Written Answers Nos. 355-374
355. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the back-payment period for late pension claims beyond the six-month limit for extenuating circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32732/21]
View answerSocial welfare legislation provides for backdating of State pension (contributory) for 6 months from the date of receipt of the claim. Backdating of a late claim beyond 6 months may be considered in circumstances where the failure to claim arose as a result of -
1) incorrect information being supplied by the Department or2) the claimant's incapacity by illness or infirmity to make a claim or have someone make a claim on their behalf.
The governing social welfare legislation is contained in section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act, 2005 (as amended) and Article 186 of Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007, also referred to as Statutory Instrument 142 of 2007.
It should be noted that this legislates for all payments by my Department and, as such, any changes would have far reaching consequences. Accordingly, there are currently no plans to amend the time allowed for backdating claims.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
356. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way in which her Department and agencies under her remit are working towards enabling access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, persons from ethnic minorities, Travellers, Mincéirí; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32746/21]
View answerResearch consistently shows the importance of decent employment in supporting positive outcomes for the individual and for society. I am keenly aware of the role of employment in developing personal capabilities and potential, deepening social connections and enabling full participation and inclusion in society. My Department is committed to assisting all individuals in society to prepare for and secure employment. I also understand that the path to employment is not the same for everyone and that additional help is required for those facing disadvantage and those in minority communities.
The key avenue for my Department to enable access to employment for all unemployed persons is through the Public Employment Service, Intreo. The Intreo service is available to all and supports jobseekers with employment assistance and advice to progress persons into employment, including addressing skills deficits. This engagement, along with the suite of labour market activation policies, is designed to assist jobseekers to prepare for, secure and sustain employment.
Given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our society and economy, Government is taking steps to enhance the capacity of the Public Employment Service and the supports available to the unemployed. This will be delivered through the forthcoming Pathways to Work 2021-2025 strategy. Key insights to this strategy, which I hope to launch in the coming weeks, were included in the Economic Recovery Plan published earlier this month.
While this Pathways to Work strategy will include measures to address the challenges arising as a result of the pandemic, the strategy will also focus on those groups unemployed and most distant from the labour market pre-pandemic. The Economic Recovery Plan introduced some of the key measures which will focus assistance on disadvantaged groups, including:
- Expanding the delivery of employment services to Lone Parents;
- Introducing an Early Engagement model for jobseekers with disabilities,
- Promoting wider take-up of incentives and supports available for the employment of people with disabilities;
- Reserving places on employment services and training programmes for people from minority backgrounds of disadvantage;
- Consulting with stakeholders from the Traveller (and/or Roma) community to advise the PES in developing tailored support programmes.
This work, under both Pathways to Work and the Economic Recovery Plan, seeks to not only return our economy and society to the pre-pandemic position, but to foster a more balanced, sustainable and inclusive recovery. This includes building a more inclusive labour market, with a greater focus on participation and reducing barriers to participation and/or employment.
In addition to those supports provided by Intreo, my Department works closely with the Further Education and Training sector in the provision of activation supports, including opportunities for training, upskilling and reskilling. The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, launched by my Colleague Minister Harris earlier this year, includes a bursary support scheme to be established for participants from disadvantaged groups, including lone parents, people with disabilities, Travellers and Roma. The strategy also commits to an equity of access stakeholder subcommittee to ensure that programme designs reflect the needs of underrepresented groups.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
357. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will define what is considered a good reason for not making a social welfare claim within the time limit; if she will consider not knowing about eligibility for the payment to be a good reason for women not in control of their household’s finances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32756/21]
View answerThe primary legislation governing the manner and time limits within which claims for social welfare payments should be made is set out in Section 241 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended, and associated regulations. The legislation requires that persons must claim their entitlements within a specific period from the date their entitlement arises. This is referred to as the 'prescribed time'. The prescribed time for making a claim differs depending on the relevant scheme and once a claim is made within the prescribed time for that particular payment, it is automatically backdated to the date of entitlement.
Where a claim is made after the prescribed time, a statutory disqualification or disallowance is incurred for any period falling outside the relevant time limits. However, the legislation gives deciding officers and designated persons some discretion to consider backdating a claim entitlement date subject to prescribed limits. Regulations allow for circumstances where the claimant establishes to the satisfaction of a deciding officer or designated person that there was ‘good cause’ for any delay in making a claim, that they were inadvertently misinformed by an officer of the Department or incapacitated and unable to make the claim on time.
