Written Answers Nos. 160-179
160. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the eligibility criteria will be increased for the 2021 capital funding grant for fire safety works to those childcare providers who carried out work in order to obtain their fire safety certificate in 2019 and 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13839/21]
View answerThe 2021 capital funding grant closed for applications on 02 March 2021.
The 2021 capital funding programme focused on ensuring fire safety in early learning and care childcare services around the country. The 2021 Capital grant funds were voted are part of the 2021 budget and can only be used for expenditure incurred in 2021. It is not possible to use these funds to compensate early learning and childcare providers for works they undertook in previous years.
The Department appreciates that many early learning and childcare services already hold a fire safety certificate for their childcare premises, however given the absolute priority to keep children safe in their early learning and childcare services, the entire 2021 early years capital budget of €10.5 million is available to assist services complete any outstanding fire safety works required to obtain a fire safety certificate.
If any of the €10.5 million available for the 2021 Fire Safety Grant is not required for this purpose, the Department will distribute the balance by way of a second round of grants, which will focus on outdoor play. Further detail on this will be announced later in the year.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to put in place a 24-7 nationwide support service for male victims of domestic abuse; the extent of future funding planned for this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13847/21]
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. Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding DSGBV, including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies, which will inform future investments in this area. This audit is currently ongoing.
Tusla currently allocates funding to two organisations that provide dedicated services for male victims of domestic abuse. The Men’s Development Network and Men’s Aid Ireland both offer a range of services to support male victims. I have asked Tusla to respond to you directly on this matter, as the commissioning of DSGBV services is an operational matter for that organ isation.
162. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the consideration that has been given to prioritising the reopening of training courses for professions deemed essential. [13612/21]
View answerContinuity for the most part of further and higher education and research has been maintained throughout the pandemic, despite the suspension of most on-site activities. Over time a blended model of learning has become the dominant mode with varying levels of onsite and online delivery aligned to public health advice and to the needs of different disciplines and different learner cohorts.
Level 5 measures designate higher and further education as essential insofar as onsite presence is required for education and training activities that cannot be held remotely. In January 2021, the sector rapidly adjusted again to the prevailing public health situation by moving the vast majority of their provision online.
The priority activities which can continue on-site, subject to the appropriate protective measures, guidelines and local assessment include practical tuition, workshops and skills-based learning (including in relation to apprenticeships) and engagement with vulnerable learners. Institutions and providers will use their existing discretion, taking account of the public health situation nationally and locally to ensure that only the most essential work is taking place onsite. Local assessment will focus on activities that are not capable of being delivered through alternative means, and are time-critical for students and learners during this period. Reflecting the scale and diversity of third-level provision, further and higher education institutions are best equipped to determine where onsite presence is required.
163. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) in view of his statement in Dáil Éireann on 15 December 2020 in relation to same; and if he has responded to correspondence from the organisation of 25 January 2021. [13629/21]
View answerThe Higher Education Authority and Quality Qualifications Ireland co-chair the National Advisory Forum for Ireland’s Framework for Doctoral Education. Membership of the Forum also comprises representatives of the higher education institutions, research funding organisations, IUA, THEA, student representative, and the Department. It was agreed at the last meeting of the Advisory Forum that a sub group would be established to consider issues raised in relation to PhD students, including examining international practice. This sub-group is in the process of being established.
Separately, officials from my Department met with officials from the HEA on the issue. Following these meetings it was agreed that information would be collected from all of the higher education institutions. This information is being compiled. In addition, information has also been collected from a number of research funding agencies on any terms and conditions that they specify when allocating grants to PhD students. The information when compiled will also assist the Advisory Forum’s sub-group in its deliberations.
I am happy for the Postgraduate Workers Alliance to provide a submission to my Department to assist with our consideration of these issues.
164. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a range of financial supports will be provided to students in private colleges undertaking a professional masters of education in primary teaching given that students on these courses in other universities receive these financial supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13648/21]
View answerUnder the Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution as defined in the scheme. The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2020. Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes.
It is open to higher education institutions that operate on a 'for profit' basis to use their own resources to provide financial supports to any of their students that they consider to be in particular need.
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.
165. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration will be given to centralising the website that advertises apprenticeship vacancies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13719/21]
View answerThe primary resource for prospective apprentices and guidance counsellors on apprenticeship is the national apprenticeship website www.apprenticeship.ie. It is a one-stop service which offers career guidance professionals education tool kits and extensive information on all current apprenticeships offered in Ireland.
The Apprenticeship Jobs Portal (www.apprenticeshipjobs.ie) was launched in April 2019 to enhance the visibility and accessibility of apprenticeship job vacancies, and to assist small companies to advertise apprenticeship jobs to a wide audience. The platform is building traction month-on-month, with 1,264 employers now registered on the site and 255 job vacancies posted since its launch. Work is continuing to bring all apprentice employers on-board the system. Prospective apprentices may also contact their local ETB who may hold information on local apprenticeship vacancies.
In addition, communication on developments in the Generation Apprenticeship (GA) promotional campaign, such as the GA schools competition, has been sent to the Institute of Guidance Counsellors to share with the Institute’s members.
166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify the circumstances in respect of increased thresholds and grants for further and or higher education (details supplied). [13789/21]
View answer168. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the precise date on which the increase in the reduced SUSI grants (details supplied) and thresholds of eligibility for same announced by him in Budget 2021 for postgraduate students will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13821/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 168 together.
The main support available to assist postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme and the Programme for Government committed to addressing the gap in postgraduate grants. From September 2021 the postgraduate fee grant will increase to €3,500 from €2,000. This increase will allay some of the costs for postgraduate study and would give greater certainty for students in terms of supports. In addition the fee income threshold will increase to €54,240 from €31,500 from September 2021.
The Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations for the 2021/22 academic year will be published towards the end of March/early April 2021. The opening of SUSI's online grant application system will coincide with the publication of the scheme. Grant applications are submitted online via www.susi.ie. Further information in relation to student grant assistance is also available from this website. The telephone number for SUSI’s Helpdesk is 0761 087 874.
167. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the funding cuts by TU Dublin to the student union that has resulted in four less key student adviser staff; and if he will request that TU Dublin reverse these cuts immediately. [13811/21]
View answerThe contribution to student unions is normally paid via a student levy collected by the Higher Education Institution. This levy is not covered by the student contribution charge or the SUSI grant.
I understand that the TU Dublin Students Union and TU Dublin have now agreed a funding model that will apply for this academic year and the next two academic years.
169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he hopes to encourage participation in third and fourth-level education throughout the country regardless of socioeconomic background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13846/21]
View answerEquity of Access to Higher Education continues to be a national priority for the Government and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. The Programme for Government reflects the importance of supporting learners at risk of education disadvantage and learners with special education needs in higher education.
The vision of National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2021 is that the student body entering, participating in, and completing higher education at all levels reflects the diversity and social mix of Ireland’s population. The plan set out five goals and more than thirty actions, developed following widespread consultation with stakeholders, with the aim of supporting increased access and participation in higher education by six main target groups. Those groups include entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education; first-time mature students, students with disabilities, part-time/flexible learners, further education and training award holders; and Irish Travellers. The plan also indicated subgroups that require support, including lone parents, teen parents and ethnic minorities. Improving equity of access to higher education is an ongoing objective.
My Department is committed to the continued the roll-out of supports for students and targeted initiatives to support delivery of the vision and targets within the National Access Plan.
The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
Apart from the student grant and dedicated access supports it is important to note the range of additional supports which have been put in place for students as part of Budget 2021 and as part of the Government's COVID response earlier this year.
- The level of funding available in the Student Assistance Fund for 2020 was doubled;
- €1.9m in the form of a once-off COVID-19 contingency fund to enable HEIs deliver local COVID-19 responses to support disadvantaged students;
- The level of funding for the 1916 Bursary Fund (also known as PATH 2) increased to €5 million per annum, which will provide an additional 200 bursaries, bringing the total number for 2021 to 1,000 bursaries for the most disadvantaged students in the country; - An additional €20 million in funding for SUSI in 2021to cover increased applications to the scheme;
- €6 million allocated to enhance SUSI support for postgraduates;
- €15 million scheme to support access to laptops and digital devices;
- €50 million to provide financial assistance to full time third level students in recognition of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on this group. This funding will offer financial assistance to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions (HEI).
