Written Answers Nos. 532-551
532. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff members Tusla has referred to CORU over concerns over standards, practice or misconduct in each of the past five years. [46336/21]
View answerI wish to inform that Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond to you directly on this matter.
533. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff dismissed by Tusla over misconduct in each of the past five years. [46337/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond to you directly on this matter.
534. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will facilitate a meeting with a service (details supplied) and with Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas from County Donegal to discuss serious concerns in relation to the ongoing failure of the Government and State agencies to adequately resource the vital service which has been provided for many years. [46531/21]
View answerTusla has responsibility for the care and protection of victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (DSGBV). Tusla provides funding to some 60 services throughout Ireland that work with and support survivors of DSGBV. I understand that the service in question is in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for the provision of counselling services for children.
I have no direct role in relation to how Tusla undertakes its day to day operations. Tusla's approach to the commissioning services is undertaken to ensure that the total resources available to services are applied to improving outcomes in the most efficient, effective, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way. In this case I might suggest that the Deputy should in the first instance assist the organisation in seeking a meeting with Tusla representatives.
Tusla has acknowledged that accessibility is an issue for many service users in rural areas, and supports organisations to develop and enhance outreach services in order to improve service access. Significant funding has been provided to services in recent years for this purpose. In Donegal, core funding is provided to two domestic violence services, Donegal Women’s Domestic Violence Service (DWDVS) and Donegal Women’s Centre. DWDVS is the primary organisation delivering domestic violence support services across Donegal, including Inishowen.
535. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when persons seeking international protection will be sent to a direct provision centre (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to the critical importance of schools in the integration of these children in local communities; if his attention has been further drawn to the 30 September 2021 deadline for schools which determines staff enrolment for the subsequent academic year and the difficulty which a significant influx of additional students after this deadline can cause; the arrangements which he can secure with the Department of Education to facilitate greater flexibility around the 30 September 2021 deadline in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46576/21]
View answerI recognise that schools form an integral part of integration into the community for school-aged children residing in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) within my Department. However, the location of IPAS accommodation provided to newly arrived families seeking international protection is both demand-led and subject to the availability of suitable accommodation across the entire IPAS accommodation network.
Newly arrived International Protection applicants have to be accommodated by IPAS throughout the school year. IPAS has a full-time official seconded Tusla Education Support Services whose role is to work with local educational welfare officers and residents to ensure that all school-aged children receive a suitable school place.
With regard to staffing levels in schools, I understand that the Department of Education has an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. I'm further advised that the staffing arrangements for primary and post primary schools for the 2021/22 school year, as set out in Circular 0019/2021 (primary) and Circulars 0005/2021, 0006/2021 and 0007/2021 (post primary) - available on the Department of Education’s website - provide details on the staffing appeal process.
Finally, I should also add that the centre specifically mentioned by the Deputy is in fact an emergency accommodation centre opened at a time when capacity had been exhausted across the IPAS network of accommodation centres. I am committed to ending the use of emergency accommodation as soon as possible.
536. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of front-line social workers employed by Tusla in areas (details supplied) during each of the years 2016 to 2020 and in June 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46707/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond to you directly on this matter.
537. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Tusla front-line social worker vaccines in areas (details supplied) in June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46708/21]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond to you directly on this matter.
538. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement he has had with the Minister for Finance with regard to extending the EWSS exemption beyond Q3 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46719/21]
View answerThe exemption to the turnover rule for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare employers has been in place since the scheme began in 2020 and has allowed access to important financial supports in a context of increased operating costs due to public health guidance and reduced demand due to Covid-19.
Within the sector, EWSS is estimated to cover, on average, 80% of wage costs or 50% of operating costs for providers and has been a very valuable measure. At the current enhanced EWSS rates, it amounts to approximately €34 million per month for the sector.
It has been confirmed that EWSS will be in place until 31 December 2021 and that the exemption from the 30% reduction in turnover requirement for ELC and SAC providers is in place until 30 September 2021. A decision on the continuation of the exemption after 30 September is anticipated imminently.
