Written Answers Nos. 1278-1291
1278. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to access to educational supports will receive a response. [18509/21]
View answerThe Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), provides grant assistance to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI to determine.
Approved courses for the Student Grant Scheme are prescribed in the relevant Student Support Regulations and in the Student Support Act 2011. The Regulations prescribe that an approved postgraduate course is a full-time course of not less than one year duration pursued in an approved institution listed in the relevant Regulations. I understand the student in question is pursuing an online Masters degree in Health Promotion Practice in IT Sligo and was refused grant assistance by SUSI for the 2020/21 academic year. Online/Distance learning courses do not meet this definition and are not approved courses under the Student Grant Scheme.
The terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme, including the requirement for a student to attend an approved course in an approved institution, are applied impartially on a national basis, and accordingly it is not possible to make an exception in an individual case, regardless of circumstances.
I can confirm replies to correspondences received from the student in question were issued on 21/08/2020 and 12/02/2021. Details regarding the definition of an approved course for student grant funding as well as information in relation to the Student Grant Appeals process, SUSI's complaint process, the Review of the Student Grant Scheme and Tax Relief on Tuition Fees were provided in an effort to assist. Replies to enquiries relating to the student were also issued to the Deputy on 04/02/2021 and 19/04/2021.
As part of the review of the Student Grant Scheme, the definition of “an approved” course within the current student grant scheme eligibility requirements is currently being examined, with a Report due in Summer 2021. The formal public consultation process on the Student Grant Scheme was launched on 12 March and closed on 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. Your correspondence has been forwarded to Indecon International Economic Consultants to be considered as part of that consultation process. Further information regarding the review of the Student Grant Scheme is available from: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/77452-minister-harris-urges-people-to-have-their-say-on-review-of-the-student-grant-scheme/.
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. Students on full- or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (National Framework of Qualifications level 6-10) in Irish universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges can apply. 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.
The student may be eligible for Tax Relief at the standard rate of tax in respect of tuition fees paid for her course. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
1280. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the practice by the Science Foundation of Ireland Centre for Research Training at the University of Limerick of requiring PhD students to undertake unpaid work placement as interns for 12 weeks of up to 45 hours per week as part of their PhD scheme (details supplied); if this practise at the university is also carried out by other universities here; if he will request the University of Limerick and any other universities to review these practises, including a requirement that PhD student interns are paid the same as other interns for the work they carry out and are allowed to freely choose which companies they work for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18540/21]
View answerSFI funds 6 Centres for Research Training (CRTs) that are collectively hosted across a partner network of 10 research bodies. The CRTs aim to promote excellence in research and education and will train over 700 doctoral students in data and ICT skills; equipping them with transversal, cross-sectoral and discipline specific skills.
The CRTs have been modelled on international best practice and have been funded following rigorous international peer review. The Centres adhere to best practice guidelines, including but not limited to the National Framework for Doctoral Education and the QQI Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines for Providers of Research Degree Programmes – which reference procedures for facilitating research mobility and networking, including placements and internships.
These Centres, involving deep engagement with industry, provide a unique opportunity for PhD students and will deliver the critical future skills required for our society and economy. To date, 321 students have been recruited across the 6 SFI CRTs. Of these recruited students, 25 students hosted by the CRT in Data Science (at University of Limerick, University College Dublin and National University of Ireland Maynooth) have undertaken a placement to date.
The primary purpose of a placement is to expose students to other sectors and career paths, as well as building their professional network, ultimately enhancing the students’ employability and mobility in academic and non-academic sectors. The PhDs are offered the opportunity to select which company they wish to carry out their placement at. The PhD student continues to receive their stipend for the duration of the placement. Appropriate support is provided by each CRT to the student in the selection and organisation of a placement with clear consideration of the desired outcomes of the placement for both the student and provider.
1281. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request the University of Limerick and or the Science Foundation of Ireland Centre for Research Training at the University of Limerick to comply with GDPR requirements; if they will be requested to provide their PhD students with all or any information collected in relation to those students that was used in any PhD student internship allocation process by companies involved in such PhD student internship allocation processes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18541/21]
View answerCompliance with the GDPR and the Data Protection Act lies with the data controller or joint-data controllers; that being the Science Foundation of Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research Training and/or the University of Limerick. The University of Limerick has a responsibility for ensuring compliance with the Legislation.
