Written Answers Nos. 156-170
156. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the person or body which determines whether graduation ceremonies will be held in person or online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45565/21]
View answerFollowing Government approval, I published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22 on June 15th. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-further-and-higher-education-and-research/
The plan, which emerged following extensive discussions between university representatives, public health and other relevant stakeholders, provided a framework for higher education institutions to proceed with planning for a return to onsite campus learning that would be in line with public health guidance. In that context, institutions and providers are currently progressing with their own detailed planning and work for a comprehensive return to on-site activity. At a minimum, on-site activity next year will include laboratory teaching and learning, classroom based teaching and learning, tutorials, workshops, smaller lectures, research, return to work-spaces and access to libraries with appropriate protective measures in place. As part of the safe return to on-site learning, other on campus non-educational activities and facilities such as sports, bars, canteens, clubs and societies will operate in line with prevailing general public health advice for those activities.
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and the way in which the Plan will be implemented will vary from institution to institution. However, I do hope students can be accommodated by institutions for in person graduations in line with public health advice.
157. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to address the backlogs in apprenticeship schemes due to the delays as a result of Covid-19 restrictions. [45705/21]
View answerCraft apprenticeships account for 25 of the 62 existing available apprenticeship programmes. They comprise of a standard seven phase programme of alternating on-the-job and off-the-job phases. The off-the-job training for these programmes is delivered in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities. Given the practical nature of off-the-job training for craft apprentices, the shutdown of on-site learning activity in 2020 and 2021 had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to progress through their course.
In addition to the general activity surrounding a return to on-site learning across the further and higher education sector a number of specific actions were put in place to support craft apprentices to progress in their training in a timely manner:-
- Craft apprentice off-the-job training was prioritised for a return to on-site learning across further and higher education institutions as COVID restrictions allowed.
- Delivery of off-the-job phases continued over the summer, subject to public health advice and with restricted numbers. This approach assisted institutions and providers in preparing and organising the safe return of larger numbers in the autumn.
- €20m in capital funding has been provided to increase training capacity in the system with SOLAS and HEA allocating this to ETBs and HEIs. This will facilitate an additional 4,000 craft apprenticeship places, assisting significantly with the immediate backlog issues but also more broadly increase training capacity in the apprenticeship system as the sector caters for higher demand.
- An additional €12 million was allocated for 2021 to support additional classes and teaching capacity to ameliorate COVID-19 measures at higher education level (Phases 4 and 6).
- A three-step plan to tackle the backlog in craft apprenticeship off-the-job training over the coming period by SOLAS and further and higher education providers is in delivery. Step 1 of the plan includes an increase in the number of training workshops available across further and higher education from September 2021 onwards. Steps 2 and 3 involve tailored emergency approaches to accelerate the throughput of apprentices at Phases 2 and 6 for a designated period of time.
- Phase 2 apprentice commence off-the-job training throughout the year. SOLAS are engaging with the ETBs to maximise and expand provision to clear the waiting lists for phase 2 training. An update issued to ETBs on 20th September, with a number of information sessions for staff due to take place over the coming weeks. A communication will also issue to apprentices over the coming days.
- Phase 4 and 6 intakes are currently scheduled three time per year – September, January and April. Additional capacity coming on stream at phase 4 and 6 from September has resulted with in the region of 2,500 phase 4 and 6 apprentices scheduled to commence off-the-job training in September, up from 2,100 per intake immediately pre-COVID.
- In the event that Phase 4 and 6 are prevented from returning at full capacity, a number of alternatives remain available to ensure that craft apprentices are not precluded from qualifying in a timely manner, including the potential for competency assessments to allow apprentices to qualify. Any such measure would need to safeguard the integrity of the Craft Certificate qualification.
Further updates will be published over the coming weeks on www.apprenticeship.ie.
158. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will increase the remuneration rates for apprentices who have had their apprenticeships extended due to Covid-19 delays beyond their initial training period. [45706/21]
View answerApprenticeship is undertaken under a contract of employment and, for the majority of the 62 apprenticeships that are currently available, the rate of pay is agreed by the employer and apprentice at the start of the programme.
For the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, applicable pay rates are agreed by the partners within the relevant sector, or are set out in Sectoral Employment Orders for the Construction Sector and Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector. Rates vary between occupations and sectors but in all cases craft apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of the qualified rate, increasing yearly from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four. Payment is also based on attainment of relevant skill, knowledge and competence achieved after successfully completing each phase of training. The most up to date rates for these sectors are attached.
