Written Answers Nos. 299-323
299. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Education if a DEIS review has been completed; if so, the outcome; if the review will benefit schools in County Louth and the east County Meath area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42664/20]
View answer301. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Education when the current review of DEIS will be completed; her views on the urgent need to provide DEIS band 1 status and the associated resources to support certain schools in an area (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42717/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 301 together.
My Department is in the final stages of refinement of the DEIS identification model, based on school enrolment data and the latest data available from Census 2016 under the HP Deprivation Index.
This work is at an advanced stage and the consultation process with education stakeholder representatives on the technical aspects and implementation of the refined DEIS Identification model is ongoing. Until this work is complete, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme.
Officials from my Department have engaged with the schools in the particular areas referenced by the Deputy and have outlined to the principals of the schools the ongoing work in relation to DEIS.
300. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Education if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42697/20]
View answerDepartment of Finance Circular 47/01 provides for the reimbursement, by Government Departments, of professional membership fees paid by staff.
The Circular provides for reimbursement of such fees where the continued membership of professional bodies or associations is necessary for the performance of an officer’s official duties, and where the benefits accruing to the Department as a consequence of membership of such bodies or associations is significant.
In 2019, the full year for which latest figures are available, a total of €48,532.17 was paid in respect of memberships of relevant bodies/associations for 186 staff of my Department.
In 2020 to date, a total of €49,606.21 has been paid in respect of memberships of relevant bodies/associations for 186 staff of my Department.
Details of these payments are set out in the attached table.
302. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education if she will urgently address a matter (details supplied) regarding Covid-19 outbreaks in schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42734/20]
View answerThe Department does not comment on individual cases in schools. Public health specialists working with schools and the Department of Education are closely monitoring the situation in all schools to ensure that where schools are open with appropriate infection prevention and control measures, there is no additional threat to public health. To date the evidence demonstrates that schools are operating safely supported by significant investment to support all infection prevention and control measures recommended by the public health authorities.
The low numbers are a tribute to the strong adherence by schools to the public health recommendations for safely reopening schools. The testing and positivity rates in schools for close contacts also reflect the current international position that schools are not key drivers of Covid-19 in the community.
In terms of what happens when a child attending school tests positive, the HSE will inform the school principal if the child was in the school in the infectious period regardless of parental consent. In these circumstances the HSE will conduct a Public Health Risk Assessment with the school principal. This is usually undertaken the same day they are notified, but it may be the following day.
Public Health will work with the school principal to identify the close contacts and all close contact will be informed and scheduled for testing and asked to restrict their movements. Parent/guardians will be informed if their child is a close contact.
The wider school community can be informed that the school is working with public health who are guiding the school through the actions they need to take to protect staff, students and the school community. It is important to note that the response to confirmed cases or outbreaks of Covid-19 in the community or in a school is the responsibility of, and will be led and managed by, Public Health HSE. All decisions as to appropriate actions following a confirmed case or outbreak will be made by their teams in the context of a full Public Health Risk Assessment procedure.
Schools are working hard to implement the public health advice which is proving to be effective in keeping transmission levels in schools so low. All recommendations are being kept under review by consultants / specialists in Public Health as we continue to deal with the ongoing pandemic.
303. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education when a decision will be made on an application by a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42749/20]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that the school in question has submitted an application for funding under my Departments Emergency Works Scheme for Roof Works, this application has been approved in principle dependent on the confirmation of some technical details which have not been provided by the school to date.
304. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to occupational data (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42845/20]
View answerAs of 5th December a total of 877 education facilities (primary, post primary and special education facilities) have undergone mass testing following Public Health Risk Assessment.
The positivity rate of close contacts testing in educational facilities including primary, post-primary and special educational needs facilities as of this date is 2.3% with 25,679 close contacts tested. This low positivity rate has led in the main to a group of students or a class having to restrict their movements in line with public health advice rather than school closures.
It is the view of Public Health that the evidence available to date shows that schools are proving to be safe spaces for children and for the staff.
My Department will continue to work closely with all of the education partners and the public health system so that schools can continue to be supported during this challenging time.
305. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection the schemes available to provide additional financial help to those musicians working in bands, especially wedding bands, that have seen up to 90% loss in the Covid-19 crisis and are worried regarding keeping their homes in the absence of continued mortgage forbearance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42572/20]
View answerGovernment has agreed that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will continue in payment until end March 2021. This extension provides certainty to people, including those in the arts and entertainment sectors, that access to PUP remains available.
PUP is payable to the self-employed where there has been a significant reduction or collapse in trading income as a direct consequence of the pandemic. Essentially the position was that PUP, as originally introduced, enabled self-employed people to take-up occasional self-employment work; for example a self-employed musician could take up a radio gig.
