Written Answers Nos. 1103-1127
1103. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the childcare providers in an area (details supplied) that have signed up to the new pandemic State support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15894/21]
View answerIn order to support Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services during the period of 1 February to 28 March 2021, I introduced revised and enhanced funding arrangements to help ensure that services remain open and available, even at very low levels of occupancy, for children and families who need it at this time.
Two streams of funding are available: standard and enhanced funding. All childcare services are eligible for standard funding, while providers are required to apply for enhanced funding which is available for services that have a high degree of reliance on parental fees. Part of the terms and conditions for enhanced funding is providers agreeing not to charge parents who don’t attend.
The closing date for applications for enhanced funding is Friday, 26 March.
In Dublin Fingal 252 services that had signed up to the enhanced funding as of 22 March. Details of these services are included in the attached spreadsheet.
1104. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress of the parents' leave and benefit (amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15928/21]
View answerThe Family Leave Bill 2021 is being considered by Deputies at a second stage reading in Dáil Éireann today. The bill provides for an additional three weeks of paid Parent's Leave to each parent, for an extension in the period in which the leave can be taken to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child, and for a number of other important matters. The bill completed all stages in Seanad Éireann on Monday last, March 22nd.
The intention is that this legislation will be enacted by the beginning of April 2021.
1105. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that key trades such as plumbers and electricians remain committed to apprenticeship programmes to ensure there is no shortfall in these sectors in future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15874/21]
View answerApprenticeship is a demand driven programme and therefore the number of apprenticeship placements is determined by employers within any given sector. The impact of Covid-19 on all industries resulted in a decrease of new apprentice registrations generally in 2020 (5,326 down from 6,177 in 2019).
The introduction of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme, which provides an employer grant of €3,000 payable over two years to support employers who take on and retain apprentices, has supported the recovery of apprentice registrations. Registrations in the final quarter of 2020 showed significant recovery with Q4 registrations exceeding those of the previous years.
The forthcoming Action Plan for Apprenticeship will set out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships with a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025. Measures to support employer engagement in apprenticeship, particularly within the SME sector, will be integral to the delivery of that target.
1106. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and or his officials have engaged with a company (details supplied) in respect of redundancies at the company; and if he has prepared a plan for future employment opportunities and or access to further educational in respect of staff that will be made redundant. [13972/21]
View answerWhile neither I nor my officials have engaged with the company, I am aware that Kerry Group issued a proposed collective redundancy notice on 4th March in respect of 150 positions which, if following consultation it is not possible to avoid, will take effect across two locations between October 2021 and February 2022. Clearly the potential loss of these jobs is most regrettable and I understand that Enterprise Ireland is in discussion with the senior management team of the Kerry Group on their proposals and will be working to maintain the maximum number of jobs in Ireland.
My Department has a Job Loss Response Protocol with the Departments of Social Protection and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In a situation of job losses and redundancies, the Department of Social Protection is the lead Department. As the redundancy position becomes clear, the protocol arrangements will be put in place to assist the impacted workers access their welfare entitlements, job-search assistance and access to the wide range of upskilling and reskilling opportunities available.
1107. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it will be ensured that college registration fees are reduced in line with the reduction in face-to-face contact with students by lecturers and blended learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14118/21]
View answer1164. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will sanction a refund or partial refund of fees for college students that are not attending college due to Covid-19 and learning remotely due to the fact that they are not actually attending colleges or universities at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15562/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1107 and 1164 together.
While Ireland is on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID all further and higher education institutions will deliver the majority of their classes online with only essential activities held on site. While it is appreciated that the COVID impacts are disappointing for students who had hoped to have as much time on campus as possible, these measures are necessary to support halting the spread of the Coronavirus.
Higher education institutions are autonomous institutions as provided for in legislation and are responsible for their own academic affairs. Therefore, the determination of the total level of tuition fees is a matter for each institution in accordance with its own particular operational conditions and circumstances in ensuring quality education provision.
In general there is a real requirement in these exceptional times to have a responsive approach to student needs wherever possible and it is important to acknowledge that HEIs have to date shown enormous willingness to be responsive in numerous ways. Students are encouraged to engage with their institution to discuss any issues in relation to their course, including course delivery and fees.
In considering fees, it is important to note that the State currently provides very substantial financial support to undergraduate students in higher education towards the cost of their studies. This support has played a very significant role in facilitating access to and growth in higher education. What was previously the preserve of a relatively small proportion of the school leaving population is now much more widely available, as reflected in the current transfer rate from second to third level.
