Written Answers Nos. 623-642
623. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the requirements of hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation to supply the use of a wheelchair hoist for guests if required; and if it is normal practice for guest accommodation to have hoists. [36814/20]
View answerThe law that deals with discrimination in relation to goods and services is the Equal Status Acts 2000-2018. It prohibits discrimination on nine grounds including that of disability. Discrimination on the ground of disability includes a refusal or failure by a service provider to do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a disabled person by providing special treatment or facilities, if without such facilities it would be impossible or unduly difficult for the person to avail himself or herself of the service. However, service providers are not obliged to provide special facilities or treatment when this costs more than what is called a ‘nominal cost’. A nominal cost will be different for each person or organisation as it depends on the size of the business and its budget.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is the independent body responsible for investigating complaints of discrimination under the Equal Status Acts.
Regarding the specific issue raised in relation to hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation and the provision of wheelchair hoists, the Technical Guidance Document for Part M of the 2010 Building Regulations does not require that a hoist be provided in hotel or guest accommodation. The Document does provide for space to enable a wheelchair user to manoeuvre at the side of a bed and transfer independently to it. Additionally, the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (at the National Disability Authority) has published a best practice guidance document ‘Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach’, which advises on the amount of space to be included to facilitate wheelchair users in hotel and guest house accommodation. A larger amount of space is recommended where a mobile hoist is provided.
624. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to restore the Parental Bereavement Leave (Amendment) Bill 2019 to the Dáil Order Paper; his plans to pursue the legislation as a Government Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36836/20]
View answerAccording to the CSO, in 2018 there were 268 deaths of children under the age of fifteen. The statistics also show that the majority of these child deaths, 187 (70%), occurred during the first year. The Department of Social Protection pays Maternity Benefit for stillborn babies born after 24 weeks of pregnancy or on the death of an infant during the period of maternity, which is 26 weeks.
Under existing social welfare schemes, there are provisions in place for continued payment of welfare schemes or allowances for up to six weeks following the death of a child. Similarly, Domiciliary Care Allowance will continue to be paid for three months in cases where the child being cared for has died.
Under the Supplementary Allowance scheme, the Department may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. An application can be made for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.
An employee's entitlement to take time off in such circumstances depends on whether any provision exists in the employee’s contract of employment providing for such leave. For the vast majority of workers, conditions of employment, including bereavement leave provisions, are matters for negotiation between employers and employees. In the absence of any such provisions in an employment contract, bereavement leave is normally granted at the discretion of the employer.
The Bill mentioned by the Deputy was a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Minister Rabbitte prior to her entering office as Minister for Disability. The Bill is not included on the Government's legislative list but will be kept under review.
625. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the exact amount of ring-fenced funding across all relevant Departments to be provided to domestic violence services in Budget 2021; and the additional funding that is being allocated in order that services can respond adequately to the shadow pandemic of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond. [36880/20]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality (DJE). Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding DSGBV, including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies, which will inform future investments in this area.
In 2020 my Department provided €25.3m to Tusla for DSGBV services. Additional funds of some €2m are being allocated during 2020 to address challenges arising from the COVID-19 public health emergency.
I am pleased to have secured significant additional funding for Tusla in Budget 2021 which, I believe, will help the Agency more fully achieve its vision. Specific allocation of Tusla's funding in 2021, including in respect of domestic violence services, will be finalised in Tusla’s Business Plan for 2021 which is currently in development.
626. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if inquiries will be made regarding the reason staff at youth projects (details supplied) have been redirected by Tusla leaving a gap in an important service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36884/20]
View answerMy office has recently received representations in relation to the issue raised by the Deputy.
As this is an operational issue for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have requested that Tusla respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
627. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which his Department's annual amount for contingent liability is set; the factors considered when setting contingent liability; if forecasting is undertaken regarding setting future amounts; the contingent liability figure for his Department for 2020; and if the contingent has been utilised to date in 2020. [36898/20]
View answerThe risk of potential contingent liabilities is normally considered on an annual basis in the context of the Appropriation Account as well as the Budget and Estimates cycles respectively and taking account of any legal advice or specific knowledge of situations occurring, that might give rise to a contingent liability.
The Appropriation Account for 2019 for my Department indicated that there were no contingent liabilities to report at the end of the year.
628. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled asylum seekers in direct provision. [36923/20]
View answer629. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled asylum seekers in emergency accommodation. [36924/20]
View answer632. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled asylum seekers in emergency accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36994/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 628, 629 and 632 together.
