Thursday, 14 Dec 2023

Written Answers Nos. 516-535

Hospital Facilities

Questions (516)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

516. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of new acute beds that have been provided in Mayo in the past two years. [56219/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.

Emergency Departments

Questions (517)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

517. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the average emergency department waiting times in Mayo University Hospital. [56220/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (518)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

518. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for cataract surgery, by county; the average wait time; the number waiting over one, two, three and four years, respectively, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56221/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for many scheduled appointments and procedures were too long before and have been made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Department of Health continues to work with the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) to identify ways to improve access to care. 

The 2023 Waiting List Action Plan builds on the foundational work done in the 2021 and 2022 plans, both of which reversed the annual trend of rising waiting lists. 

For 2023, funding totalling €443 million is being allocated to tackle Waiting Lists with €363 million of this being allocated to the 2023 Waiting List Action Plan, to reduce hospital waiting lists by implementing longer term reforms and providing additional public and private activity to clear backlogs exacerbated during the pandemic. The remaining €80 million of the €443 million is being targeted at various measures to alleviate community/primary care waiting lists.

With the funding from Budget 2024 (€407 million), we are taking the next steps in the multi-annual approach towards achieving the vision of a world-class public healthcare system in which everyone has timely and transparent access to high-quality scheduled care, where and when they need it, in line with Sláintecare reforms. 

In relation to the particular query raised by the Deputy, the attached information, was provided to my Department by the NTPF. The NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate true average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.

-					Cataracts Waiting List by Area of Residence (AOR) And TimeBands
Date	30/11/2023
AOR (County)	< 1 year	1-2 years	2-3 years	3+ years	Grand Total			Average Wait Time			Median Wait Time
Carlow	94	13			107			145			103
Cavan	32				32
Clare	231	5			236
Cork	435	6			441
Donegal	133	20			153
Dublin	944	65	5	4	1018
Galway	275	39			314
Kerry	75				75
Kildare	196	15			211
Kilkenny	117	8			125
Laois	89	7			96
Leitrim	31	4			35
Limerick	392				392						The health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times.In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
Longford	64	5			69
Louth	53	8			61
Mayo	152	17			169
Meath	73	14			87
Monaghan	22				22
Offaly	114	7			121
Roscommon	67	8			75
Sligo	102	18			120
SmallVolAOR		7	24	12	43
Tipperary	321	29			350
Unknown/Outside Ireland	15				15
Waterford	212	37	4		253
Westmeath	79	6			85
Wexford	269	40			309
Wicklow	203				203
Grand Total	4790	378	33	16	5217

Hospital Facilities

Questions (519)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

519. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the current position in regard to the extension to previously promised facilities at Naas General Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56246/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday 6th October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.

Health Services

Questions (520)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

520. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has been advised to seek possible treatment for his condition abroad given that he has lived in this country and has been employed here, and whose home is in this country for many years, who is a patient of Tallaght hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56276/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides for two categories of eligibility for persons ordinarily resident in the country, i.e. full eligibility (medical card holders) and limited eligibility (all others). Adults with full eligibility can access a range of services including GP services, prescribed drugs and medicines, public in-patient hospital services, including consultants’ services, out-patient public hospital services including consultants’ services, dental, ophthalmic and aural services and appliances, and maternity and infant care service. Persons with limited eligibility are eligible for in-patient and outpatient public hospital services including Consultant services, Emergency Department or minor injury care, subject to certain charges. Other services such as allied healthcare professional services may also be made available to persons with limited eligibility.