ETBs pay a training allowance to craft apprentices undertaking periods of off-the-job training. This training allowance is equivalent to the relevant agreed rate of pay and is paid in addition to either a travel or an accommodation allowance. For the period of off-the-job training, apprentices who have experienced a delay in their apprenticeship may be paid a training allowance at a rate which is one point higher than the rate normally assigned to that phase. This payment is in line with SOLAS internal procedures which govern apprenticeship operations and is currently being implemented across each Education and Training Board, Institutes of Technology, and Technological Universities.
SOLAS and the HEA are working with education and training providers to address the backlog in access to off-the-job training periods (phases 2,4 and 6 of the seven phase craft apprenticeship). All off-the-job training is reverting to full class attendance as of September, doubling the capacity which was available during COVID-19 measures. Additional interventions are being rolled out across the sector and details on these will be made available over the coming weeks.
159. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure students can return safely to in-person teaching in further and higher education contexts. [45707/21]
View answerFollowing Government approval, I published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22 on June 15th. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-further-and-higher-education-and-research/
The plan, which emerged following extensive and productive discussions between university representatives, public health and other relevant stakeholders, provided a framework for higher education institutions to proceed with planning for a return to onsite campus learning that would be in line with public health guidance. In that context, institutions and providers are currently progressing with their own detailed planning and work for a comprehensive return to on-site activity.
All returning students have resumed onsite activity and first year students will commence next week. In line with their arrival, the Department has worked with the HSE to establish a number of pop-up vaccination centres across 11 different institutions to maximise uptake of vaccinations. In addition, free face masks will be provided.
160. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice the average waiting time for an inquest at each coroner’s office. [45286/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, Coroners are independent in the conduct of their functions and neither I nor my Department have any role in the scheduling of inquests by a coroner.
Coroners are continuing to work to schedule inquests in a safe manner. Most coroners hold inquests in local court houses, and as a result of Covid-19, given public health considerations, inquests have unfortunately been severely curtailed.
The Courts Service works closely with coroners across the country to facilitate inquests and continue to do so while ensuring adherence to public health guidelines.
I also understand that some coroners are holding what are referred to as ‘documentary inquests’ or remote inquests, which require very small numbers of attendees, and take place with the agreement of families. Larger inquests, requiring multiple witnesses, are being rescheduled to a later date.
In order to support the work of the Coroner, the Civil Law and Criminal Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 provided, among other items, for the appointment of temporary coroners to act simultaneously with a coroner in exceptional circumstances, such as were presented by the Covid 19 pandemic.
Dublin is the busiest coronial district and specifically in regard to the situation in the Dublin coronial district, a second coroner and two new deputy coroners were appointed in February 2020.
Additional information is available on the website www.coroners.ie or on the Dublin Coroners website www.dublincoronerscourt.ie which may be of assistance.
161. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice if her Department’s IT infrastructure is monitored for security breaches on a 24/7 basis; the guidance provided from Government on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45315/21]
View answerMy Department's IMT Division employs a range of policies, tools and practices to safeguard the integrity, confidentiality and availability of my Department’s data and IMT infrastructure and to protect it from all potential threats, both external and internal.
To facilitate this, the IMT Division engages expert support from specialist resources through its managed service contract. The current managed service contract provides for 24 hour support to one of our two data centres, and extended cover for the other.
My Department’s IMT Division liaises with the Computer Security Incident Response Team (the CSIRT-IE) of the National Cyber Security Centre. The CSIRT-IE issues general cyber security updates on a regular basis and issues continuous alerts to IMT Division in relation to specific potential cyber security breaches, including advice on appropriate actions to mitigate such threats, which are then implemented.
My Department also retains independent external cybersecurity expertise and utilises this service as necessary.
162. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the steps taken by her Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within her Department who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; her plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45372/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is driving the implementation of the National Remote Work Strategy and coordinates this through its Remote Work Interdepartmental Group, which includes representatives from multiple Government Departments and agencies.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is leading on the legislative right to request remote work, and is providing guidance to employers and employees to promote the adoption of remote and hybrid working arrangements. Its #MakingRemoteWork communications campaign aims to raise awareness of the advice and information available from Government to help workers and employers facilitate more remote and blended working.