My Department does not hold data or maintain statistics on disabilities of international protection applicants residing in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service.
Every effort is, however, made to ensure that a resident's specific needs are met in assigning accommodation to them. The International Protection Accommodation Service of my Department routinely assesses applicants for any special reception needs to meet their accommodation requirements. This is especially the case for families with young children and for applicants with a disability.
Discussions are ongoing between officials in my Department and the HSE to enable formal vulnerability assessments for applicants for international protection by the end of the year. This will enhance the capacity of IPAS and the HSE to identify issues, including in relation to disability, when assigning accommodation to those seeking international protection.
630. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when legislation will be published to extend parental leave from two to five weeks for parents of all children adopted or born on or after 1 November 2019. [36968/20]
View answer633. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parents can avail of the extended parent's benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37032/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 630 and 633 together.
To support parents of children born during the strict lock-down measures, the Government intends to extend parent's leave from two weeks to five weeks for each parent of all children born or adopted on or after 1 Nov 2019. The Government also intends to extend the period in which parent's leave can be taken up until that child turns two or, in the case of an adoption, two years after the adoption placement date of the child. This extension will apply to parents who may have already availed of their existing entitlements.
Heads of a Bill to effect these changes are currently being drafted in my Department and I hope to bring these to Government shortly.
The extension of parent's benefit is a matter for the Minister of Social Protection and I understand that it will take time for the relevant IT system changes to be made and that it will be April 2021 before the necessary updates can take place. However, it may be possible for parent's leave to be taken in advance of these changes and the benefit claimed retrospectively, once the legislation has been enacted, and I will ensure that parents are fully informed of their entitlements in this regard.
The extension to parent's leave and benefit follows a number of advancements in family leaves in recent years, including the introduction of parents leave and benefit in 2019 and the extension of unpaid parental leave to 26 weeks in September this year for a child under 12 years.
631. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is on track to commence a formal vulnerability assessment system for asylum seekers in December 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36969/20]
View answerDiscussions are ongoing between officials in my Department and the HSE to enable formal vulnerability assessments for applicants for international protection by the end of the year. This will ensure that a coherent process is in place for both the health and non-health aspects required in formalised assessments.
To assist in determining how best we can meet the health and related needs of applicants, the HSE National Office for Social Inclusion has commissioned research to explore the concept of vulnerability with a view to further improving our existing processes and I look forward to the outcome of this research.
At present every effort is made to ensure that residents' specific needs are met. My Department officials routinely identify vulnerabilities and assess applicants for any special reception needs to meet their accommodation requirements. This is especially the case for families with young children and for applicants with a disability.
If a protection applicant chooses to accept an offer of accommodation from my Department, they will, in normal circumstances, be first brought to the National Reception Centre in Balseskin, Dublin. At Balseskin, they will be offered a health assessment by the on-site HSE team, which comprises a nurse, nurse specialist, area medical officer, general practitioners, social worker and psychologist. This ensures that applicants can be assessed for any special reception needs that they may have before they are designated an accommodation centre.
Safetynet, a primary care health service, carries out health screening, on behalf of the HSE, in a number of the temporary accommodation locations currently in use by the Department. The International Protection Accommodation Service work closely with the HSE screening team and with Safetynet to ensure that protection applicants are moved to locations where their medical needs can be met. We also work collaboratively to ensure that any special accommodation arrangements are in place as required.
During the COVID pandemic, assessments have also been made for our older residents to ensure that their cocooning needs are met. Where more intensive healthcare needs are required, such cases are referred directly to the HSE.
634. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason funding to youth services is allocated based on social housing need but does not incorporate HAP; his plans to reform same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37033/20]
View answerYouth services funded by my Department operate at both the national and local level. In addition to funding universal youth services aimed at all young people, my Department funds targeted youth services through the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. Under this scheme, €38.7million was allocated in 2020 to support young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are at risk of becoming disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable.
The UBU Your Place Your Space scheme is underpinned by the Area Profile, Needs Assessment and Service Requirement (APNASR) process. The APNASR Tool supports each Education and Training Board (ETB) to gather and use available demographic data and local knowledge to produce an area profile of their functional area. The ETB then carries out an analysis of the data to identify the needs of young people in that area. This results in a Service Requirement for new or existing projects that will be funded by the Department under UBU. The approach ensures that we can target supports to the young people most in need of intervention and that funding is allocated in a transparent and objective manner.