- €300,000 has been secured through the Dormant Accounts Fund for targeted supports to address the implications of COVID-19 on Traveller participation in higher education.
The objectives of the National Access Plan are supported by a range of interventions and programmes:
- Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) which comprises dedicated funding to support access to higher education and consists of three strands focussed on increasing the participation of under-represented groups in higher education. The PATH fund has a current investment envelope of €40.4 million over the period 2016 to 2022, across the three strands which are currently supporting access to initial teacher education, enables the award of bursaries of €5,000 per academic year to 1,200 (200 per year) of the most socio economically disadvantaged students and through the Higher Education Access Fund is supporting institutional capacity in developing regional and community partnership strategies for increasing access to higher education
- Student Assistance Fund - annual funding of €9.1m including ring-fenced funding €1m for part-time students. In recent years, ring-fenced funding has also been provided for students on Professional Master of Education (PME) courses.
- Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) – €9.6m in funding every year covering both higher and further education sectors. The purpose of the Fund for Students with Disabilities is to provide funding to higher and further education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can access, fully participate in and successfully complete their chosen course of study. Since 2018 the fund covers part-time students.
- A study commissioned by the Higher Education Authority on the challenges facing mature students in participating in higher education is nearing completion and will be considered in the context of the new National Access Plan commencing in 2022.
- The Action Plan for Increasing Traveller Participation in Higher Education 2019-2021 was launched in 2019 and its aim is to advance Traveller participation in higher education within the context of approaches on retention and transition of Travellers across the education spectrum.
- Persons in the protection process (asylum and subsidiary protection) or leave to remain process are not eligible to access the statutory based SUSI grant scheme. However, the administratively based Student Support Scheme provides supports along similar lines to the SUSI grant scheme and is available to persons in the asylum, subsidiary protection or leave to remain process.
As part of the System Performance Framework 2018-2020, HEIs are required to put in place whole-of-institution Student Success Strategies to address the issue of non-completion of programmes, particularly for those in under-represented target groups. It was hoped to have this in place by the end of 2020 but due to the COVID 19 restrictions this important work will run into 2021.
A new National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education will be developed in 2021 for the years 2022-2026. Consultations on the approach to the development of the Plan has commenced.
Science Foundations Ireland's Education and Public Engagement programme seeks to promote the awareness and engagement of the Irish public with science, technology, engineering and maths. This work supports the growth in confidence of the Irish public to be informed and reflective on societal challenges we face together. Creativity, talent, the ability to innovate and to understand science will be required to ensure citizens can fully participate in our society and economy, both now and in the future. The research agencies under my Department overarching aim across all their work is to contribute to the betterment of society and to help foster an engaged and informed public that values research.
170. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the annual security cost of keeping Thornton Hall for the past three years to date; the last time and the due time for renewal of the contract to keep the site secured; the rates paid and or due on the site historically; and her plans to dispose of or develop the site. [13751/21]
View answer177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding a project (details supplied); her plans for the fully serviced site; the cost of maintaining the site in each of the past three years and to date in 2021; the cost of security of the site for the past three years to date; if she has requested a market valuation of the site; if the working group in her Department has produced a report on the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13760/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 177 together.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Irish Prison Service and will contact the Deputy as soon as it is available.
|
Year |
Expenditure € |
|
2018 |
51,903 |
|
2019 |
63,037 |
|
2020 |
325,839 |
|
To end February 2021 |
2,493 |
|
Expenditure description |
2020 Expenditure € |
|
Utilities |
6,789 |
|
Security works for protection of site |
64,250 |
|
Work on Gate[1] |
86,039 |
|
Clean-up after site trespass |
55,786 |
|
Basement works |
61,778 |
|
Building Maintenance work (shed roof, house floor repairs) |
23,706 |
|
Other costs including fencing, hedge cutting and conservation report |
27,491 |
|
Total |
325,839 |
171. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí that have been redeployed in 2020 due to the hiring of civilian non-sworn staff. [13578/21]
View answerAn Garda Síochána has been allocated an unprecedented budget of €1.952 billion for 2021. This level of funding is enabling sustained, ongoing recruitment of Garda members and staff. As a result, there are now approximately 14,500 Garda members and over 3,100 Garda staff nationwide.