I understand that all SFI awardees are subject to compliance of GDPR regulations, and this is stated in SFI’s general grant terms and conditions.
The University of Limerick published Data Protection Policy sets out its commitment to protecting the privacy rights of individuals in accordance with the Legislation. The Policy is designed to assist University of Limerick employees in adhering to the University's Privacy Notices and the Data Protection Acts 1988 & 2018 and the EU General Data Protection Regulation, 2016/679 (GDPR). The University of Limerick Policy is available at www.ul.ie/dataprotection where UL state:
- The University of Limerick needs to process personal data in order to deliver our services and to comply with legal requirements.
- We process personal data relating to current and prospective students and staff, members of the public, suppliers and other stakeholders.
- We may also process personal data in the course of our research activity. The University acknowledges its responsibility to safeguard the personal data with which it is entrusted.
- We take care to handle all personal data securely, to process it only for the purposes for which it was collected and to retain it only for the period of time for which it is required. The Policy further states that:
- All functional areas that process personal data must maintain a personal data register, which must include details on personal data collected, held or processed.
- All such local personal data registers must be communicated to when updated by the functional area; •Upon request, these registers will be disclosed to the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner.
It is considered that the individuals concerned should engage with the Data Protection Unit of the University (dataprotection@ul.ie ).
1282. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the procedure used to appoint the independent programme executive director for the TUSEI project; the salary associated with and duration of the contract; if the appointment of an independent programme executive director was requested by institutes of technology within the consortia; if not, if it was an initiative of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18636/21]
View answer1283. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if technological university consortia other than TUSEI have had or will have an independent programme executive director appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18637/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1282 and 1283 together.
It is a matter for applicant institutes of technology, as independent autonomous HEIs, that are seeking TU designation under the 2018 Act to decide the particular administrative processes and governance structures that most appropriately support their efforts to do so.
The Department and the HEA have provided guidance to TU development consortia in relation to the value of strong, robust and effective governance structures to enable a single cohesive vision and strategy, and in so doing have highlighted the potential benefits of utilising persons with specialist expertise and knowledge of higher education, mandated by both applicant institutes’ governing bodies to provide executive leadership for a joint programme of work. This could potentially include persons, whether internal to the institutes or sourced externally, being employed in a project or programme office, or as programme or project directors, managers, leads, facilitators etc. Decisions in this regard remain matters for the governing bodies of the applicant institutes involved.
In the case of the TU4Dublin consortium, whose 2018 application resulted in the establishment of TU Dublin on 1 January 2019, and the CUA consortia that is currently preparing an application seeking TU designation, the Department understands that personnel within the applicant Institutes respectively, acted, or are currently acting, in roles of this type.
In the case of the Cork IT and IT Tralee application in 2019 resulting in the establishment of MTU on 1 January 2021, the consortium utilised both internal specialists and external consultants over the course of the application process
The Athlone IT and Limerick IT consortium project which has resulted in an application being submitted to myself as Minister in November 2020 involved an independent facilitator with in-depth knowledge and experience of the TU application process.
The Department had no involvement in the agreement of contractual terms for the appointment made by the TUSEI consortium, nor in any case where applicant institutes have employed persons in similar type roles.
1284. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students studying at the Mayo campus of GMIT since 2005, by course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18638/21]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy is outlined in the attached spreadsheets.
1285. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on talks with the aim of finding an alternative to placements for social care students in order to allow them to progress into the next year or to graduate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18648/21]
View answerI 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.
Following extensive engagement on this issue, the Irish Association of Social Care Educators (IASCE) has developed a framework for alternative arrangements for Social Care Work placements. This framework is informed by the regulatory requirements and standards of proficiency as set out for the profession of social care by CORU, Ireland's multi-profession Health and Social Care Regulator.
