Trinity law researchers have recommended that the government create a Higher Education Ombudsman to support the welfare of third-level students, “given the relative weaknesses of Students’ Unions”.
The report produced by the COVID-19 Law and Human Rights Observatory at Trinity details that the ombudsman should also support third-level students’ safety, health and remote working issues.
Entitled Public Health Law During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Ireland, the report stated: “There is no mechanism like the Workplace Relations Commission to intervene where students are experiencing difficulties in the relationship with their education institution.”
“The extent to which university obligations for the safety, health and welfare of students on university property applies where students are working remotely is unclear.”
“At the very least”, it added, “there should be standardised guidance issued to third level students and institutions on remote working and learning best practice (including in respect of examinations), rather than being left up to each institution as seems to be the current position, with dramatic variations in practices between institutions”.
The researchers detail the role of the ombudsman in taking legal action in support of students.
The recommendation is in response to findings of “the relative weaknesses of Students’ Unions”.
The report also noted that students should have received a greater level of financial support than the government has provided them with to date. It notes the €250 allocated to students in Budget 2021 as inaccessible to some international students.
Further recommendations from the report include an increase in the amounts available under the SUSI grant as well as targeted payments like grants for heating, electricity and internet connectivity.
Researchers found a significant lack of transparency in government decision-making processes during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Sarah Hamill, an assistant professor of law at Trinity, said in a press statement: “The overarching finding of this report is a significant lack of transparency in how and why important decisions were made during the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.”
The report also detailed the absence of clarity from the government during the pandemic surrounding who made key decisions and whether some public health measures were legally enforceable.
It outlined 16 proposals that the researchers recommended the government should implement in order to improve transparency.
