Written Answers Nos. 460-481
460. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage or number of staff working with a disability within his Department and the agencies under his aegis in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and the actions being undertaken by his Department to actively recruit and retain persons with disabilities. [42138/20]
View answerPart 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies to meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities. Under the Act, the National Disability Authority (NDA) has the statutory role to report, on an annual basis, on compliance with the 3% target.
The Disability Act 2005 defines disability as follows:
“Disability, in relation to a person, means a substantial restriction in the capacity of the person to carry on a profession, business or occupation in the State or to participate in social or cultural life in the State by reason of an enduring physical, sensory, mental health or intellectual impairment.”
In order to report on this target my Department asks every employee, whether or not they have any disability, to complete a census form and return it, in confidence and on a voluntary basis, to the nominated person in the HR Unit.
Based on these returns, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs reported a total of 5.05% of staff who had declared a disability as at 31 December 2018 and 5.23% as at 31 December 2019.
Following the transfer of functions, the newly established Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth will be reporting on the number of staff who have declared a disability as at 31 December 2020 to the monitoring committee in DPER in the first quarter of 2021.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs acted as the monitoring committee for the collection of this data from the agencies under its remit. The information sought by the Deputy for the end of 2018 and 2019 is provided hereunder.
The information from the agencies for the end of 2020 is not available at this time.
|
Agencies |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) |
3.3% |
3.86% |
|
Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
5.63% |
3.1% |
|
Adoption Authority of Ireland |
7.14% |
6.9% |
As an independent body, the Ombudsman for Children's Office reports directly to the Department of Expenditure and Reform with their statistical return on employees with a disability. I have asked that office to furnish the information requested directly to the Deputy.
While this Department uses the Public Service Appointments to recruit new staff, the Department also participates in the Willing, Able and Mentoring (WAM) Programme which offers 6 month placements at EO level to graduates with disabilities. While the Association of Higher Education Access and Disability (AHEAD) runs this programme, it works with PAS in identifying suitable candidates for this programme.
461. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the professional qualifications that will be affected from January 2021 when the transitional period for Brexit is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41340/20]
View answerThe EU Directive on Professional Qualifications will no longer apply once the Transition Period has concluded on 31st December 2020.
While responsibility for recognition of professional qualifications rests with each relevent Department and their regulators, my Department is responsible for co-ordinating the response to this issue. Since late 2018, my officials have been working on a cross-Departmental basis to ensure the continued recognition of professional qualifications in areas including education, health, social care, legal and veterinary science. Regulators in Ireland have been working with their UK counterparts to ensure that Irish qualifications will be continued to be recognised there, and vice versa. In November, 2020, my Department has been assured by relevant Departments that their regulators are satisfied appropriate procedures are in place, to ensure this objective is achieved.
Notwithstanding this work, there are a number of professions, such as those working in certain financial services, fluorinated gases, air and maritime transport, whose qualifications are set within EU Directives other than the Professional Qualifications directive. As such, these must be assessed and certified by an EU Competent Authority, which will exclude those certified by UK Authorities. In such instances, the scope for Irish Regulators to resolve these issues is limited , and their resolution will depend on the outcome of the current EU-UK negotiations. However, where possible, Irish regulators will continue to explore all options including provisions within the Brexit Omnibus Bill 2020 to ensure the continued recognition of UK professional qualifications.
462. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to an apparent anomaly that appears to request those involved in the English language education in Ireland to return to live in-person lectures on 1 December 2020 which is not a level 3 rule (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41595/20]
View answerAs part of the Resilience and Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19, the Government has announced modified Level 3 requirements commencing on 1 December 2020. These set out that Further, Higher and Adult education should remain primarily online.
In this context, a set of guiding principles has been agreed with the further and higher education sectors for implementing a phased and incremental increase in on-site learning as the country moves out of the Level 5 requirements.
These principles also provide an appropriate basis and approach for the English Language Education (ELE) sector for moving out of Level 5 and ensuring the continuity and quality of English language education consistent with the Government’s Living with Covid-19 Plan.
