Written Answers Nos. 94-108
94. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of emergency accommodation centres for asylum seekers that were open at the beginning of 2020 and 2021; the number that were closed during 2020 and to date in 2021; and the final number open by the end of 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [60692/21]
View answerThe table below lists the following in tabular form:
- the number of emergency accommodation centres that were open at the beginning of both 2020 and 2021,
- the number that were closed during 2020 and to date in 2021,
- the final number open by the end of 2020 and to date in 2021.
As the Deputy can see, on 05/01/20 there were 37 emergency accommodation locations in operation. By year end 27/12/20, there were 28 emergency accommodation centres. A total of 15 locations were closed during 2020. However, to facilitate lower room occupancy, as a response to the pandemic, a number of other emergency locations were opened during 2020.
In regard to 2021, the Deputy will note that on 03/01/21 there were 28 emergency accommodation locations. At 28/11/21 there are 24 emergency accommodation locations. A total of 4 locations were closed during 2021 to date.
|
Emergency Accommodation Centres |
2020 |
2021 |
|
05/01/2020 |
37 |
|
|
27/12/2020 |
28 |
|
|
03/01/2021 |
28 |
|
|
28/11/2021 |
24 |
|
|
Total Closed |
15 |
4 |
95. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the scoping exercises that have been carried out in relation to the construction of new reception and integration centre or centres as envisioned in the White Paper on Ending Direct Provision. [60693/21]
View answerEarlier this year, I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service. Since then my Department has taken a series of steps to implement these reforms, with a view to completing them by the end of 2024.
A staff team has been established in my Department to lead the transition to the new model. Ending Direct Provision and putting in place the new system with its focus on human rights, on not-for-profit delivery, and on integration from day one, requires a whole-of-Government approach. My Department is therefore working closely with key stakeholders across Government to plan, design, and implement the changes described in the White Paper.
I have appointed a Programme Board, including officials from relevant Government Departments and agencies, and independent members, to oversee the transition. So far, the Board has met four times since its establishment, and its next meeting is scheduled for 16 December.
As stated in the White Paper, my intention is to have the new system of supports and accommodation for international protection applicants operational by December 2024. We have made good progress on this objective to date. Working with the Housing Agency, my Department has begun to acquire the accommodation needed to implement the White Paper reforms. We are currently prioritising the acquisition of accommodation for Phase Two - that is, after people have completed their initial four months in a Reception and Integration Centre and move into the community.
We anticipate that the process of moving the first applicants into this accommodation will begin in 2022 and that it will accelerate over the following years as more properties come on stream.
A detailed implementation plan is being developed and has been reviewed by the Programme Board. It is set out timelines for the different elements of the transition process. The planning process for capital projects including the Reception and Integration Centres, will be initiated in 2022.
It will take time to end Direct Provision and replace it with a new and very different system of accommodation and supports - grounded in human rights and delivered on a not-for-profit basis. However, I am fully committed to implementing the model by December 2024.
96. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of the UBU programme for 2021 and 2022. [60723/21]
View answerPlease note that 2022 UBU Your Place, Your Space funding data is not yet available due to the deliberative and allocation process which is ongoing.
Please see the below table for all 2021 UBU Your Place, Your Space funding allocations to date.