In addition, patients have the option to access treatment abroad under two EU schemes operated by the HSE.  The HSE operates the EU Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS), for persons entitled under EU Regulation 883/04.  The TAS is a consultant led scheme and allows for an Ireland-based public consultant to refer a public patient who is normally resident in Ireland for treatment in the public healthcare system of another EU member state, the UK or Switzerland. Subject to the EU Regulations and Guidelines, the TAS provides for the cost of approved public treatments in another EU/EEA member state, the UK or Switzerland through the issue of form S2 (IE) where the treatment is:

• among the benefits provided for by Irish legislation;

• not available in Ireland;

• not available within the time normally necessary for obtaining it in Ireland, taking account of the patient's current state of health and the probable course of the disease;

• medically necessary and will meet the patient’s needs;

• a proven form of medical treatment and not experimental or test treatment;

• provided in a recognised public hospital or other institution that will accept EU/EEA form S2 (IE) and;

• is under the control of a registered medical practitioner.

The HSE provides further information for patients on the HSE TAS website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/treatment-abroad-scheme/

The EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) provides rules for the reimbursements to patients of the cost of receiving treatment abroad, where the patient would be entitled to such treatment in their home Member State, and supplements the rights that patients already have at EU level. The HSE operates the EU Cross Border Directive (CBD) in Ireland. Under the terms of the CBD, patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA country for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The patient may access the overseas service in either the public or private health sector of the country they choose to receive the service in. The patient pays for the treatment and claims reimbursement from the HSE at the cost of that treatment in Ireland or the cost of it abroad, whichever is the lesser. The HSE, in fulfilling its role as the National Contact Point (NCP) in Ireland, provides information for patients on the operation of the CBD, including on its website: www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/cross-border-directive/

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Questions (521, 522, 523, 524)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

521. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [55999/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

522. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56017/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

523. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56035/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

524. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56053/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 521 to 524, inclusive, together.

Tá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán do chomhlíonadh na gceanglas faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021. Táimid ag obair lenár ngníomhaireacht chruthaitheach agus lenár ngníomhaireacht ceannaithe meán chun a chinntiú go gcuirfear 20% d'fhógraíocht Ghaeilge ar fáil inár bhfeachtais go léir, agus chomh gar don sprioc 5% do na meáin Ghaeilge agus is féidir a bhaint amach ar an spás fógraíochta atá ar fáil. De réir an Achta leasaithe, comhlíonfar gach eolas faoinár gcomhlíonadh fógraíochta Gaeilge do 2023 le cur faoi bhráid an Choimisinéara Teanga faoi Mhárta 2024 lena fhoilsiú ina dhiaidh sin. Níl an t-eolas maidir leis na comhlachtaí poiblí laistigh de scóip cheist an Teachta i seilbh na Roinne. Tá sonraí teagmhála na gcomhlachtaí seo leagtha amach sa cháipéis faoi iamh más mian leis an Teachta teagmháil dhíreach a dhéanamh leo leis an gceist seo.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Name of Body	Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireacthas	Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members
Higher Education Authority	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Irish Research Council( Note 1)	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Grangegorman Development Agency	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
SOLAS	[e-mail]	Maria Walsh: [e-mail]
Skillnets Ltd	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Quality and Qualifications Ireland	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Science Foundation Ireland	[e-mail]	Ciara Cotter

Note 1 – In regard to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) as the IRC operates under the auspices of the HEA. Mr Mellett will address Oireachtas queries for both the HEA and IRC. Please use [e-mail] and [e-mail] respectively to contact Mr Mellett.

Questions Nos. 522 to 524, inclusive, answered with Question No. 521.

Departmental Policies

Questions (525)

John Lahart

Question:

525. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56111/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My Department has made significant changes in the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sectors since its establishment in 2020, and has since seen encouraging progress across these sectors over the past number of years.

With 400,000 people enrolled in learning across further and higher education, the Department is responsible for a sizeable sector. Learning outcomes have a significant influence on people's life paths.

Compared to the EU and OECD averages, Ireland has high levels of higher education attainment.

Below is a list of my Department's policy priorities and achievements over the course of 2023 and information on the Budget for 2024 and the years to follow:

Unified Tertiary System: Work continued on the development of a new Tertiary Education Strategy, as provided for in the Higher Education  Authority Act 2022,  including through a series of regional dialogue meetings involving all regional actors, to shape and guide policy and ensure the achievement of major cross-Government policy objectives.

