Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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139. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the funding that has been made available to higher education institutions to complete mandated consent training for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26780/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Our higher education institutions have a duty of care to their students and staff, and a responsibility to foster a campus culture that is clear in the condemnation of unwanted and unacceptable behaviours, which act as barriers to their safety and their active participation in college life.

In April 2019 the Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: “Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive – Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions” was launched by my Department.

To assist institutions with implementation of the Framework, funding of over €400,000 has been allocated by my Department to a number of initiatives since its launch. In addition, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has allocated funding of over €500,000 towards consent workshops, the development of the anonymous report and support tool, and the UCC Bystander intervention programme.

Prior to and since the launch of the Framework, institutions would have undertaken activities in this area which are part of their student services remit, and come from within their overall funding allocations.

I want to see our higher education institutions embed the Framework for Consent into their policies and procedures, so as to ensure their long-lasting impact, which will see Ireland take a leading role in ending sexual violence and harassment. This is a priority for my Department and we will be closely following progress in this area.