Officials in my Department are undertaking ongoing analysis of the impact of public health measures and levels of demand on the sector and the case for the exemption to the turnover rule for EWSS. Since the introduction of EWSS in August 2020 there has been regular and, where necessary, detailed engagement between my Department and the Department of Finance on this issue.
539. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has any plans to change the number of entry dates into the ECCE system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46731/21]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme is a universal free two-year preschool programme available to all children within the eligible age range.
There are currently no plans to change the number of entry dates into the ECCE programme. The minimum eligibility age of 2 years and 8 months for the ECCE programme was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years education and care in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios. The number of entry points reverted to one at the beginning of September 2018.
This measure addressed the previous situation with regard to three entry points whereby there was a broad fluctuation in the number of free preschool weeks a child could avail of and ensures a programme that is equitable for all children.
One enrolment period at the start of the preschool year has streamlined the administration process and makes it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. It also makes it easier for parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children.
540. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are available for childcare facilities continuing to employ high staff levels to facilitate the pod system, to provide sick leave cover due to Covid-19 or for when staff must isolate when their children are unwell; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46775/21]
View answerSignificant additional financial supports have been made available to early learning and childcare services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure that they can remain sustainable and to assist in defraying the additional costs of operating under new public health requirements, including the operation of ‘play pods’.
In particular, the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) has been made available to early learning and childcare providers without having to demonstrate a 30% drop in turnover required by other sectors.
The estimated value of EWSS at enhanced rates is approximately €34m per week and this is estimated to cover on average 80% of staffing costs, or 50% of total operating costs of early learning and childcare services.
On 28 September, it was agreed by Government that the existing arrangements for the EWSS will continue for the month of October – with enhanced rates and the exemption to the turnover rule for the early learning and childcare sector maintained for this period
Information about plans for the EWSS after October will be announced in the context of Budget 2022 on 12 October. Officials in my Department have engaged in this planning in respect of the early learning and childcare sector.
Additionally, Government has provided for entitlement to illness benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or who are a probable source of infection with Covid-19.
The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate for a limited period. The enhanced rate of Illness Benefit was brought in as a short-term public health measure and is not a long-term income support payment. It is payable for 2 weeks where a person is isolating as a probable source of infection of Covid-19 and up to 10 weeks where a person has been diagnosed with Covid-19. The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.
In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility.
541. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to reduce down the time period for SOLAS craft apprenticeship training given that there is currently a waiting list of up to three years for students to commence their first college phase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46677/21]
View answer544. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices waiting to access off-the-job training in an apprenticeship programme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45961/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 544 together.
Craft 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.
9,743 craft apprentices are currently waiting for access to off-the-job training. A breakdown by apprenticeship and phase is attached.
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 20 September, with a number of information sessions for staff due to take place over the coming weeks.
- 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.
The additional investment in supports, as well as training providers re-commencing in September at full capacity will mean that by the end of December 2021, the respective proportion of apprentices returned to training will be:
- 35 per cent of Phase 2;
- 40 per cent of Phase 4; and
- 60 per cent of Phase 6 apprentices.
Subject to continued access to workshops and training facilities in addition to the rollout of additional places, it is expected that the majority of craft apprentices waiting for off-the-job training at Phases 4 and 6 will be called in the early months of 2022. The waiting list for Phase 2 apprentices is expected to be completely cleared by the end of 2022.
A public update issued on www.apprenticeship.ie on 23 September which outlined the comprehensive programme of work underway and to ensure that information is available to apprentices, employers and prospective apprentices.
