Ninth Level Ireland

“The next government is facing potentially more industrial unrest in schools as the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) on Tuesday said it expected its members to resoundingly back industrial action in a forthcoming ballot. About 450 second level schools as well as institutes of technology and centres of further education were closed on Tuesday as a result of a one-day stoppage by members of the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) over lower pay arrangements for staff recruited since 2011 …” (more)

[Martin Wall and Sarah Burns, Irish Times, 4 February]

“The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD and the Minister for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD today invited expressions of interest for a number of vacancies to governing authorities of higher education institutions. Applications are invited from suitably qualified and experienced persons for consideration for nomination …” (more)

[Department of Education and Skills, 24 January]

“If we’re to believe the pundits, this election more than most others in Irish politics is a battle of the big two – Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The conclusion of the parties’ confidence-and-supply deal signalled the end of the uneasy truce that bound them together for three years, and potshots have started flying in both directions as the parties seek to differentiate themselves and pitch to voters …” (more)

[Faye Curran, University Times, 16 January]

“Irish students hoping to study at UK universities next September will not face a hike in fees and can continue to avail of Irish grant support despite the UK’s scheduled exit from the EU at the end of the month, according to the Department of Education. In a statement released on Friday, Minister for Education Joe McHugh said the current fee regime and grants support for Irish students studying at UK institutions from September 2020 would remain in place …” (more)

[Sorcha Pollak, Irish Times, 10 January]

“The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD and Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD today announced that current fee regimes and grant supports are being maintained for Irish students going to higher education institutions in the UK from September 2020. The Ministers also confirmed the current system will apply for students from Britain and Northern Ireland who are applying to attend colleges in Ireland …” (more)

[Department of Education and Skills, 10 January]

“John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policies being developed to ensure that students with disabilities can complete their university education without incurring fees for deferring some of their coursework; if a plan will be supported that allocates funds to allow additional time for students with visual and hearing impairments and students who use wheelchairs to complete their university degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 18 December]

“Malcolm Byrne (Wexford, Fianna Fail): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the delay in the submission of the application from the institutes of technology in counties Carlow and Waterford for designation as a technological university; and the measures he is taking to assist in such a designation …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 17 December]

“James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding securing a location for a campus (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 17 December]

“Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if the Minister of State with special responsibility for higher education or officials on her behalf have ever directly or indirectly canvassed the president of a higher education institution on behalf of a job applicant; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 17 December]

“The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD and the Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD today announced an €18.75 million investment in Cork institute of technology. The funding is being allocated under Project Ireland 2040, which commits to exchequer investments of €2.2 billion in Ireland’s higher education infrastructure over the coming decade. The Department’s approval in principle for the €18.75 capital allocation will go towards significant building upgrades and refurbishment for CIT’s Bishopstown campus, built in 1974 …” (more)

[Department of Education and Skills, 17 December]

“Third-level colleges will open almost 3,000 places extra places over the next two years, in a €24m Government-funded move to produce more graduates for priority areas of the economy. Colleges will receive a cash incentive to create the new places, which will cross 138 full-time undergraduate courses in 22 higher education institutions …” (more)

[Katherine Donnelly, Independent, 16 December]

“Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD and Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD today (Monday 16th December 2019) announced 3,000 new places on 138 full-time undergraduate courses for autumn 2020 and 2021 …” (more)

[Department of Education and Skills, 16 December]

“A petition of 12,000 signatures calling for an integrated education policy for the Irish language was presented by campaigners to the Minister for Education Joe McHugh in Dublin on Thursday. The #Gaeilge4All campaign is seeking a comprehensive strategy spanning all stages of the education cycle from pre-school to third-level …” (more)

[Éanna Ó Caollaí, Irish Times, 12 December]

“The Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD and the Minister of State for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD today announced €10 million funding in capital grants for the country’s 11 institutes of technology (IOT) and TU Dublin. The investment is being made under Project Ireland 2040 for the current academic year and the money will be used on small-scale and necessary infrastructure works and improvements …” (more)

[Department of Education and Skills, 11 December]

“Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD and Minister of State with responsibility for Higher Education Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD today (10 December 2019) announced that the Royal College of Surgeons Ireland (RCSI) has been authorised to use the title of university in Ireland …” (more)

[Department of Education and Skills, 10 December]

“Twelve successful applicants representing Academic Institutions from across all regions have secured funding for their projects
Speaking ahead of a special Cabinet meeting on jobs in Trim, Co Meath, Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation, Heather Humphreys TD and Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh TD today announced the results of the Regional Technology Clustering Fund, the first annual competitive fund of its kind …” (more)

[DBEI, 6 December]

“Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the implementation of the Code of Governance for Irish Universities 2019; the date by which the universities must apply the code; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 5 December]

“Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his views on the fact that recent HEA research indicates that students from better-off backgrounds dominate university courses with high points entry requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 28 November]

“John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the policies being developed to ensure that students with disabilities can complete their university education without incurring fees for deferring some of their coursework; and if a plan that would allocate funds to allow additional time for students with visual and hearing impairments and who use wheelchairs to complete their university degree will be supported …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 26 November]

“Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael): To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures his Department takes to ensure that courses undertaken at universities and institutes of technology remain relevant to the changing workforce trends here; if there is data available which identifies the number of students that gained full-time employment directly as a result of their institute qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter …” (more)

[Dáil written answers, 21 November]