My Department established a new National Tertiary Office.  For the first time in September 2023, students entered new tertiary programmes outside of the CAO system.  Starting their programme in further education, they will progress seamlessly to guaranteed place to complete a fully-accredited degree in higher education.

The Research and Innovation Bill 2023: The Department continued development of a landmark Research and Innovation Bill to amalgamate the functions of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council into a new Research Agency, to maximise the impact of approximately €300m of national competitive research funding (almost 40% of Government expenditure on R&D).

Impact 2030: The Department is leading a whole of government approach to the implementation of Ireland’s National Research and Innovation strategy, Impact 2030, so as to ensure the national research and innovation system supports key Government strategies such as the White Paper for Enterprise, the Climate Action Plan and Smart Specialisation of regions.

Delivering greater engagement between the research sector and public policy development is a key action in increasing the impact of Ireland's research sector in the evidence base for public policy.  The Civil Service Research Network has been established to bring together all Government Departments to improve engagement with higher education researchers. The results of a public consultation on researcher experience with public policy development are under review and will inform an integrated national framework in the early part of 2024

The Department is also continuing to pursue Ireland's application for membership of CERN, which has recently received approval from Government.

European Social Fund: My Department is continuing to lead Irish participation in the European Social Fund, where some €1bn has been drawn down to date.

International Education and Research Strategy: A new international education and research strategy will be published shortly. The Strategy will emphasise the importance of the Shared Island agenda, and the promotion of European and Global Ireland engagements across the spectrum of further education, higher education, skills, research and innovation.

Higher Education Utilising enhanced funding and the Funding the Future reform programme, my Department has worked to drive performance & governance reform and improved outcomes.

2024 saw further expansion in the training of healthcare students, with the creation of over 600 additional healthcare places in disciplines such as medicine, nursing, and speech and language therapy. For the first time ever, this included the Government funding places in universities in Northern Ireland for students from the Republic.

Implementation of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 continues to be a priority; through this new legislation, we are able to bring additional support to the modernisation of governance and accountability mechanisms.

The implementation of the International Education Mark is also being progressed. This will serve to strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a trusted destination and an educational hub with excellent standards for international learners seeking a high quality education experience.

Enabling Technological Universities: The Department is continuing to support technological universities in their post-establishment phase. In the summer, I announced a €50m fund, the Technological Sector Advancement Fund, to further this work.

Apprenticeship, Further Education and Training & Skills 

Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–25: In 2023, the Department continued to:

- address current backlogs in apprenticeship training and meet future demand projections as set out in the recent report on Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofit. 

- deliver on the Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan demonstrating public service commitment and leadership through increased availability of apprenticeship opportunities across the public sector.

- develop a high-quality single national apprenticeship model embodying greater flexibility and responsiveness to workforce requirements and enterprise needs.

- advance social inclusion measures to aid the apprenticeship population in becoming more representative of wider society.

Further Education and Training (FET): My Department continues to support SOLAS and the ETBs in implementing the FET Strategy: Transforming Learning. The provision of an additional €3m in Budget 2024 will consolidate and expand the progress made across the three core pillars of building skills, fostering inclusion, and facilitating pathways to deliver a more strategic and integrated FET system.  

Adult Literacy for Life strategy: €1m was allocated to the 51 successful projects under the Strategy’s Collaboration and Innovation Fund and the National Literacy Coalition and Regional Literacy Coalitions are up and running.

The Prison Education Taskforce launched in May 2023 is pursuing education and training opportunities for prisoners and Budget 2024 provides for €1.5m to drive the work of the Taskforce.

Quality Assurance in FET - The Sectoral Report on the inaugural review of Quality Assurance of FET in the ETB Sector was published in March 2023.

Support for Ukrainians - Since the outbreak of the war, up to end September 2023, 31,980 availed of FET programmes, predominantly English language courses.