There is no specific or singular focus on social housing need. However, this indicator is incorporated into the process as part of the Pobal HP Deprivation Index, which is a constituent part of the overall APNASR process. At the discretion of the ETB, local plans, reports and other indicators may be considered as part of the quantitative data gathering, which may or may not include social housing need indicators.
The UBU Your Place Your Space scheme operates on a cyclical basis, with cycle two commencing on 1 January 2023. The next iteration of the APNASR process will be developed in advance of cycle two and will seek to include relevant quantitative data indicators.
635. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on establishing a national development plan to address the sharp increase in women and children fleeing domestic violence during Covid-19 as outlined in the report by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37103/20]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality (DJE). Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding DSGBV, including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies. The audit will assist in developing proposals on the appropriate infrastructure required to ensure that all of the issues related to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence are addressed in the most holistic and effective way possible. The audit will inform the development of the third National Strategy on DSGBV. Work is already underway led by the Department of Justice in this regard.
The Deputy will be aware that Tusla is currently undertaking a strategic review of domestic violence accommodation provision, which is intended to inform a plan for the future commissioning of domestic violence accommodation services. Tusla-funded domestic violence service providers, and other key stakeholders, have engaged with Tusla in developing this national commissioning plan.
Tusla has adopted a collaborative approach to overall service planning of DSGBV services and will continue to engage with service providers in this regard. In 2020 my Department provided €25.3m to Tusla for DSGBV services. During the current public health emergency, Tusla has worked directly with services to identify emerging challenges. Additional funds of some €2m are being allocated during 2020 to ensure these essential services can respond appropriately to support victims of DSGBV.
636. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a SUSI appeal by a person (details supplied). [36842/20]
View answerAs part of a comprehensive customer service and communications strategy provided by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), to ensure that all necessary avenues are open to applicants to receive the information they need, a dedicated email and phone line service is provided by SUSI for Oireachtas members. This was established to meet an identified need for applicants who choose to engage the assistance of their public representatives in making enquiries about their grant applications.
This service, which was set up at the behest of Oireachtas members, complements the established channels provided by SUSI which include online application tracking, a dedicated website, a telephone helpdesk, email and social media, including Facebook and Twitter. Enquiries may be emailed direct to SUSI at oireachtas@susi.ie. Staff in SUSI are responding to email queries within a matter of days.
With regard to the specific application, I have been advised by my officials that the student in question submitted an application to SUSI on 4th August 2020. It was confirmed by the applicant through this application that there was no change in circumstances in relation to reckonable income and therefore the reckonable income was assessed based on 2019 income as per the Student Grant Scheme 2020. On receipt of all requested evidentiary documentation, the income assessed for 2019 was deemed over the limit of the maximum threshold allowed and a letter advising this outcome was sent to the student on 14th October 2020. SUSI received a Notice of Appeal from the student on 2nd November 2020 and the application is currently queued for review by the Appeals Officer who undertakes to respond to all Appeals in writing within 30 days of receipt.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by an appeals officer in 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 (i.e. not later than 30 days after the notification of the determination of the appeals officer to the applicant). Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.ie.
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.
In addition, 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. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
637. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the training pathways, including third-level undergraduate and postgraduate pathways, currently in place for each of the medical professions; the numbers availing of these annually; the cost per person for each pathway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36863/20]
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).
There follows first-year enrolments on both undergraduate and graduate entry medicine degree programmes for the 2018/19 academic year. 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.
Medicine 2018/19 - Year 1 Enrolments*
|
Institution |
Undergraduate |
Graduate Entry |
Total |
|
University College Dublin |
122 |
105 |
227 |
|
University College Cork |
128 |
81 |
209 |
|
NUI Galway |
278 |
|
278 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
194 |
|
194 |
|
University of Limerick |
|
140 |
140 |
|
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland |
182 |
89 |
271 |
|
Total |
904 |
415 |
1,319 |
*includes EU and Non-EU students
In addition, I refer the Deputy to my answer to PQ No. 24860 of 22 September 2020 which contains data on the number of students enrolled in medicine degree programmes for the academic period 2007/2008 to 2018/2019.
Entry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes.
Medicine provided at undergraduate level is offered in five higher education institutions including, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University College Cork, NUI Galway and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. In order to gain entry into an undergraduate medicine degree programme in Ireland, students are required to apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO) and meet the necessary entry requirements which includes completing the Health Professions Admission Test (HPAT).