Each late claim is assessed by deciding officers on a case by case basis taking into account the contentions and evidence put forward by the applicant to explain the cause of the delay. The deciding officer may decide to backdate the payment, for a maximum period of up to 6 months in respect of most schemes, depending on the circumstances. Backdating of a late claim beyond 6 months can be considered only in two specific circumstances whereby the failure to claim arose as the result of either incorrect information being supplied by the Department or the claimant’s incapacity due to illness or infirmity.
The existing legislation allows a Deciding Officer the discretion to back date payment where he/she is satisfied that the claimant had ‘good cause’ for failing to apply within the prescribed time, provided of course that the claimant was eligible during the 6 months.
'Good cause' is not defined in the legislation, and is assessed by deciding officers by the application of common sense principles to the contentions put forward by the person concerned and by the evaluation of the evidence available to support those contentions.
Lack of knowledge is not regarded as a sufficient reason for not claiming in time. The Department publishes information regarding its schemes, including the time limits for making a claim, as widely as possible in a range of formats, and advertises changes of legislation in the National Press. Information Offices are also available throughout the country for people to make enquiries as to their entitlements.
All statutory decisions with regard to entitlement under these provisions, made by deciding officers and designated persons, can be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The Department has published information and operational guidelines on Claims and Late Claims on gov.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
358. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a payment for parents who have to take unpaid leave to mind their children that have to isolate due to having or being a close contact with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32755/21]
View answerThere are a range of family leave options available to working parents, many of which have been extended in the recent past.
The Parental Leave Act 1998 entitles parents to unpaid leave to look after their children. This leave is available to a relevant parent, who is defined as a parent, adoptive parent or person acting in loco parentis.
The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 introduced a significant extension to the existing parental leave entitlements, raising the age of the child for whom parental leave may be taken from eight years to twelve. It also extended the parental leave entitlement by 8 weeks, on a phased basis. The last of these increases came into effect on 1 September 2020 and parents are now entitled to 26 weeks leave in total.
In addition, the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, as defined in the legislation, to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. The definition of relevant parent under the Act includes a parent of the child and the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of a parent of the child.
Following the commencement of the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 on 1 April 2021, an additional three weeks of paid parent's leave has been granted to each relevant parent, and the period in which the leave can be taken has been extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
Section 6 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carer's leave to enable them to provide full-time care and attention to a person who is in need of such care.
Carer's Leave is unpaid but an employee may also qualify for Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance, the payment of which is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
There are no plans to amend any of the family leave provisions at present.
Matters in relation to a payment of benefit are under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection.
359. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount his Department and associated agencies have spent on social media advertising since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32608/21]
View answerMy Department spent €28,900 on social media advertising since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021.
I have asked agencies under my Department's remit to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of spend on social media.
360. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount his Department has spent on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32625/21]
View answerMy Department has spent €5744 on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021.
361. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount his Department and all associated agencies have spent on public relations consultancy costs since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32642/21]
View answerThe Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has had no expenditure on public relations consultancy in 2021.
I have requested agencies under my Department's remit to respond directly to the Deputy.
362. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current and capital costs involved with each action item in the Interim Climate Action Plan under his Department’s responsibility. [32694/21]
View answerAction 228a of the Interim Climate action Plan requires the Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth to establish a Youth Climate Council as part of the new National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA) engagement model and annual Climate Action Plan consultations, to help support future dialogue with young people.
Steps are being taken to establish the Youth Climate assembly in partnership with relevant policy departments. Capital costs are not anticipated and current costs associated with hosting the Youth Assembly will depend on whether the assembly meets online or in person, which cannot be determined at the moment.
DCEDIY has completed the Youth Strand of the 2021 National Dialogue on Climate Action. Members of the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive assisted in the design of broad online climate conversations open to all citizens (over 16 years of age), to ensure its relevance and accessibility to young people. DCEDIY ensured that all Comhairle na nÓg members, over 16 years of age, were actively encouraged to take part in this National Dialogue on Climate Action (NDCA). DCEDIY designed and facilitated climate conversations specifically for young people and hosted in-depth local and national youth climate conversations to input into the National Dialogue.
The voice of young people is included in the NDCA by:
Broad Online Conversation: Young people over 16 years of age participated in the Broad Online Conversation for individuals over 16 years of age and groups. DCEDIY ensured the inclusion of young people by facilitating consultations with the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive on the design of the online survey to make it accessible for young people. The online portal is based on 5 key climate relevant pillars, with questions to capture current thinking, an online quiz to capture people's willingness to change behaviour and supporting content to engage citizens on proposed future approaches. All Comhairle na nÓg across the country were invited and encouraged to participate in this on-line process; information was also issued to the recipient organisations of the DCEDIY Youth Climate Justice Fund encouraging their participation in this on-line element.
