Written Answers Nos. 99-118
99. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the funding model for the AIM programme is tailored to the educational qualification levels of staff rather than the needs of the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40717/20]
View answerThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a programme of supports to enable children with a disability to access and fully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. It includes 7 levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted. The degree of support provided depends on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school setting they are attending:
- Level 1, which aims to embed an inclusive culture in services, includes the national inclusion policy and guidelines for ECCE, the funding of the LINC training programme in Leadership for Inclusion, the establishment of Inclusion Co-Ordinator roles in ECCE settings, and a small increase in capitation for services with qualified Inclusion Coordinators.
- Level 2 involves provision of information for parents and providers on AIM, through the AIM.gov.ie website and information provided by County/City Childcare Committees.
- Level 3 recognises the requirement to continue to develop a qualified workforce that can confidently meet the needs of all children wishing to participate in the ECCE Programme. Supports include funding of training courses such as Hanen, Lámh and Sensory Processing E-Learning (SPEL).
- Level 4 addresses the needs of early years practitioners to have timely access to advice and support from experts in early years education (and disability in particular) to assist them meet each child’s needs.
- Level 5 recognises that some children require specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or that some early years settings may require minor structural alterations to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE Programme. Supports include grants for equipment and some capital building works for a service.
- Level 6 provides access to therapeutic supports where they are critical to enable the child be enrolled, and fully participate, in the ECCE Programme.
- Level 7: Additional Assistance in the Pre-School Room involves additional capitation for service providers where an application process has demonstrated that supports Level 1-6 have not, or will not, by themselves, meet the child’s needs. Funding can be used by the provider to buy in additional support, or reduce the staff / child ratio, supporting the Pre-School Leader to ensure the child’s optimal participation.
The Early Years Services Regulations require that all staff who are employed by an early learning and care provider to work directly with children of pre-school age - including staff funded through AIM Level 7 funding for additional assistance - must hold, at a minimum, a major award at level 5 on the NFQ in Early Childhood Care and Education or a qualification deemed equivalent by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
The December 2016 amendment to the Regulations (S.I. no.632 of 2016) provided for exceptional cases in which an exemption from the Level 5 requirement may be made in the context of AIM. This provision allows, for example, for employment of a nurse to support a child with complex healthcare needs who requires specialised nursing support to attend the pre-school setting. Such an exemption requires specific approval from Pobal, as specified in the Quality and Regulatory Framework published by Tusla, the independent statutory regulator, and in the Funding Agreement for the ECCE pre-school programme.
The above provisions are in place to ensure that the needs of the child are central to the delivery of the supports provided by quality early learning and care services through the Access and Inclusion Model.
100. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a chair will be appointed to the collaborative forum. [40719/20]
View answer104. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to reconvene the collaborative forum to discuss a pathway forward immediately after the publication of the report; if so if the discussion will include stakeholders who currently do not sit on the forum membership; and if he will consider the inclusion of other groups. [40723/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 104 together.
I am committed to strong and ongoing engagement with former residents of Mother and Baby Institutions and their advocates.
The Collaborative Forum process, established by my predecessor as a representative advisory body on issues of priority for former residents, their families and supporters, was unfortunately interrupted by the general election and subsequent change in Government.
In addition, it was necessary to put these meetings on hold in the context of the restrictions to reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19. A number of members travel from outside the jurisdiction and some would also be categorised as being in the at-risk groups identified by public health authorities.
From experience to date, it is evident that remote meetings based on the use of technology present additional challenges for an engagement process as sensitive as this one. However, throughout 2020, the members of the Forum have been appraised of developments and updated on any matters related to the Commission of Investigation by the Secretariat to the group. It is the practice and policy of my Department to issue updates and announcements to the Forum and other relevant stakeholders before they are issued more generally.
I have acknowledged the recent shortcomings in our communications and engagement in relation to the Records legislation, and I have voiced my commitment to renewed engagement with survivors and their advocates, including members of the Collaborative Forum. As an important first step in meeting this commitment, I have personally engaged directly with members of the Collaborative Forum, and other stakeholders. I have given them my commitment to convening a meeting of the Collaborative Forum in whatever manner is possible following the publication of the report.
Arrangements are being advanced to seek approval from Government to publish the final report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. In responding to the Commission's findings, I recognise that dialogue with those who have lived experiences of these institutions is essential. I want to take a survivor-centred approach, characterised by consistent engagement with former residents and their representative groups on matters of concern to them and their families. An enhanced model of engagement will be established, following consultation with the Collaborative Forum, and building on the learning from the Forum's significant work to date. I am conscious of broadening direct participation in our structured dialogue with former residents and I will consult beyond the current Forum membership in this regard.
