Written Answers Nos. 1027-1044
1030. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the administrative process and computational method of allocating funding to specific institutions under the support for contract researchers and research students whose work has been seriously disrupted by the pandemic. [33576/20]
View answerCOVID-19 has, as elsewhere, caused major disruption to all activities at our higher education institutions (HEIs). This includes their research activities because laboratories have been closed as part of wider campus closures and access to archives, engagement with focus groups, etc., have also been curtailed.
Consequently, many researchers and research students whose contracts are approaching conclusion are, in effect, unable to complete their work because they do not have the financial resources to continue the work beyond its original completion date. As well as the negative impact on the researchers themselves, this also means that Exchequer funding to date invested in the projects risks being lost because the work is not finished. From the funder perspective, while many have worked with their funded researchers to seek ways around this problem, for example, in the form of no-cost extensions, any use of their budget for costed extensions automatically depletes their future budget availability.
As part of the €168m Exchequer funding that the Department obtained, €47.7m was secured to assist in the provision of costed extensions to research activities that are at risk because of delays incurred as a result of COVID-19. The amount secured for this purpose reflects discussions that have been held with institutions on the financial ramifications of the pandemic crisis.
The aims of the funding are:
- Primarily to assist those researchers and research students whose work has been significantly disrupted by the COVID-19 crisis, most typically those who are coming to the end of their contract/ studies by the end of 2020
- To ensure completion of valuable research work and protection of the Exchequer investments made to date.
- To protect national research funders’ future budgets by providing dedicated support for costed extensions and by restoring budgetary levels through institutional reimbursement of any cost extension funding received to date from national funders.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has responsibility for the allocation of these monies and has worked with the institutional representative bodies and research funders to coordinate the process. It was agreed that it was in the interest of the researchers and the research ecosystem to develop a coordinated approach at a system level to delivering on the HEA Cost Extension Budget, with no undue doubling of effort.
The administrative process and computational method of allocating funding to specific institutions is outlined in the attached document.
1031. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocations in 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 to assist the development and progression of technological universities by project and date in tabular form; and the administrative process and computational method of allocating funding to projects. [33577/20]
View answerThe National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 provides for substantial and appropriate restructuring, consolidation and co-operative approaches within the landscape of Irish higher education, including the development of technological universities. My Department, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and relevant higher education institutions are dedicating significant investment towards technological university development and progression.
The administration of funding in support of the development and progression of technological universities is carried out on behalf of the Department by the HEA. In 2018 and 2019 this process was carried out under an annual competitive call for higher education Landscape Funding. Following a detailed assessment of applications and project plans by the HEA, the recommended outcomes were forwarded for Department and Ministerial approval. An external review of projects awarded Landscape Funding during the period 2017-2019 (Landscape Review) has been commissioned by the HEA and is currently being undertaken.
The report of the TU Research Network (TURN): Connectedness & Collaboration enabled by Connectivity was published in October 2019. The report details the case and requirements for a step change in higher education configuration whereby technological universities will be facilitated to assist in the delivery of national strategic objectives for regional socio-economic development, higher education access and research and skills progression The report makes a series of recommendations for outcomes that will provide a solid foundation for the development of and progression of technological universities. A key recommendation is for the reconfiguration of the previous Landscape Funding approach by the establishment of a dedicated funding stream to support technological university development.
In Budget 2020 Government announced a new Technological University Transformation Fund which would see technological university oriented funding increase by €90 million to over €120 million in total by 2023. Following discussions between the HEA and the Department of Education and Skills the subsequent strategic direction of the TURN process and the design and operation of funding allocations under the new Transformation Fund was assigned to the HEA, subject to policy direction from the Department, in May 2020.
The HEA convened and chaired two meetings of the TURN group, comprising representatives of the various TU development consortia, TU Dublin, Technological Higher Education Association (THEA) and the HEA, in May and July to discuss the approach to the design and implementation of the Transformation Fund, informed by the recommendations of the TURN report. It was agreed that a competitive process would not be the best approach to the new Fund, as the TURN report sets out a shared understanding of the issues to be faced in realising the ambition for technological universities in Ireland.