Graduate Entry Medicine is offered in four higher education institutions including University College Dublin, University College Cork, University of Limerick and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. Applicants who have completed an NFQ Level 8 (minimum 2.1 award) or equivalent in their first undergraduate degree can apply for entry to graduate medicine. Applicants are also required to sit the GAMSAT (Graduate Medical School Admission Test).
HEIs operate access and foundation courses that act as an alternative means of entry for students to higher education courses. Many HEIs also participate in the Higher Education Access Route (HEAR) and Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) schemes which offer places on courses on a reduced points basis to school leavers from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and students with disabilities. The operation of HEAR and DARE schemes, the number of places available and which courses are covered is a matter for each HEI.
It is estimated that the average cost of a medical student is c. €25,000 - €30,000 per student per year.
In light of the stronger than usual set of Leaving Certificate results received this year as a results of Calculated Grades, a decision was made that additional places would be made available on high-demand higher education courses in order to ease anxieties among students and offset pressures on the system.
After engagement with HEIs to identify where there was capacity in the system to create these places, given financial support from DFHERIS, 2,225 additional places were made available in advance of Round One offers. These places were created in a broad range of courses across many disciplines, and include courses in areas of very high demand such as healthcare, science and teacher education.
The cost of these places to the end of 2020 is approximately €7 million, which will be met from the Department’s existing allocation. The cost in 2021, to the end of the 2020/21 academic year is estimated at €20 million and this funding has been secured in Budget 2021. Funding of €27 million per academic year thereafter will be needed for the duration of these courses.
As the Deputy will be aware, the 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 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. In addition, the Exchequer pays the contribution in full or part, through SUSI, for approximately 44% of students eligible for free fees.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study undergraduate medicine. Students 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 HEA. Currently, the subsidy is €11,200 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
Where students do not qualify for free fees funding, they pay the appropriate fee, either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each HEI. The 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.
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.
In broader terms the HEA has also provided data detailing course enrolments on health and welfare related courses in higher education in 2018/2019. See below.
638. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37130/20]
View answer641. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional ring-fenced funding to be provided by his Department to domestic violence services in Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to the shadow pandemic of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36344/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 638 and 641 together.
In Budget 2021, no additional ring-fenced funding towards domestic violence services relates to my Department.
639. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial assistance available to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36148/20]
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.
One of the criteria in the student grant scheme relates to 'progression'. This means that a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another, where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. I understand from the details supplied that the student in question already holds a Level 8 and a Level 9 qualification. If an individual already holds a qualification, s/he is not eligible for funding at the same level again.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter in the first instance for the grant awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). If the person to whom the Deputy refers is ineligible for a SUSI grant then there are some other options which could be pursued.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, the Deputy will be aware that in July I announced a funding package of €168m 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. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
The €168m funding package also 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.
As announced as part of Budget 2021 we will provide financial assistance through a once off €50 million fund for students to mitigate against the impacts of the changed learning environment. My officials and I are developing the process on how this once-off fund will operate for submission to Government prior to commencement. Further details will be available for student shortly.
In addition, 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.
640. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the €250 payment announced in budget 2021 (details supplied); the way in which persons can apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36241/20]
View answerI am very conscious of the impact the pandemic has had on our students. To ensure the safety of our students and staff in further and higher education, the majority of college will be online for this semester. In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students the Government has approved once off funding of €50m to provide additional financial assistance in this academic year. My Officials and I are finalising the process on how this once-off funding will be utilized, for submission to Government prior to commencement. Once finalised the details will be available for students.
Additionally Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative, which seeks to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students.
This builds on the specific student supports in response to Covid, which I announced in July including the provision of additional student assistance including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education to assist with difficulties in accessing technology to facilitate their course work in a blended capacity. These supports are being distributed through the colleges and further education providers.
642. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if time spent as a stamp 2 visa holder counts towards the three out of five years needed to be considered ordinarily resident for applications for Springboard+ courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36806/20]
View answerApplicants who wish to apply for a Springboard+ course must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to the programme and meet other eligibility criteria.
A stamp 2 visa indicates permission to study a full time course on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 2 is not reckonable as residence for the purposes of Springboard+, therefore does not meet the eligibility criteria for participating in Springboard+. There are no plans to amend this criteria.
The Springboard+ initiative is an administrative scheme which is not underpinned by legislation and the residency rule that applies may differ from what is in place in other Government Departments.
The terms and conditions that apply to Springboard+ are applicable to all students and exceptions cannot be made in any particular case.