As part of my deliberations, I am considering how best to facilitate the administration and leadership of a renewed engagement process. I am mindful of the importance of establishing a consultation process that is inclusive and which seeks to capture the diverse voices and perspectives on these deeply personal and sensitive issues.
101. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the NCS is extremely complicated and creates a large amount of paperwork for providers in ascertaining the amount parents have to pay and the levels of subsidy they will receive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40720/20]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme launched in November 2019. It represents the first statutory entitlement to supports for childcare costs in Ireland. 2,938 childcare providers are contracted to provide the NCS in their service.
The introduction of the NCS removed the administrative burden from childcare providers of applying for childcare supports on a parent’s behalf. Parents now apply to the Scheme directly, and only approach childcare providers once they have completed their application and have a CHICK to register.
The NCS pays subsidies based on the hours of care agreed between the provider and the parent, up to the maximum hours awarded to the parent. Childcare providers are not required to change their policies or operations.
When a subsidy award is generated under the NCS, all elements of the award are visible. It is possible to view each stage that an award will change during the year, whether from a change in the child’s education stage, or if the award will change on the child’s birthday.
Childcare services do not have to calculate this throughout the year, as it is made visible at the beginning of the award. Childcare providers are therefore able to plan for the coming year and inform parents of the dates at which their co-payments will change.
The systems supporting the NCS are under continuous review and enhancement. My officials have engaged with providers to support this ongoing enhancement. My officials are specifically looking at tools to assist providers in managing parental copayments.
102. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider increasing the NCS hourly rate of €3.75, despite this being at the higher end given the fact that many providers are struggling to provide their services at this level and are extremely worried about their long-term viability. [40721/20]
View answerThere are a number of subsidy rates available under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). The rate to which the Deputy refers is the maximum subsidy rate available for school age children.
Higher subsidies are available for younger children, to reflect the higher cost of providing childcare for them because of the higher adult-child ratios required by Regulations.
Subsidies range from a maximum of €5.10 per hour for babies, €4.35 for 1 and 2 year olds, €3.95 for 3, 4 or 5 year olds prior to school entry, and €3.75 for school age children. These reflect ratios of 1 adult to 3,5,6,8 and 12 children respectively. So, for example, in school age childcare services, 12 children can be looked after by one adult. 12 children being charged €3.75 per hour would generate income of €45 per hour. The average pay in the sector in €12.55 per hour and staff costs are estimated to make up approximately 70% of overall costs. It is recognised that staff may be paid for non-contact time with children, and annual leave and other costs accrue for providers. Additionally many services use more profitable parts of their business to cross subsidise those less profitable.
Based on data collected for the Independent Review of the Costs published by Crowe in recent weeks, the average hourly unit cost for delivering childcare across all services was found to be €4.14. This tallies with the work done to identify the appropriate rate for NCS subsidies when the scheme was launched last year. While this data give us some confidence in our levels of State subvention, it is acknowledged that these figures vary across service type and geographical location. Also they represent current costs, and were cost to increase to pay higher wages, subsidies may have to rise accordingly if the additional cost is not to be passed on to parents.
Outputs from the Independent Review of the Costs will form a key input into the setting of capitation and subvention rates for future funding schemes. The development of a cost calculator as part of Crowe's work will assist the Department to accurately estimate the impacts of potential future policy changes on the cost of delivering a service.
Any service providers experiencing financial challenges can seek to access sustainability funding via the Pobal Case Management system. Amongst other benefits, the case management system supports providers in adjusting their business model away from being centred on older legacy schemes. This service provides non-financial assistance or support in the first instance, but financial supports are also available for services facing certain challenges, following an assessment.
As part of the monitoring, review and evaluation of the National Childcare Scheme, section 26 of the Childcare Support Act 2018 requires that a formal review of the NCS takes place after 12 months. The rationale for the review is to identify, in a timely way, any key issues or challenges which need to be addressed. The DECDIY will be seeking input to this review in the coming months from all stakeholders.
103. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider introducing a subsidy to cover transport costs which was provided for childcare services to collect children as per the previous schemes. [40722/20]
View answerMy Department has, in the past, provided limited subsidies to cover part of the cost of transport from school to after school childcare. These subsidies were available to qualifying children on the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) programme.