The HEA held individual meetings with TU development consortia and eligible higher education institutions in June and requested outline proposals, detailing their key priorities for the three year period of the Transformation Fund. The proposals were reviewed by the HEA and discussed by the TURN group in July. The HEA issued correspondence together with a formal submission template and information guide to TU development consortia and eligible institutions in early August. A letter from the THEA and TU Dublin in relation to the new Fund was also submitted to the HEA, indicating mutual support for the outcomes of the TURN Report and reaffirming their commitment to developing an overarching strategic approach to the Fund. A total of eight formal submissions for multi-annual funding support over three years of the Fund (1 September 2020 – 31 August 2023) were received by HEA by the end of August
Meetings were held by the HEA with all eligible consortia and institutions providing feedback on their outline proposals. The submissions were appraised by the HEA Executive and discussed with applicants in a series of online meetings in September with regard to:
Project Relevance;
- Quality of Proposal and Project Design;
- Efficiency and Effectiveness;
- Governance, Financial and Risk Management, including level of co-funding provided by the Higher Education Institutions.
Overall sectoral requirements across cost categories were also considered in the review of submissions. Final recommendations on funding allocations made by the HEA Executive were discussed by the HEA Finance and Governance Committee and approved by the HEA Board prior to my announcement of the first allocations under the Transformation Fund on 7 October 2020.
The table under sets out details by project of the allocations under the Transformation Fund in 2020 and under Landscape Funding in 2018 and 2019.
|
TU Consortium/HEI |
2018 |
2019 |
2020* |
Total |
|
Athlone IT and Dundalk IT |
€500,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€500,000 |
|
Dundalk IT |
€0 |
€550,000 |
€760,000 |
€1,310,000 |
|
Athlone IT and Limerick IT |
€0 |
€2,000,000 |
€5,000,000 |
€7,000,000 |
|
Connacht Ulster Alliance |
€1,800,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€5,700,000 |
€9,500,000 |
|
Institute of Art and Design Dun Laoghaire |
€0 |
€0 |
€100,000 |
€100,000 |
|
Munster Technological University |
€2,000,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€8,250,000 |
€12,250,000 |
|
Technological University Dublin |
€4,400,000 |
€3,800,000 |
€7,250,000 |
€15,450,000 |
|
Technological University for South East of Ireland |
€1,005,000 |
€2,000,000 |
€5,100,000 |
€8,105,000 |
|
IReL (TU Dublin ) |
€0 |
€0 |
€1,200,000 |
€1,200,000 |
|
EduCampus (TU Dublin) |
€0 |
€0 |
€849,059 |
€849,059 |
|
HEA Monitoring |
€0 |
€0 |
€120,941 |
€120,941 |
|
Total |
€9,705,000 |
€12,350,000 |
€34,330,000 |
€56,385,000 |
*€30million allocation will be disbursed Autumn 2020 and € 4.33million will be disbursed Q1 2021.
In terms of safeguards on allocations, a principle of the policy framework underpinning the Transformation Fund is that funding will be allocated on the basis of assessed capacity and capability and progress evidenced towards technological university designation and in meeting the objectives and ambition set out in the TURN report. To ensure that funding is used effectively, the HEA requires implementation plans from consortia and institutions setting out clear objectives, milestones and deliverables, aligned to their budgets. All consortia and institutions awarded funding in Year 1 of the Fund will be required to submit revised budgets and work packages, based on the level of funding allocated, prior to disbursal of funds. Funding may be removed or redistributed at the discretion of the HEA, where circumstances change or where sufficient progress on projects is not being made in accordance with project plans. The HEA will hold quarterly meetings with consortia and institutions to monitor progress towards results, as set out in the project plans. Written and financial reports on progress will be required biannually and may be subject to external verification.
Funding will be released in a phased way over the three-year operation of the Transformation Fund, based on progress achieved against objectives set out in proposal submissions. The findings and any ‘lessons learned’ from the ongoing Landscape Review commissioned by the HEA will also inform the ongoing management and implementation of the Fund.
1032. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the location and estimated budget of the higher education building projects envisaged in budget 2021, in tabular form and those approved in previous capital development plans yet to be actioned; the criteria these projects are to be prioritised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33578/20]
View answer1034. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of all significant capital projects in HEA supported institutions in the final business case, implementation or evaluation stages of development in tabular form. [33580/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1032 and 1034 together.