This commitment is demonstrated through the Free Fees Schemes under which the Exchequer currently contributes €340m to meeting the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate students in higher education.
All students eligible for the scheme receive state support whereby the Exchequer pays the cost of tuition fees exclusive of the student contribution. In addition, the Exchequer pays the student contribution of €3,000 per annum in full or part, through SUSI, for approximately 44% of students eligible for free fees at a cost of over €180m.
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, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 20/21 to all students who avail of SUSI grants and to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state.
Under this initiative students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive a €250 top-up in their grant and students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding student contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution.
This builds on the additional supports announced in July 2020 including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education and an additional €3m provided for investment in supports for mental health services and well-being initiatives.
Students experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Office of the institution attended. The fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
1108. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding is available for students wishing to continue to third-level education abroad in September 2021 given the likely rise in CAO points requirements for domestic courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14159/21]
View answerI am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and officials from my Department are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places.
€18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 to deliver new undergraduate student places from September 2021 which will address demographic growth pressures. These places are in addition to the 1,330 additional places commencing in 2021, funded through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 2, which will be on undergraduate courses in areas of identified skills needs.
Nonetheless, there will be fluctuations in CAO points this year, as there are every year, on which will depend on the volume of applications, the number of applicants who meet the entry requirements and the grades received by applicants. As we are in the midst of a global pandemic and economic flux, there is more volatility than usual this year due to factors such as reduced opportunities in the economy, students seeking to defer or re-apply in subsequent years and uncertainty around students travelling internationally both to and from Ireland.
My officials will continue monitor the situation as it develops and I will take action as necessary to ensure the availability of a full range of further and higher education options for the class of 2021.
The main support available to students in third level education is the statutory based SUSI grant scheme. Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
Students attending approved undergraduate courses in the EU can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme. In general, an approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State.
The Student Grant Scheme does not extend to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland.
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 the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie.
1109. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if further places will be made available for third-level medicine courses for the academic year commencing in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14237/21]
View answer1174. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to prevent a surge in points for high demand courses due to students deferring college places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15901/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1109 and 1174 together.
I am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and officials from my Department are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places.
€18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 to deliver new undergraduate student places from September 2021 which will address demographic growth pressures. These places are in addition to additional places funded through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 2, which will be on undergraduate courses in areas of identified skills needs.
Nonetheless, there will be fluctuations in CAO points this year, as there are every year, which will depend on the volume of applications, the number of applicants who meet the entry requirements, the number of places available and the grades received by applicants. The CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. As such, neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and it is not with my remit to provide any guarantees as to CAO points in any year.
My officials will continue monitor the situation as it develops and I will take action as necessary to ensure the availability of a full range of further and higher education options for the class of 2021.
1110. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 671 of 24 February 2021, the breakdown by county or university on the students who initially qualified for the SUSI grant but subsequently had their grants withdrawn from them this academic year. [14241/21]
View answer1111. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 671 of 24 February 2021, if SUSI is seeking payments from any student who was initially awarded a SUSI grant but subsequently had their grant withdrawn from them upon review; and the number of students who have been requested to repay moneys to SUSI. [14242/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1110 and 1111 together.
To date, 2,050 students who were initially awarded funding for academic year 2020/21 have since become ineligible for funding by SUSI. Please note, this number is subject to change as operations for academic year 2020/21 are ongoing.
SUSI has sought or is seeking repayments from 237 of the 2,050 students. Please note that this number is subject to change as operations for academic year 2020/21 are ongoing.
The withdrawal of awarded funding can occur for various reasons and in some cases, repayment is sought from students who received a payment before their grant was withdrawn and where the student is not eligible to receive the payment. New information brought to SUSI’s attention, which was not included in the original application of 222 of the 237 students, resulted in the students being deemed ineligible for funding.
The income of 179 of the 237 students was found to exceed the reckonable income limits outlined in the Student Support Scheme 2020; 25 students did not meet the eligibility criteria as outlined in the Student Support Act 2011 and Student Support Scheme 2020; 15 students are repeating a year and so are not progressing in their education; 12 students are in receipt of Back to Education Allowance and so are not eligible for a maintenance grant and 6 students are attending courses which are not approved Under the Student Support Scheme 2020.
