Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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165. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a university (details supplied) is proceeding with student work placements in food processing plants during the current level 5 restrictions; and if his Department has provided guidance to the university on this matter. [12336/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.

The government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business and Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021, Plan for Living with COVID-19, combined with the HSA Return to Work Protocols and ongoing Public Health advice, provide the over-arching framework for all sectors of society for the operation of their facilities and premises in keeping with public health advice.

Specific to further and higher education, the government has also published “Guidance for Further and Higher Education for returning to on-site activity in 2020: Roadmap and COVID-19 Adaptation Framework for returning to on-site activity in autumn 2020” accompanied by “Implementation Guidelines for Public Health Measures in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)” and outbreaks protocols developed in collaboration with experts within the higher education sector and with the Department of Health. This suite of guidance provides robust advice to higher and further educational facilities on COVID-19 prevention measures, implementation of which will minimise the risk of infection for all students and staff. Further and Higher Education Institutes should adapt and customise these recommendations for their own particular settings, adhering at all times to the overarching Public Health principles on which the guidance is predicated.

Level 5 measures designate higher and further education as essential insofar as onsite presence is required and such education activities cannot be held remotely. The priority activities which can continue - subject to the appropriate protective measures, guidelines and local assessment- include practical tuition, workshops and skills-based learning (including in relation to apprenticeships) and engagement with vulnerable learners. Local assessment will focus on activities that are not capable of being delivered through alternative means, and are time-critical for students and learners during this period.

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. Reflecting the scale and diversity of third-level provision, higher education institution themselves are best equipped to determine where onsite presence is required.