Reconfigure Ireland's Skills system

In response to the key recommendations of the OECD Ireland Skills Strategy Review my Department continues to reform the National Skills Council by: 

Advancing a NSC with reconfigured  membership, to act as a platform for strategic engagement with industry, enterprise community and other non-governmental stakeholders with a strong interest in skills and workforce development policy, facilitating a high-level and broad perspective on skills challenges, policies and priorities, and;

Establishing a High Level Skills Implementation Group (HLIG), intended to deliver the whole-of-government and whole-of-tertiary engagement on national skills policy and delivery, as recommended by the OECD. The HLIG, chaired by DFHERIS, will have a lead role in driving the implementation of the 2023 OECD Skills Strategy Review Recommendations and ownership of skills issues across relevant stakeholders, as has been called out as critically needed in the OECD Report.

The reform is well under way as the first meeting of the HLIG took place on the 27 November 2023 and the inaugural meeting of the reformed NSC is expected to take place in Q1 2024.

National Digital Strategy:  

The Department continues to engage on the Skills dimension of the National Digital Strategy.

The Department is working in partnership with the ESRI on a research programme on Irish Skills Requirements.

The first project under the programme examines in-demand skills needs for emerging technologies in key occupations, and is nearly complete.

Construction Skills:  

The Dept. progressed work to enact the Construction Safety Licensing Bill, 2023 to enhance certification and regulation of construction sector skills.

It also began work, through the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, on an analysis of the skills for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), to inform skills provision in 2024 onwards.

In addition, the development of the National Demonstration Park for MMC, based at the National Construction Training Campus in Co. Offaly has been advanced.

We have also seen an enhancement to the range of skills provision for construction, through initiatives such as the joint Laois-Offaly ETB and St. Andrew’s Resource Centre accredited construction skills course, which provides introductory training and links with employers to place graduates in employment.  

Green Skills: 

The Dept. continued to expand retrofit training through the programmes offered by the network of NZEB/Retrofit Centres of Excellence, with record numbers of students enrolling in 2023. 

It is leading, with DECC and in collaboration with Wind Energy Ireland, on the skills responses required for the development of Ireland’s offshore wind industry, including through the establishment of a skills work stream as part of the cross-government Offshore Wind Energy Programme, and undertaking a detailed skills assessment report.

We have taken action to develop the skills required for the maintenance of electric vehicles, including through the announcement of the future development of a national e-mobility capability centre by Longford-Westmeath ETB in Mullingar.

Housing for All: We have progressed work to enact the Construction Safety Licensing Bill, 2023 to enhance certification and regulation of construction sector skills.

Adult Career Guidance:  

In line with the recommendations of the Indecon Review of Lifelong guidance report and the OECD Ireland Skills Strategy Review (2023) which have identified the need to increase the navigability of the skills ecosystem, my Department set up an Oversight Group for a Single Portal for Career Guidance and Information.

The aim of the group was to provide advice on the next steps to support the establishment of a single portal/one stop information resource in relation to all tertiary learning options by my Department.

The work of the Oversight Group concluded in October 2023 with a comprehensive report outlining the recommended approach to the development of a Career Guidance and Information Portal and I am now considering its findings. 

Access

The Department has continued to develop the national access plan to help underrepresented groups to gain access to Higher Education.

PATH 1: Three centres (MU, DCU, and UCC) requested additional once-off bridging funding totalling €347,549 to maintain project activities for the 2023/24 academic year. In addition, three centres (NISE, DCU, and UCD/NCAD) were approved no-cost extensions up until 2024 and 2025.

PATH 2: The rollout of ESF assisted funding means we have increased the number of Tier 1 and Tier 2 bursaries from 373 to 600 for the 23/24 academic year, comprising of 400 Tier 1 at €5000 and 200 Tier 2 at €2500 each. A centralised application system for these bursaries has been approved and rolled out this year.

Path 4: Phase 1. An additional €1.8m has been provided for the rollout and implementation of Universal Design across the HEIs. This in in addition to the $3m already provided.

Path 4: Phase 2. A call for proposals for courses for people with Intellectual disabilities has been completed and final assessment is underway.  This will be completed by the Expert panel shortly.

