Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

31. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the detail of the official advice from his Department regarding in-person lectures and classes in third-level institutions (details supplied). [49757/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

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, predicated on the sector’s full commitment to a significant increase in on-site teaching and learning activities and research, was developed following extensive discussions between sectoral representatives, public health and other relevant stakeholders, and provides a framework for higher education institutions to enable a return to on-site campus learning that that is in line with public health guidance.

Specific financial support was required to deliver A Safe Return and I secured a comprehensive funding package to mitigate against the additional costs incurred by the Sector as a result of Covid-19. Government approved a €105m package of financial support for the Higher Education and Further Education and Training sector to prepare for A Safe Return to education in September 2021 line with public health guidance aligned to a comprehensive return to significant levels of on-site attendance in September including a return to large scale lectures with modification to overall numbers and mitigation measures in line with public health advice.

In addition to the above, a €38 million devolved capital grant was approved for the higher education sector. This is flexible capital funding which can be used by HEIs to support any infrastructure and equipment needed to support the safe return to campus.

It is in this context that the sector has now arrived at a position where the return on-site is well underway with approximately 400,000 learners having returned to on-site activity across all our further and higher education institutions and, subject to the prevailing public health environment, all further and higher education institutions, including Trinity College Dublin, are aiming for maximum levels of on-site activities for them.

The Plan provides for, at a minimum, on-site activity to 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 are operating in line with prevailing general public health advice for those activities.

The Plan and the approach taken fully recognises the autonomy and diversity of the higher and further education sector, and recognises that institutions will develop and implement their own plans for returning on-site, in line with their local context and physical infrastructure.

On August 3rd the IUA, THEA and RCSI issued a joint statement to announce their plans for a safe return to campuses this September with maximum on-site presence. The statement also included confirmation that large lecture theatres would be managed actively in line with public health guidance either by applying percentage occupancy limits, setting a maximum class size, an upper limit on lecture length/ period of continuous occupancy or otherwise, depending on local context and risk assessment.

The extent of planning and engagement undertaken by the sector in preparing for and implementing the safe return for staff and students is testament to its commitment to significantly increase the level of on-site provision for the 2021/22 academic year. The sector is also committed to ensuring that onsite operations are conducted in such a manner as to manage any risk to individual and public health through adherence to the prevailing regulations, guidance, and advice. The approach that the sector has taken is supported by the Chief Medical Officer. In addition, public health recently provided clarification to the sector on public health advice to support the sector in the implementation of its plans for a safe return and to assist its engagement with staff and students in that regard.

The sector continues to work in close alignment with public health and accordingly, some large HEIs are seeking to adjust and adapt to increasing levels of on-site learning as they move forward.