Written Answers Nos. 158-173
158. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the amount which was spent by Waterford Institute of Technology, Institute of Technology, Carlow and his Department to date in 2016 on the merger process as part of the application to become a technological university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38525/16]
View answer159. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if money was spent on consultancy fees by Waterford Institute of Technology and Institute of Technology, Carlow as part of the merger process or the application to become a technological university; if so, if he will provide a detailed breakdown of costs, the purpose of the work and the name of the company involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38526/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities.
This is in line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 which provides a framework for the development of the higher education sector to 2030. With regard to the institute of technology sector, the Strategy recommended significant reforms to position the sector to meet national strategic objectives. In particular, the Strategy recommended consolidation within the sector and a pathway of evolution for those consolidated institutes of technology, to allow them to demonstrate significant progress against robust performance criteria and to apply to become technological universities.
Technological University for the South-East (TUSE) Consultancy Costs:
The process for designation as a technological university consists of four stages and requires the merger of two or more institutes of technology prior to application for designation as a TU. The Technological University for the South-East project was initiated in 2011 and consists of a consortium of two Institutes of Technology; Institute of Technology Carlow (ITC) and Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT). The TUSE consortium made good progress initially and submitted a Stage 1 expression of interest in 2012. However, following this initial promising start, the consortium encountered a series of challenges and difficulties and did not succeed in finalising a Stage 2 Plan prior to the decision by WIT to suspend merger activities in October 2014.
Following meetings with both Institutes, in early November 2014, the then Minister for Education and Skills announced the establishment of a new process of engagement and consultation, with the governing bodies, staff and students of both Institutes, together with the wider community in the South-East. This process was conducted by Mr. Michael Kelly who met with stakeholders in all of the counties of the region including Local Authorities, Chambers of Commerce, Employers, the Enterprise Development Agencies, Social and Community Groups as well as public representatives. In all some forty meetings took place. The then Minister met with Mr. Kelly on 2 July 2015 and received his report on the outcome of the engagement and consultation process. The total cost incurred in the preparation of this report was €32,782.65 including VAT. The cost of this Report was met by the Department of Education and Skills.
The Minister met with the Chairs and Presidents of the two institutions on 21 July 2015 to discuss the findings and recommendations in the report. The report was then published on 27 July 2015.
As outlined at the time of publication, it was agreed that a project plan for a process of facilitation would be developed by mid-August 2015 for consideration at ITC and WIT Governing Body meetings planned for end-August 2015. The facilitation process was recommended by Mr. Kelly. The Governing Bodies of both institutions held meetings at the end of August and agreed to engage in the proposed facilitation process. The facilitator (Ms. Jane Williams of SIA Partners) was proposed by the Department of Education and Skills and agreed to by the Chairs and Presidents of both institutions.
This facilitation process commenced in September 2015 and was finalised in May 2016. I attach a copy of the final report of this facilitation process for your information. As outlined SIA Partners conducted the facilitation process and have been paid for their work by the Department of Education and Skills. The total amount paid to SIA Partners was €12,779 including VAT. There were no other costs incurred in respect of this facilitation process.
Facilitation Process:
There was strong engagement in the process by both parties and this facilitation process has been an important building block in terms of building trust between the parties and in developing a strong working relationship between the Presidents and Chairs of both institutions. As part of this process, the Presidents of the two institutions, have jointly developed an initial work-plan to support the development of a joint TU proposal.
Actual costs incurred to date in respect of TUSE:
Actual costs to end 2015 by the South East TU consortium amounts to €495,655 which includes funding of €170,000 provided by the HEA thus far to offset costs from the HEIs own resources. The costs incurred during 2016 are being tabulated and will be finalised in early 2017.
160. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider revising the residency rules governing eligibility for the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant which prevents Irish citizens returning from non-EU countries from receiving the grant; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that this rule is preventing persons from taking up college places due to hardship issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38528/16]
View answerTo be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that he/she has been resident in the State for at least 3 years out of the 5 year period ending on the day before the start of their approved course of study.
This requirement takes cognisance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. Such students can still meet the residency requirement if they have not been outside the State for more than two of the previous five years. It is also possible for a student, who did not meet the residency requirement at the commencement of their studies, to have their eligibility reviewed if they meet the residency requirement during the course of their studies.
Similar and in some cases more restrictive residency requirements apply in other EU Member States. For example, in the UK a student must be resident for the three years prior to commencing his/her studies.
161. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 94 of 24 November 2016, if he will provide a breakdown of funding per capita for each third level institution. [38574/16]
View answerDetails on expenditure levels per student are set out in the following table.
The data is in respect of the 2012/13 financial year and forms part of the 2013/14 institutional and sectorial profiles that can be found in the HEA’s Higher Education System Performance Report.
