Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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216. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if she will liaise with third-level institutions to ensure that all students are provided with ample notice regarding arrangements for the autumn semester; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13439/20]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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To assist with the development of plans for the re-opening and operation of higher education in an environment that may require social distancing and other public health requirements, the Department of Education and Skills is engaging with relevant stakeholders from the higher education sector. The importance of informing students of arrangements for the new semester in a timely manner forms part of these discussions and all those involved are committed to this. This work is ongoing, and it is hoped that a communication for the sector will be published in the coming weeks.

However Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous institutions and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. Decisions on how courses will operate will be made by each institution, and arrangements will vary between institutions and between courses. The HEIs will communicate the arrangements for the new academic year to students as soon as these arrangements have been finalised.