the key challenges facing the new Minister for Higher Education – The Irish Times

Simon Harris’s appointment as Taoiseach has opened the best way for Limerick TD Patrick O’Donovan to tackle the function as Minister for Additional, and Greater Schooling.

The challenges within the new minister’s in-tray are advanced, to say the least.

With lower than a yr to go in workplace earlier than the dissolution of this Dáil, O’Donovan could have his work lower out to make substantial progress throughout even a few of these points.

These are the important thing areas he might want to sort out over the approaching yr:

1. Deal with the funding ‘disaster’ dealing with greater training

The Irish Occasions reported earlier this week that universities are set to run deficits of €15 million as some establishments proceed to wrestle with rising prices.

Some within the Authorities say this quantities to a funding “disaster”, with about eight of the 18 publicly funded greater training establishments within the red final yr.

Whereas Simon Harris was the primary minister to understand the nettle of agreeing a brand new funding mannequin for greater training, many within the sector grumble that supply is taking too lengthy.

He recognized that an extra €307 million over about three years or so was wanted to satisfy funding challenges – however solely a few of this has been delivered.

Can the brand new minister ship the sources wanted to assist maintain universities within the black, in addition to reducing pupil/instructor ratio from 23:1 to nearer the EU common of 15:1?

2. Realise the potential of recent technological universities

The jury is out on whether or not technological universities would be the success they have been promised to be.

Enrolments throughout the 5 new technological universities dropped 9 per cent up to now two years, whereas the eight universities grew by 4 per cent.

O’Donovan might want to assist realise the potential of those universities whose governing constructions are actually in place, however who’re nonetheless awaiting the long-term capital funding to construct the bodily infrastructure essential to justify their college standing.

3. Develop apprenticeships and plug abilities gaps

Apprenticeships are rising quick – however from a low base. As well as, there are backlogs of 1000’s of apprentices ready for off-the-job coaching.

O’Donovan might want to clear these, in addition to persevering with the speedy enlargement of the sector which now cowl some 70 apprenticeship areas starting from conventional areas, like development and mechanics, to newer areas akin to monetary providers and insurance coverage.

This shall be very important in plugging abilities gaps and assembly nationwide targets in areas akin to inexperienced abilities and retrofitting.

As well as, the Authorities might want to promote lifelong studying for grownup learners, throughout all components of tertiary training, to make sure the talents of the workforce meet the calls for of a contemporary financial system.

4. Assist the additional training sector to flourish

There’s a have to Sstreamline and consolidate the combination of the additional training sector to remove duplication at native stage, whereas making certain that the complete vary of programs can be found inside every Schooling and Coaching Board area.

As well as, the lately launched tertiary levels – which give entry to varsity levels exterior the CAO utility course of, beginning off in additional training – are essential for the sector.

About 40 tertiary diploma choices shall be obtainable in September 2024 – however will college students go for them?

5. Navigate uneven waters over the brand new Analysis Eire company

The Analysis and Innovation Invoice 2023 goals to determine a brand new analysis and innovation funding company referred to as Taighde Éireann – Analysis Eire by amalgamating the Irish Analysis Council and Science Basis Eire.

It isn’t a universally fashionable transfer by any means.

Science Basis Eire has title recognition and its enterprise focus has, undoubtedly, delivered large outcomes for Eire.

So, there’s a sense of jeopardy over plans to dissolve it and switch its obligations to the brand new Reserach Eire company.

Will it show to be the suitable transfer in time?

6. Deal with pay and situations

O’Donovan might want to handle the issues of the Academics’ Union of Eire concerning the phrases and situations of employment of lecturing employees in technological universities who beforehand labored within the institutes of know-how.

This can contain agreeing the institution and pay scales of the grades of assistant professor and professor throughout the new technological universities, alongside their senior administration constructions.

He may even have to points raised by the TUI concerning the remuneration ranges of instructing employees in additional training schools, who are actually timetabled to show on yr one and presumably two, of four- or five-year tertiary diploma programmes.

There may be additionally the difficulty of low-paid PhD researchers. Regardless of their very important function in greater training, many survive on lower than €10,000 a yr.

Simon Harris pledged that the PhD stipend shall be elevated to €25,000, the extent really useful by a nationwide overview final yr. However will O’Donovan be capable to ship?

7. Make training inexpensive

Harris, to his credit score, delivered cuts to the price of third stage for hard-pressed households, in addition to enhancements in grants.

The price of dwelling is, nevertheless, persevering with to rise – and lodging isn’t getting any cheaper or simpler to seek out.

Can O’Donovan keep progress in reducing training prices, whereas additionally prioritising badly-needed funding for the sector?