|
Apprentices waiting for Phase 2,4 & 6 at end of August 2021 |
Waiting for Phase 2 (Apprentices at 1C) |
Waiting for Phase 4 (Apprentices at 4W) |
Waiting for Phase 6 (Apprentices at 6W) |
||||||||
|
Trade Family |
Trade |
0-11 mths |
1 year + |
Phase 2 Total |
0-11 mths |
1 year + |
Phase 4 Total |
0-11 mths |
1 year + |
Phase 6 Total |
Grand Total |
|
Brick and Stonelaying |
55 |
1 |
56 |
15 |
1 |
16 |
0 |
0 |
72 |
||
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
613 |
98 |
711 |
148 |
10 |
158 |
83 |
14 |
97 |
966 |
|
|
Painting and Decorating |
26 |
13 |
39 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
7 |
2 |
9 |
51 |
|
|
Plastering |
3 |
3 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
5 |
5 |
15 |
|||
|
Plumbing |
586 |
372 |
958 |
153 |
104 |
257 |
81 |
4 |
85 |
1300 |
|
|
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
|||
|
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing |
108 |
9 |
117 |
25 |
34 |
59 |
15 |
3 |
18 |
194 |
|
|
Construction |
Total |
1393 |
494 |
1887 |
341 |
159 |
500 |
191 |
23 |
214 |
2601 |
|
Aircraft Mechanics |
0 |
0 |
30 |
5 |
35 |
22 |
22 |
57 |
|||
|
Electrical |
1864 |
1323 |
3187 |
516 |
201 |
717 |
337 |
24 |
361 |
4265 |
|
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
78 |
74 |
152 |
28 |
22 |
50 |
8 |
8 |
210 |
||
|
Electronic Security Systems |
32 |
2 |
34 |
7 |
20 |
27 |
6 |
2 |
8 |
69 |
|
|
Instrumentation |
9 |
8 |
17 |
6 |
13 |
19 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
40 |
|
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
82 |
82 |
164 |
23 |
13 |
36 |
28 |
1 |
29 |
229 |
|
|
Electrical |
Total |
2065 |
1489 |
3554 |
610 |
274 |
884 |
401 |
31 |
432 |
4870 |
|
Farriery |
2 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
3 |
6 |
||
|
Industrial Insulation |
17 |
2 |
19 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
8 |
8 |
31 |
||
|
M.A.M.F. |
143 |
43 |
186 |
61 |
56 |
117 |
34 |
34 |
337 |
||
|
Metal Fabrication |
223 |
94 |
317 |
61 |
78 |
139 |
47 |
12 |
59 |
515 |
|
|
Pipefitting |
54 |
59 |
113 |
6 |
17 |
23 |
0 |
0 |
136 |
||
|
Sheet Metalworking |
47 |
2 |
49 |
10 |
1 |
11 |
0 |
0 |
60 |
||
|
Toolmaking |
46 |
4 |
50 |
8 |
8 |
16 |
16 |
74 |
|||
|
Engineering |
Total |
532 |
205 |
737 |
146 |
156 |
302 |
107 |
13 |
120 |
1159 |
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
36 |
36 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
39 |
|||
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
54 |
1 |
55 |
25 |
5 |
30 |
5 |
5 |
90 |
||
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
149 |
28 |
177 |
47 |
34 |
81 |
15 |
2 |
17 |
275 |
|
|
Motor Mechanics |
353 |
47 |
400 |
97 |
7 |
104 |
131 |
6 |
137 |
641 |
|
|
Vehicle Body Repairs |
22 |
1 |
23 |
16 |
24 |
40 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
68 |
|
|
Motor |
Total |
614 |
77 |
691 |
185 |
72 |
257 |
154 |
11 |
165 |
1113 |
|
Grand Total |
4604 |
2265 |
6869 |
1282 |
661 |
1943 |
853 |
78 |
931 |
9743 |
|
542. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action he plans to take to address the issue of the acute shortage of student accommodation with particular reference to the immediacy of the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46755/21]
View answer549. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the lack of accommodation for students and the knock-on effect it has on their education (details supplied). [45917/21]
View answer556. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to resolve the acute crisis in student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46554/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 542, 549 and 556 together.
I am acutely aware of the challenges facing students with regard to securing accommodation.
The National Student Accommodation Strategy is designed to ensure that there is an increased level of supply of purpose built student accommodation. Several of the actions in this strategy centre around ensuring that HEIs have access to low-cost financing in order to support their building of student accommodation. One of these actions involved the introduction of legislation to empower the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to lend directly to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) for the development of student accommodation. This legislation was commenced in 2017, and so far three universities - TCD, UCC and UCD have had a total of €157 million in loans approved by the HFA, which will provide more than 1,400 new student bed spaces.
In June I, along with my colleagues the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, announced that €75 million of financing had been successfully sourced for the Council of Europe Bank for the building of student accommodation in universities.