The report was published in July 2016 and is available on the HEA’s website:
http://www.hea.ie/sites/default/files/final_hea-instit_profiles_2013_14.pdf
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Higher Education System Performance Report (July 2016) |
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Institutional and sectorial profiles - 2013/14 |
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Total expenditure per student (2012/13) |
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UCD |
€ 10,861 |
AIT |
€ 9,120 |
Other Colleges |
€10,129 |
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UCC |
€ 10,605 |
ITB |
€ 6,839 |
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|
NUIG |
€ 10,320 |
IT Carlow |
€ 5,985 |
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MU |
€ 7,331 |
CIT |
€ 8,270 |
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TCD |
€ 12,197 |
DIT |
€ 8,657 |
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UL |
€ 10,016 |
DKIT |
€ 8,724 |
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DCU |
€ 8,584 |
GMIT |
€ 9,048 |
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IADT |
€ 7,962 |
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LYIT |
€ 8,458 |
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LIT |
€ 8,812 |
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IT Sligo |
€ 9,196 |
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IT Tallaght |
€ 7,512 |
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IT Tralee |
€ 9,992 |
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WIT |
€ 8,197 |
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162. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a design team has now been assigned to move a school building project forward (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38643/16]
View answerThe major building project for the school to which the Deputy refers is currently awaiting the appointment of a Design Team. Officials from my Department have been in contact directly with the Board of Management and have outlined the steps in the appointment process. This project was included in the six year construction programme announced in November 2015 and is listed therein to proceed to tender and construction in 2019-21
163. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills if buildings (details supplied) are being considered for a new school in the Scribblestown and Finglas west area of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38708/16]
View answerIn November 2015, 13 new schools were announced to open in 2017 and 2018 to meet increased demographic needs, including the primary school to which the Deputy refers, which will open in September 2017.
The building project for the school in question is included in my Department's Six Year Investment Programme 2016-2021 and is listed to proceed to tender and construction in 2018. Pending the delivery of the school’s permanent accommodation, the school will open as scheduled in September 2017 in suitable interim start-up accommodation.
Following completion of the patronage process, which is currently underway, a patron will be appointed to this school. There is close interaction between the Department and the patron in relation to the practical arrangements to ensure that all is in place for the new school to open by its planned establishment date. In that context, the Department will liaise closely with the patron in relation to start-up accommodation options.
164. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding inspections for buses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38713/16]
View answerSchool transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department.
Currently over 113,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually.
Bus Éireann has advised that it engages the services of the Freight Transport Association (FTA) to conduct inspections on school buses that are utilised to provide services on its behalf under the Department's School Transport Scheme nationally. The FTA are internationally recognised experts in the field of vehicle maintenance systems and safety standards.
The inspections arranged by Bus Éireann and carried out on both the Bus Éireann and Private Operator owned vehicles by the FTA are designed to complement the Road Safety Authority annual statutory testing regime as an additional safety measure and also assess the compliance of private companies to the standards required under Contract. These vehicle inspections assess vehicle condition, safety, and maintenance standards and involve a proportion of each fleet annually, both Bus Éireann and Private Operator owned vehicles.
Private Operators who have signed a Contract with Bus Éireann to operate school transport services have agreed as part of their contract to meet the standards required by Bus Éireann. They have also agreed that Bus Éireann may conduct inspections, which includes maintenance system and fleet, at any time, to check that their performance is consistent with their contractual obligations.
The CVRT roadworthiness test is a check on minimum roadworthiness standards at a specific point in time. The CVRT test however does not provide a warranty as to the roadworthiness of the vehicle in future.
Bus Éireann operates on the basis of working to a higher standard that incorporates compliance with the minimum national standards and also industry best practice.
165. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the €20 million spent on prefabs across the State refers to rental or to upgrade or replacement; if he will provide a breakdown of the spend and a comparison over each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38716/16]
View answerThe 2016 allocation for temporary accommodation is €19.0 million. This allocation is in respect of rental only and does not include a provision for prefab upgrade or replacement as referenced by the Deputy.
The corresponding spend for each of the past three years is as follows:
2015 €18.0 million
2014 €16.4 million
2013 €26.0 million
166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Parliamentary Question No. 226 of 15 November 2016, if he will reverse a pay deduction to some ASTI members who opted out of supervision and substitution duties before the Haddington Road agreement in view of the fact that some members have signed opt out contracts in place (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38723/16]
View answerSupervision and substitution duties are compulsory for all teachers since the Haddington Road Agreement. As part of the S&S scheme finalised at this time a limited group of teachers were allowed to opt-out of the duties in return for a pay reduction. Department Circular 0006/2014 states that with effect from the beginning of the 2013/14 school year, participation in the Supervision and Substitution scheme will be compulsory for all teachers, save for those who avail of the opt-out arrangement.