I announced yesterday that self-employed people in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) who are looking to restart their business can now earn up to €960 over an eight week period, while retaining their full PUP entitlement.
I had earlier, as part of Budget 2021, provided that such people could earn up to €480 over a four-week period. The increased flexibility I am now providing for, with immediate effect, comes following engagement with the Arts sector, including the Music and Entertainment Association of Ireland (MEAI), as well as other self-employment sectors.
The €960 limit is based on gross income, before tax and PRSI, minus expenses. A self-employed person does not need to seek approval from the Department and they do not need to report these earnings to the Department on a regular basis. They do need to keep a record of all income for the period.
I should mention here that my colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Culture, is working on the €50 million allocated for the arts sector in 2021 which will include measures for the commercial entertainment sector, building on schemes such as the Music Industry Stimulus Package and the pilot Live Performance Support Scheme.
Where a self-employed person exceeds this threshold and works up to 24 hours per week they may be eligible for support under the Part Time Job Incentive scheme which, as part of Budget 2021, has been extended to the self-employed who transition from the PUP. The weekly rate of payment for a person transferring from PUP is €128.60 or €209.70 with a qualified adult. No income threshold applies.
They may also apply for jobseekers payment instead where they are engaged in regular employment. The maximum personal rate for jobseekers is €203 which also provides increased allowances for adult and child dependents.
A self-employed individual who transitions from PUP may be eligible for support under the Department’s Enterprise Support Grant that provides support of up to €1,000 with business re-start costs. To date, this support has assisted over 7,400 businesses transitioning from the pandemic unemployment payment at a cost of approximately €6.9 million.
Funding of €12 million had been made available for this grant in 2020. As part of the Budget 2021 measures, an additional €12 million has been allocated to the grant so that it will be available to business owners who may not be in a position to re-start their business and transition from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment until 2021.
Responsibility for housing related issues rests with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The most appropriate way in which customers experiencing mortgage difficulties can be supported remains through on-going engagement with their lender to explore a sustainable and appropriate response from their lending institution.
Under the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) 2013, measures and policies are in place to support customers in financial difficulty with their mortgage commitments. The CCMA issued by the Central Bank under Section 117 of the Central Bank Act 1989 and ensures that the responsibility of forbearance remains with the mortgage service provider.
The CCMA provides support for those that are in arrears, pre-arrears or those who fall under scope of the Mortgage Arrears Resolution Process (MARP). Under the CCMA, lending institutions are encouraging customers to contact them at the earliest opportunity regarding their concerns and any particular circumstances which may impact on the customer’s financial well-being.
A cross-industry co-ordination Group, chaired by Banking and Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), is looking at all coronavirus related issues that may impact customers. This includes both the overall economic impact of the coronavirus situation and its direct effect on customers. A number of emergency measures have also been announced by individual lending bodies including increased overdraft facilities and increased credit card and cash withdrawal limits.
For those mortgage holders coming to an end of a COVID-19 payment break, lenders will need to assess the position with the borrower to see if they are in a position to resume loan repayments. For those borrowers who will still be impacted by COVID-19 or who will otherwise need further support and assistance, lenders will need to consider the situation on a ‘case-by-case’ basis and to provide further support having regard to the circumstances of the particular case.
Support is also available from Abhaile, the national mortgage arrears resolution service. It is provided free of charge to borrowers who are at risk of losing their home due to mortgage arrears. Abhaile is focussed on providing expert financial and legal advice and assistance to borrowers to identify and put in place solutions to their arrears, and wherever possible, enable the borrowers remain in their home.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
306. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which trainee nurses will be able to avail of the pandemic unemployment payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42590/20]
View answerThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment is available to employees and self-employed who have lost their employment as a direct consequence of the pandemic and who satisfy the qualifying conditions of the statutory scheme.
In the case of student nurses taking up clinical placement, the Department has clarified that the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is payable to those student nurses who were already in employment and when taking up their placement were informed by their employer that they could no longer continue with their employment due to COVID-19 related risks.
Where entitlement to the Pandemic Unemployment is established the payment will be effective from the date the applicant lost their employment.
I trust that this clarifies the position.
307. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of applications for rent supplement that have been received; the number of applications that have been assessed; the number of applications that have been approved; and the number of applications that have been rejected since January 2020 by month in tabular form. [42595/20]
View answerRent supplement continues to play a key role in supporting families and individuals in private rented accommodation, with the scheme currently supporting 19,633 active recipients.