In the context of significant unmet demand for student accommodation, I was extremely disappointed to see the recent granting by Local Authorities of "Change of Use" permissions to allow privately-owned purpose built student accommodation be used for other purposes. This runs contrary to the Student Accommodation Strategy. I welcome the issuing of a circular to Local Authorities underscoring the critical need for purpose-built student accommodation to be available to meet the needs of students in third level education.
Housing For All, the Government's recently announce plan for housing, contains a commitment to support technological universities to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing, and a specific action in relation to legislating to allow for Technological Universities to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency.
My officials and I will continue to work with colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the universities, and the Union of Students in Ireland on these issues.
543. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the drop-out rate from apprenticeship for each trade per year since 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45960/21]
View answer546. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new registrations for each apprenticeship course since 2015; the number of new registrations to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45963/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 543 and 546 together.
A total of 33,481 apprentices were registered from 1 Jan 2015 to 31 August 2021. 3,801 apprentices withdrew from apprenticeships between 2015 and 2020. Apprentices end their registration for a variety of reasons including failed assessments, pursuing another career or educational programme or personal reasons such as serious illness etc.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of new registrations for each apprenticeship between 2015 and August 2021 and the withdrawal rate from apprenticeship for each trade per year since 2015 are attached as follows in tabular form.
|
Apprenticeship |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 (Aug) |
|
Arboriculture |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
26 |
|
Accounting Technician |
0 |
0 |
71 |
88 |
124 |
96 |
81 |
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
59 |
43 |
45 |
41 |
44 |
52 |
47 |
|
Aircraft Mechanics |
34 |
39 |
53 |
74 |
72 |
50 |
0 |
|
Auctioneering and Property Services |
0 |
0 |
0 |
53 |
92 |
75 |
85 |
|
Brick and Stonelaying |
26 |
52 |
60 |
81 |
80 |
56 |
77 |
|
Butcher |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
37 |
10 |
36 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
291 |
399 |
443 |
591 |
597 |
563 |
446 |
|
CGI technical Artist |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Chef de Partie |
0 |
0 |
0 |
31 |
40 |
5 |
22 |
|
Commis Chef |
0 |
0 |
25 |
112 |
62 |
16 |
23 |
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
77 |
59 |
86 |
71 |
73 |
63 |
39 |
|
Cybersecurity |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
13 |
30 |
3 |
|
Electrical |
956 |
1343 |
1705 |
1841 |
1949 |
1740 |
1469 |
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
83 |
106 |
120 |
108 |
125 |
62 |
47 |
|
Electronic Security Systems |
28 |
28 |
72 |
65 |
76 |
45 |
25 |
|
Engineering Services Management |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
17 |
9 |
|
Equipment Systems Engineer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
Farriery |
7 |
5 |
6 |
9 |
5 |
0 |
3 |
|
GEO Driller |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
18 |
0 |
|
Hairdressing |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
84 |
9 |
|
Health Care Assistant |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
46 |
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
154 |
136 |
143 |
176 |
174 |
135 |
90 |
|
ICT - Network Engineer Associate |
0 |
0 |
0 |
22 |
44 |
22 |
9 |
|
Industrial Electrical Engineer |
0 |
12 |
19 |
25 |
28 |
30 |
2 |
|
Industrial Insulation |
