Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

44. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the timeline for the completion of the recently approved STEM building for Athlone IT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22631/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Athlone Institute of Technology STEM building project will be delivered as part of the first bundle of projects in the Higher Education PPP Programme. The project is currently out to tender.

Construction is expected to commence during Q4 2021. In the current environment, where there is a requirement for public health measures, including social distancing, to address the COVID-19 pandemic, a prolongation of construction programmes is expected. Taking account of this, the completion date for the Athlone STEM building project may fall during the period Q1-Q2 2024.

The timeline for completion will ultimately depend on the construction programme submitted by the successful tenderer. It will therefore be possible to provide greater clarity on this once the procurement process has been completed.

Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

45. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans or funding to support for ongoing education at Waterford Institute of Technology in view of the decision by the college to provide nearly all learning remotely due to the inability in capital facilities to provide social distancing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22599/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Since the onset of Covid-19 in March, the Department, the Higher Education Authority and SOLAS have collaborated with key stakeholders from the sector to address the financial impacts of Covid 19 on the sector, including costs associated with the safe commencement of the 2020/21 academic year in line with Public Health advice.

To alleviate the financial impact I have allocated €168 million in funding to support further and higher education institutions open their doors again and additional resources to support students.

In relation to the preparation underway for the new academic year in the context of the Covid pandemic, Higher Education Institutions have been undertaking detailed planning and contingencies for re-opening and communicating these to students and learners in the interest of public health of students, staff and communities, this will entail blended learning, combining both online and onsite provision. The details of these arrangements are being finalised.

Higher Education Institutions have published their academic calendars, with information on the dates for orientation and the beginning of teaching for the autumn semester. Most have indicated in broad terms the balance of time for students between on-campus and online learning. I have highlighted the requirement for all HEIs to provide clarity to their students as soon as possible and to prioritise the overall student experience in line with public health advice.

My Department has been advised that Waterford Institute of Technology has increased on-line provision in a blended context with many activities taking place in-person and on-campus.