The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is, by law, responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. The allocation of Garda resources is made in light of identified operational demand. This includes deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. As Minister, I have no direct role in these decisions.
I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that the number of Garda members redeployed during 2020 was 144. The Deputy may wish to further note that the total number of Garda redeployments as at 31 December 2020 under the civilianisation programme is 746 .
172. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the steps that have been taken to create an awareness campaign to ensure that non-EEA citizen family members of UK nationals, previously resident in the State on the basis of Directive 2004/38EC, are aware that they are now legally required to exchange their current valid IRP card for a new one stating that they benefit from the Withdrawal Agreement before 31 December 2021. [13586/21]
View answerNon-EEA family members or dependents of UK nationals continue to hold the same residence rights to live, work or study in Ireland, if they resided here at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020. It is estimated that approximately 6,000 non-EEA nationals resident in Ireland will apply for a new residence document under the Withdrawal Agreement as family members of UK nationals.
Non-EEA family members or dependents of UK nationals are required to exchange their current valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) Card for a new one stating that they benefit from the Withdrawal Agreement. This card exchange programme has applied from 1 January 2021, and is administered by the Immigration Service of my Department for applicants nationwide. Applications are made through an online renewal system.
As of 8 March 2021, 774 card exchange applications have been received, of which 731 have been completed.
To raise awareness of the card exchange scheme, my Department has created a Brexit information section on the Immigration Service website which includes information for non-EEA family members of UK citizens resident in Ireland. This is available at http://inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Brexit.
Social media content has been created to sign post available information on the website and published to my Department’s social media channels. The Immigration Service has also developed a detailed frequently asked questions guide which has been published on its website (http://inis.gov.ie). My Department will continue to communicate the card exchange scheme deadline in the coming months and throughout this year.
173. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of international protection applicants waiting to receive a first instance decision from the International Protection Office and the average length of time persons have waiting for a decision. [13587/21]
View answerAt the end of January 2021, there were 5,279 cases pending at the International Protection Office (IPO). The table below provides a breakdown of this figure by duration pending.
Applications pending at the IPO at the end of January 2021
|
Duration pending |
Total |
|
Less than 3 months |
356 |
|
Between 3 and 6 months |
378 |
|
Between 6 and 12 months |
554 |
|
Between 12 and 24 months |
2,646 |
|
More than 24 months |
1,345 |
|
Total |
5,279 |
One of the key recommendations of the Expert Advisory Group, Chaired by Dr. Catherine Day, was the reduction of processing times for both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months each, as far as possible. Work is underway in my Department on identifying mechanisms which will assist with working towards this objective. Additional ICT resources have been secured for 2021 and detailed work, including an end-to-end review of processes, to guide enhanced processing times is underway. When this first phase of work has been carried out it will enable a more detailed set of milestones to be put in place.
The IPO has already begun holding virtual interviews with some applicants living outside of Dublin. They have also put in place a range of measures to improve efficiencies across a number of work streams, such as accelerated procedures, implementation of non-cooperation measures, and initiatives to speed up the return of completed questionnaires. Other options being explored include greater automation of the process including ICT improvements, revision of key documentation and a greater use of remote interviewing.
An additional €1.75m was secured in Budget 2021 for the efficient functioning of the international protection system, which will help to further improve processing times for applications. By October 2022 at the latest, my Department will carry out a review of the progress made in reducing and improving processing times. The Department will then decide whether additional measures are required in order to ensure that the new system can come into operation without the overhang of any significant number of legacy cases.
174. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to introduce legislation or other measures to implement the recommendation made in the Report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process to deal with unsuccessful applicants that are deemed non-returnable. [13588/21]
View answerThe report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process made a range of recommendations concerning improvements to supports provided to those in the international protection process, including that the State should develop a strategy and, if necessary, enact legislation for dealing with unsuccessful applicants who are deemed “non-returnable”.