The agreed principles acknowledge while it is inevitable that large-scale learning, like lectures, will remain online for the rest of the academic year the shared intention is for in-person learning on campus to increase for priority groups. Priority groups include those studying in disciplines that are dependent on in-person small group learning as is the case for ELE and as restrictions ease there is an expectation that there should be greater opportunity to provide increasing levels of small group learning.
They also acknowledge that education providers will make their own plans for how they move forward based on their own context specific assessments and will communicate them with their students, learners and staff. Within the plans, the health and safety of students, learners and staff must always come first, with an understanding that they will need to adapt as the situation changes, in line with the public health advice. Every effort must continue to facilitate social distancing and limit congregation, adhering closely to the guidance to safeguard the health and safety of everyone.
In light of the nature and demands of quality English language education, the need to meet the pedagogical requirements of its students, alongside recognising the serious challenges that have arisen within this sector as it transitioned to online delivery, ELE providers should in Level 3 commence the process of providing English language education in-person and in classroom based settings where it can take place safely and in small groups. This is consistent with the approach being adopted in further and higher education.
English language education provided on that basis should, therefore, be regarded as encompassed within the priority groups highlighted by the Minister that are dependent on in-person small group learning. However, classroom based provision is only possible once it is safe to do so and is in line with public health guidelines.
Consequently, ELE providers are requested to examine and assess their individual arrangements to provide classroom based learning for small groups in a safe manner. However, it is acknowledged that while some providers, based on their assessments, will decide that it is safe to return to in-person classroom learning, other providers may consider it necessary to develop a structured plan, implementing online or blended learning solutions during this period of Level 3 restrictions, building towards increasing levels of in-person small group learning over time. If such a plan is necessary, it should be notified to the Department of Justice prior to 7 January 2021.
It is a priority for this sector to urgently develop and put in place the sector specific guidance and protocols required to ensure that in person English language education, safeguards learners, staff and the communities in which providers are located. Pending the finalisation and implementation of these protocols it is obviously essential that ELE providers continue to strictly comply with the HSA Return to Work Protocol.
463. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to fractured industrial relations in Waterford Institute of Technology that are resulting in a large number of cases in the WRC and courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41165/20]
View answerEmployees, in Higher Education Institutions, have a number of industrial relation mechanisms available to them to address queries on employment matters, with either their employer or their union representatives.
If unions wish to raise issues, there are also structures within which they can do so, which include Fora for unions representing a wide range of staff.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) promotes the maintenance of good workplace relations and all parties are free to access this service, so as to ensure the compliance of the relevant employment laws. My department supports the work of the WRC in bringing the relevant parties together to seek resolutions on industrial relations matters and encourages the parties to use the available mechanisms that promotes the improvement of industrial relations.
464. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent over the past four years by Waterford Institute of Technology or on behalf of the Institute or Department on legal fees, awards and settlements associated with staff grievances and lawsuits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41166/20]
View answer465. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent over the past four years by Waterford Institute of Technology or on its behalf on consultants for improving industrial relations and increases in insurance premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41167/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 465 together.
My Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA allocates this funding as a block grant to the institutions. As autonomous bodies, the internal disbursement of this funding and private funding streams, including any expenditure on the items queried by the Deputy, are a matter for the individual institution.
However, to assist the Deputy my officials requested that the HEA undertake to collate the data from Waterford Institute of Technology and the institute have provided the following information:
- Over the past 4 years the Institute incurred a total of €160,215 (€40,000 p.a.) in legal fees associated with staff grievances and lawsuits. The majority of these costs are related to the Institute defending cases brought by and appealed by the TUI. There was a total of 3 settlements made via the WRC or Labour Court in the period, the total value of these settlements amount to €28,100.