The Deputy will be aware that a central policy framework for blended working in the civil service, which is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, will be finalised in the coming weeks. This framework will inform the development of organisation- level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department and the offices, agencies and bodies under their remit, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas in the civil service. There is recognition also of a need to create opportunities for people to balance their working and personal lives more effectively where possible.
All staff in my Department who can work remotely have access to video conferencing facilities. The video conferencing facilities in use were procured following Office of Government Procurement (OGP) guidelines. My Department has commenced work on developing its own blended working policy and arrangements, which takes into account its specific business and operational needs and requirements, while remaining grounded in the Civil Service Framework. Blended working arrangements are expected to be implemented by March 2022.
163. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the steps taken by agencies under the remit of her Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within these agencies who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; if there are plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45389/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is leading on the legislative right to request remote work, and is providing guidance to employers and employees to promote the adoption of remote and hybrid working arrangements. Its #MakingRemoteWork communications campaign aims to raise awareness of the advice and information available from Government to help workers and employers facilitate more remote and blended working.
A central policy framework for blended working in the civil service, which is being led by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, will be finalised in the coming weeks. This framework will inform the development of organisation- level blended working policies tailored to the specific requirements of each Department and the offices, agencies and bodies under their remit, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas in the civil service. There is recognition also of a need to create opportunities for people to balance their working and personal lives more effectively where possible.
The Deputy will appreciate that many of the bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit provide frontline services and have been committed to maintaining these essential services to the public throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The organisations facilitate remote working where possible in accordance with the public health advice where operational and business needs allow but obviously this is not possible for all frontline staff in agencies such as An Garda Síochána, the Irish Prison Service, Forensic Science Ireland and others.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, members of An Garda Síochána were required to work from their usual locations with appropriate public health measures in place, to provide essential services. Garda staff who can carry out their duties remotely have been facilitated to work from home where possible and as roles and business needs allow. Garda information systems can be accessed remotely by staff members who have Garda-issued devices or secure tokens. Remote video conferencing and remote access is available on multiple devices including PCs, laptops and tablets. The framework for the management of public procurement is as per the requirements of EU and National procurement rules.
70% of Courts Service personnel are operational staff who are required to be on-site on a permanent or semi-permanent basis, to facilitate the running of the courts and deliver services to the public. Currently there is no formal programme in place regarding remote working, however staff requests to work remotely are facilitated where possible, depending on business needs. Access to cloud services for remote video conferencing is currently available to approximately 55% of staff. Supporting the principle of remote working, a programme to build and deliver a modern digital desktop to all staff is currently underway, to be delivered by Q2, 2022.
Since March 2020, all Irish Prison Service headquarters staff have had the option to work from home, in line with Government guidelines. A Blended Working Policy is to be introduced for Irish Prison Service headquarters staff in the coming months. The Irish Prison Service ICT directorate has provided the necessary software and hardware to enable access to services for remote video conferencing and the capacity to work remotely. The provision of this software and hardware was provided for under the existing OGP frameworks.
Due to the operational nature of the work carried out by the Criminal Assets Bureau and its standalone, secure information system, which can only be accessed on the premises, staff and officers are required to be available to attend at offices regularly. A limited number of staff whose duties are not confined to the standalone, secure system have the capacity to work from home and at present, 40-50% of staff currently avail of blended working. All staff have access to video conferencing as required. The Bureau adheres to Office of Government Procurement guidelines in regard to procurement.
The Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) is following Department protocols to support the implementation of the National Remote Work Strategy. Approximately 90% of the Irish Film Classification Office have access to cloud services for remote video conferencing and the capacity to work remotely. Procurement is managed through my Department.
The National Remote Work Strategy is, and will continue to be supported by the Data Protection Commission and employees will be facilitated to work remotely in line with relevant legislation. All staff currently have access to cloud services for remote video conferencing and the capacity to work remotely. As the value of the required licences to facilitate this was below the €25K threshold, three quotes were received from registered suppliers and a contract was awarded to the most economically advantageous tender.
All Forensic Science Ireland staff who require external access to the IT network have been provided with it and PCs and other peripherals have been sourced through the relevant OGP Framework.
All staff in the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) are equipped to work remotely and have been working in this manner throughout the pandemic. Staff are enabled to avail of virtual meeting facilities where required. GSOC is committed to developing a blended working arrangement in line with the Government’s policy to support remote working into the future.