Local level conversations via Comhairle na nÓg networks: Young people were asked to contribute via the Comhairle na nÓg network with their observations and suggestions for local action. Following a selection process, 12 Comhairle na nÓg hosted in-depth locally focused conversations. The design of these local level climate conversations was developed with the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive. The Youth Climate Conversations at local level provided an opportunity for members of Comhairle na nÓg to meet up online for a structured conversation about their hopes and concerns, ideas for climate action in their local area, and how to support deeper youth engagement in climate issues. Their feedback will be integrated into the summary ‘climate conversations’ report.
In depth Citizen Conversations (80-90 citizens): A two week online community for participants was set up to host a series of focus groups on different topics. As part of this online citizen community, there was a youth strand of 20 young citizens. DCEDIY assisted in the selection of young participants from Comhairle na nÓg nominees, Youth Climate Justice Fund recipients and a representative from the Irish Second-Level Students Union.
363. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the outcomes of the consultations by his Department which concluded on 9 April 2021 on the operation of a paid leave scheme for victims of domestic violence. [32708/21]
View answerSince its formation, this Government has made clear that tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a key priority. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence with a view to establishing a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave.
As the Deputy is aware, the issue of domestic violence leave is currently being studied by officials in my Department, including the examination of domestic violence leave at international level, the identification of best practice and the development of a suitable model for rollout in Ireland.
My Department has also engaged in a targeted consultation process with relevant stakeholders and social partners to examine how a scheme of paid leave should operate to address the needs of victims most effectively, including with the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, employers' groups and trade unions and with stakeholders of the national Equality Strategy Committees falling under my Department’s remit.
A report is being prepared based on this work which will be brought to Government in the coming weeks. The report will include recommendations on how best to support employees experiencing domestic abuse, including the provision of a form of leave.
364. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline his key policy achievements in his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32712/21]
View answerMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
365. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are working towards enabling access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities, including, but not limited to, persons with disabilities, persons from ethnic minorities, Travellers, Mincéirí; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32734/21]
View answerMy Department supports a range of initiatives that work towards enabling access to employment from persons from minority groups. The Migrant Integration Strategy is a whole-of-Government Strategy to support the integration of migrants. The Strategy includes a range of actions to support employment and pathways to work for migrants. The Strategy has been extended until the end of 2021 to reflect the impact of COVID-19 on implementation.
Under the 2016 European Social Fund (“ESF”) Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (“PEIL”) Integration and Employment of Migrants (“IEM”) programme. Five projects were approved for funding of €3.3m over 4 years. These projects are completing in 2021. This programme is funded 50% by EU, and 50% by the Government of Ireland.
There is currently a Call for Proposals open for projects to provide employment supports for persons within the International Protection System, in the amount of €250,000.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) operates a Programme of resettlement across different counties throughout the country. Integral to the Programme is the employment of both Resettlement Workers (RSWs) and Inter-cultural workers (ICWs) who assist the refugees in their transition to independent community living.
The ICWs in particular encourage all refugees to partake in education with a specific focus on English language training. In addition, they seek to identify any skills, trades or past educational experience that refugees may possess with a view to matching them with potential employers or indeed further training or educational providers.
Others refugees with pre-existing trade skills have completed trade-focussed upskilling to allow them seek work in Ireland, for example Safepass and Forklift training. Others are facilitated in accessing Community Employment Schemes, again with a view to building on existing skill-sets in the hope of accessing full-time employment at a later stage.
Beyond that, in other instances RSWs have leveraged local contacts on the ground to provide people with the opportunity to obtain part-time work, again with a view to building up skill-sets and experience with the ultimate goal being to access full-time employment into the future.
The Anti-Racism Committee are in the middle of their Public Consultation (21 April to 14 July 2021) towards developing a National Action Plan Against Racism. Access to employment is one of the key themes of the Consultation.
The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) 2017 – 2021 represents a whole of Government approach to bring about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. The Strategy includes a range of actions to support employment and pathways to work for Travellers and Roma
My Department provides funding to the Special Initiative for Travellers (SITS) which is an initiative focussing on 7 locations nationwide with a view to coaching and assisting Travellers wishing to enter employment.
In relation to persons with disabilities, my Department is responsible for co-ordinating the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 (CES). The CES is the primary disability employment policy initiative in Ireland. It is a cross-government approach, bringing together actions by Government Departments and Agencies to address the barriers and challenges to employment of persons with disabilities. The CES’s strategic priorities are to build skills, capacity and independence, to provide bridges and supports into work, to make work pay, to promote job retention and re-entry to work, to provide coordinated and seamless supports and to engage employers.
