Thursday, 19 Nov 2020

Written Answers Nos. 251-275

Carer's Allowance

Questions (251)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

251. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37634/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care. 

I can confirm that my Department received an application for CA from the person concerned on 27 July 2020.   

Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a Deciding Officer (DO) on 13 August 2020 and on 26 August 2020 and a second response to this request was received on 8 September 2020.   

The evidence submitted in support of the person’s application was examined and the DO decided that, although the person concerned is providing a certain amount of care, the level involved did not amount to full-time care.  Therefore, her application for CA was disallowed. 

The person concerned was notified on 26 September 2020 of the decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal. 

The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 5 October 2020 and submitted additional evidence in support of her application on that date and again on 19 October 2020. 

The outcome of this review is that the application was awarded to the person concerned on 17 November 2020 with effect from 30 July 2020, and the first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 26 November 2020.   

Arrears of allowance due from 30 July 2020 to 25 November 2020 will also be issued. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Live Register

Questions (252)

Neale Richmond

Question:

252. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the sectorial breakdown of those who have joined the live register since the start of 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37720/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

As of 15th November 2020 there are currently 72,470 on the Live Register whose claim has commenced in 2020, of which 66,273 can be assigned a sector via their last employer based on the current data available to my Department. The requested information is listed in the table below for this cohort.

Sector	Number	Percent
A Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing	855	1.3%
B Mining and Quarrying	125	0.2%
C Manufacturing	6,076	9.2%
D Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply	70	0.1%
E Water supply; Sewerage, waste management and remediation activities	295	0.4%
F Construction	4,022	6.1%
G Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and motorcycles	10,562	15.9%
H Transportation and storage	3,503	5.3%
I Accommodation and food service activities	8,493	12.8%
J Information and communication activities	2,525	3.8%
K Financial and insurance activities	2,167	3.3%
L Real Estate activities	627	0.9%
M Professional, Scientific and Technical activities	3,153	4.8%
N Administrative and support service activities	7,169	10.8%
O Public Administration And Defence; Compulsory Social Security	2,686	4.1%
P Education	2,515	3.8%
Q Human Health And Social Work activities	6,141	9.3%
R Arts, entertainment and recreation	1,179	1.8%
S Other Service activities	3,654	5.5%
T Activities of Households as employers	449	0.7%
U Activities of Extra-territorial Organisations And Bodies	7	0.0%
Total	66,273	100.0%

Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment

Questions (253)

Neale Richmond

Question:

253. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Social Protection the sectorial breakdown of those who have applied for the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37721/20]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

To the end of October, my Department had processed 1.3 million Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) applications in respect of over 800,000 people.  Of these, over 766,000 people received at least one PUP.  

The sectorial breakdown for everyone who has received at least one PUP is set out in the attached tabular statement. This sectorial breakdown is based on the sector of their last known employer. The sector classification is based on the standard NACE Rev.2 classification used by the Central Statistics Office and Eurostat. 

 Weekly statistics on the PUP are published by my Department at  https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/f4c60c-covid-19-statistics/.

Sector	%
A-B Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; Mining and Quarrying	1.4%
C Manufacturing	5.7%
D-E Electricity, gas Supply; Water supply, sewerage and waste management	0.3%
F Construction	10.1%
G Wholesale and Retail Trade; Repair of Motor Vehicles and motorcycles	14.9%
H Transportation and storage	3.2%
I Accommodation and food service activities	24.1%
J Information and communication activities	2.3%
K Financial and Insurance activities	2.1%
L Real Estate Activities	1.4%
M Professional, Scientific, and Technical Activities	4.3%
N Administrative and support service activities	8.4%
O Public Administration and Defense; Compulsory Social Security	1.9%
P Education	4.2%
Q Human Health and Social Work Activities	3.9%
R Arts, Entertainment, and recreation	2.7%
S Other Sectors	6.5%
Unclassified or unknown	2.5%

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Questions (254)

Paul Murphy

Question:

254. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the transfer of refugees from the Greek island of Lesbos to Ireland; the age and sex of the refugees transferred here to date; the dates for future transfers of refugees from Lesvos here; the accommodation provided for recently transferred refugees; the accommodation planned for future refugees coming here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37419/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I thank the Deputy for his question on this pressing matter.

I am extremely concerned with the plight of the refugees in Moria, Lesbos, following the fires there, especially young people who are without parents or family in the camp.