The ASTI directive instructed its members to withdraw from the Supervision and Substitution Scheme. The opt-out is an element of the S&S scheme and ASTI directed all members to withdraw from that scheme in its entirety. Therefore, the ‘opt-out’ provided for under the scheme did not apply to ASTI members who were subject to the directive while that directive was in force. ASTI suspended its directive following one day of withdrawal from the S&S scheme (on 7 November 2016). The S&S scheme is being operated by ASTI members since the date of suspension and accordingly, the opt-out is again being applied to ASTI members since that date.
Where schools were forced to close to students as a result of ASTI member teachers’ withdrawal from the S&S scheme, ASTI members who did not make themselves available for S&S will not be paid for those days.
It is normal industrial relations practice that, where workers in industrial action withdraw from core elements of their work, resulting in the closure of the workplace, those workers would not be paid for those days.
167. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the core State funding awarded to Waterford Institute of Technology in each of the years 2007 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38726/16]
View answerMy Department allocates the total recurrent funding allocation to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions (HEIs) including the Universities and Institutes of Technology. The HEA allocates the funding (block grant funding) to institutions and it is then a matter for the individual institution as to how that funding is allocated internally. The HEA allocates the available funding based on a Recurrent Grant Allocation Model which is driven primarily by student numbers weighted by the relative costs of providing education in different disciplines with additional performance mechanisms built in to reflect outcomes such as those relating to access, skills-based provision and research.
The following table details the recurrent grant funding issued to WIT for the years 2007 to 2016.
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Waterford IoT |
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Fees and Grants |
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2007 -2009 |
2007 Core Grant |
2007 Fees |
2007 Total |
2008 Core Grant |
2008 Fees |
2008 Total |
2009 Core Grant |
2009 Fees |
2009 Total |
|
€ 38,989,791 |
€ 9,661,257 |
€ 48,651,048 |
€ 40,134,565 |
€ 10,203,661 |
€ 50,338,226 |
€ 38,073,182 |
€ 9,069,804 |
€47,142,985 |
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|
2010-2012 |
2010 Core Grant |
2010 Fees |
2010 Total |
2011 Core Grant |
2011 Fees |
2011 Total |
2012 Core Grant |
2012 Fees |
2012 total |
|
€ 31,892,806 |
€ 9,798,336 |
€ 41,691,142 |
€ 29,796,639 |
€ 10,403,871 |
€ 40,200,510 |
€ 30,309,739 |
€ 7,684,199 |
€37,993,938 |
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|
2013-2015 |
2013 Core Grant |
2013 Fees |
2013 total |
2014 Core Grant |
2014 Fees |
2014 total |
2015 Core Grant |
2015 Fees |
2015 total |
|
€ 29,551,189 |
€ 5,612,383 |
€ 35,163,572 |
€ 26,525,849 |
€ 5,325,110 |
€ 31,850,958 |
€ 27,135,108 |
€ 3,300,489 |
€30,435,597 |
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|
2016 (Provisional) |
2016 Core Grant |
2016 Fees |
2016 total |
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|
€ 26,460,308 |
€ 6,221,957 |
€ 32,682,265 |
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168. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the new funding model that will pertain to technological universities; if they will be allowed to borrow; if they will be allowed to access European Investment Bank funding; if they will receive baseline funding for research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38727/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the new Programme for Government outlines that this new Government will continue to support the creation of Technological Universities.
Position of Technological Universities Bill:
The second Government Legislative Programme of this new Partnership Government was published on 27 September 2016, and the Technological Universities Bill is listed on the Dáil Order Paper and is awaiting Committee Stage. The main purpose of the Bill is to provide for the establishment of technological universities, a new type of higher education institution to be formed through the consolidation and merger of existing institutes of technology.
Matters pertaining to Budgets, Borrowing, Guaranteeing and Underwriting for technological universities are detailed in the Technological Universities Bill.
I recognise that there were a significant number of matters raised previously in respect of the Bill at both Committee and Report Stage. It is my intention to consult with all of the relevant stakeholders in relation to both the matters raised during the legislative process and the commitments contained in the Programme for Government.
Following the finalisation of this consultation process I will then advance the legislation having determined a position in relation to any matters raised as part of this consultation process.
169. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will provide figures on student enrolment and numbers at Waterford Institute of Technology for each of the years 2007 to 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38728/16]
View answerThe Deputy has sought information in relation to student enrolments and numbers attending Waterford Institute of Technology for each of the years 2007 to 2016. The relevant information is detailed in the following tables . All details provided are in relation to the academic years 2007/2008 through to 2015/2016 which are the most up to date figures available.
