Written Answers Nos. 178-192
178. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the current eligibility criteria for the Student Grant Scheme in view of the fact that persons that have returned from living abroad cannot get grants to return to college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54797/21]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
With regard to the residency criterion, in order to be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that he/she has been resident in the State for at least three years out of the five year period ending on the day before the start of his/her approved course of study. Similar and in some cases more restrictive residency criteria apply in other Member States and jurisdictions e.g. in the UK a student has to be resident for the three continuous years immediately preceding his/her commencement in college. In Denmark, a student has to be resident for a minimum of five years prior to commencing studies.
The three out of five year rule takes cognisance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. Such students can still meet the residency requirement if they have not been outside the State for more than two of the previous five years.
It is also possible for students, who did not meet the residency requirement at the commencement of their studies, to have their eligibility reviewed if they meet the residency requirement during the course of their studies.
Alternatively a tuition student who meets the residency requirement in a Member State, the UK, EEA or Switzerland and satisfies the nationality requirements may be eligible for a fee grant. There are no plans to amend the current eligibility criteria.
179. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will carry out a salary review for local training initiative co-ordinators, given that one has not been completed since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54820/21]
View answer180. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure job security for local training initiative co-ordinators, given there is no job security in this area from one year to the next and employees in the sector find this very difficult, especially those who would like to apply for a mortgage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54821/21]
View answer181. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is acceptable that local training initiative co-ordinators are left unemployed for approximately eight weeks of the year and do not receive holiday pay during this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54822/21]
View answer182. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to introduce contributory pension entitlements for local training initiative co-ordinators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54823/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 to 182, inclusive, together.
The Local Training Initiative (LTI) programme is a project-based training and work experience programme carried out in the local community run by local community groups and associations. Staff delivering courses are typically employed by the relevant community group or association and the terms and conditions approved for Local Training Initiative (LTI) co-ordinators is a matter for their employers.
In March 2002, the Labour Court recommended that LTI Community Training Co-ordinators should receive an increase in pay and that the total grant paid to project sponsors for co-ordinator pay should be increased by 20%, with sponsors being advised that the total increased grant, less employers PRSI, should be paid to co-ordinators. The recommendation also stated that for future pay increases, the co-ordinators should have a pay relationship with and be ‘linked proportionally’ to Community Training Centre (CTC) Managers. Any benefit to the co-ordinators arising from the pay relationship should be paid in accordance with the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, which was in place at the time.
Since then, LTI Community Training Co-ordinators have received increases under national agreements, in line with CTC Managers. The salary increases arising from the implementation of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2018 – 2020 provided for the restoration of pay which was reduced as a result of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Acts (FEMPI). Neither CTC Managers nor LTI Co-ordinators were covered by the Public Service Stability Agreement as they are not public servants and did not have their pay reduced under FEMPI.
SOLAS has submitted a pay increase proposal under Building Momentum 2021-2022, for CTC Managers and LTI Co-ordinators to my Department which is currently being examined.
183. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total amount spent by his Department on advertisements, including traditional forms of advertisement and online advertising, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2021. [54909/21]
View answerThe Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science was established in June 2020. The table below details all advertising spend by the department from the establishment of the department to date.
Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science spending on advertising
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science’s spending on advertising for the period is set out below. COVID-19 related spending is labelled as such.
|
Year |
Campaign |
Spend |
|
2020 |
"Keep it Small, Keep it Safe, Keep your Distance" campaign (social media) |
€6,251.24 |
|
2021 |
“The Right Course” campaign (social media, radio) |
€26,825.22 |
|
2021 |
“How COVID-19 spreads” campaign (social media) |
€12,560.41 |
|
2021 |
“Adult Literacy for Life” (radio) |
€41,794.02 |
|
|
Total |
€87,430.89 |
184. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement that his Department has had with the UK department of higher education in England, Scotland and Wales in respect of the Erasmus programme which would enable Irish and UK students seeking to obtain funding supports to study, train, and get work experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55012/21]
View answerWhile the UK was afforded the opportunity under the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to remain part of the Erasmus programme, they chose not to.