- The Institute has not incurred any consultancy costs associated with improving industrial relations however the Institute has availed of the services of the WRC Advisory Services to assist in resolving grievances and other matters brought by the TUI. There has not been any additional increase in insurance costs related to industrial relations.
466. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if fractured industrial relations at Waterford Institute of Technology pose a risk to the timely achievement of a technological university for the southeast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41168/20]
View answerUnder the statutory framework detailed in the Technological Universities Act 2018, it is a matter, in the first instance, for the relevant Institutes of Technology participating in a TU development consortium to progress their plans and, when ready, to make an application to the Minister seeking an order establishing a TU subject to their meeting the eligibility criteria prescribed in the 2018 Act.
The Government recognises the urgency attached to the requirement for a technological university for the South East of Ireland as the only region in the State that does not have the benefit of a university presence and is committed to delivering on the Programme for Government commitment in this regard.
In July I announced the appointment by the Technological University for the South East of Ireland (TUSEI) development consortium of Mr Tom Boland, former Chief Executive of the Higher Education Authority, as an independent programme executive director to drive to completion the submission of an application for TU designation under the 2018 Act.
Mr. Boland’s appointment and subsequent work he has embarked on with the staff, students and stakeholders of both IT Carlow and Waterford IT represents a step change in the pace of the project. The consortium completed a detailed project plan covering all aspects of the project completed in October. The plan is fed by 8 detailed work stream sub-plans contributed to, in turn, by 31 working groups with a combined total of over 300 staff participating.
I met the Presidents of the two institutes along with the Chairpersons of their governing bodies and Mr. Boland in late October and we discussed their progress to date. Subsequently my Department is monitoring the progression of the TUSEI consortium plan on a monthly basis with the programme executive director and will continue to do so up to the making of an application which the consortium anticipates making by the end of April 2021.
In terms of the ongoing commitment of the Waterford IT staff in particular to the delivery of a TU in the South East this is evidenced by the overwhelming acceptance of 93% of the Teachers’ Union Ireland branch at the Institute when balloted last year on the TUSEI consortium proposal. The Institute’s staff are continuing to drive the TUSEI project through active leadership and participation in the various TUSEI working groups established since the appointment of the new programme executive director earlier this year.
I am assured that the management, staff and students of Waterford IT are fully committed to working with their colleagues and counterparts in IT Carlow towards the establishment of a new technological university in the South East by 2022.
467. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 315 of 26 November 2020, the circumstances in which alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to the students; if the alternative arrangements will involve a cash payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41171/20]
View answerIn 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.
The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
The scheme will ensure students;
- Who avail of the SUSI grant will receive €250 top-up in their grant;
- Students who do not avail of the grant will receive a €250 credit note for their institution;
- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements may be provided by institutions to make a payment to some students at the discretion of the individual institutions.
Higher Education Institutions are finalising arrangements for students that do not avail of SUSI and will confirm the details to their student cohort shortly.
The provision of a support package of this scale requires an appropriate process which must adhere to rigorous audit and robust financial controls.
In this regard I must thank the HEA, IUA, THEA, TU Dublin, SUSI and the individual HEI's for all their assistance in bringing this much-needed support to students in line with these requirements through existing mechanisms. SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/
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.
468. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if families who paid for private student accommodation for third-level students prior to the announcement that all third-level education would be online this semester will be provided with some form of financial support, tax break, compensation or other for the accommodation that is not required or being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41209/20]
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.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, the Deputy will be aware of the €168m funding package for the return to education. This package includes a €10m access support package for higher education students. I have approved the allocation of €8.1m of this funding to top up the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie
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.
The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
The scheme will ensure:
- students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive €250 top-up in their grant;
- students who do not avail of the grant can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;
- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.
I am conscious of the challenges faced by students regarding 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.
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 in regard to a refund.
If this is not possible, under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 students have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
I have asked our higher education institutions, where they have accommodation, to try to show flexibility in terms of its use for the coming academic year, as well as flexibility with regard to cancellations and refunds. I would hope that that private providers will show the same flexibility, however it is not within the my remit to issue instruction in relation to the private rental market.
469. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education by the European Commission DG Reform Programme; when he expects the evaluation to be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41345/20]
View answerThe development of a sustainable funding model for higher education is essential in light of the centrality of higher education. The future development of Ireland as an inclusive society and a knowledge economy against the backdrop of rapid technological change.
In that context, a comprehensive economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education is underway supported under the European Commission DG Reform Programme.
My Department is working closely with the European Commission and the independently appointed consultants. The key aim of this review is to investigate methods of increasing the sustainability of higher and further education provision in Ireland, including an examination of the funding options including the existing student contribution and other supports. This work is expected to be complete towards the latter part of Q1 2021.
Completion of this work will allow for an informed debate on the appropriate policy approach to future funding which is fundamental to Ireland's economic and social sustainability.
470. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 3 November 2020 (details supplied), if the €250 payment will also be extended to all Irish citizens currently undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate studies in other EU countries; the details of any cost analysis of same carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41349/20]
View answerIn 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.
The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
The scheme will ensure students;
- Who avail of the SUSI grant, including students studying abroad, will receive €250 top-up in their grant;
- Students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;
- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.
Irish/EU/EEA students partaking in courses in other countries who are in receipt of SUSI support are eligible for the payment if they are attending approved SUSI courses in approved higher education institutions within the EU. However other EU fulltime students outside of the SUSI system must be registered in a publicly funded higher education provider to avail of this allocation.
The provision of a support package of this scale requires an appropriate process which must adhere to rigorous audit and robust financial controls.
In this regard I must thank the HEA, IUA, THEA, TU Dublin and SUSI for all their assistance in bringing this much-needed support to students in line with these requirements through existing mechanisms. SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/
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.
471. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department has spent to date on student supports and grants. [41450/20]
View answerI have made clear from day one that access and inclusion are at the core of my vision for my new Department.
My Department will spend well over €400 million on student supports in 2020 including the SUSI scheme. As part of Budget 2021, I have secured an additional €20 million to provide for additional applicants, €6 million to expand supports to postgraduate students and an additional €1.5 million to support the most disadvantaged students through the 1916 Bursary scheme. I have also secured a €50 million fund to support full-time students in third level this year.
This is on top of a range of additional supports which have been provided to reflect the particular circumstances of learners affected by the pandemic, including an additional €10m for access supports services, €15m in IT equipment grants and €3m for wellbeing and mental health.
472. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department has spent since it was established; and the breakdown on the spending. [41451/20]
View answerArising from the establishment of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the transfer of functions in the areas of further education, skills development and higher education and including the non-voted National Training Fund, it became necessary to transfer the relevant subhead allocations from the Department of Education (Vote 26) to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Vote 45).
The formal transfer of functions from the Department of Education to the new Department came into effect on 21 October. As part of the 2020 Further Revised Estimate (FREV) that was considered and agreed by Dáil Éireann, Vote 45 was established on 18 November. This FREV approved the full-year allocation of €2.3 Billion from the Department of Education for related functions transferred and other additional funding of €173 million to be transferred to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. A further €43.5 million once-off fund in 2020 to support students in the third level sector is also to be approved this week. It is also worth noting that effective from 1 January 2021 additional functions in respect of research, innovation and science will be transferred to the Department and the 2021 budgets allocation will reflect this transfer.
When the transfer of functions between Departments becomes effective during the course of a calendar year, the full year funding allocations are transferred with the functions. The corresponding spend on the transferred functions are accounted for from start of the year (i.e. 1 January) by the Department that is taking on the transferred functions.
Therefore, the figures in this PQ response are based on the spend since 1 January to 30 November 2020 that are associated with the transferred functions that became effect to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science during 2020. The total Department Vote 45 and non-Voted National Training Fund spend to the end of November 2020 is €2.665 billion and a breakdown of this spend is set out in the table attached.
473. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the funding inequality that exists for graduate entry medical students (details supplied); and the supports in place to help students that find themselves in this position. [41708/20]
View answerAs 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. Entry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes.
Under the Department's Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible first time undergraduate students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses (including medicine courses). In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including previous education attainment.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study undergraduate medicine. One of the recommendations of the Fottrell report (2006) was the introduction of a new graduate entry medicine programme (GEM). 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 (2019/20 academic year) with the balance of fees payable by the student.
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of academic affairs. They retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures. The total level of fees to be charged in the case of GEM fees are therefore solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.
474. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to overhaul the current SUSI grants system and investigate and implement a student loan system similar to the UK and Australia (details supplied). [41709/20]
View answerThe purpose of the Student Grant Scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold, or in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant.
For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.
In line with the Programme for Government, I recently announced plans to review the SUSI scheme. It is intended that the Review will commence before the end of 2020, and will report in Summer 2021. Stakeholders will be consulted as part of the Review process, and it is intended that the future direction of the SUSI scheme will be guided by the outcome of the Review.
The development of a sustainable funding model for higher education is essential in light of the centrality of higher education. The future development of Ireland as an inclusive society and a knowledge economy against the backdrop of rapid technological change.
In that context, a comprehensive economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education is underway supported under the European Commission DG Reform Programme.
My Department is working closely with the European Commission and the independently appointed consultants. The key aim of this review is to investigate methods of increasing the sustainability of higher and further education provision in Ireland, including an examination of the funding options. One of the potential options included for assessment as part of the review is a system of deferred fee payments through income contingent loans.
Completion of this work will allow for an informed debate on the appropriate policy approach to future funding which is fundamental to Ireland's economic and social sustainability.
475. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to reduce college fees for third-level students who are experiencing less on-campus time due to the current Covid-19 restrictions. [41762/20]
View answerIt is important to note in relation to this issue that under the Free Fees Schemes the Exchequer currently makes a very substantial contribution amounting to €340m to meeting the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate Higher Education students with those students who are required to pay the student contribution paying €3,000 per annum towards the cost of their studies.
In addition, the Exchequer pays the contribution in full or part, through SUSI, for approximately 44% of students eligible for free fees.
As the Deputy will be aware as part of Budget 2021, I announced enhanced SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increased support for the PATH access initiative to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students and a review of SUSI to guide the future strategic direction of the scheme. An important objective will be to ensure access to and continued participation in higher education by students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I am of course very conscious of the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our students. 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.
The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
The scheme will ensure students;
- Who avail of the SUSI grant will receive €250 top-up in their grant;
- Students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;
- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.
SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/
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.
476. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of his engagements with a union (details supplied) on its campaign; the consideration given to the commitments outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41789/20]
View answerThroughout the last number of months my Department has been engaging with representatives from the higher education sector including the USI to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. I will continue to liaise with the USI and have met regularly with the President of the USI including on one occasion specifically in relation to the USI's Education for All Campaign.
It is important to note in relation to this issue that under the Free Fees Schemes the Exchequer currently makes a very substantial contribution amounting to €340m to meeting the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate Higher Education students with those students who are required to pay the student contribution paying €3,000 per annum towards the cost of their studies.
In addition, the Exchequer pays the contribution in full or part, through SUSI, for approximately 44% of students eligible for free fees.
As the Deputy will be aware as part of Budget 2021, I announced enhanced SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increased support for the PATH access initiative to increase participation in Higher Education from the most economically disadvantaged students and a review of SUSI to guide the future strategic direction of the scheme. An important objective will be to ensure access to and continued participation in higher education by students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
While the balance of costs and benefits of Higher Education will be considered as part of the broader strategic reform of higher education funding, the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on students and families has been the subject of immediate attention.
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.
The funding, which was provided in Budget 2021, in recognition of the significant upheaval they have experienced due to the COVID-19 pandemic will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
The scheme will ensure students;
- Who avail of the SUSI grant will receive an additional €250 payment before Christmas;
- Students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution;
- In a small number of cases, alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to students.
