Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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498. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide details of the breakdown between online and in-person learning that each of the higher education institutions are providing; the rationale for same; if he is providing guidelines for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47491/21]

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 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 are currently progressing with their own detailed planning and work for a comprehensive return to on-site activity.

At a minimum, on-site activity will include laboratory teaching and learning, classroom based teaching and learning, tutorials, workshops, smaller lectures, research, return to work-spaces and access to libraries with appropriate protective measures in place. As part of the safe return to on-site learning, other on campus non-educational activities and facilities such as sports, bars, canteens, clubs and societies will operate in line with prevailing general public health advice for those activities.

Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and the way in which the Plan will be implemented will vary from institution to institution. However, I do hope students can be accommodated by institutions for in person graduations in line with public health advice.

All returning students have resumed onsite activity and first year students will commence next week. In line with their arrival, the Department has worked with the HSE to establish a number of pop-up vaccination centres across 11 different institutions to maximise uptake of vaccinations. In addition, free face masks will be provided.