Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

3320. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will review the exclusion of Marino Institute of Education from core Higher Education Authority funding streams, given its role in teacher training and the impact on students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40899/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy will be aware that Marino Institute of Education (MIE) is a private higher education institution for which my Department has no governance or oversight role.

The institution is not in receipt of core funding through my Department or the HEA.

However, I understand the Department for Education and Youth provides funding to MIE for the delivery of primary Initial Teacher Education programmes. I have further been advised that the provision of funding is in line with a memorandum of understanding that sets out the funding and administrative arrangements between Marino Institute of Education and the Department for Education and Youth.

It is not feasible for my Department to provide funding towards the ongoing running costs of all private higher education institutions. It remains open to MIE to apply for funding through competitive HEA call processes, such as Springboard+, to provide courses in response to national skill needs or other calls for higher education related activities as managed by the HEA.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

3321. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the expected timeline for finalising the regulations and commencing the designation by order process under the Higher Education Authority Act 2022, which would allow institutions such as Marino Institute of Education to apply for designated status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40900/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 provides for the designation of additional institutions by ministerial order, which allows for higher education institutions, including private and not-for-profit higher education institutions, to apply for designation. However, these provisions enabling this process have not yet been commenced.

Work is underway on developing the designation by order process, including initial consideration of the conditions under which designation might occur. This is a complex process and will involve liaison with the Higher Education Authority, Quality and Qualifications Ireland, and other sectoral stakeholders, including higher education representative bodies, to ensure the new designation process fits seamlessly within the higher education system. It is the Department’s intention to make substantial progress on this work over the coming period, with the aim of commencing the designation by order process in 2026.

Once these provisions are enacted, it will then be open to institutions such as Marino Institute of Education to apply for designation by order under the legislation.

Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

3322. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has engaged with the Minister for Education and Youth regarding the implementation of the Sahlberg report’s recommendations on teacher education, particularly in relation to Marino Institute of Education and its integration within the higher education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40901/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Education has statutory responsibility for setting national education policy related to initial teacher education for primary and post-primary teaching as well as in relation to teacher education more generally. Consequently, the deputy should direct questions on the implementation of recommendations related to teacher education to that Minister. My department has no governance or oversight role in respect of Marino Institute of Education.

Marino Institute of Education (MIE) is a private institution with charitable status under the co-trusteeship of the European Province of the Congregation of Christian Brothers and Trinity College Dublin. MIE higher education courses are accredited by Trinity College Dublin. As a Private Institution, the management of the affairs of the institution including its future direction are matters for MIE.

MIE is an approved institution under Section 7 (1)(F) of the Student Support Act, 2011. The college is funded for approved teacher training activities by the Department of Education (DoE) who have an oversight agreement in place with MIE.

Regarding integration into the Higher Education system, the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 provides for a designation by order process which allows other higher education institutions, including private and not-for-profit higher education institutions, to apply for designation. However, these provisions have not yet been commenced. Marino Institute of Education (MiE) may be open to applying for the title of “designated institution of higher education” once the relevant provisions in the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 have been commenced.