Mental Health: An additional €3m has been provided in funding this year

Student Assistance Fund: An extra €8.54m has been provided this year to the SAF fund.

Ukrainian SAF: I have again approved €300,000 this year which is dedicated to the Ukrainian SAF

Pathfinder Programmes: We continued to implement the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme for the Higher Education Sector to test decarbonisation approaches, build capability, provide an evidence base and establish a pathway for a large-scale building decarbonisation programme as well as development of an equivalent programme for FET in 2023.  

Student Accommodation: In the area of Student Accommodation, the Dept. continued to prioritise both short term solutions and longer term measures, including through commitment of funding where appropriate. The Development of Technological University Capacity to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency and others to fund student accommodation is also being supported. 

Capital Programme

Four programmes, with a combined funding envelope of €395 million to 2025, are being progressed:

• a Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund focused on investments that provide essential additional capacity and strengthen the role of Technological Universities as drivers of regional development

• a second round of the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund, which is open to all higher education institutions and will co-fund strategic projects to a maximum of 50%

• a FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund, which will support projects that can help drive reform of the FET sector, including consolidation of provision in high quality facilities, integration of further education and training, realisation of centres of excellence, and unified tertiary planning

• a Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund, which will support smaller-scale investments in existing FET infrastructure, ensuring that works are progressed within the context of an overall strategic plan for the building and aligned with FET College of the Future principles

Delivery on NDNA Commitments

Support for Northern Ireland Higher Education student mobilities.

€2.4 million has been allocated by DFHERIS to support HE students in NI to avail of mobilities and internships across Europe.  Following detailed engagement with DFHERIS, QUB and UU have each been allocated €1 million each, while St Mary’s University College and Stranmillis University College was allocated €70k and €50k respectively.  Further allocation (estimated at €153k) will be made to the Regional Colleges within the next week.

Co-centres Programme

The Co-Centres programme takes forward an Irish Government commitment in the Programme for Government and under the New Decade, New Approach Agreement to establish all-island research and innovation hubs, working with partners in NI and the wider UK.  The programme is jointly funded up to €70 million by Science Foundation Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in NI (DAERA) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and will focus on Climate/ Biodiversity and Water, and Co-Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems.

HE Funding and Student Supports

In 2023 and into 2024, €192 million will be provided to higher education including €60 

million in core funding to address student staff ratios, plus a further €35 million to address pay shortfalls.

In addition to the above, the recent Budget announcements also saw positive developments for this sector. These include:

- A €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative. When taken together with the new €500 student contribution grant the student contribution fee will be halved to €1,500 for eligible families with a household income of between €62,000 and €100,000.

- An increase to the Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant from €4,000 to €5,000.

- A once-off reduction of 33 percent in the contribution fee for apprentices in higher education.

- A further €8.1 million investment in the Student Assistance Fund for the 2023/24 academic year bringing the total to over €17 million.

- The removal of Post Leaving Cert (PLC) fees from September 2024

-An increase to all non-adjacent maintenance rates by €615 and adjacent maintenance rates by 10% from September 2024, with a pro-rata increase effective from January 2024.

- The full restoration of student maintenance grants for post graduates from September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash. A pro-rata increase will also be effective from January 2024.

- From September 2024, student contribution fees will be abolished for all incomes under €55,924. For the first time ever, this will include students on specified undergraduate part time/part-time online courses. In addition, maintenance grants will be available to households with incomes up to €50,840 (up from €46,790).

- Renters’ tax credit is being extended to parents who pay for student children’s rent in the case of Rent a Room accommodation or “digs”. This change will also apply retrospectively for the years 2022 and 2023

Budget 2024 saw a budget of €4.148 billion for the Department of Further and Higher 

Education, Research, Innovation and Science including:

- funding of € 4.1 million to increase the number of medicine places.

- funding to support the National Tertiary Office in expanding the number of joint degree programmes outside the CAO.

