Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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458. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the degree to which his Department continuously evaluates the performance of third and fourth level education with a view to identifying the greatest possible opportunities and the minimisation of any weaknesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59057/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 sets out the long-term vision for higher education. It recognises that a diverse range of strong, autonomous higher education institutions is essential if the overall system is to respond effectively to evolving and unpredictable economic and societal needs. It also recognises that funding and operational autonomy must be matched by a corresponding level of accountability for performance against clearly articulated expectations.

Arising from recommendations in the National Strategy, the first System Performance Framework 2014-2016 was developed. This was followed by the second System Performance Framework 2018-2020, which articulates the Minister’s key objectives for the higher education system.

The framework forms the basis for the development and agreement of performance compacts between each higher education institution (HEI) and the Higher Education Authority (HEA), via a process of strategic dialogue. HEIs are required to report annually to the HEA on their progress and performance towards targets set out in the compacts.

The most recent round of Strategic Dialogue was conducted by the HEA in June-July 2021 and feedback reports will issue to HEIs in the coming weeks. The HEA compiles and publishes a regular System Performance Report, which includes overall key system findings on higher education system performance and impact, and is submitted to the Minister. The HEA intends to compile a report covering the lifetime of the current System Performance Framework when the current cycle has concluded.

Since the publication of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, the strategic policy context for the System Performance Framework has continued to evolve, including recent significant changes in the higher education landscape. The publication of the Statement of Strategy by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science earlier this year sets out the priorities of the new department for the period 2021-2023 and includes a commitment to deliver a revised system performance framework for Higher Education, which reflects national goals and priorities.

As the Deputy is aware, there is new legislation to be published aimed at reforming and modernising governance of the Higher Education sector, via the Higher Education Authority Bill and the development of the next System Performance Framework will await the publication of that legislation.

Further details on the System Performance Framework are available at: hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/managing-performance/system-performance-framework/

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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459. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which he remains satisfied that the second and third level education system in this country remains sufficiently open to encouraging the highest possible level of expertise, efficiency and competitiveness in the global context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59058/21]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The encouragement and incubation of talent and innovation is of primary concern to me and my Department. The establishment of the Department last year signals the Government's commitment in this regard.

My Department is guided by the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030. This strategy sets the following high-level objectives:

- Ireland will have an excellent higher education system that will attract and respond to a wide range of potential students from Ireland and abroad and will be fully accessible throughout their lives and changing circumstances;

- Students will experience an education that is excellent, relevant and responsive to their personal development and growth as fully engaged citizens within society;

- Research activity in Irish higher education will continue to increase. It will be characterised by its international level quality, by a strong and broad base across all disciplines, as well as significant focus in niche areas that are aligned with and are a significant support for Irish national economic social and cultural needs;

- Institutions will be autonomous, collaborative and outward looking, effectively governed and fully accountable for both quality and efficiency outcomes. They will respond flexibly to the changing needs of the economy and of society. Higher education institutions will recruit, develop and retain high-quality staff, fully accountable for their performance to a strong and dynamic leadership;

- Higher education will accommodate a diversity of institutional missions that will be clearly articulated and defined. Together, the institutions will form a coherent and inter-related system and collectively will have the requisite critical mass for optimal quality and efficiency;

- The policy framework for higher education will make national expectations clear. The objectives and operations of the institutions and those of the funding and quality agencies will be mutually aligned, and will be underpinned by a sustainable funding model and clearly defined structures for system governance and accountability.

Significant progress has been made on furthering these objectives.

For example, three technological universities have been established to date, with two further on course to be established in 2022. The development of the next National Access Plan (NAP) 2022 - 2026 is currently underway while the review of the Student Grant Scheme is at an advanced stage.

A report on the future sustainability of further and higher education will be considered by Government in the near future.

Together these actions will support the development of our further and higher education and research systems to support people in reaching their full potential and to create value, prosperity, resilience and a cohesive, sustainable and vibrant society.