The TEC programme closed to new applicants in February 2020. Children receiving subsidies under the TEC programme may remain on TEC until their eligibility expires.
TEC and other legacy childcare support programme has been replaced by the National Childcare Scheme, NCS. All new subsidised childcare is now provided under the NCS.
The NCS provides a comprehensive and progressive system of universal and income-based subsidies, which are based on the income of the child's parents or guardians. The NCS does not include a subsidy for transport to or from a childcare service.
105. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports in place to support migrants and those whose first language is not English at risk of domestic violence. [40725/20]
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.
I have asked Tusla to respond directly on supports in place to support victims of DSGBV whose first language is not English.
For those victims involved with the international protection process, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has developed a number of policies, including a Child Protection and Welfare Policy and a Domestic and Gender Based Violence Policy. Procedures in place for dealing with suspected cases of domestic, sexual and gender based violence involve reporting to relevant authorities and ensuring victims are moved to an appropriate new accommodation space in the IPAS network.
106. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the list of recommendations he received from the Clann Project, dated 23 November 2020; his further views in particular on the recommendation that Government seeks independent advise from experts working in the area of international data protection law to guarantee that Ireland implements GDPR in relation to institutional, adoption and care-related records and their suggestions on access to records legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40726/20]
View answerThe recommendations from the Clann project that I received on 23 November 2020 are very extensive. They span several major areas, including detailed proposals on information and tracing legislation, proposals to amend legislation under the remit of other Government Departments, and proposals in relation to the administrative structures of the office of the Data Protection Commissioner. To the extent that the issues in question fall within my Department's remit, they are being reviewed and considered by both myself and my officials.
Certain other cross-cutting issues will be referred to the relevant Departments and, where appropriate, to the Attorney General for consideration. I know that the Taoiseach shares with me the desire to ensure that we take a coherent whole-of-Government approach to the matter of institutional records.
As I have stated previously, I am open to engagement with independent experts in the area of GDPR, and will pursue this, whilst respecting the ultimate role of the Office of the Attorney General as the Government’s legal adviser as prescribed in Article 30 of the Constitution.
107. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions he is taking to address the shortage of foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40727/20]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, supports over 90% of children in state care by placing them with foster carers.
Tusla is recruiting foster carers, on an ongoing basis, to meet the need for placements for children who need emergency, respite and long term care in a family setting.
In October of this year Tusla completed an annual national campaign aimed at raising awareness and encouraging people to consider fostering. This ‘Raising Amazing’ foster care week has led to enquiries from people interested in becoming foster carers and following due process it is anticipated will lead to new foster carers.
Tusla is also engaged in recruiting carers who can be an appropriate match for children from Traveller and Roma communities. Dedicated project workers with links to these communities will be recruited to work alongside the Tusla fostering teams.
Tusla, in conjunction with my Department, is also working on recruiting additional foster carers to care for unaccompanied minors under an enhanced specialised service called Failte Care. This foster care service will focus on providing placements for unaccompanied children seeking asylum and unaccompanied refugee children and will provide key supports to them and their foster carers.
Issues that impact on the need for ongoing recruitment of foster carers include the number of young adults that are remaining with carers when they leave care. In the middle of this year, Tusla reported that 47% of young people availing of an aftercare service remained living with their carers. This trend, whilst highly desirable, contributes to the of availability of foster carers.
Another interesting trend is the growing stability of placements of children in foster care. Tusla publish data on the number of children in care in their third or greater placement within the previous 12 months. This metric is considered a proxy for placement stability. At the end of December 2019, there were 137 children in their third or greater placement within the previous 12 months, which accounts for 2.3% of the care population only. This percentage has remained relatively stable over the last five years (Table 1).
Table 1 Children in the third or greater placement within the previous 12 months, 2015-2019
|
- |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
# children in care |
6,364 |
6,267 |
6,116 |
5,974 |
5,916 |
|
# in 3rd placement |
132 |
169 |
142 |
114 |
137 |
|
% in 3rd placement |
2.1% |
2.7% |
2.3% |
1.9% |
2.3% |
Source: Review of Adequacy report, 2019, p.66)
This data does not include children in care under the Social Work Team for Separated Children Seeking Asylum
At the end of December 2019, there were 137 children in their third or greater placement within the previous 12 months. This amounts to 2.3% of all children in care, up slightly from 1.9% (114/5,974) in 2018 when the lowest percentage for the period 2015 – 2018 was reported, but similar to that for 2017 (2.3%)
While the percentage compares favorably with percentages reported in other jurisdictions including England 10%; Wales 10% and Scotland 5.1% (2017/2018 data), interpretation needs to be considered in the context of differing processes and procedures and definitions that may exist in other jurisdictions.