The alternative arrangements as set out in this framework are now being implemented by the providers of social care programmes. These new arrangements are to be utilised for the duration of Covid-19 restrictions only and must ensure that relevant standards are maintained, that learning outcomes are achieved and that students obtain the necessary competencies to practise social care.
Students should engage directly with their provider for further information on the arrangements that are being implemented for their particular course and year.
1286. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a western regional skills forum to determine the current and future needs of employers in relation to education, skills and recruitment in the west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18655/21]
View answerA network of nine Regional Skills Fora (RSF) was established in 2017 under the National Skills Strategy 2016-2025. Along with the National Skills Council (NSC), the Regional Skills Fora constitute the central skills structures for driving forward skills policies and responses which seek to be based on partnership, rooted in evidence, agile and effective.
The Fora work to foster stronger links between enterprise and the education and training sector, working together to meet emerging skills needs of the region.
Each forum has a nominated Chairperson (from an education and training provider, state agency or enterprise), who acts in a voluntary capacity, and a Manager, tasked with managing activities of the Forum and driving forward a partnership approach in identifying and meeting regional skills needs. Each forum meets on average 4-5 times annually.
As with the other Fora, the West RSF comprises representatives from enterprise, education and training providers, and state agencies, which are set out in the following table.
|
Enterprise |
Education & Training Providers |
State Agencies |
|
Globalization Partners |
Galway Roscommon ETB |
Enterprise Ireland |
|
ICE Group |
GMIT |
Western Development Commission |
|
Compustaff |
Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB |
Údarás Na Gaeltachta |
|
Irish Wood & Furniture Manufacturing Network |
NUI Galway |
Roscommon LEO |
|
Anecto |
Galway Executive Skillnet |
Mayo LEO |
|
Kilcoyne Tree Surgery |
Innovation Technology AtlanTec Gateway (ITAG) Skillnet |
Galway LEO |
|
Channel Mechanics |
Fáilte Ireland |
|
|
Homecare Medical |
IDA |
The West RSF estimates that it reaches approximately 200-250 companies per year through events, and has direct engagement with a smaller subset of companies. Approximately 700 employees of companies and education providers are reached regularly with the West RSF online newsletter.
The West RSF also has two industry-led subgroups, Sales Professionals Network and Manufacturing Excellence. Ongoing West RSF initiatives to work with employers, to help determine their current and future needs in the region, are set out in the following table, by sector.
|
Manufacturing |
A Manufacturing Excellence Skills working group was established during 2020 to collaborate in identifying and resolving skills gaps for the manufacturing sector. This group, comprising approximately 15 manufacturers and education providers, has met regularly since April 2020, resulting in the development of new third level courses including automation and robotics. |
|
Hospitality |
Currently in dialogue with the local Irish Hotels Federation representative to determine the current and future skills needs of hospitality employers in the West. |
|
Sales |
The Regional Skills West Sales Professionals Network continues to meet during 2021, examining what further skills gaps remain after the successful launch of new industry led courses in 2019/20 (including Sales Apprenticeship, Diploma in Inside Sales, Founder Sales). |
|
Food & Beverage |
The Forum will join the Educational Sub-committee of the BIA Innovator Campus when it opens later this year to support the development of skills solutions for food & beverage micro-enterprises and SMEs in the West. |
|
Wood & Furniture Manufacturing |
Continued to engage with the Irish Wood & Furniture Manufacturing Network during 2020, attending weekly online sessions and hosting online events to support network members in dealing with COVID-19 challenges and upskilling. During 2021, the Forum is engaging with the newly appointed Enterprise Ireland funded Cluster Manager for the network. |
|
Film/Media |
The Forum is in the early stages of establishing a screen skills industry working group for the West. As a first step, work is advanced on the development of a new industry led Irish language screen subtitling course. |
During March 2021, the West RSF issued detailed letters of support for over 65 industry-relevant course proposals submitted by three education providers (GMIT, NUI Galway and Galway Business School) to be considered for Springboard 2021+ funding. Information on regional skills needs was also shared with these providers to aid the course development.