Under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) Ireland has committed to accepting 50 people in family groups from the camp at Moria on Lesbos. Officials from my Department have been in contact with EU counterparts to confirm this pledge and to begin the process of resettling refugees to Ireland.

Families arriving in Ireland will be firstly accommodated in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres, prior to resettlement in counties around the country, with access to all of the services provided to refugees arriving under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. Such services include those available to Irish citizens.

Ireland has also committed to taking 36 unaccompanied minors from Greece, under the European Union Relief Projects (EURP). Unaccompanied minors arriving in Ireland will be transferred to the care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.

In June this year the first 8 unaccompanied minors arrived, delayed by the additional challenges presented for travel by the Covid 19 pandemic. I can report that the 8 teenage boys who arrived in June are settling in well and becoming acclimatised to life in Ireland.

I have moved to accelerate the arrival of the remaining children and have secured an additional sum in Budget 2021 to support this. I hope to be in a position to announce further information very soon. At present we await details of the family groups and unaccompanied minors and clarification regarding logistics for the interview missions required to transfer refugee families to Ireland.

The state’s capacity to bring unaccompanied children to Ireland is determined by the available care placements, and the commitments the state has made to unaccompanied children who are already here.

Due to the level of need among refugees since the destruction of the Moria camp, I am seeking to expand Ireland’s capacity to care for unaccompanied children. My Department and Tusla officials are examining the immediate requirements to fulfil Ireland’s existing commitments, including expansion of care placements and working with Department of Justice officials to identify unaccompanied children who wish to come to Ireland.

I thank the Deputy for his interest and I hope I can rely on his support in my efforts to receive more unaccompanied young people from Greece under the IRPP programme.

Parental Leave

Questions (255)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

255. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the additional three weeks of parental leave for pandemic babies that was announced in budget 2021 will be accessible, as parents that have had babies since the budget 2021 announcement cannot access this on the mywelfare.ie system and welfare staff do not seem to be able to inform them of any updates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37521/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

To support parents of children born during the strict lockdown 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 November 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.

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Questions (256)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

256. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Irish refugee protection programme has continued the resettlement programme under level 5 lockdown and travel restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37604/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) has continued operations to resettle programme refugees nationally during 2020 with the assistance of the HSE and local authorities. At all times guidance has been sought from public health officials to deliver on the Government commitment with appropriate measures implemented to protect the public, refugees and staff.  

A temporary suspension of international travel has impacted on the ability of the IRPP to bring programme refugees into the State. Programme refugees who had been selected in Beirut and Amman have until now been unable to travel.  However, I am pleased to say that today the first arrivals of programme refugees will arrive into the State for 2020. As previously stated this has only been possible with the assistance of multiple stakeholders and with public health guidance at the forefront of all decisions. 

All families will be initially accommodated in quarantine facilities engaged by the International Protection Procurement Service and will have the support of the HSE during their quarantine period.

Home Schooling

Questions (257)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

257. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if clarification will be provided on home schooling restrictions during level 5 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37635/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As the Deputy may be aware, Tusla Education Support Services (TESS) is responsible for addressing issues in relation to participation, retention and attendance in schools.

In line with the provisions of Section 14(1) of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000, Tusla‘s Alternative Education Assessment and Registration Service (AEARS) is responsible for the regulation of provision for education in places other than recognised schools.

The AEARS does not have a role in providing guidance or advice regarding the provision of education for children who are educated in a place other than recognised schools, within the specific context of the on-going Covid-19 public health restrictions, as this is a matter for the relevant public health authorities.

Children that are home-schooled, and their parents or guardians, must comply with all of the public health advice and guidance produced by the Government in order to protect their health and well-being and that of other citizens during this pandemic.  There are currently no plans to provide separate or bespoke guidance for this cohort of the population.

The assessment of home school provision by the AEARS is continuing under level five restrictions, both remotely, and through on-site assessments, conducted in line public health guidance.

Departmental Reports

Questions (258)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

258. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received the report on socioeconomic disadvantage as a new grounds of discrimination commissioned by his Department into the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2017; and when he plans to publish the report. [37520/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Government is committed to examining the introduction of a new ground of discrimination, based on socioeconomic disadvantaged status, to the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts.

The report on socioeconomic disadvantage as a new grounds of discrimination is currently being carried out by UCD. I am informed that the research has been delayed because of the ongoing COVID-19 situation.  However, I hope to receive the report in the near future and I intend to publish it thereafter.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (259)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

259. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the third-party contracts entered into by agencies under the remit of his Department for the operation of community and voluntary organisations; the number of staff employed by the third party; and the cost of the contract in 2019 and 2020. [37556/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked the agencies within the remit of my Department to respond to you directly on this matter.  