SUSI is obliged under the legislation outlined in the Student Support Act 2011 and subsequent annual schemes to seek repayments.
Please see below breakdown by county based on the student’s home address:
|
County |
No. of Students |
|
Carlow |
23 |
|
Cavan |
45 |
|
Clare |
63 |
|
Cork |
236 |
|
Donegal |
78 |
|
Dublin |
493 |
|
Galway |
154 |
|
Kerry |
61 |
|
Kildare |
81 |
|
Kilkenny |
37 |
|
Laois |
58 |
|
Leitrim |
14 |
|
Limerick |
84 |
|
Longford |
23 |
|
Louth |
84 |
|
Mayo |
75 |
|
Meath |
77 |
|
Monaghan |
26 |
|
Offaly |
35 |
|
Roscommon |
46 |
|
Sligo |
46 |
|
Tipperary |
66 |
|
Waterford |
39 |
|
Westmeath |
29 |
|
Wexford |
33 |
|
Wicklow |
29 |
|
Home address outside the State |
7 |
1112. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if graduate entry medicine students are to be included in the SUSI review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14246/21]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.
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 Higher Education Authority (HEA).
Institutions participating in the graduate medical programme have been requested to provide accompanying services and supports to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged students in the programme. Details of these services and supports are available from the relevant institution.
The Programme for Government contains commitments to, among other things, review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports.
The review of the Student Grant Scheme has just commenced and is due to report in Summer 2021. My Department is overseeing the implementation of the review through a steering group with student representation as well as representation from SUSI. The formal public consultation process on the Student Grant Scheme was launched on 12th March and will run until 16th April. The submissions received will be considered in the context of the parameters of the Programme for Government commitments, whilst recognising that the scheme operates in the context of competing educational priorities and limited public funding. This consultation process is just one way in which views on the Student Grant Scheme will be sought, Indecon International Economic Consultants will also consult with undergraduate students, postgraduate students and FET learners as part of their research methodology. At this point I cannot pre-empt the outcome of the review to indicate when any proposed changes will come into effect. For further details see link: https://www.gov.ie/en/consultation/bb832-public-consultation-on-review-of-student-grant-scheme-susi-student-universal-support-ireland.
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.
Students on graduate entry medicine courses may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund for financial support. The SAF guidelines provide that students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level, or who, in the past, attended higher education without ultimately obtaining a qualification, may be considered for support on a case-by-case basis and subject to available funding.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie
Budget 2021 provided for enhanced postgraduate supports from next year including the fee grant amount rising from €2,000 to €3,500 and the income threshold for eligibility for these grants to increase from €31,500, now €54,240. This is an initial step in meeting part of the Government’s commitments regarding SUSI grant support.
1113. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the issue of a participant (details supplied) in a Solas apprenticeship who is unable to progress due to a delay in receiving examination results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14319/21]
View answerCraft apprenticeships represent 25 of the 60 available apprenticeship programmes and 85% of total apprentice registrations as at the end of 2020. Craft apprenticeships consist of seven phases of training, three of which are off-the-job and delivered by Education and Training Boards, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities across the country.
Start and end dates for an apprenticeship are defined respectively by the date the apprentice is registered with SOLAS and when a Results Approval Panel confirms to SOLAS that an apprentice has successfully met the required standard by completion of all on and off the job elements of their apprenticeship. For craft apprentices, this process is generally completed by 208 weeks, while noting that this may not always be the case. For example there could be a delay in either the on or off the job elements for a variety of reasons.
The Government have allocated additional funding for 2021 to fund 2,000 apprenticeship places required to catch up on the lost provision in 2020 and to mitigate against the effect of smaller apprenticeship class sizes. To date, SOLAS designed and implemented an alternative assessment strategy for approximately 2,100 craft apprentices in June 2020 to address immediate continuity of training and assessments issues at that time.
If the Deputy would like to forward registration details of the apprentice highlighted in her question a more detailed response may be available.
1114. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to address the backlog in the processing of examinations and assessments for participants in apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14320/21]
View answer1116. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to address the delay in aspects of apprenticeship programmes resulting in students facing a training period longer than the four year programme they originally took up including the additional financial strain and resultant loss of earnings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14322/21]
View answer1124. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address an issue regarding apprenticeships (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14748/21]
View answer1131. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to delays facing electrical instrumentation apprentices in obtaining a qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14896/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1114, 1116, 1124 and 1131 together.
