Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

460. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has engaged with Trinity College in respect of the return to in-class lessons for nursing students (details supplied). [57078/21]

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, which is 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. In that context, the sector has now arrived at a position where the return to on-site is well underway with approximately 400,000 learners having returned to on-site activity across all our further and higher education institutions.

At a minimum, on-site activity includes 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. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and the way in which the Plan is implemented varies from institution to institution, recognising their own local context and physical infrastructure. As I understand it, Trinity College has resumed face to face learning across its campus since last month and I am concerned to read of the Deputy's constituent's experience and will seek further clarity on this matter.