- funding of €67 million for continued growth of apprenticeship from 13,000 places in 2022 to over 16,000 places in 2024, helping boost skills development.

- the start of a new scheme to help employers with the cost of upskilling and reskilling staff.

Third Level Education

Questions (526)

Brendan Smith

Question:

526. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he will introduce to improve cross-Border mobility for students in further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56158/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to increasing cross-Border student mobility in tertiary education.   I spoke recently at the launch of the ESRI Report on North-South student mobility, and emphasised  the importance I attach to this very issue.   One of the key issues identified in that report was the CAO points assigned to A Levels, and how the current weighting restricted students from Northern Ireland to apply for certain courses in Irish Universities.  I am delighted that this is now addressed following a review conducted by Universities Ireland.  It is now possible for A-Level candidates to use the best three A Levels, in combination with a fourth A Level or an AS Level or an extended project.  The report’s recommendation must now be accepted by each University’s Academic Council, and I hope that this revision will be in place for the students looking to start their studies in September 2024.

Furthermore, I have stated on a number of occasions my regret that the UK have opted out of the Erasmus programme, which has impacted significantly on students from Northern Ireland.  I have provided funding of almost €2.3 million which will enable then to continue to avail of mobilities, post Brexit.  While this will provide opportunities to travel across Europe and elsewhere, it is important to state that an estimated 20% of mobilities undertaken by students from Northern Ireland, are internships in workplaces in mainly Dublin and Cork. 

Third Level Fees

Questions (527)

Brendan Smith

Question:

527. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the unfair decision to exclude students studying outside this State from the €1,000 reduction in student contribution fees which was introduced to support households to ease the cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56201/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The Deputy will be aware that Budget 2024 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost of living. These cost of living measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students that are eligible for the free fees initiative (FFI), a scheme which operates within the State.

Under the Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the State provides funding, exclusive of the student contribution, toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students who are pursuing approved full-time undergraduate courses of study in an approved higher education institution in the State. The student contribution only applies in circumstances where a student is eligible for free fees, it is the students’ contribution towards their tuition fee within the terms of the FFI.  

Courses provided outside of the State are not approved courses under the FFI as the student contribution arrangements do not apply outside of the State. Therefore, it is not possible for students undertaking study outside of the State to benefit from this measure.

Third Level Education

Questions (528)

Brendan Smith

Question:

528. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in view of the need to promote more cross-Border mobility for further and higher education students, he will ensure that students studying outside this State are entitled to the same State assistance as students in this jurisdiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56206/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. 

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.

Irish students who choose to study in Northern Ireland are, per the Memorandum of Understanding on Education in the Common Travel Area, entitled to access to education at no less equitable terms than UK citizens studying in Northern Ireland. They would be eligible for home fees and have access to the Northern Irish Student Finance system. They would also be eligible to apply for SUSI maintenance grants.

The Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses in other EU Member States. Student grant legislation was amended in 2020 to retain the status quo to allow maintenance grant funding for eligible students attending an approved undergraduate course in Northern Ireland / the UK to continue post-Brexit.

The Student Grant Scheme does not and never has, extended to  the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than the exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in four approved institutions in Northern Ireland. This provision is consistent with the principles of the Good Friday agreement and is intended to promote greater tolerance and understanding between both jurisdictions.

The Scheme does not extend to PLC courses or provide for maintenance grants for postgraduate courses pursued outside of the State.

Funding under the Free Fees Initiative is only available in respect of approved courses within the State.

Students seeking to pursue their studies in the UK are advised to contact the Student Finance agency in each of the Devolved Administration in the UK, as each jurisdiction may have variations in eligibility criteria.  Students may also wish to contact the relevant Further or Higher Education Institution in the UK for advice on the type and range of supports that may be available in any specific college.