There has been a 90% increase in the apprentice population since 2015. Existing off-the-job training facilities, particularly in Electrical and Plumbing apprenticeships had been coming under increasing pressure to facilitate the rapid growth in apprentice population.
The COVID-19 related suspension of face to face training for craft apprentices in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities has had a significant impact on waiting times. When permissible, on-site practical training is operating at approximately 50% normal capacity to ensure adherence to public health guidance. Since January 11th training facilities have been closed again however education and training providers have been able to front-load theoretical training online for some groups of apprentices to ensure that their training continues, albeit not in the important practical elements of their course.
A phased return to onsite training has commenced for apprentices who have been assessed as time critical at all phases of their apprenticeship. This largely impacts on those apprentices who were close to completion of a phase of training when training was suspended in January 2021. While different sectors will have demands for on-the-job availability of apprentices at different time-points in the year, it is important to provide the opportunity for apprentices to complete their porgramme in a timely manner and every effort is being made within the system to facilitate their progress.
In addition to the urgent work on returning apprentices to onsite training, SOLAS and the HEA are working on the development of additional training capacity across education and training providers with the objective of tackling the waiting lists and ensuring that apprentices complete their training as quickly as possible. I recently approved €20M in capital expenditure to facilitate an additional 4,000 places across the system in the coming period.
1115. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a mechanism to include apprenticeship students in discussions on the way Covid-19 strategy implementation will affect both on-the-job and off-the-job phases of apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14321/21]
View answerApprenticeship is undertaken under a contract of employment and apprentices are therefore employees. There are 60 apprenticeships currently available and of these it is the 25 craft apprenticeships which are primarily affected by Covid-19. The trade unions which represent these apprentices are members of the National Apprenticeship Advisory Committee (NAAC). SOLAS engage with the NAAC on Covid-19 planning in apprenticeship delivery.
In addition as part of an extensive consultation process to inform the new Action Plan for Apprenticeship feedback was gathered from 3,750 apprentices who answered a survey on their experience of the system. Actions arising from this feedback will ensure that the apprentice voice will be heard over the lifetime of the new Action Plan, 2021-2025 and into the future.
1117. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on excluding the pandemic unemployment payment from income assessments of SUSI grants for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14323/21]
View answerUnder the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is available to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the terms and conditions of funding, including those relating to residency, means, nationality and previous academic attainment.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. For the 2020/21 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the period 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019.
The Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 establishes the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment as a social insurance benefit scheme separate from other social protection statutory schemes including the Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Jobseeker Allowance and Jobseeker Benefit schemes.
For student grant purposes the Covid-19 payment has been treated as reckonable income for the SUSI means assessment process since it was introduced in March 2020. This means that the Covid-19 payment is treated in a similar fashion to other Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payments such as Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, thus ensuring a consistency of approach and an equitable treatment of students and their families in the SUSI means assessment process.
All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant student grant scheme. The terms and conditions of funding are applied impartially to all applicants. However, if a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or reassessed on the current year (2020) and they may also be asked to provide evidence of the current year’s (2020) income.
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.
A review of the Student Grant Scheme in 2020 (following the impact of COVID-19) was committed to as part of the Programme for Government. This Review is currently being undertaken. It will document the impact of Covid-19 on the Scheme and outline a number of recommendations for consideration by the end of Quarter 1, 2021.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, the Deputy will be aware of the €168m funding package of 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. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
1118. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the process through which his Department drafts and produces legislation; if his Department outsources the drafting of legislation; if so, the Bills for which the drafting was outsourced since he took office; and the costs associated with the drafting of each Bill. [14421/21]
View answerI am responding to this question on the basis that it refers to Primary Legislation. As the Deputy is aware, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is a new Department, only in existence since August 2020. There is one Bill in development in my Department currently, a reform of the Higher Education Authority Act, 1971, but it provides an example of the process under which legislation is prepared in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. All of the work on this legislation including the drafting of the General Scheme has been undertaken by Department officials. There has been ongoing engagement with stakeholders throughout this process, both formal and informal. Once the General Scheme is approved by Government and has gone through pre-legislative scrutiny then it will be sent to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to the Government to draft the legislation.
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has not outsourced the drafting of any legislation.
1119. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €1 million announced in July 2020 that was to be ring-fenced for students studying the professional masters in education is accessible for students undertaking the professional masters in education in a college (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14435/21]
View answerHibernia College is a privately owned online third level educational company which delivers, inter alia, post graduate initial teacher education (ITE) programmes.
