Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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95. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on whether limiting access to higher and further education is anachronistic; if he will consider establishing open access to third-level education for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26996/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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At the outset, I am determined that all students and learners are provided with the opportunities to acquire and develop the skills that allow them reach their potential in a way that meets the very broad and rapidly changing needs of our labour force, the economy and society. My objective is, therefore, to ensure that there is access into either further or higher education for each person who wishes to pursue educational options at third-level.

It is very important to acknowledge the diversity of pathways that meet both individual and wider educational and skills needs. In my role as Minister for Further and Higher Education, it has, therefore, been a priority for me to highlight and communicate the need for a balanced tertiary education system. Those countries that we seek to emulate in terms of the development of the full range of individual talents and the high skill levels of their workforce are those that have strong vocational educational systems including in relation to apprenticeship provision.

While fully recognising the critical role of the higher education system, we are also working to strengthen the further education and training system under a new strategy for that sector. This will help ensure that our tertiary education system as a whole equips our students with the knowledge, skills and expertise required to secure good quality, well paid and sustainable employment.

My Department and the Higher Education Authority will continue to engage actively with the higher education institutions on the availability of places in higher education and to build capacity in the higher education system including in particular at this time for the Leaving Certificate class of 2021. I am confident that there will be an increased range of places this year and an expanded range of options across further and higher education for prospective students to consider.

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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96. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the proposals he has to increase co-operation on an all-Ireland basis in the provision of further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26957/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am strongly committed to the promotion of collaboration between further and higher education institutions, North and South, and this is a major agenda on the strategic work programme of my Department, as set out in our recently published Statement of Strategy.

Both the New Decade, New Approach Agreement and the Programme for Government have been very clear on the importance of enhanced cross border collaboration.

The Taoiseach's announcement of the Shared Island Initiative is also very significant in terms of contributing additional progress in further and higher education, both North and South. My Department is working closely with the Department of the Taoiseach, as well as with the Department of Foreign Affairs, our colleagues in Northern Ireland and a range of other stakeholders North and South.

The key North-South initiatives which I am pursuing as a priority include:

- the potential for development of all-island research centres;

- capacity building in North-South research collaboration;

- examining the potential for development of Ulster University Magee Campus in the context of overall developments in the North-West;

- developing skills projects under the Peace+ Programme in close collaboration with the Department of the Economy;

- ensuring students in Northern Ireland can continue to avail of opportunities under Erasmus+.

It makes sense to ensure that we learn from each other's systems, and where it is possible that we maximise the delivery of teaching, learning and research resources efficiently. It is in the interests of all that we do so. This has been central to my approach on North-South matters and will continue to guide our work on this important agenda.