Written answers

Tuesday, 30 November 2021

Department of Education and Skills

Covid-19 Pandemic

Photo of Gary GannonGary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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467. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to higher education institutions holding in-person examinations at the end of term some in large venues to accommodate large number of students despite the growing number of Covid-19 cases; if his Department will work with public health to ensure guidelines are provided to institutions to ensure the health and well-being of staff and students are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59107/21]

Photo of Simon HarrisSimon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Higher education and research and further education and training including apprenticeship have been confirmed by Government as an essential service in the course of the pandemic. They continue, therefore, to take place on-site, consistent with the Safe Return Plan published by my Department last June. The Safe Return plan has been supplemented by recent guidance in relation to the sectoral approach for this current phase of the response.

The Plan includes within it a commitment by the sector to work with public health authorities, and my Department continues to engage with public health in order to maintain and sustain the safe return.

On Friday 19thNovember last I met with management, staff and student representatives and the issue of end of semester examinations was discussed.

Due to the diversity of our higher education institutions, it was agreed that a uniform or one size fits all approach would not be appropriate across the whole of higher education. The basic principle of risk assessment and the application of appropriate precautionary measures, which has enabled and supported the safe return to onsite activities, will continue to apply.

Management bodies confirmed that they are actively looking at a range of approaches to ensure that end of term examinations will be safe, and that the requirements of students who may have Covid-19 or underlying health conditions can be addressed. It was also pointed out that there are some examinations – such as those related to external accreditation - which are challenging to change to an online format at short notice.

The outcome of the meeting was that individual higher education institutions will assess the appropriate approach to examinations consistent with the outcome of their risk assessments. Timely engagement and consultation with student and staff representatives at institution also has an important role to play.

In all instances public health must remain a priority and there will be a continuing focus on the evolving and often quickly changing public health situation overall.

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