Facilities to work remotely are in place for all Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) staff members. The ISI pay for two professional video conferencing accounts. The cost of these accounts is below the threshold that requires a competitive tender process.
The Judicial Council is currently considering how best to implement the National Remote Work Strategy ‘Making Remote Work’. 100% of staff have access to cloud services for remote video conferencing and the capacity to work remotely.
The Legal Aid Board has sufficient equipment so that all Board staff can work remotely should the need arise again. Approximately 65% of Legal Aid Board staff currently have remote videoconferencing capability on their main remote working device. It is planned to increase this to as close as possible to 100% through the technical reconfiguration of existing equipment rather than additional investment.
All Private Security Authority (PSA) staff were facilitated to work remotely throughout the Covid-19 pandemic and the PSA will introduce a formal Blended Working Policy in 2022.
Property Services Regulatory Authority staff continue to work remotely, attending the office only where there is a specific need. 100% of permanent staff have access to cloud services. Procurement of these facilities is managed through my Department.
164. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health the status of the public health supports available to schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45751/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
165. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 1072 of 28 April 2021, the costs paid to those same companies from March to September 2021. [45279/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
166. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of ambulances in Cork city and county in each of the years 2016 to 2021, by ambulance depot in tabular form. [45283/21]
View answer167. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the total number of ambulances by county in tabular form. [45284/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 166 and 167 together.
As these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
168. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the legislative powers underpinning the office of disabilities appeals in his Department; the way decisions can be appealed from this office through the judicial system or by another mechanism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45289/21]
View answerThe Disability Act 2005 provides for the establishment of a Disability Appeals Officer as an independent officer appointed by the Minister for Health. He or she provides an appeals service for persons who wish to appeal against a finding or recommendation of a Complaints Officer of the Health Service Executive made under Section 18(1) of the Disability Act 2005, or against the failure of the HSE or an Educational Service Provider (ESP) to implement a recommendation of a complaints office.
Information regarding the legislation underpinning office of the Disability Appeals Officer, as well information regarding procedures and processes related to the functions of the office, can be found at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/08b143-office-of-the-disability-appeals-officer/
169. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant haematologist at St. James's Hospital, Dublin; the average waiting times to see a consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45290/21]
View answerIt is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last eighteen months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack. While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021 and the associated curtailment of acute hospital services, coupled with the ransomware attack of May 2021, has impacted waiting times. However, the HSE advise that acute services are now almost all fully restored to pre cyber-attack levels, and are operating in line with relevant Covid protocols.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) are focusing on improving access to elective care in order to reduce waiting times for patients. These plans include increased use of private hospitals, funding weekend and evening work in public hospitals, funding “see and treat” services where minor procedures are provided at the same time as outpatient consultations, providing virtual clinics and increasing capacity in the public hospital system.
An additional €240 million has been provided in Budget 2021 for an access to care fund, €210m of which has been allocated to the HSE and a further €30m to the NTPF. This is to be used to fund additional capacity to address the shortfall arising as a result of infection control measures taken in the context of COVID-19, as well as addressing backlogs in waiting lists.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working on a Multiannual Waiting List Plan to address waiting lists and bring them in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years.
The information requested by the Deputy regarding the number of persons on the waiting list to see a consultant haematologist at St. James's Hospital, Dublin; the average waiting times to see a consultant; is outlined in the attached document.
In relation to average waiting times, the NTPF has advised that the health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
|
St. James's Hospital, Haematology Outpatients, numbers waiting as at 26/08/2021 |
|||
|
Time bands (months) |
0-6 Mths |
6+ Mths |
Grand Total |
|
St. James's Hospital Haematology OP |
332 |
38 |
370 |
|
Grand Total |
332 |
38 |
370 |
|
St. James's Hospital Haematology OP |
Mean Average Wait in Days |
|
Mean Average wait |
84 |
|
St. James's Hospital Haematology OP |
Median Wait in Days |
|
Median Average wait |
62 |
The health system does not collect the data necessary to calculate average wait times. In particular, the time to treatment of patients who have already received their care is not collected. The NTPF collects data on patients currently on the waiting list and the average time that these patients have been waiting is provided here.
170. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of full-time consultant neonatologist and consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist working in the maternity unit at St. Luke's General Hospital, Kilkenny in each of the years of 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45291/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