The achievement of this level of stability requires Tusla to have an ongoing stream of new foster carers available and while there is a small downward trend in the number of children in care this does not impact significantly on the need of new carers.
In 2021, my Department intends to bring enhanced policy and strategic focus to the critically important area of Children in Care. This work will be advanced in collaboration with Tusla and a key component of this will be the support and development of foster care.
108. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will assist a former resident (details supplied) of St. Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home in getting a file; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40731/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciated, I have no direct role in operational matters for Tusla. I have however referred the Deputy's question to Tusla for a direct reply.
109. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to open additional direct provision centres here; and if so, the details of the geographical location of such centres. [40737/20]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that I announced last week that a new accommodation centre will open in Letterkenny in January 2021. The accommodation consists of 60 apartments of 2 and 3 bedroom self-contained units, enabling residents moving to them to have own door accommodation.
The accommodation centre will initially become home for families who have been identified to move from existing emergency accommodation centres to the new centre.
Premises are sourced either through a full tender process which is administered through the Government’s Procurement Portal www.etenders.gov.ie or through responses to calls for expressions of interest, which are advertised in the national media. My Department is assisted with these tender projects by the Office of Government Procurement.
The tender process which commenced in late 2018, saw regional tender competitions being advertised, assessed and awarded. The competitions were held for the South East, Midlands, Mid-West, South-West, Mid-East, West, Dublin and the Border Regions.
All properties selected under the tender process must be able to meet the requirements of the National Standards for accommodation centres. Any tender for the provision of accommodation centre services must demonstrate that it will meet the requirements of the Standards. This requirement applies to the provision of new centres and to any renewal of a contract with a current provider.
The forthcoming White Paper of the future direction of the Direct Provision System will inform the type of accommodation that the Department will contract from 2021 onwards.
111. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Mother and Baby Commission report will be published; the records that will be accessible; the records that will be sealed; the length of time they will be sealed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40748/20]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters submitted its final report to me on the 30th October 2020. I had signalled previously that there would be a short time interval between receipt of the report and the separate arrangements for its publication. The necessary considerations are being expedited to enable this to happen as soon as possible. It is essential that this is done in the right way, with former residents being given the priority and support they deserve.
I expect to confirm publication arrangements shortly as I believe this could provide some reassurance to those most centrally involved. Former residents will be notified by my Department, through established channels, before any details are confirmed to media. Unfortunately, information appearing in media over recent days is speculative and not accurate.
It is important to be as clear as possible on the matter of the Commission's records. The archive of the Commission of Investigation is still in the Commission’s possession. The transfer of the archive to my Department, and the question of access to personal information within these records, are completely separate matters to the arrangements for publication of the final report.
The Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Act 2020 provides for the deposit of the Commission's database with Tusla, in addition to transferring a copy of this data, together with the Commission's entire archive of records, to me as the prescribed Minister. The archive will be transferred to my Department by 28 February next. Thereafter, my Department will be able to process subject access requests from people who wish to seek access to personal information that may be contained within these records.
The database compiled by the Commission during the course of its investigation is a digital record of the mothers and children who spent time in 15 of the 18 institutions which were under investigation. This system will be an invaluable resource for Tusla now, and for whatever statutory body will be charged with information and tracing services into the future. The legislation also outlines the current restrictions placed on Tusla for the use of the database in delivering its services.
For the avoidance of doubt, section 5 of the 2020 Act refers to the obligation on the Commission to deposit its records in accordance with section 43 of Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. The existing legal framework of the 2004 Act provides that this information will be retained by my Department for a period of 30 years prior to its transfer to the National Archives.
My Department is working intensively to ensure that it is prepared to appropriately manage subject access requests in respect of records within the archive and to provide people with as much personal data as possible. In that regard, my officials are also liaising with the Office of the Attorney General to clarify the nature of the balancing tests which must apply to the release of personal information, both under the GDPR itself as transposed by the Data Protection Act 2018, and under section 39 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, as amended by the Data Protection Act 2018. As certain records may contain mixed personal data, it is vital that my Department, in processing subject access requests, ensures that the rights of all parties are protected in accordance with law.
These issues underline the importance of enacting a robust legal regime to underpin access to birth information and tracing services. I have given a commitment in this regard, and I will bring forward fresh proposals on information and tracing next year.
112. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the means-testing criteria of the SUSI grant for third level education can be amended in order that in situations in which one parent is on a disability payment such as an invalidity pension the student is not losing out due to overall household income. [40617/20]
View answerThe principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the 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.
The qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant is as follows:
(i) The student must qualify for the standard rate of grant (i.e. the 100% grant);
(ii) Total reckonable income, after income disregards and Child Dependant Increase(s) are excluded, must not exceed €24,500; and
(ii) As at 31st December 2019, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme.
The income threshold for the special rate of grant was increased from €24,000 to €24,500 for the 2020 Scheme, so as to ensure that students from families dependent on welfare will continue to be eligible for the special rate of grant. (This reflects the Budget 2019 increase to the maximum point of the weekly State Contributory Pension, plus maximum Qualified Adult Allowance for a person over 66 years).
Both Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension are eligible payments for the purposes of qualifying for the special rate of grant.
For student grant purposes, Disability Allowance and Invalidity Pension are treated as reckonable income for the SUSI means assessment process in a similar fashion to other Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payments such as Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, thus ensuring a consistency of approach and an equitable treatment of students and their families in the SUSI means assessment process.
However, Disability Allowance, where it is paid to the applicant, is an income disregard for student grant purposes and is not included in the means test. This treatment, along with other provisions of the scheme, ensures that those students most in need receive supports commensurate with their needs.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by 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.
I also think it is important for students to be aware of the other supports available to them, particularly the Student Assistance Fund which assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
113. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if income from the pandemic unemployment payment is assessible for the purposes of means assessment for SUSI grants in 2020 in which a student seeks a review of their application based on change of circumstances; if the student grant scheme regulations provides for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40706/20]
View answerUnder the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is available to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the terms and conditions of funding, including those relating to residency, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine. For the 2020/21 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the period 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019.
Article 22(3)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2020 states that income from all sources, including social welfare payments, is considered in determining student grant eligibility. Article 22(4) then goes on to list certain "income disregards" which are not included in the calculation of reckonable income.
The Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 establishes the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment as a social insurance benefit scheme separate from other social protection statutory schemes including the Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Jobseeker Allowance and Jobseeker Benefit schemes.
For student grant purposes, the Covid-19 payment has been treated as reckonable income for the SUSI means assessment process since it was introduced in March. This means that the Covid-19 payment is treated in a similar fashion to other Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payments such as Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, thus ensuring a consistency of approach and an equitable treatment of students and their families in the SUSI means assessment process.
All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant student grant scheme. The terms and conditions of funding are applied impartially to all applicants.
However, if a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or reassessed on the current year (2020) and they may also be asked to provide evidence of the current year’s (2020) income.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by 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 can apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund. The 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. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the higher education institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
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.
114. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the re-establishment of painting apprenticeships in Cork city. [40741/20]
View answerApprenticeships are national programmes and are offered by employers throughout the country. Off-the-job training for the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes is held in Training Centres and Institutes of Technology/TU Dublin, with certain locations specialising in specific apprenticeship programmes due to the need for specific workshop equipment and trainer expertise.
The number of new apprenticeship registrations for wet trades dropped during the last economic downturn and has not recovered at the same rate as other construction trades. Since 2015 an average of 30 new painting and decorating apprentices have registered each year. This represents roughly 10-20% of pre-recession numbers and as of 30th October 2020, only 16 new apprentices had registered to the trade this year. Consequently, existing Phase 2 training provision for the Painting and Decorating National Apprenticeship is undertaken by the City of Dublin ETB, in its Training Centre in Ballyfermot, Dublin. Phase 4 & 6 training is delivered within TU Dublin's City Campus.
It should be noted that in situations where apprentices are required to move from their current place of residence in order to take up an offer of a training place they are entitled to make an application for an accommodation allowance, in addition to their weekly training allowance, for the duration of the off-the-job training.
Cork Education and Training Board have advised that it still maintains a Painting and Decorating workshop, which has been converted for the delivery of signwriting training for the unemployed following the decline of painting and decorating apprenticeship training ten years ago. The workshop remains available as a location for apprenticeship training should the demand arise in the future.
115. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average cost of part-time courses in public third-level institutions; the average cost per institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40554/20]
View answerDue to the differences between different types of part time courses, no meaningful average cost can be provided to the Deputy.
Part-time and flexible students can fall under a number of categories such part-time students on traditional on-campus full-time programmes, blended learning, evening/weekend on-campus students and remote students.