The agencies concerned are as follows:

Adoption Authority of Ireland;

Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission;

National Disability Authority;

Oberstown Children Detention Campus;

Ombudsman for Children's Office; and

Tusla - Child and Family Agency.

Maternity Services

Questions (260)

Eoghan Murphy

Question:

260. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the roll-out of baby boxes will commence. [37580/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Baby Boxes for newborns are to be piloted under First 5 A Whole-of -Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028. Piloting Baby Boxes is just one initiative which is part of a wide ranging strategy addressing various aspects of the lives of children from birth to age five including supports for parents to balance working and caring, developments in early learning and care and health initiatives.

The gift of the Baby Box is intended as a welcome from the State for a new arrival to a family and an acknowledgement of this very significant moment for parents. The universal distribution of Baby Boxes also reflects an important equality principle that each child is given something of equal value at the start of their life. The concept of Baby Boxes originates in Finland (and has been implemented in a number of other countries) and consists of a package of items to assist with the transition to parenthood. The pilot will undertake research and consultation to determine items for inclusion in the pack and these may include safety items, baby clothes and toys to support early development and books to foster a love of reading from infancy.

Key objectives with the Baby Box and linked communications will include support for parent-infant bonding, information on baby development and early learning, advice and support for breastfeeding and promotion of infant health and safety.

Owing to COVID-19, work on the pilot project has been delayed. However, a Working Group will be established in the coming weeks to lead this development. An initial task of this Group will be to finalise the scope of this project and agree a detailed project plan. Key initial considerations will include the identification of the pilot geographic area, agreement on the optimal timing for (pre- or post- natal), and channel of, distribution of the baby box and the likely contents.  A researcher will be appointed to oversee focus groups and/or consultations with new and expectant parents to inform the identification of items for inclusion.

Following this initial scoping phase, which should conclude by end Q1 2021, the Working Group will oversee a competitive procurement process to appoint suitable tenderers to a) develop and distribute the baby boxes and b) undertake a full evaluation of the pilot. Given the likely value of these contracts, the procurement process will take several months. It is therefore envisaged that distribution of the baby boxes will commence in end Q3 2021 / early Q4 2021.

Asylum Seekers

Questions (261)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

261. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made since the formation of the Government to reform the whole system of treatment of asylum seekers, particularly with direct provision and the length of time it takes applicants to get a final determination on their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37619/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Responsibility for the provision of accommodation for applicants for International Protection transferred to my Department from the Department of Justice on 14 October, 2020.   Oversight of the International Protection Office was not passed on to my Department.  This particular office is still remained under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice.  Queries in respect of processing of international protection applications is entirely a matter for Minister McEntee.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to ending the Direct Provision system and replacing it with a new International Protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach.  The Government has also committed to the development of a White Paper which will set out how this new system will be structured and the steps to achieving it.

My Department is currently developing the White Paper which I expect to publish by the end of the year.    Consultations have taken place in this regard with relevant Government Departments, with the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children and with the City and County Managers' Association.  

In addition representatives of accommodation centre residents and civil society organisations with refugee policy/practice expertise and housing policy/practice expertise (including Approved Housing Bodies) are being consulted.

Family Resource Centres

Questions (262)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

262. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the need for a family resource centre in Erris, County Mayo; when the resources will be allocated to establish a centre in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37654/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is responsible for the administration of the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme.

I have requested that Tusla respond directly to the Deputy with regard to services in the area where the organisation concerned is based.

Domestic Violence Services

Questions (263, 264)

Brendan Smith

Question:

263. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure a substantial increase in funding for domestic violence services for 2021 in view of the increase in domestic violence since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic and taking into account the report by an organisation from (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37725/20]

Brendan Smith

Question:

264. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total funding provided in 2020 for domestic violence services; the planned allocation for such services in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37726/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.

The 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.

Domestic Violence Services

Questions (265)

Brendan Smith

Question:

265. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date in developing a national services development plan to deal with domestic abuse and coercive control; if it is planned to have such plan commenced in 2020; the role of an organisation (details supplied) and its 38 frontline member services in developing a comprehensive national response to domestic abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37727/20]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The 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, including the organisation to which the Deputy refers, have engaged with Tusla in developing this national commissioning plan. This engagement has also been a key component of other planning for domestic violence responses around the country in recent years, where a collaborative and iterative approach to overall planning has been used to achieve greater national coherence and local responsiveness.