13 |
10 |
21 |
19 |
20 |
23 |
16 |
|
Instrumentation |
8 |
10 |
20 |
17 |
16 |
11 |
6 |
|
Insurance Practitioner |
0 |
67 |
86 |
80 |
70 |
49 |
31 |
|
International Financial Services Associate |
0 |
0 |
15 |
11 |
9 |
17 |
5 |
|
International Financial Services Specialist |
0 |
0 |
18 |
10 |
12 |
18 |
8 |
|
Laboratory Analyst |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
21 |
18 |
3 |
|
Laboratory Technician |
0 |
0 |
0 |
14 |
10 |
12 |
1 |
|
Lean Sigma Manager |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
39 |
36 |
|
Logistics Associate |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
34 |
53 |
24 |
|
Manufacturing Engineer (Level 7) |
0 |
0 |
36 |
20 |
27 |
20 |
47 |
|
Manufacturing Technology (Level 6) |
0 |
0 |
40 |
34 |
29 |
30 |
30 |
|
Mechanical Automation & Maintenance Fitting |
153 |
163 |
183 |
180 |
199 |
142 |
110 |
|
Metal Fabrication |
198 |
186 |
224 |
234 |
266 |
198 |
187 |
|
Motor Mechanics |
423 |
420 |
353 |
380 |
408 |
310 |
275 |
|
OEM Engineer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
16 |
4 |
|
Painting and Decorating |
19 |
27 |
44 |
30 |
31 |
24 |
21 |
|
Pipefitting |
37 |
33 |
25 |
49 |
76 |
52 |
45 |
|
Plastering |
7 |
18 |
34 |
29 |
36 |
20 |
21 |
|
Plumbing |
289 |
345 |
532 |
653 |
628 |
560 |
477 |
|
Polymer Processing Technology |
0 |
0 |
25 |
15 |
13 |
11 |
13 |
|
Principal Engineer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
8 |
|
Print Media (** Trades Amalgamated into Print Media 2006) |
8 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Recruitment |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
11 |
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
75 |
79 |
106 |
119 |
122 |
73 |
84 |
|
Retail Supervision |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
76 |
101 |
102 |
|
Sales |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
36 |
|
Sheet Metalworking |
38 |
40 |
53 |
70 |
57 |
41 |
8 |
|
Software Developer Associate |
0 |
0 |
0 |
39 |
66 |
42 |
32 |
|
Sous Chef |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
3 |
31 |
|
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry |
13 |
2 |
8 |
7 |
3 |
3 |
5 |
|
Supply Chain Associate |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
7 |
|
Supply Chain Manager |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
11 |
8 |
|
Supply Chain Specialist |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
10 |
23 |
|
Telecommunications and Data Net. Tech. |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
31 |
14 |
|
Toolmaking |
62 |
66 |
65 |
79 |
61 |
48 |
32 |
|
Vehicle Body Repairs |
47 |
58 |
46 |
40 |
51 |
31 |
33 |
|
Wood Machining |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
30 |
|
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing |
48 |
71 |
59 |
95 |
102 |
75 |
94 |
|
Grand Total |
3153 |
3821 |
4843 |
5648 |
6177 |
5326 |
4513 |
|
Apprentices who have withdrawn registration between 2016 and 2020. |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2016 - 2020 |
|
Trade |
Withdrew |
Withdrew |
Withdrew |
Withdrew |
Withdrew |
Withdrew |
Withdrew |
|
Accounting Technician |
0 |
11 |
20 |
12 |
3 |
46 |
|
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
8 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
5 |
4 |
45 |
|
Aircraft Mechanics |
9 |
11 |
10 |
3 |
15 |
2 |
50 |
|
Arboriculture |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
Auctioneering and Property Services |
2 |
8 |
3 |
13 |
|||
|
Brick and Stonelaying |
10 |
20 |
18 |
19 |
20 |
10 |
97 |
|
Butcher |
8 |
2 |
10 |
||||
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
59 |
85 |
75 |
94 |
64 |
45 |
422 |
|
Chef de Partie |
16 |
13 |
29 |
||||
|
Commis Chef |
11 |
44 |
12 |
2 |
69 |
||
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
8 |
10 |
13 |
15 |
9 |
4 |
59 |
|
Cybersecurity |
1 |
3 |
4 |
||||
|
Electrical |
123 |
163 |
194 |
157 |
106 |
69 |
812 |
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
25 |
21 |
19 |
17 |
11 |
5 |
98 |
|
Electronic Security Systems |
8 |
9 |
16 |
15 |
19 |