The public sector provides crucial opportunities for people with disabilities to access employment. The Government has committed to doubling the target for employment of people with disabilities in the public service from 3% to 6%. This is a commitment contained in the CES. This will be done by means of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill. The General Scheme of that Bill will come to Government for approval this month.
Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005 sets out the legal obligations of public service bodies:-
- To promote and support the employment of people with disabilities
- To meet a target of 3% of employees with disabilities
- To report every year on achievement of these obligations
The National Disability Authority (NDA) has a statutory role in monitoring employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector. In their latest Report “2018 Report on Compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act on the Employment of People with Disabilities in the Public Sector” the NDA reported that the then Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the agencies under the remit of the Department had all exceeded the 3% employment target for people with disabilities.
The Disability Liaison Officer of my Department works closely with the Public Appointments Service, who recruit for general civil grades for my Department and with staff who identify the need for an accommodation to ensure that they are supported in entering and remaining in the workplace.
My Department also participates in the Willing, Able and Mentoring Programme which is run by AHEAD and provides 6 month placements for graduates with disabilities.
My Department is willing to participate in any civil service scheme to enable access to employment for persons from minority and or disadvantaged communities.
366. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention been drawn to the steep increase in on-campus student accommodation costs in UCD; if he has had any engagement with UCD or the university’s student union on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32786/21]
View answer376. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to prohibit universities charging up to €14,000 for on-campus student accommodation; the engagement he has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in the context of rent cap legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32660/21]
View answer381. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the steep increase in on-campus student accommodation costs in UCD; his views on whether this will be a barrier for those that wish to study in the university; if he has had engagement with UCD or the university’s student union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32784/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 366, 376 and 381 together.
Legislation was brought in in 2019 to ensure that students would have the same affordability measures as tenants within Rent Pressure Zones. I am aware of the increases in UCD accommodation fees for the 2021 academic year and I am disappointed that UCD has sought to increase prices for students during the midst of a public health and an economic crisis.
Affordability must be a key pillar in the student accommodation sector and Department has been working with the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government on measures to ensure greater affordability of student accommodation. Legislation is being progressed which will restrict the up-front payments required to secure accommodation, including student accommodation, to no more than the equivalent of two months’ rent, and limit payments thereafter to on month’s rent at a time. Affordability of student accommodation will be discussed with stakeholders in the sector at the next meeting of the Working Group on Student Accommodation. My Department has sought information from UCD, provided through the Irish Universities Association (IUA) and will continue to engage with them.
367. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for on-campus learning for third-level students for the upcoming academic year; if this will be a matter for each individual college or university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32526/21]
View answerFollowing Government approval, I have published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-further-and-higher-education-and-research/
The Plan reflects the essential nature of higher and further education and training, and research activities, and in that context, provides for comprehensive on-site activity for the next academic year, with almost full scale on-site activities.
At a very minimum, workshops, tutorials, classroom based activities and smaller lectures will be allowed and libraries, research facilities and labs will be opened. Institutions and providers will continue to put in place plans to ensure that the overall number of people on campus at a given time continues to be moderated.
Under the Plan, larger scale lectures will take place on-site if the public health situation continues to improve as expected but some moderation in numbers may still be required. The safety measures which will be in place such as social distancing, face masks and indoor ventilation will be in accordance with prevailing public health advice taking into account the essential nature of further and higher education and research.
In addition, contingency planning based on a more restrictive public health environment is also being prepared by the sector. Even in a more restrictive public health environment, it is envisaged that there would still be significant on-site activities.
The Plan will operate along with and be supported by:
- The COVID-19 Adaptation Framework for further and higher education
- The Practical Guidance for Further and Higher Education (to be updated in line with prevailing public health advice).
- Sectoral guidance (to be updated in line with prevailing public health advice)
- The Sectoral Pact as outlined in Section 5 of the plan
- The Work Safety Protocol published by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment
- The Government Plan - COVID – 19 Resilience and Recovery: The Path Ahead
In the interim period leading to the return in autumn 2021, sectoral planning will be reviewed monthly with an update on planning to be provided to Government in July. This will ensure that there is ongoing support for planning in this sector and that planning proceeds in a manner that is aligned to prevailing public health advice.
368. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to obtain additional college places for the 2021-2022 academic year given the rise in CAO applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32549/21]
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 which will build additional capacity in the system and address demographic growth pressures. This is in addition to 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.
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.
