi-campus university in the south east and I ask him to keep us in the Seanad informed of that and of the issue of the Wexford campus being at the heart of that. There are specific issues around supporting student nurses and midwives. The Union of Students in Ireland, USI, has been in touch with the Minister on that, and if he can provide a specific update, I would be appreciative.

The Erasmus+ programme has been one of the most successful European programmes. Unfortunately, it is much more difficult in these circumstances and we have always had a challenge whereby more Erasmus students come to Ireland than we send out. In a post-Brexit scenario, Ireland may become even more attractive for international students, but in our future relationship with Europe we need ways in which we can encourage international exchange, and I hope that will be a priority for the Department.

Related to that issue is another issue that has been raised with the Department, namely, the challenge around international student insurance and the fact that international students now have to take out community-related insurance, which is more expensive. I would appreciate a specific update on that.

In the field of research, which the Minister mentioned, the one thing we should not lose sight of is the importance of the relationship between Irish and UK higher education institutions. Even in a post-Brexit scenario, a lot of work has been done by the British-Irish Chamber of Commerce on this, we have to continue to foster those links. That has to be key to the research agenda, as must furthering education links with European institutions.

I am glad the Minister has prioritised research, because in our experience of what is going on at the moment, our institutions have been responding in incredibly innovative ways. There is leadership being shown by the likes of Professor Philip Nolan, president of Maynooth University, and many others in our institutions. It is key that we look at why it is important to invest in research. I ask the Minister to look at specific programmes in research around Covid, not just into public health but also the impact this will have on other areas of society. I ask the Minister also to look at big societal challenges, including the green agenda. How can Ireland contribute toward that and be innovative in that way? Tied in with the green agenda is the opportunity to retrofit many of the existing buildings in further and higher education.

I will speak about where I see the role of this Department. The Minister is correct to say this is not just about administrative functions for the Department and taking over a bit of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and a bit of the Department of Education of Skills. This is a Department for the future. With the convergence of new technology we have to look at preparing our citizens. It is about investing in digital literacy and providing digital skills for the staff in our higher and further education institutions. The Minister mentioned areas like online learning and short courses, while Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, has done a lot of work on microcredentials and how we can build awards. We have to be imaginative in what we do. We need policy councils dealing with research policy and higher education policy, tied in with the work of the Higher Education Authority, HEA, so we can get evidence-based policymaking not just driving the Minister's Department but driving the whole of Government.

At the core of this Department has to be the learner. Our economic policy for so long has been based around the twin pillars of tax and talent. The reality is that Ireland is not necessarily always going to be able to compete on tax. We will have to compete on talent. The Minister's Department will be in the front line and I wish him well.

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