Ninth Level Ireland

“It is the question 60,000 students and their parents all want to know: what’s going to happen with the Leaving Cert? Until recently, Minister for Education Norma Foley said it was the Government’s ‘firm intention’ to press ahead with traditional exams. Now, however, the Department of Education is examining ‘possible alternative options’ …” (more)

[Carl O’Brien, Irish Times, 29 January]

“The IUA welcomes today’s announcement by Minister Simon Harris TD, of an investment of €3.2m in 2021 to address the funding gap for Irish Research Council (IRC) postgraduate students and post-doctoral researchers. IRC postgraduate students will now receive a stipend similar to that offered by other national funders. For IRC postdoctoral researchers, this now brings their salaries in line with those agreed under the National Researcher Career Framework, recently published by the IUA …” (more)

[IUA, 29 January]

“According to Fine Gael Senator John Cummins, work is set to begin shortly on a Mass Vaccination Centre at WIT Arena in Carriganore, despite worries – brought on by Fine Gael themselves – that Waterford and the entire South and South East was going to be overlooked …” (more)

[Darren Skelton, Waterford News and Star, 29 January]

“Sinn Féin’s Higher Education Spokesperson Rose Conway-Walsh today criticised the government’s decision to charge students full fees during the coronavirus pandemic …” (more)

[Sárán Fogarty, University Times, 29 January]

“No decision has been made on where the headquarters of the New Technological university for the South East will be. There had been rumours that Kilkenny was being discussed as a compromise location between IT Carlow and Waterford IT …” (more)

[Domhnall Doyle, KCLR FM, 29 January]

“Developers have lodged an application for the relocation of a controversial entrance door of a café and retail shop at Upper Newcastle Road in Dangan. The site forms part of a large student residence development at the former Westwood Hotel …” (more)

[Galway Bay FM, 29 January]

“In primary school, we were always taught that standing by and watching a child get bullied was almost as bad as the bullying itself. You may not be the one throwing insults, but you’re facilitating it. You’re allowing it to happen. That is the position that University College Dublin are in, regarding the on-going circus surrounding Dolores Cahill …” (more)

[Luke Murphy, College Tribune, 29 January]

“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today (29 January 2021) announced an increase in the value of the Irish Research Council’s research scholarships and fellowships. The enhanced funding of €3.2 million to the Council will better support postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in Ireland across all disciplines …” (more)

[gov.ie, 29 January]

“Sir, – The widespread view that the Leaving Certificate is ‘brutal but fair’, referred to by the provost of Trinity College Dublin (Education Opinion, January 26th), is worth examining. Everyone appears to agree that the Leaving Certificate is brutal; however, it is far from fair …” (more)

[Michael Shevlin, Irish Times, 29 January]

“The Times Higher Education World University Rankings today announced that Trinity is the eight most international university in the world. College was in 17th place last year, and is the only Irish university on the list. This year marks a bounce of eight places …” (more)

[Emer Moreau, University Times, 28 January]

“The honour was awarded to Queen’s University by Octopus Ventures, which is a leading European Venture Capital Firm. Investing in the youth of today was never more important …” (more)

[Peter Donnelly, The Gown, 28 January]

“Students who feel ‘terrorized’ by a strict implementation of social restrictions at Trinity Hall (Halls) have raised their concerns ahead of the upcoming semester. In a meeting of the newly-established Trinity College Dublin’s Renters Union (TCDRU) this evening, an issue was raised about the conditions Trinity Halls (Halls) residents have been experiencing over the last few months …” (more)

[Shannon Connolly and Kate Henshaw, Trinity News, 28 January]

“The Presidents of Waterford and Carlow’s Institutes of Technology co-chaired the inaugural meeting of the Technological University of the South East’s (TUSEI) Regional Engagement Advisory Group this afternoon …” (more)

[Dermot Keyes, Waterford News and Star, 28 January]

“The government will this year consider passing a bill that would give the Minister for Higher Education the power to suspend and replace the governing body of state-funded universities, if there are very serious concerns about how the institution is operating …” (more)

[Cormac Watson, University Times, 28 January]

“Plans to open a new €12m multipurpose sports arena at Munster Technological Institute’s (MTU) Bishopstown campus in time for the student intake of 2021/2022 have been hit by the coronavirus lockdown …” (more)

[Catherine Shanahan, Irish Examiner, 28 January]

“Holding landlords accountable and creating a lasting presence on campus were some of the key issues explored at the first meeting of Trinity College Dublin Renters’ Union this evening. The union also addressed the structure of the organisation, its aims and wider links to the Community Action Tenants’ Union (CATU) …” (more)

[Sárán Fogarty, University Times, 28 January]

“Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, has today re-affirmed Government’s commitment to a Technological University for the South East. Minister Harris was speaking at a new Regional Engagement Advisory Group, attended by Presidents of IT Carlow and WIT and business leaders for the area …” (more)

[gov.ie, 28 January]

“Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of applicants to the CAO that did not receive an offer in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 27 January]

“Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills The number of additional purpose-built student accommodations beds that have been added since the launch of the National Student Accommodation Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 27 January]

“Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on calls by students and student unions to reduce university fees by 30% given that students are under severe financial pressure with the current Covid-19 pandemic to afford their college course; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 27 January]