The key drivers of capital investment in higher education include:
- Catering for a significantly expanded student body as demographics feed through from post-primary level
- Supporting the ambitions of Project Ireland 2040 with regard to a more balanced population and employment growth across Ireland’s regions
- Developing and sustaining the skills and research base necessary to underpin Ireland’s competitiveness
- Supporting modern, innovative and flexible approaches to teaching and learning, including online provision
In addition to the above, the ambitions of the new Programme for Government in relation to emissions reductions mean that upgrade and retrofit of the existing higher education building stock will become an important objective in its own right.
Higher education capital funding is mainly organised on the basis of funding programmes, which have tailored parameters depending on the objectives that they seek to achieve. Capital investment is an enabler of wider sectoral objectives and there is therefore close alignment between policy priorities and capital investment decisions.
The key Exchequer funding programmes include the following:
- Higher Education PPP Programme
- Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund
- Higher Education Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Fund
- Devolved Capital Grant
- 2020 Once-off ICT Devices Grant
- Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme (co-funded with SEAI)
I am attaching a table which includes the detailed project-specific information requested by the Deputy. All approved projects are progressing through the pipeline and are at various stages of planning, design or construction.
In cases where projects have been completed, the total project cost is stated. In other cases, a cost range is provided. Project budgets for projects that have not yet reached the contract award stage are commercially sensitive.
1033. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the public private partnerships his Department is currently engaged in; the name, cost and timeframe of each; the name of all private parties involved; the scope of each project in terms of design and development timeline, build and operate in tabular form; the outrun in respect of deviations from the original agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33579/20]
View answerTo date, my Department has entered into three public private partnerships in the higher education sector, National Maritime College of Ireland, Cork School of Music and the Grangegorman PPP project.
The National Maritime College of Ireland and Cork School of Music, which are part of Cork Institute of Technology, became operational in 2004 and 2007 respectively. The NMCI provides education and training facilities to service the needs of Cork Institute of Technology and the non-military needs of the Irish Naval Service. The Cork School of Music is a unique facility providing state of the art facilities which includes music studios, rehearsal hall, theatre space, recording and dance studios, classrooms and lecture theatres.
The Grangegorman PPP project will provide state of the art facilities for the TU Dublin Colleges of Sciences and Health, Arts and Tourism and for the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The East Quad is now expected to be completed in the coming weeks and the Central Quad in Q1 2021.
With regard to the query around ‘outrun in relation to deviations from the original contract’, I am taking this to relate to variations, which can be introduced by the State side or by the PPP company. The Grangegorman PPP project remains under construction and the outturn in respect of variations is not yet available. In relation to the CSM and NMCI contracts, the Department has not introduced any variation in recent years. These are three-way contracts to which CIT is also a party.
The other information requested by the Deputy is included in the table beneath. Unitary Charge payments cover the cost of construction, finance, maintenance, operation and lifecycle.
Contracts exist between my Department and the relevant principal contractor, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) responsible for the design, construction and finance of that particular PPP programme, as well as operation of the building in question for the 25 years post construction. The below summary table identifies the relevant SPV in each case.
|
Name of PPP Contract |
National Maritime College of Ireland |
Cork School of Music |
Grangegorman |
|
PPP Unitary Payments to the end of 2019 * |
€133.78m |
€110.23m |
|
|
Future Commitment as at the end of 2019 * |
€53.86m |
€109.76m |
€588.75m |
|
Name of Private Partners involved - PPP Company (SPV) - Facilities Management Company - Works Contractor |
Focus Education (NMC) Ltd Engie Buildings Ltd. Lend Lease Construction (EMEA) Ltd |
CSM PPP Services Apleona FM Sisk |
Eriugena DACSodexo Ireland Ltd Sisk/FCC |
|
Scope of Project |
Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) |
Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) |
Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Maintain (DBFOM) |
|
Construction Start Date |
2003 |
2005 |
2018 |
|
Service Commencement Date |
2004 |
2007 |
East Quad Q4 2020 / Central Quad Q1 2021 |
|
Contract End Date |
2029 |
2032 |
2046 |
*Includes Construction related VAT.
In addition, the Department is advancing a higher education PPP programme for the Technological University/Institute of Technology sector. This consists of 11 higher education building projects divided into two bundles. Bundle 1, comprising 6 projects, is at tender stage and Bundle 2, comprising 5 projects, is commencing pre-qualification stage. It is currently projected that Bundle 1 will start construction in Q4 2021 with the first projects completed by Q4 2023. Bundle 2 is anticipated to start construction in Q2 2022 with the first projects completed in Q2/Q3 2024.