The West RSF has made several changes in response to Covid-19 to help determine the current and future needs of employers. The frequency of forum meetings has increased to facilitate enhanced co-ordination amongst education providers, state stakeholders and businesses to respond to the challenge. The West RSF has held a series of webinars in partnership with local industry, to highlight free and subsidised education options for businesses and their employees. Additional webinars from experts on digital marketing and online sales were hosted by the Forum and partners to directly support businesses. Marketing materials specific to the region, outlining how the West RSF could support companies experiencing skills issues due to Covid-19, were designed and disseminated during 2020. In February 2021, the West RSF partnered with Grow Remote and three local Skillnets to offer a remote work seminar ‘Remote West Works’ to over 100 participants.
While recruitment is not a direct part of the mandate, the West RSF supports careers-related events. In February 2021, the Forum collaborated with businesses and education providers in the West to hold a sales careers event online, targeted towards people interested to start a career in sales, attracting 80 attendees.
1287. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the higher education courses which include a compulsory placement element; if students are entitled to be paid on these placements; and the number of students enrolled on courses of this nature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18670/21]
View answerThe data requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department nor the agencies under its remit.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, HEIs are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs.
Placements are organised at the level of each individual HEI, as part of their programme offerings to be delivered in conjunction with relevant placement providers. Where appropriate, each HEI will develop their programme offerings to meet the accreditation standards of relevant regulatory and professional recognition bodies including where placements are a requirement.
1288. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated amount that has been distributed through the student assistance fund over the past twelve months to support students with placement costs. [18671/21]
View answerThe Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial support to full- and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending higher education. Under the Fund, financial support can be provided to assist students who are unable to meet costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education, including a number of categories such as books and other class material, rent, heating and lighting bills and other utility bills, essential travel, childcare costs etc. The information requested by the Deputy is not available.
In response to the Covid19 pandemic, the SAF allocation for the 2020/21 academic year was doubled from €8.1 million to €16.2 million. Since 2017, an additional €1 million per year has been allocated to the SAF with HEIs asked to prioritise and ring-fence this element of funding for the support of part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups identified in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education.
An additional €1 million was added to the fund in 2018 for students attending Professional Masters of Education (PME) courses, who are experiencing financial difficulty. This additional funding was also made available for the 2019/20 year and again in 2020/21.
This brings the total SAF allocation in 2020/21 to €18.2 million.
1289. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure there are common practices across third-level institutions for the recognition of the names and genders of transgender and intersex persons within the institution even in cases in which a gender recognition certificate has not been issued (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18703/21]
View answerI understand that most higher education institutions would have Gender Identity and Expression Policies in place, or are in development as part of their broader Gender Equality / Equality Diversity and Inclusion work. The development of these policies is a matter for the individual higher education institutions, as are the institutional practices which arise from such policies.
It is understood that most records can be changed (name, gender) without legal documentation, but that there are some official records where there is a legal requirement for this to be provided. Institutions cannot legally pre-empt any changes to the Gender Recognition Act 2015 in relation to these latter requirements.
1290. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if plans for new apprenticeship programmes by Letterkenny Institute of Technology and ETB Donegal will be supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18732/21]
View answerApprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme which aims to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. The development of new apprenticeships is employer-led, with consortia comprising employer groups and educational providers coming together to identify a skills need and appropriate apprenticeship response in their sector. The Apprenticeship Council examine any proposals arising in the context of identified skills needs. No expressions of interest or initial proposals for new apprenticeships have been received from Letterkenny Institute of Technology or Donegal Education and Training Board.
The apprenticeship website www.apprenticeship.ie invites persons or groups with a query on an initial proposal for a new national apprenticeship to email appcouncil@solas.ie. An initial proposals guidance document is available on this site to support this process, as is a Handbook on Developing a National Apprenticeship.
The Guidance document notes that proposals will be assessed on an ongoing basis by the Apprenticeship Council and that following assessment, representatives of the Apprenticeship Council will engage with proposers. All apprenticeship proposals therefore go through a rigorous evaluation process which is led by the Council, and approval is subject to the applications meeting a prescribed set of requirements.
This process will be aligned with relevant aspects of the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2021 – 2025 as new structures come into existence.
