Louise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
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557. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the support that will be given to third-level educational institutions to reconvene in-person classes safely for the upcoming academic year. [46587/21]

Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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Following Government approval, I published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22 on June 15th. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-further-and-higher-education-and-research/.

The plan, which emerged following extensive and productive discussions between university representatives, public health and other relevant stakeholders, provided a framework for higher education institutions to proceed with planning for a return to onsite campus learning that would be in line with public health guidance. In that context, institutions and providers progressed with their own detailed planning and work for a comprehensive return to on-site activity.

To support the further and higher education student and sector, €105 million in additional COVID support funding was allocated to assist third level sector to safely reopen in September 2021. The package includes financial support for further and higher education to return on-site safely and in line with public health advice, and additional student supports for students in further and higher education. €21 million of this funding will be allocated to provide specific extra supports for students including an extra €3m for student mental health, an extra €10m for the Student Assistance Fund which provides financial supports to students experiencing financial difficulties while in college, and €8m for the Mitigating Educational Disadvantage Fund which supports and engages disadvantaged learners. This builds on significant supports for the sector and students throughout 2020.

The sector has now moved into the implementation phase with all students having resumed onsite activity. Launching on the 27th September, the Department has worked with the HSE to establish a number of pop-up vaccination centres across 15 different institutions. The clinics will provide first or second doses and will be provided to students and staff as walk-in clinics during Vaccination Week. The aim is to maximise vaccine uptake in those who have not yet availed of vaccination, including international students.

In addition, following engagement between my Department and the HSE, free face masks will be available to staff and students

The safety, sustainability and continuity of the return to campus are of paramount importance and my Department will continue to work with the Chief Medical Officer and the Health Service Executive to that end.