Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the four contributors. We have taken note of everything they contributed to the statements here today and will follow up on some of the queries raised. As we move forwards towards the Estimates process, we will be working with colleagues to advance the priorities of our Departments with regard to funding reform and support for Ukrainian students, as well as all other students. The challenges faced by us are being faced by other European countries as well. They are not unique to us and we have to learn from one another's experiences.

Senator Malcolm Byrne has raised the Cassells report issue on a number of occasions, as have other Senators. We aired this issue here yesterday and everybody mentioned it again today. It is a priority for the Government. That might ring a little hollow but it is being actively worked on and it is something we discuss regularly, weekly, within our Department. It is not the case that nothing is being done about it. It will be a significant improvement and a significant amount of money so there has to be a process. I understand that it has taken a long time.

Regarding English-language provision, Senator Dolan mentioned the 16 education and training boards. We have tasked them with that provision and the Senator is looking for feedback and an update on it. We will get that information for her and circulate it to all four Senators who are here.

Some 59 Irish students were studying in Ukraine at the time of the invasion. I understand 52 were studying medicine or were involved in medical studies and the remaining seven were involved in dentistry. Mention was made of Russian students. There are 154 full-time Russian students in Ireland. There are 64 full-time Ukrainian students already in Ireland. However, we do not have the full picture yet. About 25,000 people have come into the country but we do not have the full picture as to what the demand will be from people presenting to our further and higher education institutes. That is why the help desk is being set up. The Minister, Deputy Harris, has consulted with all the colleges and institutions of further education, as well as their representative bodies, to make sure everybody is on the same page. It is fair to say everybody has stepped up to the plate in their willingness and readiness to accommodate these students. Last year and the year before, by virtue of the pandemic and grade inflation, we had to find the wherewithal to provide additional college places in the high-demand courses. At a time of crisis, that is, the pandemic, the system was able to respond positively. I am quite confident the system and all our institutions and stakeholders will be able to react positively in this regard as well.