Written Answers Nos. 602-621
602. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider increasing the number of higher education places available through the HEAR and DARE schemes in order to provide students experiencing educational disadvantage the opportunity to obtain their preferred third-level places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24853/20]
View answerThe HEAR and DARE schemes are operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) who set the policy criteria for the schemes. Admissions under the schemes are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the schemes, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.
Applications to both schemes are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions.
As such, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has no role in the policy criteria of the scheme.
All enquiries should be directed to the CAO, www.cao.ie through the ‘contact us’ facility where the HEAR / DARE co-ordinator will respond directly and advise appropriately.
603. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a student (details supplied) will be reviewed; and the steps the family can take in relation to the matter. [24952/20]
View answerThe 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.
For the 2020/21 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the period 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019.
However, 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 have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or reassessed on the current year (2020) and they may also be asked to provide evidence of the current year’s (2020) income. SUSI also requires confirmation that the change is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Following such a review, the applicant may fall within the thresholds to become eligible for grant assistance or be entitled to an increased rate of grant or the special rate of grant. The applicant can request a review by contacting the SUSI Support Desk at 0761 087 874 or emailing support@susi.ie.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, the Deputy will be aware of the recently announced €168m funding package for the return to education. This package includes a €10m access support package for higher education students. I have approved the allocation of €8.1m of this funding to top up the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
604. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a recent appeal by a person (details supplied) to the external appeals office will be investigated. [25069/20]
View answerThe student grant scheme, administered by SUSI, provides maintenance grants to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
Student maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. The distance to be measured is the shortest non-tolled most direct route from the student’s residence to the institution attended. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in the case of students whose normal residence is 45km or less from the approved institution which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.
The measurement of the distances relating to the award of adjacent or non-adjacent rates of student grant is a matter for SUSI, the grant awarding authority. The distance measurement for student grant rates is governed by Article 27(3)(a) and (b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2020. This provides that the relevant distance will be measured in line with agreed guidelines. The guidelines require that the shortest most direct route between the applicant's normal residence and the institution being attended should apply. In determining the shortest most direct route, the awarding authority shall establish:
- the method for measuring a route; and
- the factors to be taken into account in establishing and measuring a route. SUSI has progressively introduced a number of measures that are intended to make the Student Grant Scheme more efficient for students. One of these measures was the introduction of Eircode which has helped to reduce processing times for applicants.
The distance is always measured from the student's normal residence to the campus the student is attending and never the reverse. The distance is always measured avoiding tolls. The 'depart at' time is set to 1am to ensure consistency by measuring each SUSI Applicant's adjacency at the same time
The decision on eligibility for student grant assistance is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe. Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.ie
My officials advised that the student in question has engaged fully in the statutory appeals process and that on 1st September 2020 the independent Student Grant Appeals Board upheld the decisions of the grant awarding authority and the Appeals Officer and determined that the distance from the student’s residence to the relevant third level institution was under 45km and the adjacent rate of grant was the correct rate of grant to be awarded.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, 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. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
605. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of students (details supplied) will be examined and a resolution expedited in relation to a student grant issue. [25085/20]
View answerThe student grant scheme, administered by SUSI, provides maintenance grants to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
Student maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. The distance to be measured is the shortest non-tolled most direct route from the student’s residence to the institution attended. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in the case of students whose normal residence is 45km or less from the approved institution which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.
The measurement of the distances relating to the award of adjacent or non-adjacent rates of student grant is a matter for SUSI, the grant awarding authority. The distance measurement for student grant rates is governed by Article 27(3)(a) and (b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2020. This provides that the relevant distance will be measured in line with agreed guidelines. The guidelines require that the shortest most direct route between the applicant's normal residence and the institution being attended should apply. In determining the shortest most direct route, the awarding authority shall establish:
- the method for measuring a route; and
- the factors to be taken into account in establishing and measuring a route. SUSI has progressively introduced a number of measures that are intended to make the Student Grant Scheme more efficient for students. One of these measures was the introduction of Eircode which has helped to reduce processing times for applicants.