However, my Department is monitoring the situation as it develops and my officials are working with the HEA and the Higher Education Institutions to identify where there is scope for additional places to be provided. In addition to higher education, I would like to highlight the range of options available in further education and training and apprenticeships. These options can serve both as an alternate pathway to a chosen career or an alternate pathway into higher education. For students who are not successful in gaining an offer for their course of choice in the first instance, there are alternate routes available to them to reach their preferred option.
All bodies involved will continue to work to ensure the availability of a full range of further and higher education options for applicants in 2021 and in future years.
369. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to bring into line retirement ages for employees of third-level universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32559/21]
View answerUniversities are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and have autonomy in relation to human resource policies, subject to compliance with Government policy in respect of employment numbers and pay policy, and are not under the direct control of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
With regards to the retirement age of Higher Education employees, the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Act 2018 was enacted on 26 December 2018 and came into effect immediately from that date. The Act provides for an increase in the compulsory retirement age of most standard public servants recruited prior to 1 April 2004 to age 70. Universities are obliged to comply with employment legislation, including pension related legislation.
370. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the return of English language schools in view of the reopening of international travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32567/21]
View answerIn March 2020, my Department established a distinct Working Group with key stakeholders for the English Language Education (ELE) sector to manage the significant impact of the pandemic on ELE. This Working Group is comprised of the sectoral representatives of students, staff and providers alongside representatives of relevant Government Departments such as the Department of Justice, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Social Protection.
This Working Group is planning for a limited, safe return of on-site activity, which comprises small group in-person learning to cater exclusively for needs of the existing cohort of ELE students currently in the State. This approach for on-site activity is consistent with small group learning across further, higher and adult education. To enable this to happen, all existing restrictions and public health guidance with appropriate protective measures and limited congregation will be followed supported by reopening protocols and an adaptation framework that are aligned with public health guidelines to facilitate and ensure the safe return to classroom activity for this cohort of students. The Working Group has worked collaboratively to develop these sectoral reopening protocols and supporting materials and this work is now nearing finalisation.
This approach notes the sector is much reduced with estimates placing student numbers at less than 10,000 currently in the State in comparison to pre-pandemic levels where the sector has capacity to facilitate approximately 200,000 foreign learners annually.
Prospective ELE learners in the State not previously enrolled and students who are not currently in the country are not included in these planned on site activities.
ELE providers have been advised that there remains no basis for the recruitment of new international students who might travel to the country at this time. However, the initial resumption of in-person activity will represent a key step on the pathway to recovery for the ELE sector in Ireland. My Department will continue to engage with ELE stakeholders as this sector moves, aligned with public health advice, including any such advice in relation to international travel, towards its full re-opening and continues on a path to recovery.
371. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Irish students are being charged additional fees for the Scottish graduate-entry medicine programme based in the University of St. Andrews and the University of Dundee which contradicts the memorandum of understanding on the common travel area; the steps he will take to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32583/21]
View answerOfficials of my Department have been in touch with their counterparts in Scotland, who have confirmed that programme fees for the Graduate Entry Programme in Medicine is the same for Irish and the UK students (other than those from Scotland). However, I do understand that UK students are entitled to a bursary from the National Health Service, which amounts to £3,715, and this may account for the difference.
This approach is consistent with the Memorandum of Understanding on the Common Travel Area.
372. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the supports and grants and so on that are available for qualifying students from this jurisdiction accepted to study for primary teaching through Irish at a school (details supplied); the details of the qualifying conditions that apply; the level of grant aid available; and if other relevant information will be provided. [32593/21]
View answerThe main support available to assist students with the cost of higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Students attending approved undergraduate courses in Northern Ireland can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme.
There is also a special derogation contained within the Student Support Act 2011 which provides supports for postgraduate students attending courses in Northern Ireland. Such students may be eligible for assistance towards their postgraduate fees up to the maximum fees limit of €6,270 or a Postgraduate Fee Contribution of €3,500. The income threshold for eligibility for these grants has increased from €31,500 to €54,240. There is no other provision under the student grant scheme for the payment of fees to students studying outside of the State.
Students attending college in the academic year 2021/22 are required to submit their grant application to SUSI via www.susi.ie when the online application system opens for 2021/22 to have their eligibility for grant assistance assessed.
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.
373. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department and associated agencies have spent on social media advertising since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32615/21]
View answer374. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department has spent on social media content production since the beginning of January 2021 until 12 June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32632/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 374 together.
My department has spent €39, 385.62 on social media advertising and €19, 236.70 on social media content creation in the timeframe outlined. My department does not hold records on social media advertising spend by agencies.