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.

National Training Fund

Questions (266)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

266. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated surplus of the National Training Fund for 2020; the total surplus of the National Training Fund at the end of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37424/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The surplus in the National Training Fund (NTF) at the end of 2019 amounted to €740.1 million. This surplus is expected to grow by €22 million by the end of 2020, a much lower rate of growth than in previous years and significantly below start-of-year projections.  Income from the NTF levy in 2020 is likely to be less than in 2019 despite a rise in the rate of the levy of 0.1%.  The surplus would have fallen in 2020 without the increase in the levy rate. 

There has been very substantial growth in NTF spending in recent years on the basis of the 0.3% increase in the Training Levy between 2018 and 2020 with expenditure increasing by €190 million in this timeframe.  This has supported a very significant expansion in investment in skills priorities. 

The accumulated surplus in the NTF has previously been critical in maintaining expenditure levels, particularly in the provision of training of those seeking employment, in recession years when NTF income declined.  Currently standing at approximately one year's expenditure at current levels, the surplus has been important in resourcing my Department's contribution to the July Jobs Stimulus and to increasing investment in Budget 2021 in skills and training priorities arising from the pandemic.

Third Level Education

Questions (267, 278)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

267. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a postgraduate course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37445/20]

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

278. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to concerns by a group of students (details supplied); if action will be taken to address the concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37587/20]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 267 and 278 together.

I am conscious of the difficulties being experienced by students and their families as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and of the importance of the Student Grant Scheme and related supports, such as the Student Assistance Fund and the Fund for Students with Disabilities. These supports have a fundamental role in assisting students and families who are putting their children through further and higher education.

The main support available to students is the statutory based SUSI grant scheme. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The 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.

Postgraduate students who meet all of the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible for a maintenance grant of up to €5,915; the income threshold for this grant for the 2020/21 academic year is €24,500. Qualifying postgraduate students may also be eligible to have their tuition fees paid up to a maximum fee limit of €6,270.

Alternatively a postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the cost of his/her fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2020/21 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependents.

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.

In line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the gap in postgraduate grants and as part of Budget 2021, the postgraduate fee grant will increase to €3,500 from €2,000. This increase will allay some of the costs for postgraduate study and would give greater certainty for students in terms of supports. In addition, the fee income threshold will increase to €54,240 from €31,500. These measures come into effect for the 2021/22 academic year.

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.

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. These supports are being distributed through the colleges and further education providers.

Also 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 students shortly.

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

Departmental Functions

Questions (268)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

268. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the transfer of research and innovation components from Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment; when the transfer will be complete; if the units as they currently exist in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will be transferred in their entirety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37459/20]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

In June 2020, it was announced by the Taoiseach that certain science and research functions would transfer from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. 

The two Departments have been working closely to agree the details and arrangements for the transfer of functions, and it is anticipated that this process will be concluded in the coming weeks and Government will be asked to agree the proposal.

Qualifications Recognition

Questions (269)

Emer Higgins

Question:

269. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person who already has an MA in education following a BA in arts can be offered some credits for this period of study when they undertake a pivot in their career and now want to study a MA in primary education. [37464/20]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Via the process of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), a person may gain admission to a programme of study or may gain exemptions/credits from some parts of a programme based on demonstrated learning. This demonstrated learning may have been achieved through another programme of study, through work or through other learning experiences.

The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 provides the statutory basis for RPL which is further detailed in policies and criteria set out by Quality and Qualification Ireland (QQI). On this basis, Higher Education Institutions must establish and implement specific policies for access, transfer and progression (ATP) addressing credit accumulation, credit transfer and identification, alongside the formal assessment of the knowledge, skill and competence previously acquired by learners i.e. RPL.  To avail of RPL, an individual must apply directly to the relevant institution/provider who will assess their prior learning in line the established policies and procedures of that institution/provider.

Further to the above, I am informed that the Department of Education will publish the entry requirements for the Primary Professional Master of Education (PME) programme of initial teacher education in the coming weeks.  For entry to the PME programme, in addition to meeting the Minimum Entry Requirements in Irish, English and Mathematics, applicants must have a minimum H2.2 Honours Bachelor Degree (Major Award at Level 8 or higher on the National Framework of Qualifications) which has a ECTS credit weighting of at least 180 credits.