The distance is always measured from the student's normal residence to the campus the student is attending and never the reverse. The distance is always measured avoiding tolls.
The decision on eligibility for student grant assistance is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe. Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.ie
My officials advised that the student in question has engaged fully in the statutory appeals process and that on 1st September 2020 the independent Student Grant Appeals Board upheld the decisions of the grant awarding authority and the Appeals Officer and determined that the distance from the student’s residence to the relevant third level institution was under 45km and the adjacent rate of grant was the correct rate of grant to be awarded.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, 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. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
606. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the 2020 CAO entrance points will be applied to the leaving certificate 2020 cohort that will be resitting exams in November 2020. [25281/20]
View answerHigher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures. The CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the HEIs Decisions on admissions, including deadlines for submission of applications or acceptance of offers, are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. As such, neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO.
I understand, based on the information available to me, that students who opt to sit the Leaving Certificate examinations in November and who receive an improved CAO offer on foot of these results will receive a deferred college offer to start their course in the 2021/22 academic year. As these offers are still part of the 2020 application cycle, they will be based on 2020 CAO points.
However this is only the case for courses on the student's 2020 CAO application that are a higher preference than any they have yet been offered. If they wish to apply for a course that is not on their 2020 application, they will need to submit a 2021 CAO application and will be receive offers based on 2021 points levels for these courses.
607. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the HPAT results from 2020 will carry over to 2021 for leaving certificate 2020 students reapplying to medicine courses for entry in 2021 that are resitting some of their leaving certificate exams in November 2020. [25282/20]
View answer616. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the health professions admissions test rules will be amended in order that the HPAT grades achieved in 2020 can be used for university entry to study medicine in 2021 and students do not have to repeat the HPAT tests. [24973/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 607 and 616 together.
The HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and the RCSI. The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs.
I understand that students choose to sit the 2020 Leaving Certificate exams in November and who receive an improved CAO offer on foot of these results will receive a deferred offer to start their course in the 2021/22 academic year. Such offers are part of the 2020 application cycle, and will use the results of the 2020 HPAT sitting. However neither I nor my Department has a function in the administration of the HPAT, or in deciding the length of time for which HPAT results are valid.
608. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students whose calculated leaving certificate grades increase on appeal will be guaranteed a place on their desired course that they had missed out on. [25286/20]
View answerAt the time of closing the appeal application process on Wednesday 16 September, some 12,300 students had appealed almost 33,700 grades. Every effort will be made to process appeals as quickly as possible but I am informed it is not possible at this time for the Department of Education to commit to a date for the issue of the appeal results. Students will be notified of this date as soon as possible. It is not possible to provide an expedited appeal for any student or group of students. All appeals will be processed, and results released, simultaneously to ensure fairness and equity to all.
Where a successful appeal results in a student receiving a higher preference CAO offer, every effort will be made by higher education institutions to accommodate them in taking up a place on their new course. However in the event that this is not possible, the student will receive a deferred offer to take up a place on that course in the 2021/22 academic year.
609. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if dedicated sector-specific supports will be provided to English language schools in view of the fact that the Covid-19 crisis has significantly affected this sector. [25456/20]
View answerEnglish language education (ELE) in Ireland is a broad and diverse sector with the vast majority of activity undertaken by private sector providers. I am aware of the challenges that are being encountered in the ELE sector and the substantial impact that the Covid-19 outbreak has had on its students, teachers and providers.
As part of the response to the pandemic, my Department established a specific Working Group for this sector. This group is comprised of representatives of relevant Government Departments and representatives of both students and English language education providers.
As part of this process, the representative bodies for ELE providers have engaged with the Working Group surrounding their proposals for supports to aid the recovery of this sector. While not dedicated sector-specific supports, in this forum, the providers have been advised of the measures introduced by Government to support businesses at this time as part of the wider Covid-19 response. These measures initially included the temporary wages subsidy scheme (TWSS) to facilitate employers to keep employees on the payroll during the initial period of the Covid-19 pandemic in order to retain this link for when business increases after the crisis. This temporary scheme has now been superseded by the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS). The EWSS will continue to provide payroll support to businesses, including eligible ELE providers, until 31 March 2021 and also provides for a reduction in Employers PRSI.