1035. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current weekly rates for full apprenticeship programmes; and if a participant will receive an annual increase to their weekly rate while participating on a scheme. [33717/20]
View answerThere are 58 apprenticeship programmes available as of November 2020. These programmes range in duration from two to four years and lead to qualifications at levels 6 to 10 of the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). A minimum of 50% of time must be spent in on-the-job training, however the off-the-job training component of the programme can range from remote delivery to one day per week on an ongoing basis or periods of release to training providers as in the ICT apprenticeship or the craft apprenticeships. In all cases, the apprenticeship contract is set out between the employer and the apprentice.
The rates of pay for the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes are agreed by the partners within the relevant sector, or are set out in Sectoral Employment Orders (Construction Sector and Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector). Rates vary between occupations and sectors but in all cases craft apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of the qualified rate, increasing yearly from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four. The most up to date rates are attached.
In the case of the remaining 33 consortia led apprenticeships the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer. These apprenticeships span across a wide range of sectors from hairdressing and hospitality to finance and biopharma.
1036. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places for undergraduate nursing and midwifery in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33745/20]
View answerAs requested by the Deputy I have attached a table outlining the total number of enrolments for undergraduate nursing and midwifery for the years 2016-2019 are attached below. The actual enrolment details for 2020 are not currently available at this time.
1038. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students in Teagasc colleges can avail of the laptop scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33944/20]
View answerRequests for funding for Teagasc students is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture on this matter and I will refer your query to him for direct response.
1039. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide all disbursements of capital spending above €20 million on completed projects for each year since 2016 by name of project, department or body responsible for delivering project, county, the nomenccature of territorial units for statistics, NUTS3 region, type of investment, construction commencement, completion year and actual cost in tabular form. [34182/20]
View answerThere have been two completed projects in the higher education sector with a total project cost of greater than €20m which have been part-funded by the Department of Higher and Further Education, Research, Innovation and Science (and previously the Department of Education and Skills) since 2016. There was one further project with a total project cost of just under €20m.
I am attaching a table which includes the information requested by the Deputy.
1040. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice the amount of State funding provided to charities and support organisations for female and male victims of domestic violence in 2019, respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32357/20]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency under the aegis of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) and are the primary funders of organisations that deliver front-line services. In 2019, Tusla allocated €25.3 million to Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence services, an increase of €1.5 million over 2018. Tusla provided funding and coordination supports to 59 front-line DSGBV service providers, comprising community-based domestic violence services, rape crisis services, and services that provide emergency refuge accommodation for survivors of domestic violence throughout the country.
My Department provides funding to promote and assist the development of support services to victims of crime, including domestic and sexual crime. In 2019, funding of €1.712m was allocated to a large number of non-governmental organisations across the State in providing a wide range of supports to victims of crime, including sexual and gender based violence. These services provide important information and support to victims of crime, including emotional support, court accompaniment, accompaniment to Garda interviews and to sexual assault treatment units, counselling and referral to other services.
My Department also funds the Choices Programme, a uniform national domestic abuse intervention programme for men. This programme is a group work intervention to support and challenge men engaged in domestic abuse to change their abusive behaviour and attitudes towards their partners, while maintaining and supporting the safety and well-being of women and children as paramount. A key feature of the programme is that it also incorporates a separate partner support service that offers one to one support to the partners or ex partners of the men on the group programme.
I also secured €2.7million in increased funding to combat domestic, sexual and gender based violence, as well as support for victims, in Budget 2021.
Details of the monies paid out to services in 2019 are set out in the table below. The funding is allocated to agencies on the basis of their application and is not made on the basis of gender.