8 |
75 |
|
Engineering Services Management |
3 |
2 |
5 |
||||
|
Farriery |
1 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
9 |
|
|
Geo Driller |
0 |
||||||
|
Hairdressing |
5 |
7 |
12 |
||||
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
22 |
20 |
15 |
27 |
36 |
9 |
129 |
|
Industrial Electrical Engineer |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
9 |
||
|
Industrial Insulation |
4 |
3 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
23 |
|
Instrumentation |
3 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
2 |
1 |
14 |
|
Insurance Practitioner |
15 |
17 |
10 |
9 |
6 |
57 |
|
|
International Financial Services Associate |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
|||
|
International Financial Services Specialist |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||
|
Laboratory Analyst |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
Laboratory Technician |
9 |
7 |
16 |
||||
|
Lean Sigma Manager |
3 |
3 |
|||||
|
Logistics Associate |
2 |
3 |
7 |
12 |
|||
|
M.A.M.F. |
23 |
18 |
28 |
22 |
21 |
13 |
125 |
|
Manufacturing Engineering (Level 7) |
4 |
1 |
2 |
7 |
|||
|
Manufacturing Technology (Level 6) |
7 |
10 |
4 |
21 |
|||
|
Metal Fabrication |
43 |
42 |
55 |
34 |
40 |
18 |
232 |
|
Motor Mechanics |
76 |
85 |
57 |
67 |
70 |
29 |
384 |
|
Network Engineer Associate |
1 |
10 |
1 |
12 |
|||
|
OEM Engineer |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||
|
Painting and Decorating |
3 |
8 |
7 |
6 |
7 |
3 |
34 |
|
Pipefitting |
7 |
6 |
4 |
2 |
6 |
5 |
30 |
|
Plastering |
3 |
10 |
7 |
10 |
4 |
34 |
|
|
Plumbing |
43 |
47 |
74 |
58 |
60 |
24 |
306 |
|
Polymer Processing Technology |
7 |
4 |
2 |
1 |
14 |
||
|
Print Media |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||
|
Recruitment Executive |
3 |
3 |
|||||
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
14 |
12 |
29 |
11 |
16 |
3 |
85 |
|
Retail Supervision |
24 |
17 |
41 |
||||
|
Sales |
7 |
7 |
|||||
|
Sheet Metalworking |
14 |
12 |
17 |
29 |
14 |
5 |
91 |
|
Software Developer Associate |
8 |
12 |
2 |
22 |
|||
|
Sous Chef |
1 |
1 |
|||||
|
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry |
4 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
9 |
||
|
Supply Chain Manager |
3 |
3 |
|||||
|
Telecommunications and Data Network Technician |
4 |
4 |
8 |
||||
|
Toolmaking |
15 |
6 |
12 |
11 |
12 |
7 |
63 |
|
Vehicle Body Repairs |
7 |
13 |
4 |
8 |
13 |
5 |
50 |
|
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing |
9 |
15 |
12 |
17 |
18 |
9 |
80 |
|
Grand Total |
541 |
636 |
752 |
772 |
720 |
380 |
3801 |
545. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of overpayment paid out by SUSI since 2018; the details of the cause of these overpayments in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45962/21]
View answerThe complex nature of the student grant scheme means that there is a risk that some students receive grant payments for which they are not eligible, including for reasons beyond the direct control of SUSI.
To mitigate the risk of overpayments, SUSI implements procedural and system-based controls within its application assessment and grant payment operations. A highly developed quality assurance programme is implemented within the assessment process and a focussed programme of independent post-assessment reviews are also performed across targeted risk areas.
The critical objective for SUSI is to identify and rectify errors on a timely basis before a grant is awarded and thus before any overpayment can arise. Issues identified from quality and post-assessment reviews are fed back into the assessment process through feedback and training on a current basis.
SUSI has a formal overpayments policy and implements repayment approaches that are sensitive to students’ means and circumstances
SUSI is obliged to attempt to recoup any grants issued to applicants who are not eligible for funding, as per section 24 of the SUSI Support Act 2011:
The following tables give the amount of overpayments and the details of the cause of the overpayments.