The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Since the introduction of HAP, rent supplement continues to revert to its original role of providing short-term support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and who require income support to meet their tenancy cost whilst they seek alternative employment.
Tabular Statement – Number of Rent Supplement applications from Jan 2020 to Nov 2020
|
|
Awarded |
Disallowed |
Total Applications Received |
|
January |
149 |
13 |
162 |
|
February |
182 |
26 |
208 |
|
March |
404 |
50 |
454 |
|
April |
3,713 |
281 |
3,994 |
|
May |
2,727 |
326 |
3,053 |
|
June |
1,193 |
197 |
1,390 |
|
July |
692 |
138 |
830 |
|
August |
502 |
87 |
589 |
|
September |
638 |
128 |
766 |
|
October |
1,017 |
145 |
1,162 |
|
November |
1,396 |
207 |
1,603 |
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
308. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if recipients of illness benefit or Covid-19 illness benefit will receive the Christmas bonus; if not, if she will take steps to ensure that recipients of the benefits will get the Christmas bonus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42596/20]
View answerThe Christmas Bonus is being paid this week to long-term social welfare recipients, such as pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all, or most, of their income.
In recognition of the impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on employment levels and the sudden financial impact on individuals, the Bonus is, on a once-off basis only, being paid this year to those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment for a period of seventeen weeks or more and who are in payment on the date the Bonus is paid. It is also being paid to people on equivalent jobseeker payments who have been in receipt of these payments for four months or more.
The reason Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for the Christmas Bonus is that, in the majority of cases, Illness Benefit is a short-term payment for those who need to take time out from their employment due to illness.
People who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for Invalidity Pension, subject to satisfying the relevant medical and social insurance contribution criteria. Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance, subject to the relevant medical criteria.
Recipients of both Invalidity Pension and Disability Allowance are eligible for the Christmas Bonus, and may also be eligible for other benefits including Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits Package.
Any change to the current eligibility criteria for the Christmas Bonus payment would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
309. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when pandemic unemployment payment arrears will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42690/20]
View answerI wish to confirm that the person concerned is currently in receipt of Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
The person concerned is due two weeks arrears from 16/10 – 29/10, a total of €700. I am advised that these arrears will be in the nominated bank account of the person concerned early next week.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
310. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if professional fees are paid by her Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42708/20]
View answerThe Department of Social Protection (DSP) pays professional membership fees where it is considered necessary for the performance of an officer's official duties, or in instances where there is a legal requirement that an officer be on the register of a professional body/association, or if membership enables an officer to keep abreast of developments in a particularly relevant area of a profession.
The relevant professional bodies, the number of membership fees, the unit cost of memberships and total amount expended in 2020 are set out in tabular form beneath.
|
Professional Body |
Number |
€ Unit Cost |
€ Total |
|
Analytics Association |
Business Analytics Unit |
Not Available |
2152.50 |
|
Association of Chartered Accountants |
1 |
313.28 |
313.28 |
|
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants |
3 |
302.93 |
898.44 |
|
Chartered Accountants Ireland |
2 |
582.00 |
1164.00 |
|
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors |
4 |
237.50 |
950.00 |
|
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants |
1 |
351.17 |
351.17 |
|
Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development |
10 |
157.40 |
1574.00 |
|
Information Systems Audit & Control Association |
1 |
225.76 |
225.76 |
|
Institute of Certified Public Accountants Ireland |
2 |
615.00 |
1230.00 |
|
Institute of Guidance Counsellors |
1 |
130.00 |
130.00 |
|
Irish Institute of Training & Development |
38 |
111.58 |
4240.00 |
|
Irish Management Institute* |
1 |
2.27 |
13995.00 |
|
Irish Society of Occupational Medicine |
9 |
120.00 |
1080.00 |
|
Medical Council |
42 |
605.00 |
25410.00 |
|
Medical Council |
1 |
535.00 |
535.00 |
|
Public Relations Institute of Ireland |
6 |
162.00 |
972.00 |
|
Society of Actuaries |
1 |
950.00 |
950.00 |
|
Teaching Council |
1 |
65.00 |
65.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
124 |
|
€56,236.15 |
*IMI Corporate Membership fee provides access to 6,150 staff to the various management development and general learning and development resources open to members.
311. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider amending the regulations for the Covid-related additional three weeks maternity and parental leave to allow women and parents finishing their maternity leave before April 2021 to add the extra three weeks of parental leave to the end of their existing maternity leave rather than having to return to work before being able to take the extra leave from April 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42716/20]
View answerI am pleased to confirm that, in order to support parents of children born during the strict lockdown measures, the Government intends to extend Parents’ Leave from two weeks to five weeks for each parent of all children born or adopted on or after 1 November 2019.