SUSI and institutions will be communicating directly with students on arrangements and information from SUSI is available here: https://susi.ie/covid-19-once-off-emergency-grant/
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.
In relation to the Student Grant and in line with the Programme for Government, I recently announced plans to review the SUSI scheme. It is intended that the Review will commence before the end of 2020, and will report in Summer 2021. Stakeholders will be consulted as part of the Review process, and it is intended that the future direction of the SUSI scheme will be guided by the outcome of the Review.
477. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether programmes delivered as collaborative provision in association with the Institute of Technology Carlow satisfy the QQI guidelines on cyclical review and annual institutional quality reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41903/20]
View answerQuality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the state agency with responsibility for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training in Ireland.
Higher education providers are required to establish quality assurance procedures in accordance with QQI's Core Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines. In addition, QQI's Statutory Sector-Specific Guidelines for the Institutes of Technology address the specific responsibilities of the Institutes of Technology including the quality assurance of collaborations with other providers. Institutes of Technology must have quality assurance procedures in place to approve, monitor and review collaborative arrangements. These procedures must be in line with the QQI Policy for Collaborative Programmes, Transnational Programmes and Joint Awards.
QQI conducts an annual institutional quality reporting process to provide assurance to QQI that requisite quality assurance procedures are being implemented by all providers and that regulatory requirements are being met by each institution. These published reports include details of the collaborative provision arrangements entered into by the institution and any internal reviews undertaken of this provision by the institution.
QQI also carries out cyclical reviews to evaluate the effectiveness of institution-wide quality assurance procedures. QQI's current review cycle - the CINNTE review cycle - measures institution accountability with regard to the expectations set out in QQI quality assurance guidelines, and adherence to relevant QQI policies and procedures including that for collaborative provision.
In November 2020 IT Carlow successfully completed a quality assurance review as part of QQI's CINNTE review process.
478. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that the number of students enrolled on collaborative provision programmes within the Institute of Technology Carlow meet the eligibility criteria under section 28 of the Technological Universities Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41904/20]
View answerUnder the statutory framework provided in the Technological Universities Act 2018, two or more applicant institutes may jointly seek technological university (TU) designation through a prescribed legislative process subject to their jointly meeting specified eligibility criteria.
Section 29 of the 2018 Act provides that two or more applicant institutes may jointly apply to the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an order under section 36 seeking designation as a TU.
Section 28 of the Act prescribes the eligibility criteria with which the applicant institutes must jointly comply.
Section 30 provides that the applicant institutes shall, inter alia, include information demonstrating compliance with the eligibility criteria.
I have to date received no application from the Institute of Technology Carlow jointly with another applicant institute seeking TU designation in compliance with the required eligibility criteria under the 2018 Act. However, as the Deputy will be aware, an application is expected early in quarter 2 of next year. On receipt of an application, the prescribed legislative process under the TU Act (2018) will be commenced.
479. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the list of programmes offered by Institute of Technology Carlow by number of students registered, full or part-time status; the percentage of delivery provided by staff of the institute in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41905/20]
View answer480. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 26 November 2020, the breakdown of the 3,682 part-time enrolled students of Institute of Technology Carlow, by course, location of campus, the name of the collaborative provision partner if there is one, the NAQI level and the e enrolment and full-time equivalent of that enrolment in tabular form [41906/20]
View answer481. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 26 November 2020, the county of domiciliary origin of the 3,682 part-time students enrolled in the Institute of Technology Carlow in tabular form. [41907/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 479 to 481, inclusive, together.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) collects statistical data from the higher education institutions, and the detailed field of study and programme type is the most granular level of statistical data that the HEA provides data on. The HEA does not have statistics by institutional campus location and by collaborative partners. The HEA works on the basis of actual student numbers.
The information that the HEA is able to provide is contained in the attached excel spreadsheet.
