Written Answers Nos. 20-44
33. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the arrangements that have been made for the college sections of apprenticeship programmes due to the effect of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22383/20]
View answerOff the job training for craft apprentices was suspended on the 12th March. At that time there were almost 200 classes of craft apprentices undertaking practical training and assessment in Education and Training Boards (ETBs), Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and TU Dublin.
Where possible, theory assessments have been completed remotely. Revision and assessment for approximately 950 apprentices who have yet to complete practical assessments is now scheduled to take place before the end of September.
Apprentices who had their off-the-job training interrupted in March are being recalled on a rolling basis to complete their period of off-the-job training and assessment. Letters have also issued to those apprentices due to commence training in TU Dublin and the IoTs at the end of September.
Apprentices who are waiting for off-the-job training to start will be called in order of length of time waiting as soon as places become available.
Due to Covid-19 social distancing guidelines class numbers have been reduced in many locations. SOLAS and the education providers are working to maximise the number of places that can be delivered safely.
In general, consortia led apprenticeships are delivered on a more flexible basis than craft apprenticeships, with off-the-job training delivered for example on a day per week basis or through blended learning. The majority of these apprenticeships continued with off-the-job training delivered remotely during lockdown, and this is likely to continue.
The Government is very committed to ensuring that apprenticeships play an enhanced role in the training and development of young people. A new Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme has been introduced to encourage employers to take on apprentices and a new Apprenticeship Action Plan is under development.
34. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when laptops ordered to assist students with online and blended learning will be available to students in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22630/20]
View answerAs part of a package of COVID-19 supports for the higher and further education sectors, my Department has allocated €15 million to higher and further education providers for a once-off COVID-19 Grant to support disadvantaged students in accessing ICT devices.
This initiative addresses concerns regarding the digital divide in the context of the shift to online and blended models of learning as a result of COVID-19 and the importance of supporting disadvantaged students to adapt to these new models.
Devices procured using the grant will be distributed by Higher Education Institutions and Education and Training Boards to disadvantaged students via appropriate lending schemes. Over 16,700 laptops have already been procured as part of a bulk order organised by HEAnet, while additional devices are being procured by some providers directly.
The higher and further education providers will determine which individual students should be prioritised to receive a device on a needs basis and within the terms and conditions of the grant. Students in counties Cavan and Monaghan who wish to apply for a device should contact the relevant higher education institution or ETB for further information.
35. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider changing the criteria for calculating SUSI grant eligibility to include whether a parent is in receipt of the working family payment. [22386/20]
View answerThe student grant is a contribution towards the cost of attending college. The scheme provides for different levels of maintenance support, depending on means. Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates and there are provisions for a number of income disregards. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional support to those students who may be living away from home.
Under the terms of the student grant scheme, Family Income Supplement (also known as the Working Family Payment) is treated as an income disregard and is therefore not included in the calculation of reckonable income.
Furthermore, unlike other social protection payments which are paid to individuals, the Working Family Payment is a payment deemed to be paid to a family. In recognition of this, the SUSI scheme contains provisions which allow this payment to be recognised for the purposes of meeting the eligibility criteria for the special rate of grant, which is the highest maintenance grant support available.
This ensures that those students most in need receive supports commensurate with their needs. In this regard, SUSI has advised that 5,090 students qualified for the special rate of grant in 2019/20 by virtue of having a Working Family Payment.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. 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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
36. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with the president of NUI Galway on waiving the €295 repeat exam fee in view of the difficulties faced by students as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22641/20]
View answerHigher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures in relation to academic affairs. The student contribution charge covers the cost of elements such as student registration, admissions and examination fees. However, repeat examination fees are charged separately being set by the individual institution concerned and as Minister I have no function in this regard.