The Government also intends to extend the period in which Parents’ Leave can be taken up until that child turns two years or, in the case of an adoption, two years after the adoption placement date of the child. This extension will apply to parents who may have already availed of their existing entitlements.
Heads of a Bill to effect these changes were approved by the Government this week and it is anticipated that the legislation will be introduced in the New Year.
Payment of Parents’ Benefit is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection, and I understand that it will take time for the relevant IT system changes to be made. As a result, the estimated timescale for the necessary updates being put in place is April 2021.
However, I am examining whether it may be possible for Parents’ Leave to be taken in advance of these changes and the benefit claimed retrospectively, once the legislation has been enacted. I will take advice from Parliamentary Counsel to ensure that it is possible to draft the legislation in this way. I will ensure that parents are fully informed of their entitlements in this regard as soon as possible.
Myself, the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform have discussed this issue with the view to progressing it as soon as possible.
The extension to Parents’ Leave and Benefit follows a number of advancements in family leaves in recent years, including the introduction of Parents’ Leave and Benefit in 2019 and the extension of unpaid parental leave to 26 weeks in September this year for a child under 12 years.
As part of the same legislation, I will also be bringing proposals on adoptive leave. This will allow all adopting couples, whether same sex or opposite sex, to have the right to select which of them would be the qualified adopter for the purposes of taking adoptive leave and benefit. This is an important provision which was committed to in the Programme for Government.
The proposed adoptive leave proposals will also enable married male same-sex adopting couples to be eligible for adoptive leave. It will also enable all adopting couples – same-sex and opposite-sex – to be able to choose which of the couple should take the adoptive leave. At the moment, adoptive leave is structured so that the adopting mother takes the leave. The new provisions would enable either the adopting mother or the adopting father to be eligible to take adoptive leave once the choice has been made by the couple.
312. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will meet with a person (details supplied). [42580/20]
View answerI can confirm that my office has received a request for a meeting as described in the Deputy's question. I intend to respond to the individual concerned shortly.
313. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has completed a feasibility study on introducing a cap on childcare fees. [42592/20]
View answerAmong the range of commitments in the Programme for Government, addressing affordability in early learning and care and school-age childcare is a priority for me. I am confident that work underway through First 5, in particular the development of a new funding model will deliver on this.
Annual investment in early learning and childcare has increased by 141% since 2015. This funding has been directed towards improving accessibility, quality and affordability. It has, for example, funded a second year of the free pre-school programme and enabled the introduction of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
Notwithstanding this progress, the cost of early learning and care and school age childcare remains unacceptably high for parents.
In addition to further investment, and First 5 has committed to a doubling of investment, a key project to address affordability is the development of a new funding model. An Expert Group is leading on this work, with a central objective being to consider a mechanism to control fees.
Extensive research has already been commissioned to inform the Expert Group's work. The Research Partner, Frontier Economics, have so far produced and published five working papers, with three that directly address affordability issues entitled: “International Comparisons of Fees, Staff Wages and Public Investment in Early Learning and Care”; “International Approaches to Funding Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare to Reduce Costs for Parents”; and “Mechanisms to Control Fees Charged to Parents for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare”. The research identifies international practice and learning that will be of value for the reform of the funding model in Ireland.
The recommendations of the Expert Group will be made in Autumn 2021 and will set out how the additional funding pledged in First 5 can deliver optimally for children, families and the State. Further information on the progress of this work, and the working papers published to date, can be found at first5fundingmodel.gov.ie
314. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if queries raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to rural transport options for persons with a disability will receive a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42639/20]
View answerThe issue of rural transport is appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleagues, the Minister for Transport and the Minister for Social Protection and I have brought your Question to their attention.
315. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42695/20]
View answerIn relation to my Department, I can confirm to the Deputy that professional fees are paid on behalf of the staff who are affiliated to professional organisations and the table below lists the fees paid during 2020.
|
No of Staff |
Professional Organisation |
Total Fees Paid |
|
1 |
Irish Association of Social Workers |
€195.00 |
|
1 |
Association of Child Protection Professionals |
€370.46 |
|
3 |
Chartered Institute of Internal Auditors |
€722.62 |
|
3 |
CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals |
€300.00 |
|
5 |
Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development |
€935.42 |
|
1 |
Public Relations Institute of Ireland |
€320.00 |
|
1 |
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants |
€335.56 |
|
2 |
Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) |
€580.65 |
|
Overall Total |
|
€3,759.71 |
316. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 1 December 2020, if he will provide a list of the 35 actions under the National LGBTI+ Strategy 2020-2021 which have yet to be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42775/20]
View answerI attach a list of actions in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 that have yet to be commenced. The Strategy takes a cross government approach and various departments and government agencies are responsible for implementing different actions.