As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to increasing cross-Border student mobility in tertiary education.  I spoke recently at the launch of the ESRI Report on North-South student mobility, and emphasised  the importance I attach to this very issue.   One of the key issues identified in that report was the CAO points assigned to A Levels, and how the current weighting restricted students from Northern Ireland to apply for certain courses in Irish Universities.  I am delighted that this is now addressed following a review conducted by Universities Ireland.  It is now possible for A-Level  candidates to use the best three A Levels, in combination with a fourth A Level or an AS Level or an extended project.  The report’s recommendation must now be accepted by each University’s Academic Council, and I hope that this revision will be in place for the students looking to start their studies in September 2024.

Furthermore, I have stated on a number of occasions my regret that the UK have opted out of the Erasmus programme, which has impacted significantly on students from Northern Ireland.  I have provided funding of almost €2.3 million which will enable them to continue to avail of mobilities, post Brexit.  While this will provide opportunities to travel across Europe and elsewhere, it is important to state that an estimated 20% of mobilities undertaken by students from Northern Ireland, are internships in workplaces in mainly Dublin and Cork.

Grant Payments

Questions (529)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

529. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the refusal of a higher education grant by SUSI in the case of the son of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56277/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I have been advised by my officials that based on the reckonable income for the reference period of 2022, the student outlined by the Deputy was awarded the student contribution €500 lump sum grant.  The award letter was sent to the student on the 14th June 2023.

I have also been advised, that the student did not submit an appeal to SUSI Appeals Officer within the statutory timeline.

A very important feature of the scheme is the change of circumstances provision. If a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to SUSI to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision (Article 32 of the relevant Student Grant Scheme).

Where a student experiences a change of circumstances during the course of their studies, they may apply to SUSI to have their application re-assessed by emailing: [e-mail] quoting "Internal Review" in the email subject line. 

In terms of other supports available, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (530)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

530. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide the number of public servants serving on State boards since 2006 in an independent capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55910/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

It has not been possible to compile the information requested by the Deputy in the timeframe available. My officials are currently working on compiling the information and it will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible, and within 10 working days at the latest.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.

There are four State Agencies under my Department’s remit - the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA), Pobal, Water Safety Ireland (WSI) and the Western Development Commission (WDC). The position with public servants serving on the boards, as advised by the four Agencies, is as follows; Charities Regulatory Authority

Since the CRA was established in 2014, there have been 8 public servants on the Board. This includes 5 who were retired/former public servants at the time of their appointment.

Pobal

There have been 19 public servants on the Board of Pobal since 2006. This includes 5 who were retired/former public servants at the time of their appointment.

Water Safety Ireland

Since 2006, Water Safety Ireland has had 19 Council members that were public servants. This includes 4 who were retired/former public servants at the time of their appointment.

Western Development Commission

There have been 34 public servants on the Board of the Western Development Commission since 2006. This includes 11 who were retired/former public servants at the time of their appointment.

Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla

Questions (531, 532, 533, 534)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

531. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sí a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56004/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

532. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sí a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56022/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

533. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sí a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56040/23]

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

534. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sí a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [56058/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 531 to 534, inclusive, together.

Tá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán do na riachtanais maidir le fógraíocht atá leagtha amach in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a chomhlíonadh.

Tá feachtas fógraíochta amháin reachtáilte ag mo Roinn go dtí seo in 2023, le 5% den bhuiséad don fheachtas sin caite ar fhógraíocht sna meáin Ghaeilge, ag teacht leis na riachtanais san Acht. Tá 20% den bhuiséad don fheachtas céanna caite freisin ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge, ag teacht le riachtanais an Achta freisin.

Tá ceithre ghníomhaireacht faoi shainchúram mo Roinne: Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair, POBAL, Sábháilteacht Uisce na hÉireann, agus an Rialálaí Carthanas. Is eintitis dhlíthiúla neamhspleácha iad ar fad atá freagrach as a ngnóthaí corparáideacha féin a bhainistiú de réir a n-oibleagáidí reachtúla. Tá sonraí phointe teagmhála an Oireachtais do gach gníomhaireacht, a bheadh in ann an fhaisnéis a iarrtar i leith a n-eagraíochta a sholáthar don Teachta, leagtha amach sa tábla thíos:

Pobal	[e-mail]
An Rialálaí Carthanas	[e-mail]
Sábháilteacht Uisce na hÉireann	[e-mail]
Coimisiún Forbartha an Iarthair	[e-mail]

Question No. 532 answered with Question No. 531.