Further to the above, the ELE provider representatives have been advised of the eligibility of businesses in this sector to apply, where appropriate, for further business supports made available by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation via Enterprise Ireland and through its network of Local Enterprise Offices. A full list of these supports and related information is available for providers here: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/ .
My Department will continue to engage with ELE provider representatives as this sector moves towards its full re-opening and continues on a path to recovery.
610. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of the approximately 8,000 students that sat the leaving certificate in 2019 or before that were directly affected by the increase in entry points received and CAO offer; the number that accepted their CAO offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24727/20]
View answerThe CAO is a company established by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore application and offer data is held by the CAO, not by my Department and the data requested by the Deputy cannot be provided.
612. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the specific courses given extra places from the 2,225 additional third-level places; the number of courses that had unfilled places in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24780/20]
View answerIn order to help mitigate the impact of the changes to the Leaving Certificate system, I announced the creation of an additional 2,225 places on high-demand courses in Higher Education Institutions. These places have resulted in the highest ever number of applicants receiving a CAO offers, with 53,815 CAO applicants receiving round one offers on Friday 11th September.
While the subject areas and institutions in which these courses will be provided have been identified, the exact courses were left at the discretion of the HEIs in order to allow them to respond flexibly in the areas that were seeing the greatest pressure. The final picture will be available at the end of the CAO's offer process, when all places have been filled.
A summary of these places by subject area is in the table below:
|
-Subject Area |
Additional Places |
|
Architecture |
23 |
|
Arts & Humanities |
476 |
|
Business |
430 |
|
Creative Arts |
41 |
|
Dentistry |
18 |
|
Education |
170 |
|
Engineering |
313 |
|
Law |
142 |
|
Music |
9 |
|
Science |
220 |
|
Information Technology |
31 |
|
Nursing |
134 |
|
Medicine, Health & Physical |
218 |
|
Total |
2225 |
The number of unfilled places in 2019 is a matter for the HEIs, and this data is not held by my Department.
613. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed in relation to their CAO application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24814/20]
View answerUniversities and Institutes of Technology determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf.
Decisions on admissions are made by the Higher Education Institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO.
Where the CAO is notified of an error in an application after Round One offers have issued, they update the account information and ask the higher education institutions to consider them for Round Two. The higher education institutions will then do their best to accommodate applicants with offers on Round Two. A portion of the offers that are issued in Round Two every year are to applicants who need to be accommodated after adjustments have been made due to applicant omissions or errors, or administrative errors caused by the higher education institutions or CAO.
I appreciate that it can be quite upsetting for an applicant to realise their examination information was incorrect, and every effort is made by CAO and the higher education institutions to facilitate such applicants in Round Two.
If the issue is not resolved the applicant’s satisfaction, the option to appeal is available. The CAO has an Independent Appeals Commission, to which recourse may be had by applicants who believe that they have been treated unfairly by CAO, and whose complaints have not been resolved by CAO. The function of the Appeals Commission is to ensure that the rules are applied fairly.
614. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students accepted to study medicine here from 2008 to 2020; the number that came through the CAO application system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24860/20]
View answerThe Higher Education Authority (HEA) is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating student and graduate data from all HEA-funded higher education institutions (HEIs). Data for the number of students enrolled in medicine courses for the academic period 2007/2008 to 2018/2019 is attached.
Data in relation to enrolments in the 2019/2020 academic year is currently being returned by institutions to the HEA for collation and audit. This process has been delayed due to the impact of COVID-19. The data will be published on the HEA's website: www.hea.ie when available.
HEIs are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures. The CAO is a company established by HEIs to process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf. Decisions on admissions, including the number of places offered, are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore, the application, offer and acceptance data is held by the CAO, not by my Department, and so the data requested by the Deputy in this regard cannot be provided.
An annual quota applies to the intake of EU students to medical education in the State. Thereafter, the number of places allocated to non-EU students is a matter for the individual HEI concerned with the availability of clinical placements being an important factor in this regard.
615. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding options available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24951/20]
View answerThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level e.g. progressing to postgraduate study. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The Deputy will appreciate that in the absence of all of the relevant details that would be contained in an individual's application form, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means, it would not be possible for me to say whether or not a student would qualify for a grant. In general terms, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme.
SUSI’s online application process for student grant applications for the 2020/21 academic year opened on 23rd April, 2020. Further information in relation to student grant assistance is available from SUSI’s website, www.susi.ie. The telephone number for SUSI’s Helpdesk is 0761 087 874.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, the Deputy will be aware of the recently announced €168m funding package for the return to education. This package includes a €10m access support package for higher education students. I have approved the allocation of €8.1m of this funding to top up the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie
617. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students that did not receive an offer for their CAO level 8 choices in 2020; the number of students that did not receive an offer for their level 8 CAO choices in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25053/20]
View answerThe CAO is a company established by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore application and offer data is held by the CAO, not by my Department.
According to data released by the CAO, 54,870 applicants have so far received an offer for a Level 8 course. The comparative figure at this stage in the process last year (i.e. after Rounds A, Zero and One) was 51,212. This represents a 7% increase in offers despite applicants to Level 8 courses only increasing by 1%, from 70,550 to 71,322.
618. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process to be followed by a student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25079/20]
View answerThe CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. As such, neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and it is not with my remit to issue direction to the CAO with regard to any application.
I understand, based on the information available to me, that the deadline for applicants to change a preference was the close of the Change of Mind facility at the beginning of July and no changes are possible after that date.
CAO applicants who have not received an offer they wish to take up may wish to look the Available Places facility, which allows for application to courses that have unfilled places remaining. Information on Available places can be found on the CAO’s website at the following link: https://www.cao.ie/index.php?page=aboutVPL
619. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the consideration and support for international students studying here prior to Covid-19 that may struggle to pay fees due to not being able to work over the summer period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25190/20]
View answerThe Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. This includes grants to cover the tuition fees, excluding the student contributions element, for undergraduate students eligible under the terms of the Free Fees Initiative Scheme.
Where students are not eligible under the terms of this scheme they must pay the appropriate fees either EU rate or Non-EU rate as determined by the higher education institution. In these cases, as autonomous bodies, the determination of international status and level of fee payable is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in accordance with its own criteria.
620. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the difficulties facing medical students here which is creating a situation whereby doctors that achieved their education through graduate entry programmes are defaulting on student loans due to the high education costs they face here which incentivises them to work abroad; his views on the introduction of a HSE style bursary for clinical years three and four; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25236/20]
View answerStudents pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants. However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Currently, I understand the subsidy is €10,710 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
There is no Department supported loan scheme in place for GEM students. There are various loans available for GEM students but these are private arrangements between the relevant lenders and the students applying for such loans and my Department has no role in such arrangements.
Matters relating to the introduction of a bursary scheme in return for future clinical years is matter for the Department of Health.
621. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of associate membership of CERN. [25313/20]
View answerAssociate membership of CERN is possible at a cost of 10% of the indicative full membership annual cost. This equates to an association membership cost of €1.25 million per annum.
The benefits as well as the costs are restricted with this option. Associate members can choose to join at a higher rate, bringing a commensurate increase in the potential return to Ireland.
With associate membership, Irish citizens would be eligible for staff positions and fellowships at CERN and approximately one third of Ireland’s financial contribution would be allocated for these positions. Irish citizens would also gain access to formal training schemes at CERN, including Masters and PhD programmes. Irish companies would also have access to CERN contracts but no industrial return is guaranteed.
As an associate member, the total combined value of industrial contracts and posts at CERN awarded to Ireland cannot exceed the value of the financial contribution made.
In November 2019, the cross-party report by the Joint Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation recommended that negotiations start with CERN immediately with a view to Ireland becoming an associate member as soon as possible. Following the recent government formation, CERN membership will now be considered in the context of the new programme for government and the establishment of the new Department of Further and Higher Education, Research and Innovation. The Department remains in contact with CERN officials.
