Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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669. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policy in place in terms of third level students who are required to complete a work placement as a part of their studies but are unable to do so due to Covid-19 public health guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1363/21]

Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
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670. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if students who are required to complete a work placement to obtain their qualifications but who cannot due to Covid-19 public health advice will have to repeat this work placement next year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1364/21]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 669 and 670 together.

I appreciate that this is a time of considerable stress and concern for third level students and the challenging and stressful circumstances that students are facing are being taken into account by Higher Education institutions as they adapt and respond to the changing situation. This includes the consideration of issues around work placements for students. The national co-ordination group for further and higher education is also meeting on a regular basis, and is closely monitoring the impact that Covid-19 is having on third level institutions and their students.

Since the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, both the higher education, and further education and training sectors, have worked proactively to ensure that appropriate and robust contingencies have been agreed and implemented in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders including Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), enabling the continuation of teaching and learning. QQI are also engaging with professional and statutory bodies regarding their work placement requirements for relevant programmes.

The further education and training (FET) sector has responded swiftly to the identified issues of work placement and work practice by putting together a series of contingency proposals to QQI for the current academic year. These arrangements will be kept in place for all learners seeking to complete awards for this academic period, while maintaining the integrity of the award standards at all times.

As Higher Education Institutions are autonomous, and as such are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes, including in relation to placement arrangements, and as there are a wide range of courses with work placement options, students are encouraged to approach their institutions directly if they have any queries in relation to their work placements.