The funding to which the Deputy refers is made available to those institutions that receive support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). Private colleges operated on a for-profit basis are not approved institutions for the Student Assistance Fund.
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.
1120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 631 of 3 March 2021, if a student (details supplied) can be reclassified as a mature independent student for the academic year 2021-22; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14560/21]
View answerFor 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.
A student may be assessed as an independent student (i.e. assessed without reference to parental income and address) if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course, and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1st October. Otherwise, he/she would be assessed as a dependent student, i.e. assessed with reference to parental income and address.
A student’s status for grant purposes is defined at their first point of entry to an approved further or higher education course or at their point of re-entry to an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years, and continues to apply for the duration of their studies.
However, there are points at which a student may reclassify from a dependent student to an independent student. These are where he/she:
- Progresses from further education to higher education.
- Is returning following a 3 year break in studies.
- Is returning as a "second chance" student after a five year break in studies.
The decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
Applicants who do not meet the criteria to be assessed as an independent student for grant purposes, or who cannot supply the necessary documentation to establish independent living for the required period, may still apply to SUSI to have their grant eligibility assessed as a dependent student. The relevant information, including details of parental income, would be required by SUSI to determine grant eligibility as a dependent student.
With regard to the specific application, I have been advised by my officials that the student in question submitted an application to SUSI as a mature independent applicant. The application was cancelled in January 2021 as the applicant was under 23 at his first point of entry into higher education in 2016/17 and does not have the required three years break in studies to be reclassified as a mature independent student.
Following on from your question of 3rd March, as of 15th March the student has not re-applied as a mature dependent student with his mother's details and has had no further contact with the SUSI support desk. The status of his application remains at "cancelled- re-apply". SUSI’s online system closed on 15th March to all 20/21 applications in preparation for the 21/22 year. Applicants will need to submit a manual application after this date. I would urge the student to contact SUSI support desk as soon as possible to re-apply as a mature dependent applicant with his mother’s details and as with all applicants he may be required to submit documents to support his application.
1121. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff in his Department; the specific position of each; the breakdown of salary by grade in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14635/21]
View answerPlease find answer to PQ: 14635/21 in the table below.
1122. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Minister of State with responsibility for Skills and Further Education has directly or indirectly canvassed a higher education institution on behalf of a job applicant; if so, if he will report on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14636/21]
View answerI have been informed by the Minister of State with responsibility for Skills and Further Education that he has not directly or indirectly canvassed a higher education institution on behalf of a job applicant.
1123. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 684 of 10 March 2021, if he will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if language schools will be instructed to reopen in the absence of demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14733/21]
View answerUnder current Level 5 restrictions, all activity in the English Language Education (ELE) sector should now be wholly online and providers have been advised that there is no basis for the recruitment of international students who might travel to the country.
As part of the response to the pandemic, my Department has established a specific Working Group for the ELE sector comprised of representatives of relevant Government Departments and sectoral representatives of staff, students and providers. This Working Group provides a forum to support the ELE sector in its development of sector specific reopening protocols in addition to providing information to stakeholders on the Government supports that are available for English language education. If the Deputy wishes to forward the particular correspondence, I can ask the Working Group engage directly on the issues raised.
My Department will continue to engage with ELE stakeholders as this sector moves, aligned with public health advice, towards its full re-opening and continues on a path to recovery.
1125. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the five most recent significant capital projects in the major functional responsibilities of his Department which have required his sanction; the time which elapsed between the initial submission of the proposal for consideration until the construction commenced; the significant elements making up this period; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the planning process; the time spent in assessment prior to approval in the procurement process of contractors; and the way this duration compared with the targeted time to delivery set out at the outset of the process. [14779/21]
View answerThe time taken from the submission of a proposal to my Department until construction commencement will vary significantly, and depend on a range of factors, including the status of the proposal, whether or not there is a clear funding pathway for the proposal, and the point in the project lifecycle at which the proposal is submitted.
The five projects approved under the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF) programme are examples of recent significant capital projects sanctioned by my Department.