However, I have received correspondence from a number of students in NUI Galway for whom paying €295 to repeat an exam constitutes real financial hardship, and is a source of considerable distress. In light of the significant pressures placed upon students by Covid-19, I understand that a number of HEIs have already on an individual basis decided to waive the payment of such fees and I believe that where possible HEIs need to show, and have shown, some degree of flexibility in this matter.
In general there is a real requirement in these exceptional times to have a responsive approach to student needs wherever possible and I fully acknowledge that HEIs have to date shown enormous willingness to be responsive in numerous ways. As such, I have written recently to NUI Galway and asked the institution to consider whether it can show such responsiveness in relation to it’s policy regarding repeat examination fees.
37. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional funding provided to third-level sector in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; the number of additional places made available by the third-level institutions for the 2020/2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22382/20]
View answerSince the onset of Covid-19 in March, my Department, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and SOLAS have collaborated with key stakeholders from the sector to identify, quantify and develop options to mitigate the financial impacts of Covid 19 on the sector, including costs associated with the safe commencement of the 2020/21 academic year in line with Public Health advice.
The resumption of the academic year is our most pressing challenge and ensuring our students and staff are safe is my number one priority.
Higher Education Institutions have been undertaking detailed planning and contingencies for re-opening and communicating these to students and learners, moving towards a mode of blended learning, combining both online and onsite provision.
I have secured Government support for a substantial funding package of €168m for publically funded further and higher education providers and additional supports for students in the context of Covid-19. This package of funding was developed following detailed engagement with the sector.
Last week the Government approved an increase of 1,250 in the overall number of CAO places offered on certain high-demand courses in Higher Education Institutions for the academic year 2020/21. The extra places are focused on high-demand programmes that traditionally attract students across a range of CAO points levels, and this will a have a cascade effect, creating greater capacity in lower demand courses.
This is in addition to funding provided in order to address the demographic challenge in particular skills priority areas in higher education in Budget 2020, where an additional 4,000 places funded through exchequer funding and Human Capital Initiative places.
Furthermore this pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on younger workers and those in lower paid occupations with lower level of educational qualifications. In the July Stimulus Package funding for the tertiary education and training system to help support upskilling and reskilling amounts to €100m and will fund over 35,000 places in the current year. This comprises of €47.5m in additional higher education funding enabling an increase of 7,150 places and a provision of €52.5m for an additional 28,550 places in the Further Education and Training sector this year.
38. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation report entitled, The Case for Irish Membership of CERN, will be implemented. [22635/20]
View answerInnovation 2020, the national strategy for research and innovation, recognises that for Ireland to become a Global Innovation Leader, our research and innovation system must be open with strong international collaboration links. Membership of leading international research organisations is an important mechanism for facilitating this engagement.
For this reason, the Government gave a specific commitment in Innovation 2020 to initiate discussions with several international research organisations. Four organisations were identified – CERN, the European Southern Observatory, ELIXIR and LOFAR - and membership of three of these organisations has been completed. Ireland continues its consideration of CERN membership.
Under the National Development Plan 2018-2027, as part of Project Ireland 2040, the Government outlined its intention to review Ireland's membership of CERN. This will generate opportunities not only for Irish enterprise but also for its research community. While the benefits of CERN membership are recognised as significant, the cost is also significant and must be assessed in the context of other Departmental and national investment priorities.
Following the recent government formation, CERN membership will now be considered in the context of the new Programme for Government and the establishment of my new Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Ireland continues its consideration of full and associate CERN membership and my Department will remain in contact with CERN officials.
39. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the response that has been put in place to deal with the issue of sexual harassment and gender-based violence on third-level campuses in view of a recent survey carried out by the Active Consent Programme in NUI Galway in collaboration with a union (details supplied) highlighting the issue. [22645/20]
View answerI am deeply concerned by the findings emerging from the Sexual Experiences Survey 2020 (SES) published in June 2020 by the NUI Galway Active Consent Programme in partnership with the union in question.