Part-time students can take a wide range of number of ECTS credits, and there is, therefore, no average cost of part-time courses available. The average cost of a full time undergraduate student is c. €9,000 - €10,000 per student per year.
Part-time students are included in the HEA’s funding allocation model on a pro-rata basis and receive the same subject group weighting as students on full-time courses. The funding model also recognises students on online or distance learning courses.
Part-time students do have to pay fees, which often vary in accordance with the number of ECTS credits taken.
116. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if third-level institutions will provide rent refunds to students in on-campus accommodation whose courses are now being delivered online for the 2020-2021 academic year; if he has had discussions with the third-level institutions on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40570/20]
View answerI am conscious of the challenges faced by students in relation to student accommodation this year due to financial pressures and the blended learning format of the 2020/21 academic year. Throughout the last number of months my Department has been engaging with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. My Department, in consultation with these key stakeholders will continue to monitor the situation relating to student accommodation closely.
The university sector is already engaging with these issues, and all seven universities have confirmed that students who choose to vacate their university-owned accommodation early will receive pro-rata refunds. The exact details of these refunds vary by institution, and students are encouraged to engage with their university directly on this manner. I will continue to liaise with the sector through the Irish Universities Association to encourage the availability of fair solutions to students in university-owned student accommodation.
For students in the private rental market, I am urging providers to be flexible in finding solutions given the circumstances that students find themselves. There are, however, no powers available to me under the current legal framework to direct any particular course of action. Refund or cancellation policies in student accommodation should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. In the first instance students should engage with their accommodation provider to see if an arrangement can be reached. If this is not possible, students have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board.
117. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason Solas has increased the price of the safe pass system that is required by all building workers; if he or his Department were informed by Solas that the fee for this pass would be increased by between 100% and 200%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40571/20]
View answerSafe Pass training re-opened for face to face delivery on 11th June of this year, during a period in which all other face to face education and training remained suspended. Safe Pass, Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and Quarrying Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) courses were included in Phase 2 of the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business alongside the re-opening of the construction sector. The courses were permitted to restart under strictly controlled Covid-19 precaution measures which were reviewed by the Department’s scientific advisor prior to finalisation.
These measures include restrictions in relation to maximum class sizes reducing the maximum number of participants from twenty to ten participants. All SOLAS approved Safe Pass providers are independent commercial entities and course fees are determined by these Approved Training Organisations. SOLAS has no role in the setting of fees for Safe Pass courses apart from a charge of €32 for the processing, manufacturing and distribution of Safe Pass cards, which is generally included in the overall price for attending a course.
The strict control measures have allowed the courses to remain open during fluctuating Covid-19 control measures, providing some certainty to workers seeking access to sites and occupations for which Safe Pass is required. By the end of October over 10,000 Safe Pass cards had issued to first-time holders, with an additional 23,700 renewal cards issued.
Holders of Safe Pass cards with an expiry date after 1st March 2020 have had the period of validity extended to the end of the Covid-19 emergency period. This legislative provision introduced by the Minister of State at the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) remains in force at the current time, however workers with expired cards are advised to renew their cards as soon as possible to prevent a significant backlog accruing. SOLAS is actively examining alternative delivery methods to identify a solution that is equitable with existing Safe Pass course delivery, in being accessible to all eligible workers, providing real time course participant supports and ensuring assessment integrity.
118. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his policy in relation to two-tier pay among university teaching assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40634/20]
View answerThe Government supports the gradual, negotiated repeal of the FEMPI legislation, having due regard to the priority to improve public services and in recognition of the essential role played by public servants.
The matter of new entrant pay is a cross sectoral issue, not just an issue for the education sector alone and the public service agreements have allowed a programme of pay restoration for public servants to start.
Section 11 of the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 provided that the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform would prepare and lay before the Oireachtas a report on the cost of and a plan in dealing with pay equalisation for new entrants to the public service.”
The report was subsequently laid before the Oireachtas and in September 2018, an agreement was reached between the Government and the public services committee of ICTU in respect of new entrant pay.
The measures were applied on the 1st March 2019 and addressed two additional scale points that were applied under the Haddington Road Agreement. The September agreement provided that there would be two interventions, at point 4 and point 8 of the pay scales, whereby new entrants would bypass these points on the pay scale. This intervention reduces the time spent on the pay scale in order to progress to the maximum point of the scale.
The current series of restorative measures for new entrants have been achieved through continued engagement and collective bargaining between the Government and the public service unions and shows the benefits that such engagement can bring.