|
Academic Year |
No. of Overpayments Identified |
Total € Amount of Overpayments Identified |
|
2017 / 18 |
916 |
€932,460.18 |
|
2018 / 19 |
779 |
€1,005,495.03 |
|
2019 / 20 |
966 |
€844,696.49 |
|
2020 / 21 |
1,516 |
€827,621.96 |
|
Reason |
2017/18 |
2018/19 |
2019/20 |
2020/21 |
|
Student in receipt of BTEA |
85 |
73 |
102 |
84 |
|
Information omitted from application form |
15 |
20 |
81 |
912 |
|
Change of Rate |
88 |
100 |
74 |
29 |
|
College Fee Refund |
139 |
102 |
73 |
54 |
|
Course Not Approved |
18 |
13 |
20 |
10 |
|
Deferred |
114 |
115 |
68 |
26 |
|
Incomplete Attendance |
6 |
6 |
30 |
7 |
|
Ineligible |
42 |
83 |
64 |
133 |
|
Nationality |
2 |
1 |
||
|
Repeating |
51 |
37 |
76 |
35 |
|
Withdrawn |
358 |
228 |
377 |
226 |
|
Grand Total |
916 |
779 |
966 |
1,516 |
547. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 507 of 15 September 2021, if tenders for the courses and training provided were issued; if so, the persons who responded; the criteria by which the course provider was ultimately chosen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46202/21]
View answerThe course provider in question was offering programmes which bring emerging leaders together from a variety of sectors in an experiential format and, as such, was meeting training needs identified for staff in my Department. The scale of the expenditure involved meant that it was not necessary to carry out a procurement involving advertisement on etenders for this work.
OneLearning, the body responsible for developing training programmes for the Civil Service, has recently developed and commenced the rollout of a range of leadership training programmes which will be utilised by my Department for future leadership development training.
548. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the previous commitments given by the Department of Education pertaining to further education building projects previously included in the Department of Education building plan and notified to colleges will be honoured; when these projects will receive approval from his Department to appoint a design team; the measures being taken to ensure that such projects do not suffer adversely or be delayed due to the change in departmental structure; if appropriate capital funds are available to his Department to ensure no delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46308/21]
View answerPrior to the current National Development Plan (NDP), there was no dedicated capital investment envelope for the further education and training (FET) sector. The most urgent issues were addressed as part of the Department of Education’s school building programme (plus a small equipment allocation) but there was little opportunity to take a strategic or long-term approach to investment.
Under the current NDP, a dedicated capital envelope was established for the FET sector for the first time. At this time, funding is being largely directed to address the most immediate health and safety issues, and to support the expansion of apprenticeship provision. Also, a Devolved Capital Grant of just over €8m has been extended to the FET sector for 2021. This grant can be used by ETBs for a range of capital priorities, including preparatory work for larger investments, such as the commissioning of building condition surveys.
My Department is working with SOLAS and the ETB sector to build up the governance, strategic framework and delivery capability required for the implementation of a FET capital programme over the coming years. The outcome of the review of the NDP, expected in the near future, will inform the level of resources available for the programme, including large-scale FET capital projects.
We continue to work closely with SOLAS and the ETB sector on all such matters.
550. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 363 of 13 May 2021, the cost of extending to those studying for a professional doctorate in counselling psychology the conditions that apply to those in clinical psychology in terms of salary during training and a 60% fee reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46353/21]
View answerIn relation to clinical psychology, I understand that the sponsor pays 60% of the course fee, with the student paying the balance of 40%. I also understand that the salary payable to the student by the HSE over the three years of the course ranges from approx. €32,000 to approx. €39,000.
In relation to Counselling courses in the higher education sector, the position is that in the 2019/20 academic year there were some 41 students enrolled on the PhD in Counselling Psychology course in Trinity College Dublin. There is also a Masters course in Bereavement Counselling in the RCSI with 9 students enrolled.
The TCD course fee is €14,924 for this academic year. Applying the clinical psychology sponsor level, and say the second point of the HSE salary level to the numbers of students on the TCD course would cost some €367,000 in fee supports and some €1.4m in salary supports per annum.
551. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of SUSI recipients with farm income included within the assessed household; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46366/21]
View answerThe main support to students attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Student Grant Scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding, provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution and meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment (progression) and means
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant student grant scheme, which are applied impartially to all applicants.
Income from all types of self-employment including farming are all assessed by SUSI under the heading of Self-Employment/Farming Income and are not broken down into different categories of self-employment income.
Therefore it is not possible for SUSI to determine the number of applications where farm income was included when determining the total reckonable income.