Question No. 533 answered with Question No. 531.

Question No. 534 answered with Question No. 531.

Departmental Policies

Questions (535)

John Lahart

Question:

535. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the main policy achievements of her Department since 27 June 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56116/23]

Written answers

Minister for Rural and Community Development

My Department has made significant progress with regard to both policies and programmes since the 27th June 2020, focusing on our rural and community development remit, and our commitments under the agreed programme for Government. Each year my Department produces an Annual Report which provides a comprehensive overview of the wide range of policies, programmes and initiatives developed and delivered by the Department in the previous year. Annual Reports from 2020 onwards are available at www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/91ae40-annual-reports/ and the provide detailed information on the policy and programme achievements of the Department over the period. The Department’s Annual Report for 2023 will be published in due course, and in that context, the information below sets out some of the main achievements for this year.

Our most recent Statement of Strategy was published in August 2023, and this sets out the Department's mission as “to promote and support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland”. The Department has two overarching policies which support delivery of this mission, firstly, Our Rural Future the Government's Rural Development Policy for 2021-2025, and secondly Sustainable Inclusive and Empowered Communities, the 5 year strategy (for the period 2019-2024) to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland.

The very successful ongoing implementation of Our Rural Future since its launch in 2021 has been a significant achievement of the Department. The rural development investment programme continues to support investment throughout rural Ireland by delivering schemes including the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, the LEADER Programme, Town and Village Renewal, the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme and the CLÁR Programme. Furthermore, policies and strategies which form part of Our Rural Future, including the Towns Centre First Strategy and the National Outdoor Recreation Strategy continue to be successfully implemented.

Of particular note is the publication of the new national islands policy, Our Living Islands, which was published in June 2023. It is the first whole-of-Government policy for the islands to be published in 27 years. It is an ambitious ten year national policy designed to support sustainable island communities and is accompanied by an Action Plan for the period 2023-2026. The Action Plan consists of 80 new time-bound actions agreed with and to be implemented by various stakeholders, led by a nominated Government Department or State Agency.

Cross Government implementation of Our Rural Future is also progressing very well. Progress updates are published every six months and a specific work programme is developed for each year of the policy.

With regard to the Community Development area, key funding programmes including the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP), the Community Services Programme (CSP) and the Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF) have been successfully delivered by the Department. Once-off funding measures to help support the response for Ukrainian refugees, and the communities they are settling in, have also been successfully delivered. For example, €10 million was made available to the SICAP programme to ensure supports for Ukrainian refugees as they settle in communities throughout the country.

My Department has also successfully implemented existing polices which support Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, including the National Volunteering Strategy and the National Social Enterprise Strategy. Furthermore, the new National Public Library Strategy 2023-2026 was published in July 2023. More recently, in November, the Dormant Accounts Action Plan 2024 was published, setting out the measures across Government that will be funded from the Dormant Accounts fund in 2024.

Also in November, at the 5th National Social Enterprise Conference, I, along with the Secretary General of the OECD, launched a report commissioned by my Department on the implementation of our social enterprise policy, entitled “Boosting Social Entrepreneurship and Social Enterprise Development in Ireland”. Following on from Ireland's first Social Enterprise Policy in 2019, a successor social enterprise policy is currently being developed in partnership with the sector and it is expected to be launched in early 2024. It is also worth noting that the second National Civic Forum for dialogue between the state and the community and voluntary sector took place in November, with the forum examining how to develop and strengthen deliberative and participative approach to public policy making at a national and local level.

Finally, my Department is also in the final stages of developing a National Philanthropy Policy. The policy, which will be launched shortly, will set out specific actions to enable philanthropy to grow and thrive in Ireland for the public benefit and for the social good.