Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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117. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the actions that he has taken to implement the key recommendations of the surveys of experiences of sexual violence and harassment in higher education reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12369/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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There are a number of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments aimed at addressing sexual harassment and bullying. Specifically the PfG commits to “Ensure that every Higher Education Institution commissions a survey for all staff and students on harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying, with a view to informing their equality, diversity and inclusion action plans.”

Following consultation with key stakeholders, a decision was made to undertake separate surveys on sexual violence & harassment and to commission distinct surveys on bullying.   

In April 2021, at my request the Higher Education Authority (HEA) conducted national surveys to monitor the experiences of students and staff in relation to sexual violence and harassment in order to create a robust evidence base for further policy and funding decisions in relation to tackling sexual violence and harassment in higher education institutions (HEIs). The HEA established an expert Advisory Group on Ending Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment in HEIs in January 2021 to support this work.

I met with this HEA Advisory Group on 9th February 2022. I tasked them to review the surveys and to come back to me with actions as a result of the conclusions and recommendations from the surveys. I have also tasked the National Advisory Council (NAC) in the National Women’s Council, to review the surveys and come back to me with actions based on the conclusions and recommendations from the surveys. I expect both groups to report to me shortly; so that an action plan can be developed which will complement the work already underway on the Consent Framework.

My Department is also working closely with the Department of Justice on the Third National Strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. The Deputy will be aware that the public consultation phase is currently underway and will remain open until March 10.  

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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119. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 138 of 8 February 2022, the status of the examination by his Department of the economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education 2016; when the final economic evaluation report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12796/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I am committed to resolving the issue of the funding model for higher education as a matter of priority. This is essential in ensuring that our higher education institutions can effectively meet high standards of quality and achieve critical outcomes for our economy and society. 

I will be bringing forward a proposal on a funding model to Government, which will be implemented as part of forthcoming Budgets. Implementation will entail the sector delivering strengthened performance and enhanced outcomes, based on a robust reform agenda.

This approach will be informed by the comprehensive economic evaluation of funding options which has been carried out under the auspices of the European Commission's Structural Reform Support Programme.

I brought this matter to the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery shortly before Christmas. This allowed the key issues to be explored. It was agreed that both I and my Department would engage with Minister McGrath and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to inform Government's consideration, in particular undertaking technical work to update costings reflecting relevant funding decisions in Budget 2022 and other issues, which is nearing finalisation. This work has sought to robustly assess the assumptions underpinning the economic evaluation and to take account of the significant levels of State funding which have been invested in higher education and student support in recent years.

It’s my intention to bring final proposals for funding and reform of higher education arising from this work to Government very shortly. I am very clear that, from a policy perspective, addressing the sustainability of the higher education system must proceed in tandem with measures which address the costs of education as a barrier to accessing higher education.  We need to focus on both if we want a system that can be accessed by everyone and that can deliver the talent and skills that our country needs.  With that in mind, I will also be bringing the review of the Student Grant Scheme to Government at the same time.

The new funding and reform framework will be provided to the Oireachtas Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, following Cabinet consideration and will be published along with the DG Reform sponsored economic assessment report on sustainability of higher education and the SUSI review.

There have been many reports on Higher Education Funding over the last number of years, and my goal is not simply to publish the economic assessment but for Government to make big decisions that will allow for a multi-annual, inclusive process implementation process to commence. The implementation process will allow for important input from stakeholders and provide much needed momentum on the overdue implementation of key decisions that will guide funding and reform of the Higher Education sector in the years ahead.