I have established a High Level Programme Board in my Department to assess the recommendations of the Advisory Group that are relevant to the role of my Department and to oversee their implementation, as appropriate. The Advisory Group's recommendation in relation to 'non-returnable' unsuccessful applicants is to be considered by the Implementation Board in the first instance.
175. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if there has been a significant rise in occurrences of antisocial behaviour in the area of Grand Canal Dock, Dublin. [13742/21]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that I am very conscious of how the impact of anti-social behaviour affects the quality of life for local communities. Tackling crime in our communities is a priority for this Government and for An Garda Síochána. The new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the fear and insecurity caused by anti-social behaviour and commits to tackling this through more visible community policing.
I am informed by An Garda Síochána that local Garda management responsible for the policing of Grand Canal Dock report no increase in Public Order offences, Assaults, Criminal Damage, or related offences in the area, and that the vast amount of complaints from the area stem from people congregating, loitering and consuming alcohol.
I am advised that Gardaí met with the local community and the Docklands Business Forum, in December 2020 and February 2021 respectively, to discuss the issues affecting the area. Following the meeting in December 2020, Gardaí engaged with the Property Management Company who are now erecting signage that consumption of alcohol in the Grand Canal Square is unacceptable.
I am informed that, during the summer months, local Gardaí conduct ‘Operation GCD’ which involves increased uniformed foot and mountain bike patrols in the Grand Canal Square and Grand Canal Dock areas. This operation is run daily from June to September, its objective being to minimise the anti-social behaviour/disruption caused by young people swimming in the canal during the summer holiday period. I understand that this operation has been positively received by the local community and it is envisioned that this operation will be run again in the coming summer months.
More generally, the Deputy will be aware that the issue of youth crime is addressed in the new Youth Justice Strategy, covering the period from now to 2026, which I intend to finalise and bring to Government shortly. This will consider the full range of issues connected to children and young people at risk of coming into contact with the criminal justice system. This will include early intervention and preventative work, family support and diversion from crime, through to court processes and facilities, supervision of offenders, detention and reintegration and support post release.
I have also established a special expert forum on antisocial behaviour, which will consider the effectiveness of existing legislation and propose new ways forward, including new powers for An Garda Síochána and additional interventions to support parenting of offenders.
176. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice when her Department will complete its analysis of the Dying with Dignity Bill 2020. [13743/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the issue of assisted dying is a very complex issue which gives rise to medical, ethical and moral issues, as well as criminal justice and constitutional issues.
The issues fall within the remit of both the Departments of Justice and Health.
The Bill as originally proposed is now subject to pre-committee scrutiny where it will be examined in detail. The Department of Justice has not concluded its analysis of the Bill and that analysis will be informed, in part, by submissions made as part of the pre-committee scrutiny.
178. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the amount of vacant site levies paid in respect of the Thornton Hall site from 2017 to date. [13767/21]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that no expenditure has been incurred under the vacant site levy in respect of the Thornton Hall site.
179. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that her Department’s external audit of the way responsibility for domestic, sexual, gender-based violence is segmented across State bodies is not included in the current list of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by her; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13771/21]
View answerThe external audit of the current structure overseeing the delivery of policy and services with regard to Domestic, Sexual, and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV) across Government was not included in the response to the question that the Deputy is referring to in relation to studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by me.
Having considered this matter further, I can appreciate how this external audit would be of interest in that context and as such I would like to provide the Deputy with an update in respect of it.
The Department of Justice Strategy Statement and Justice Plan 2021 commits to conduct an audit of how responsibility for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence (DSGBV) is segmented across different government agencies. The audit is currently being undertaken by external consultants Mary Higgins and Ellen O’Malley Dunlop with meaningful involvement from relevant NGOs and service providers, as well as input from Departments and agencies, who will, as part of their work, be required to take account of the views of those working at the frontline.
The results of this independent audit are due to be reported early in Q2 2021. This evaluation will provide us with clear valuable guidance for designing our systems to best meet the needs of victims of DSGBV and improve how we do this better in the longer-term.
Tackling domestic abuse and ensuring we have the best possible infrastructure to support victims is a priority for me as Minister and for Government. I am working with my colleagues and with our partners to ensure we have an appropriate collective national response that supports victims and holds perpetrators to account.