Total Enrolments in Waterford Institute of Technology
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Academic Year |
2007/2008 |
2008/2009 |
2009/2010 |
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
|
Total |
7,539 |
7,953 |
7,840 |
8,191 |
8,025 |
8,307 |
8,201 |
7,980 |
7,792 |
Total Full-time Undergraduate Entrants in Waterford Institute of Technology
|
Academic Year |
2007/2008 |
2008/2009 |
2009/2010 |
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
|
Undergraduate Full Time Entrants |
1,776 |
1,852 |
1,892 |
2,083 |
1,994 |
2,106 |
2,010 |
1,844 |
1,906 |
170. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills the percentage of core funding awarded to each university in the State for research and development for each of the years 2009 to 2016 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38729/16]
View answerMy Department allocates the total recurrent funding allocation to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to the HEA designated higher education institutions (HEIs) including the Universities and Other Colleges and the Institutes of Technology.
The HEA allocates the available funding based on a Recurrent Grant Allocation Model which is driven primarily by student numbers weighted by the relative costs of providing education in different disciplines with additional performance mechanisms built in to reflect outcomes including research. Each year, approximately 20-25% of the core grant (excluding free fees funding) is allocated on the basis of research criteria.
The HEA allocates the total funding to institutions and it is then a matter for the individual institution as to how that funding is allocated internally. The funding allocated covers teaching, research and supporting activities and the internal allocation of funds between teaching and research is a matter for each institution to determine.
171. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he is giving consideration to the introduction of a stability and equity fund for institutes of technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38730/16]
View answerThe Higher Education Authority (HEA) recently undertook a Financial Review of the Institutes of Technology (IoTs) in order to provide an overview of the financial health of the sector, to consider capacity issues and to examine the challenges for the institutions given their respective plans for the future. It included an examination of the impact of decline in the State grant in the years since 2008 and looked at projections assuming a static State funding environment. It has made a number of policy recommendations which will feed into the work on developing a sustainable funding model for the sector.
The HEA has a policy framework in place for engaging with vulnerable IoTs which requires Institutes to submit a three year plan to return them to a balanced budget situation. If the Institute is unable to demonstrate how a return to a balanced budget can be achieved within this timeframe, or if actual performance deviates significantly from the plan, then the HEA will seek the appointment of an independent financial expert to work with the Governing Body and Executive Management Team to agree a revised plan and programme of remedial action.
My Department and the HEA are aware of the financial difficulties being experienced by a number of the IoTs. The Financial Review by the HEA was based on the assumption that static Exchequer funding coupled with continuing growth in student numbers could make a number of Institutes unsustainable. The Report recognised the need to examine the underlying sustainability issues that existed across the sector and highlighted the need for a review of how funding is being allocated given the significant changes that are occurring in the higher education sector. It makes a number of recommendations on how some of the issues which contribute to funding problems in the IOT sector can be addressed. The Report clearly identified the need for a review of the present funding model and I have asked that this be completed as a matter of urgency.
Funding overall for the higher education sector is a key concern for me particularly in light of the additional pressure that will fall on the system over the next decade or so. In seeking to address the issue in the short term, I have for the first time in nine years secured as part of Budget 2017, additional funding for the sector. In 2017 additional funding of €36.5m will be made available with €160m additional over the next three years.
The Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education, published in July, outlines the funding challenges and offers a number of approaches and recommendations for consideration for the medium term. As committed to in the Programme for Government, the report has been referred to the Oireachtas Education Committee and this consultation will form part of the process of formulating a plan for the future of the sector.
In addition, in Budget 2017 the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and I, announced a policy review with the aim of designing and implementing a sustainable and predictable multi-annual funding model for higher and further education and training involving increased Employer and Exchequer contributions from 2018. The review will be undertaken as part of the overall response to meeting the anticipated skills needs in the economy over the coming years, in line with the policy framework set out in the National Skills Strategy.
It will include an analysis of the business case for enhanced investment in the higher and further education and training sectors. In this context it will identify key elements of the new funding model and of the expected impacts including those on employers. The review will include consultation with stakeholders. The policy review will be published by the end of April 2017, and will complement the ongoing work by the Oireachtas Committee in relation to the Cassells report.
173. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Education and Skills the engagement his Department has with Quality and Qualifications Ireland, QQI, regarding the implementation schedule for the international education mark; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38732/16]
View answerLegislative amendments are necessary to facilitate the introduction of the International Education Mark (IEM). These amendments will be contained in the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Amendment) Bill. The Heads of this Bill are currently being prepared by my Department in consultation with Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). It is anticipated that the IEM will be introduced in 2018.
