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Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Simon Harris TD has today welcomed confirmation of opening dates for third level colleges following a meeting with representative bodies.

The Minister and Department officials today met with the Irish Universities Association, the Technological Higher Education Association and Technology University Dublin to discuss the roadmap for reopening our third level sector.

At the meeting, three representative bodies confirmed the induction of first year students is a priority. The IUA, THEA and TU Dublin all confirmed they are seeking to welcome first year students from late September/early October with the majority seeking to open for first year students on September 28^th.

Speaking today, Minister Harris said:

Yesterday, I was pleased to announce a €168 million package of supports for third level institutions and students to help colleges re-open in September and get students on campus.

Today, we all agreed the induction of first-students was a priority and all three organisations advised preparations are underway to welcome first year students from late September.

This is very welcome and will come as a huge relief to students. It is essential we do everything we can to offer them the college experience despite the challenges Covid brings.

We also agreed the return of third level must be safe and guided by the best public health advice. We will continue to work together to ensure we protect our students and staff.

The meeting also gave me an opportunity to thank the organisations for the collaborative way we have worked together over recent weeks. I also wish to thank staff representatives for their assistance, collaboration and input into the Roadmap for returning to on-site activity in 2020 in Higher Education and Further Education and Training which was published yesterday.

We have made substantial progress in a very short time. We must now build on it together.