I have had discussions with the UK Secretary of State for Education and the Scottish Deputy First Minister on the question of student mobility, and the MoU on the Education Principles associated with the Common Travel Area protects mobility on the basis of undergraduate and post-graduate study.
At present, Irish Higher Education Institutions can continue mobilities with the UK until May 31st 2023 as part of the old Erasmus+ programme (2014-2020)
After that date, while it is possible for Irish Higher Education Institutions to allow up 20% of its student mobilities to take place in third countries such as the UK, there are very strict conditions governing this. Ultimately, this is a matter for each institution to decide in accordance with their annual allocation.
I will continue to engage on any relevant issues with my counterparts in the UK.
185. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expenditure of the HEA each year since 2016, in tabular form, on its own operation and administration, separate from the funding it provides to the higher education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55016/21]
View answerThe following table outlines the HEA expenditure since 2016-2020 as requested by the Deputy.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
€’000s |
€’000s |
€’000s |
€’000s |
€’000s |
|
9,344 |
8,901 |
10,775 |
11,768 |
11,039 |
186. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of first year enrolments and the number of graduates, respectively, in mental health nursing in each higher education institution in each year since 2008 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55017/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is available at the following link. The numbers provided are those recorded on the HEA's Student Records System (SRS) and refer to first year enrolments and graduates from mental health nursing courses, by higher education institution.
187. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of all green skill and sustainability programmes running across the tertiary system, indicating their duration, NFQ level and providing institution, in tabular form. [55018/21]
View answerGeneral provision in areas such as green skills and sustainability is ongoing across the Tertiary Education sector, delivering education and training programmes from short courses targeted to awareness building, upskilling and reskilling programmes and full and part-time academic and vocational programmes. The courses listed in the attached are specific green skills and sustainability qualifications. The curricula of many other programmes will also include elements and modules which are targeted to green skills and sustainability components.
In the further education and training sector, short courses are targeted at upskilling and increasing knowledge awareness for existing professionals. SOLAS is working to develop a strategy to support the Climate Action Plan and associated skills training at further education level. SOLAS’s strategy on green skills is in development and they are actively engaging across a very broad range of internal, external and industry stakeholders to ensure tangible and appropriate FET responses are devised.
In the higher education sector, in addition to core education delivery, funding is provided under Springboard and the Human Capital Initiative to incentivise the delivery of programmes which support the development of professionals in areas such as building analysis and climate adaptation; sustainable building technology and retrofit, conservation and sustainability. Two innovation projects have commenced under the Human Capital Initiative (Pillar 3). These projects are directly supporting increased availability of skills development in the construction sector through the Digital Academy for Sustainable Built Environment (DASBE) in Limerick IT and the REEdl project in IT Tralee which is based on a world leading model of self-directed, project centric learning using Virtual Reality and Augmented reality (VR/AR) in supporting the education of student engineers along with access to world class research centres
Under Springboard+ 2021/22, there are 17 courses available in green skills and sustainability such as Near Zero Energy Building (NZEB), Bio-Energy, Clean Technologies and Electric Vehicle Technology. Please see details of all the green skill and sustainability programmes running across the Higher Education system contained under Springboard in attachment 2.
Skillnet Ireland also supports the construction sector through two national Construction-specific Skillnet training networks, as well as through multiple regional Skillnet training networks that assist construction businesses located in their respective regions. CIF and Skillnet Ireland, launched the Construction Professionals Skillnet in January 2020 to provide customised learning and development solutions to meet the specific professional learning needs of the construction industry. Programmes are currently available in areas such as Communications, Project Management, Sustainable Construction, Contracts and legal responsibilities. The Construction IT Alliance (CitA) Skillnet also facilitates the advancement of construction firms through digitalisation and the development of skillsets that enable businesses to adopt new and emerging information and communications technologies. The network primarily supports architecture, engineering, construction, and operations enterprises within the construction sector and has provided programmes such as Advanced BIM Management and a Higher Diploma in BIM over the last 12 months.
188. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the wind turbine maintenance apprenticeship currently in development will be ready to be launched; the further education and training and higher education institutions which will deliver the training; if it will be craft or consortia-led; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55019/21]
View answerThe Wind Turbine Maintenance apprenticeship programme was submitted to Quality and Qualifications Ireland in June of this year for validation at level 6 NFQ. The apprenticeship is expected to commence in Q1, 2022, subject to completion of validation. The coordinating provider and education representative on the consortium is Kerry Education and Training Board and it is Kerry ETB which will deliver the apprenticeship, building on its expertise in delivering the Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician traineeship.
There are currently 25 craft apprenticeship programmes all of which were in existence prior to 2016. All apprenticeships established since 2016 are led by consortia consisting of employers, education and training providers and others. Under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 both the existing craft and consortia-led models of apprenticeship will migrate to a single apprenticeship system during the lifetime of the plan.
189. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of all Springboard+ 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 courses in construction related areas; the number of participants in each programme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55020/21]
View answerSpringboard+ 2020/21 provided 19 courses in construction related areas with 1,107 funded participants.
Under Springboard+ 2021/22, there are 25 courses available (634 places) in construction related areas. Response to the courses has been positive with 1,115 applications received and 464 offers to date. 7 of these courses, representing a total of 175 places, have not yet commenced and are still open for application. As such, it's anticipated that place offers will continue to increase.
The following link provides a list of courses in construction related areas and the number of participants in each programme, in tabular form.
190. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 673 of 2 November 2021, if he will explain the discrepancy between the 708 quota on EU entrants into medicine, 468 undergraduate and 240 graduate entry and the actual enrolment figures of 734, 480 and 254; the means through which the quota is applied upon higher education institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55021/21]
View answerMy Department sources its statistics on student enrolments from the HEA's Student Records System. The figures provided as part of Parliamentary Question No. 673 of 2 November 2021 related to first year enrolments in medicine courses. Therefore these figures contain first year repeat students in addition to new entrants.
In addition, in recognition of the particular circumstances and pressures faced by leaving certificate students in 2020, my Department worked with the HEA and the Higher Education Institutions to create additional places across the system, including some in medicine courses. In the case of courses such as medicine and nursing, where a quota is set on places for EU students, my officials worked with officials in the Department of Health to ensure that students accepted above the quota could be facilitated in placements.
191. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding provided to the RCSI each year since 2008, in tabular form in both current and capital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55022/21]
View answerThe following table outlines the funding provided to Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) each year from 2008 to date in 2021 as administered via the HEA.
|
- |
B4 Recurrent Provision |
B16 & C4 Capital Provision |
|
2008 |
€3,567,171 |
€2,897,566 |
|
2009 |
€4,766,230 |
€921,289 |
|
2010 |
€4,215,098 |
€23,475 |
|
2011 |
€5,680,086 |
|
|
2012 |
€5,368,276 |
|
|
2013 |
€4,727,339 |
|
|
2014 |
€5,073,271 |
|
|
2015 |
€4,536,947 |
|
|
2016 |
€4,373,866 |
|
|
2017 |
€4,677,477 |
|
|
2018 |
€5,016,256 |
|
|
2019 |
€5,021,466 |
|
|
2020 |
€5,144,739 |
€64,498 |
|
2021* |
€5,354,870 |
* Funding to date in 2021
192. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a college (details supplied) will have an opportunity to submit a capital application for its capital project; the criteria likely to be used for the capital application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55023/21]
View answerMayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) is currently working with SOLAS on the establishment of Mayo College of Further Education and Training. Included in this is a proposal from the ETB to redevelop the facilities and buildings referred to by the Deputy.
SOLAS, in conjunction with my Department, is currently in the process of developing a capital application process for strategic capital projects which is expected to be completed in the coming months. Once complete, this application will set out clearly the eligibility criteria to be met under this application process. MSLETB will then have the opportunity to submit a capital application for the project referenced which will be considered by SOLAS as part of the overall capital strategy for the sector.