Departmental Funding

Questions (270)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

270. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the funding allocation for his Department for 2021, by project and initiative in a format (details supplied). [37481/20]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

A summary of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

funding allocations for 2021 is set out in Chapter 9 (pages 83 to 88) of the 2021 Expenditure Report that was published on 13 October 2020 as part of 2021 Budget day documentation. This sets out the main areas identified for funding in 2021, with the caveat that this does not reflect transfers of funding and functions which will take place from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The full details on the 2021 allocations for each Departmental Vote will be set out, as usual, in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) which is due to be published in December 2020.

Third Level Education

Questions (271)

Michael McNamara

Question:

271. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a circular distributed recently to students of a college (details supplied) which has taken the decision to continue with its online delivery mode for the spring semester that is to stay the remainder of the academic year 2020-2021; the effect this online delivery mode is having on first year students that are lacking the experience of college and the interactions with other first year students; if he will consider intervening with the college to facilitate students to return to campus even on a part-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37519/20]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

As of midnight on Wednesday 21 October 2020, all of Ireland has been placed on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID. Under the Level 5 measures, higher and further education is designated as essential insofar as onsite presence is required and education activities cannot be held remotely. Given the scale and diversity within third-level provision, higher and further education institutions themselves are best equipped to determine in which circumstances onsite presence is required. In overall terms, the higher education sector has adjusted their provision to Level 5 restrictions and public health advice, with the majority of provision currently being offered online. Feedback from the sector has indicated a successful delivery of current activities during Level 5.

While I appreciate that this may be disappointing for students who had hoped to have as much time on campus as possible, these measures are necessary if the spread of the Coronavirus is to be halted.

It is the Department’s objective, which is shared by the further and higher education sector, to ensure that, where possible, an optimal learning experience is provided in the circumstances that present at any specific time. In that context, it is planned to review the position with relevant institutions and stakeholders in the light of experience and the progress of the pandemic and communicate the position for next semester before the end of the year, acknowledging that there is a need for a balance between the provision of information to students so they can make timely decisions and maintaining responsiveness in response to the pandemic.

Further Education and Training Colleges

Questions (272, 273)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

272. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional funding made available for institutes of technology and further education colleges in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37537/20]

Niamh Smyth

Question:

273. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional further education and training places provided in counties Cavan and Monaghan for the 2020-2021 term. [37538/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 272 and 273 together.

Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) received a significant increase in budget allocation from SOLAS in 2020.  The funding allocation to CMETB in 2019 was €18,533,460, and the provisional allocation for 2020 is €25,779,000.  

A diverse range of full time and part time courses are available across the further education and training (FET) sector and learners commence programmes throughout the year. While there has been a significant increase in CMETB's allocation from 2019 to 2020, it should be noted that the Covid-19 health emergency has affected the diverse range of FET programmes in learners in a number of ways.  Funding has been provided to meet Covid costs, including to provide additional supports to learners, but accurate participation figures and a final financial outturn will only be available after year end.

There are no Institutes of Technology in either Cavan or Monaghan at present.

Student Universal Support Ireland

Questions (274)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

274. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of SUSI grant recipients in counties Cavan and Monaghan for the 2020-2021 term. [37539/20]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The number of grant recipients in Cavan and Monaghan for the 2020/21 academic year are as follows:

Cavan: 1,386

Monaghan: 1,162

Departmental Contracts

Questions (275)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

275. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the third-party contracts entered into by agencies under the remit of his Department for the operation of community and voluntary organisations; the number of staff employed by the third party; and the cost of the contract in 2019 and 2020. [37563/20]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My officials have been in contact with each of the agencies under the remit of my Department in regard to the Deputy’s query. I am advised that one body falls within the scope of your query.  The details in regard to that body are outlined in the supporting table.

SOLAS

Name of Third Party Contractor	Number of staff employed by Third Party Provider¹	Cost of Contract in 2019²	Cost of Contract in 2020 to end October 2020³
Age Action Ireland	2019: 1.5 staff  2020: 1.25 Staff	€66,500	€66,500
An Cosán	2020: 5 Staff	N/A	€449,596
Irish Country Womens Association	2019: 1 Staff  2020: 1 Staff	€21,000	€21,000
Third Age	2020: 3 Staff	N/A	€147,775

The data supplied by SOLAS is based on Funding Allocation Requests submitted to that Agency

Notes to Support the Data Supplied

1 Staff Funded by the Grant in 2019 and 2020

2 Sum noted reflects the Grant allocated by SOLAS in 2019

3 Sum noted reflects the Grant allocated by SOLAS in 2020