The Strategy is available to view at http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/LGBTI+Inclusion_Strategy_2019-2021.pdf/Files/LGBTI+Inclusion_Strategy_2019-2021.pdf
I am looking to see how these actions can be advanced quickly. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some unavoidable delays with implementation of the actions contained in the Strategy, and in the coming months I will be considering whether to extend the lifetime of the Strategy accordingly.
317. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of actions undertaken to date for the legislative ban on conversion therapy as committed to in the Programme for Government; if there is a timeline for such legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42157/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy and work is due to commence on the necessary preliminary measures shortly.
The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 also commits to ensuring that the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.
In support of these commitments, research will shortly be commissioned to establish the extent to which the practice is occurring in Ireland, and to review international best practice in responding which will also include legislative responses in other countries; and developing an appropriate package of measures for implementation in response on foot of the findings of the research.
The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018-2020 also contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland. The Department of Health is responsible for implementing this commitment.
318. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the structure that is in place and the support that will be given to students that have paid deposits and full accommodation costs with almost all of their learning being online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42548/20]
View answer321. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provision being made for the third-level students who had paid accommodation fees before the announcement was made that the colleges would not reopen given many have not been refunded the accommodation fees paid up to Christmas 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42632/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 321 together.
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. 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 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.
The 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.
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.
319. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will reconsider and allow the self-employed to avail of the free or subsidised third-level courses as included under the Jobs Stimulus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42557/20]
View answerUnder the July stimulus package an additional funding allocation of €47.5m was provided for Higher Education skills-related programmes to help get people back to work, upskill workers and build economic confidence while continuing to manage the impact of COVID-19.
The higher education elements of the July stimulus package were in three broad areas – further support for Springboard+ and HCI Pillar 1 (€10m), Funding for Postgraduate provision (€22.5m), and the provision of modular courses(€15m).
All courses provided under these initiatives are open to those in employment, which includes the self-employed.
Postgraduate courses are complementary to, but broader than the Springboard+/HCI Pillar 1 offering, and will serve not only the requirements of the new economic model envisaged by the Programme for Government but also specific economic and social needs arising from COVID19. They are fully-funded for returners while employed, including the self-employed, formerly self-employed and recent graduates pay just 10% of the course fee.
The shorter ‘Modular Provision’ courses include courses in science, computing, business and administration. They are fully-funded for unemployed, people on the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP) and returners, while the employed, including self-employed and recent graduates will contribute 10% of the course cost. Eligibility for courses are aligned with Springboard+. Eligible Applicants must be ordinarily resident in Ireland and must meet the nationality and EU residency rules as aligned to Springboard+ Further details can be found on https://springboardcourses.ie/faq.
320. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State bodies to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; if SOLAS has a dedicated email address in place for Oireachtas Members as is the case with many other State organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42559/20]
View answerArrangements which are in place since 2016 within the Department of Education to facilitate the provision of information, from State Bodies, to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas, continue to apply in my Department on foot of the transfer of functions in October 2020. Aegis body contact details are reviewed at regular intervals and as required updates are provided to the Houses. SOLAS have had a dedicated email address for this purpose since 2016 at oireachtasinfo@solas.ie and routinely answer queries that are sent to it.
322. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42702/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that Department of Finance Circular 47/01 provides for the reimbursement, by Government Departments, of professional membership fees paid by staff.
The Circular provides for reimbursement of such fees where the continued membership of professional bodies or associations is necessary for the performance of an officer’s official duties, and where the benefits accruing to the Department as a consequence of membership of such bodies or associations is significant.
To date in 2020, a total of €945.84 has been reimbursed to 2 staff of this Department in respect of memberships of relevant bodies/associations. Details of the payments are attached.
Professional Membership Fees 2020 (to date)
|
Body/Association |
Payment € |
|
Chartered Accountants Ireland |
582 |
|
Chartered Institute of Management Accountants |
363.84 |
323. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will introduce a mechanism for fourth year student nurses not in receipt of SUSI to receive the €250 refund in view of the fact that they will not be on campus in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42738/20]
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 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.
The latter two options are to designed to ensure students, including student nurses, who are not in receipt of SUSI benefit from the measure. It is also the intention that these address circumstances where students are in final year, have paid their contribution fee and may not be on campus, as in the case of final year student nurses on clinical placement. I assure the Deputy it is my clear expectation that student nurses will benefit from this support and I am assured the mechanisms in place can ensure that.
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.