|
B.09 |
|
|
Funding for Services to Victims of Crime |
Funding Granted 2019 |
|
Adapt Domestic Abuse Services (Limerick) |
€61,000 |
|
AdVIC |
€37,000 |
|
AnyMan (formerly Amen) |
€20,000 |
|
Aoibhneas |
€9,300 |
|
Ascend |
€14,090 |
|
Barnardos |
€38,000 |
|
Beacon of Light Counselling Centre |
€17,000 |
|
Bray Women's Refuge |
€15,000 |
|
CARI |
€75,000 |
|
Carlow Women's Aid |
€23,000 |
|
Clare Haven Services |
€13,000 |
|
Cope Galway Waterside House |
€6,200 |
|
Crime Victims Helpline |
€116,000 |
|
Cuan Saor Women's Refuge Ltd. |
€23,000 |
|
Dignity4Patients |
€11,000 |
|
Domestic Violence Advocacy Centre (Sligo) (formerly Waves) |
€11,000 |
|
Domestic Violence Response Galway |
€15,000 |
|
Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service |
€17,000 |
|
Drogheda Women's Refuge and Children's Refuge Centre |
€11,500 |
|
Dublin Rape Crisis Centre |
€25,000 |
|
Dundalk Counselling Service |
€20,000 |
|
Esker House Women's Refuge |
€13,000 |
|
Federation for Victim Assistance |
€70,000 |
|
Greystones Family Resource Centre |
€3,000 |
|
Hope Trust |
€1,000 |
|
Irish Tourist Assistance Service |
€50,000 |
|
Kerry Women's Refuge and Support Services (Adapt) |
€23,000 |
|
Kilkenny Women's Refuge Ltd. (Amber) |
€10,000 |
|
Laois Domestic Abuse Service |
€22,500 |
|
Le Chéile |
€7,500 |
|
Letterkenny Women's Centre (Counselling) |
€7,500 |
|
Living Life Voluntary Counselling Centre |
€15,000 |
|
Longford Women's Link |
€21,000 |
|
Mayo Women's Support Services |
€22,000 |
|
Meath Women's Refuge |
€34,000 |
|
Missing in Ireland Support Services |
€20,000 |
|
Mná Feasa Domestic Violence Project |
€25,000 |
|
Oasis House Women's Refuge |
€10,000 |
|
Offaly Domestic Violence Support Service |
€12,000 |
|
One in Four |
€113,000 |
|
Rape Crisis Network |
€45,000 |
|
Roscommon Safe Link |
€18,000 |
|
SAFE Ireland |
€20,000 |
|
Saoirse Housing Association |
€21,000 |
|
Sexual Violence Centre Cork |
€26,000 |
|
Sonas |
€13,500 |
|
Support After Crime |
€143,000 |
|
Support After Homicide |
€60,000 |
|
Teach Tearmainn Housing Association Company Ltd. |
€5,000 |
|
Tearmann Housing Association |
€17,000 |
|
Victim Support at Court |
€105,000 |
|
West Cork Women's Project |
€8,000 |
|
Westmeath Support Services against Domestic Abuse |
€17,000 |
|
Wexford Women's Refuge |
€16,000 |
|
Women's Aid Dublin |
€114,500 |
|
Women's Aid Dundalk |
€17,500 |
|
You Are Not Alone (YANA) |
€3,000 |
|
€1,707,090 |
|
|
B17 |
|
|
Funding for Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence: Domestic Abuse allocations |
|
|
Choices Programme |
|
|
Men's Development Network (MEND) |
€340,460 |
|
MOVE Ireland |
€525,000 |
|
North East Development |
€37,267 |
|
€902,727 |
1041. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce a land price register similar to the property price register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32543/20]
View answerI would like to advise the Deputy that there are no plans at present for a land price register similar to the Property Price Register. As with other policy and legislative reforms, interested parties are welcome to make submissions on this matter.
1042. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice if she will expedite the details on the cause of death for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32701/20]
View answerAt the outset, I would like to convey my sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Coroners are statutory officers exercising quasi-judicial functions, in relation to which they are completely independent. Neither I nor my Department have any function in this regard. However, to be of assistance, officials from my Department contacted the Coroner concerned, and were told that the average wait time for post-mortem reports is 4 to 6 months, and possibly longer if more detailed tests, such as toxicology are required.
Individual families should contact the relevant Coroner for further details. All Coroners’ contact details can be found on www.coroners.ie.
1043. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the way in which new entrants pay for members of An Garda Síochána under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020 is being implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33259/20]
View answer1044. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the number of new entrants to An Garda Síochána recruited post-2013 who have received an increment increase on foot of the new entrants pay agreement under the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020; the estimated cost of the agreement to date in respect of An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33260/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1043 and 1044 together.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities on the information sought by the Deputy and I will contact him directly when the report is to hand.