The funding allocations under this co-funded programme were done by way of competitive call against set criteria outlined in the call document. The call document was published in December 2018 with the deadline for applications in April 2019. The HEA-led assessment team met over May and June with Ministerial approval granted in early August 2019. The five successful capital projects were:
- Maynooth University Technology Society and Innovation Building
- IT Sligo Extension to Central Campus (E01)
- UCC Cork University Business School
- NUI Galway Learning Commons
- UCD Future Campus Phase 1
As the Deputy will be aware, delivery of projects in the higher education sector is devolved to the higher education institutions. Responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, as well as project delivery timelines, all fall within the remit of the HEIs. The projects identified above are now at various stages, from planning and design to construction.
Project reporting to the HEA is in line with agreed Devolved Control Procedures.
1126. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with CORU regarding the requirement on social care students to complete 300 hours of placement in view of public health restrictions; if there are plans to establish an alternative pathway to registration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14822/21]
View answer1129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 606 of 27 January 2021, the status and details of the outcome of engagement between CORU, education providers and the relevant stakeholders on the issue of alternatives to placements for social care students in 2021 in view of the public health restrictions which have impacted substantially on students’ ability to obtain and carry out placements; if his attention has been drawn to the stress and anxiety that this is causing to social care students; if he will take steps to ensure there is an appropriate solution provided as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14880/21]
View answer1145. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions being taken to help social care students reach the necessary work placement hours in order to register with CORU. [14986/21]
View answer1153. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider reducing the number of placement hours, currently 300, in order for social care students to be registered under CORU and to be able to work in a social care setting after graduation in view of current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15333/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1126, 1129, 1145 and 1153 together.
I am aware that issues have arisen in relation to placement hours both for students of Social Care programmes and for placements more generally as the restrictions to combat the spread of Covid-19 have tightened. My Department is monitoring developments in this regard very closely.
Since March 2020, QQI has facilitated engagement between stakeholders, including the representative bodies of education providers and students, and CORU which have taken place in parallel to direct engagements between CORU and individual education providers at a local and regional level. The goal of these engagements has been to ensure that, where possible, necessary alternative arrangements are in place to maintain the standards of education and training in this area and that these issues are actively managed. These efforts are to ensure that students can progress in their programmes from one academic year into the next, or, where relevant, graduate with the necessary professional competencies that have been set out by CORU.
While I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the efforts that have been made by CORU, QQI and our educational institutions to identify and implement flexible solutions for students up to this point, I am conscious that further efforts are now necessary.
QQI has been asked, supported by my Department, to facilitate intensified engagements between CORU, education providers and relevant stakeholders on this issue. These engagements are ongoing and are focused on identifying solutions that can be swiftly implemented for the student cohort who are most impacted in the near term while also identifying flexible approaches that can be readily adopted within the system in the medium to longer term as the response to the pandemic evolves and changes. These engagements serve to facilitate dialogue among stakeholders in developing these solutions and, most importantly, will ensure transparency and clarity for those students studying social care.
Students should continue to engage directly with their provider for further information on the arrangements being implemented for their particular year and course.
1127. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students who completed the written leaving certificate examinations in November 2020 and have received deferred college offers to start their course in 2021-2022 are required to pay the student contribution fee if they already paid a student contribution fee for courses started in 2020-2021; if he considers this a financial penalty; and if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied). [14825/21]
View answerUnder the Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students with students paying the student contribution.
The student contribution applies to all students on an annual basis, who are eligible under the 'free fees' scheme. The current rate is €3,000 per annum. Currently in excess of 60,000 students have all or part of the student contribution paid on their behalf by the State via the Student Grant Scheme.
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Free Fees Schemes in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another related course where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.
Typically students are not supported for a repeat period of study under the free fees initiative, however in exceptional circumstances, or where a student receives a Leaving Certificate uplifted offer from their original CAO application following an appeal, an exception may be allowed.
Cognisant of the leaving certificate 2020 process, an extension to the current scheme allows for a repeat period of study in 21/22 where a Free Fees eligible student receives an uplifted deferred place having sat the 2020 exams. This extension applies to students that started in year one of an undergraduate course in 20/21 based on calculated grades and the student subsequently receives an uplifted deferred place for the 21/22 academic year (based on the 2020 CAO application) having sat the 2020 Leaving Certificate examinations. Free fees eligible students who transfer courses in 2021/2022, in the circumstances outlined, will remain eligible for free fees for the 2nd period of study.
As advised, the student contribution applies to all students who are eligible under the 'free fees' scheme as the students annual contribution towards tuition fees. This includes students that choose to transfer courses that will require a repeat period of study while retaining access to 'free fees' on an exceptional basis such as a deferred uplifted place.