In early August 2020 I wrote to each President of the publically funded higher education institutions requesting that a number of actions be undertaken; including that each institution develops and publishes, by February 2021, a specific institutional action plan on tackling sexual violence and harassment; that consent classes be mandatory for incoming students, and that institutions are to provide a report to the Higher Education Authority on their progress on the implementation the Framework for Consent. These progress reports will be an annual feature of the institutional report to the HEA.
I have also written to the research funding agencies under my Department, to develop and implement common policies on sexual harassment and bullying. In addition, I will be requesting a survey to be undertaken on harassment, sexual harassment and bullying of both staff and students in the higher education institutions, the planning of which will commence in the Autumn. I am also broadening the remit of the HEA’s National Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality, which will now include an oversight of the Consent Framework’s implementation.
I want to see our higher education institutions embed the Consent Framework recommendations into their policies and procedures, so as to ensure their long-lasting impact, which will see Ireland take a leading role in confronting sexual violence and harassment.
40. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the continuation of the full €3,000 student contribution fees can be justified in the context of the Covid-19 crisis, the loss of income for many students and their families and in view of the fact that much third-level education will be provided virtually. [22512/20]
View answerUnder the Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate Higher Education students with students paying the student contribution.
The student contribution fee is currently set at €3,000 per annum and can be paid in instalments. The State pays the contribution in full or part for an estimated 44 per cent of all students eligible for free fees funding through SUSI.
The Programme for Government undertakes to provide a long term sustainable funding model for higher education. In addition, I intend that the range of student supports operated by SUSI will be subject to a full review. An important objective will be to ensure access to and continued participation in higher education by students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
In relation to the preparation underway for the new academic year in the context of the Covid pandemic, Higher Education Institutions have been undertaking detailed planning and contingencies for re-opening and communicating these to students and learners. In the interest of the public health of students, staff and communities, this will entail blended learning, combining both online and onsite provision.
Higher Education Institutions have published their academic calendars, with information on the dates for orientation and the beginning of teaching for the autumn semester. Most have indicated in broad terms the balance of time for students between on-campus and online learning. I have highlighted the requirement for all institutions to provide clarity to their students as soon as possible and to prioritise the overall student experience consistent with public health advice.
The delivery of further and higher education in the context of Covid-19 will cost the providers more not less. The Government has provided additional funding in the amount of €168m to support the return of students to further and higher education. Since the student contribution is an important source of revenue for higher education it is not possible to abolish student contribution fees. However additional funding being provided for student supports will be of assistance to many students particularly those with the least financial resources.
Some €10m in additional funding is being provided for improved supports for students. Most of this money will be used to top up the Student Assistance Fund, with remaining funding used to support students via the access services in the higher education institutions. In addition €15 million of capital funding is being provided to support disadvantaged students.
SUSI is working hard to ensure that student grant applications are processed in a timely manner as demand for the scheme is higher due to changed financial circumstances of students. The Department continues to monitor applications and subsequent assessments and awards. To date circa 90,000 applications have been received with 75,000 processed to a decision.
I will continue to work with further and higher education providers, agencies and key stakeholders, including student representatives to mitigate the additional pressures faced as a result of Covid-19.
41. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether the current thresholds for SUSI grant eligibility are set at an appropriate level to provide real equality of access to third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22245/20]
View answerIn 2020, my Department will spend over €400m on access measures for students. This includes circa €350m on student grants and related activities, which is expected to benefit over 70,000 further and higher education students
I recently announced details of a €168m funding package for the return to education. This includes €15m in IT equipment grants for disadvantaged students in further and higher education and a €10m access support package for higher education students. An additional €3m has also been provided for investment in supports for mental health services and well-being initiatives.
The Student Grant Scheme contains a number of qualifying thresholds for various grant values. These gradations allow students just over a threshold margin, to remain in receipt of a grant, albeit at a reduced rate that reflects their relative income vis-à-vis other applicants.
The scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have (i) less than 4 dependent children (ii) between 4 and 7 dependent children and (iii) 8 or more dependent children. In recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college, income thresholds may also be increased by up to €4,830 for each additional family member attending college at the same time. In this way, the Student Grant Scheme is responsive to the individual circumstances of particular families.
With regard to the income threshold for the special rate of grant, this is adjusted in line with Budget increases to the State Contributory Pension plus the maximum Qualified Adult Allowance for a person over 66 years. For 2020, the threshold has been increased from €24,000 to €24,500. Last year over 21,000 students received the special rate of grant and it is anticipated that a similar number will qualify for supports in 2020.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. 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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
The Programme for Government contains an important commitment to review SUSI eligibility and I fully intend to fulfil this commitment so as to promote access to third level, particularly amongst families with low incomes and communities that are under-represented.
42. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if asylum seekers will be exempted from non-EU and EEA university fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22642/20]
View answerThe fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education.
Under the Departments Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including the separate residency and nationality/citizenship requirements of the scheme. Persons in the asylum application process that do not hold the required permissions as granted by the Minister for Justice are not eligible to access the Free Fees Initiative.
Where students do not qualify for free fees funding, they are due to pay the appropriate fee, either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution. These institutions are autonomous bodies and the level of fee payable by students who do not meet the requirements of the free fees scheme is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in accordance with their own criteria; the Department therefore has no role in the decision.
An administratively based Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers is currently in operation in my Department which provides supports along similar lines to the SUSI grant scheme. This scheme was introduced in 2015 and is available to persons who are either:
- asylum applicants; or
- subsidiary protection applicants; or
- leave to remain applicants.
Following a review of the 2019 scheme, I announced in August a liberalisation of the rules and the objective to have the scheme placed on a long term footing. The requirement for prospective applications to have attended three academic years in the Irish school system and to have obtained the Leaving Certificate in the State, will no longer be required. Prospective applicants will, however, still have to meet the requirement to have been in the protection or leave to remain process for three years.
I believe these measures will represent an important step in supporting asylum seekers in participating in higher education.
43. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the abolition of the €3,000 student contribution fees to enable genuinely free education. [22513/20]
View answerUnder the Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate Higher Education students with students paying the student contribution.
The student contribution fee is currently set at €3,000 per annum and can be paid in instalments. The State pays the contribution in full or part for an estimated 44 per cent of all students eligible for free fees funding through SUSI.
It should be noted that an abolition of the student contribution would require additional state funding of €242 million per annum, which is the estimated net cost to the Exchequer factoring in the subsequent estimated reduction in the SUSI Student Grant budget. The costs for the Exchequer of reducing or abolishing the student contribution would increase in line with the demographic increases expected in the coming years up to 2030.
I have acknowledged that the current rate is too high and a reduction of the rate will be considered over the lifetime of the Government. The potential amendments will be considered as part of the strategic reform of higher education funding and in view of the objective of ensuring access to and continued participation in higher education by students from disadvantaged backgrounds and from families who have been disproportionately impacted by Covid.
Examination of the student contribution will focus on how best to alleviate this cost to ensure that the critical role of higher education in ensuring all students achieving their potential is maximised.
I am conscious of the impact of the pandemic has had on students. In July I announced the provision of additional student assistance including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund.
44. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the completion of the recently approved STEM building for Athlone IT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22631/20]
View answerThe Athlone Institute of Technology STEM building project will be delivered as part of the first bundle of projects in the Higher Education PPP Programme. The project is currently out to tender.
Construction is expected to commence during Q4 2021. In the current environment, where there is a requirement for public health measures, including social distancing, to address the COVID-19 pandemic, a prolongation of construction programmes is expected. Taking account of this, the completion date for the Athlone STEM building project may fall during the period Q1-Q2 2024.
The timeline for completion will ultimately depend on the construction programme submitted by the successful tenderer. It will therefore be possible to provide greater clarity on this once the procurement process has been completed.