UBU Your Place, Your Space funding allocations for 2021
|
CAVAN AND MONAGHAN ETB |
- |
- |
- |
|
Funded Organisation |
2021 |
RESILIENCE PRO RATA |
TOTAL 2021 |
|
ISPCC Bounceback South East Cavan |
€182,423 |
€182,423 |
|
|
ISPCC Monaghan |
€50,680 |
€2,000 |
€52,680 |
|
YWI Include Youth Service |
€170,004 |
€3,833 |
€173,837 |
|
YWI Bounceback West Cavan |
€125,841 |
€125,841 |
|
|
TOTAL ALLOCATION |
€528,948 |
€5,833 |
€534,781 |
|
CITY OF DUBLIN ETB |
|||
|
Funded Organisation |
2021 |
RESILIENCE PRO RATA |
TOTAL 2021 |
|
Adventure Sports Project |
€246,592 |
€246,592 |
|
|
An Siol |
€52,560 |
€52,560 |
|
|
Ballybough Youth Project |
€254,493 |
€254,493 |
|
|
Ballyfermot Youth Service |
€519,072 |
€5,000 |
€524,072 |
|
Ballymun Regional Youth Resource |
€1,159,740 |
€1,159,740 |
|
|
Belvedere Youth Project |
€64,063 |
€3,333 |
€67,396 |
|
Bradog Youth Service |
€454,883 |
€454,883 |
|
|
Bru YS |
€361,380 |
€361,380 |
|
|
Cabra for Youth |
€233,780 |
€11,145 |
€244,925 |
|
Canal Communities |
€307,549 |
€307,549 |
|
|
Candle Community Trust |
€136,792 |
€136,792 |
|
|
Cavan Centre |
€310,151 |
€12,526 |
€322,677 |
|
CDETB Arts Support Project |
€53,300 |
€53,300 |
|
|
CDETB Youth Work Support Project |
€69,700 |
€69,700 |
|
|
Cherry Orchard Youth Service |
€323,998 |
€5,000 |
€328,998 |
|
Clay Youth Project |
€272,359 |
€7,333 |
€279,692 |
|
Core Youth Service |
€361,923 |
€361,923 |
|
|
DCC Facilities |
€1,079,364 |
€1,079,364 |
|
|
DCC Sports |
€640,881 |
€640,881 |
|
|
Donnycarney YP |
€185,359 |
€185,359 |
|
|
Eastwall Youth Development |
€126,426 |
€1,666 |
€128,092 |
|
Eco Unesco |
€75,581 |
€75,581 |
|
|
Exchange House |
€343,533 |
€343,533 |
|
|
FAI |
€194,428 |
€194,428 |
|
|
FamiliBase |
€382,245 |
€382,245 |
|
|
Finglas Youth Resource |
€572,944 |
€572,944 |
|
|
Finglas Youth Service LEAPP |
€133,828 |
€133,828 |
|
|
Focus Ireland |
€420,527 |
€420,527 |
|
|
Fountain Youth Project |
€123,830 |
€5,000 |
€128,830 |
|
Kilmore West Youth Project |
€128,365 |
€7,560 |
€135,925 |
|
Le Cheile |
€170,066 |
€170,066 |
|
|
Lourdes Youth and Community |
€120,864 |
€4,666 |
€125,530 |
|
Poppintree Youth Service |
€232,991 |
€232,991 |
|
|
Rialto Youth Project |
€430,133 |
€430,133 |
|
|
Ringsend and Irishtown Youth Project |
€193,092 |
€193,092 |
|
|
South Area Youth Service |
€291,485 |
€291,485 |
|
|
Sphere 17 |
€842,468 |
€842,468 |
|
|
Sphere 17 Kilbarrack |
€191,521 |
€5,000 |
€196,521 |
|
LONGFORD AND WESTMEATH ETB |
|||
|
Funded Organisation |
2021 |
RESILIENCE PRO RATA |
TOTAL 2021 |
|
ACT Athlone Gateway Project |
€32,367 |
€3,801 |
€36,168 |
|
CLYS Longford County |
€147,211 |
€147,211 |
|
|
CLYS Longford Town |
€143,461 |
€143,461 |
|
|
FAI Athlone FITC |
€8,553 |
€8,553 |
|
|
Foroige Athlone Gateway |
€63,880 |
€63,880 |
|
|
YWI Athlone YP |
€110,885 |
€110,885 |
|
|
YWI Mullingar YP |
€92,348 |
€2,264 |
€94,612 |
|
TOTAL ALLOCATION |
€598,705 |
€6,065 |
€604,770 |
|
LOUTH AND MEATH ETB |
|||
|
Funded Organisation |
2021 |
RESILIENCE PRO RATA |
TOTAL 2021 |
|
Boomerang Café Drogheda |
€104,478 |
€2,188 |
€106,666 |
|
Dundalk Youth Centre |
€70,885 |
€1,827 |
€72,712 |
|
FAI Dundalk |
€8,553 |
€8,553 |
|
|
Involve Meath YP |
€59,643 |
€1,954 |
€61,597 |
|
YWI Drogheda Southside |
€98,599 |
€98,599 |
|
|
YWI Dundalk Cox’s Demesne |
€92,348 |
€92,348 |
|
|
YWI Dundalk Craobh Rua |
€92,348 |
€92,348 |
|
|
YWI Meath Youth Together |
€98,599 |
€1,744 |
€100,343 |
|
YWI Meath Navan West |
€10,625 |
€10,625 |
|
|
TOTAL ALLOCATION |
€625,453 |
€7,713 |
€643,791 |
|
MAYO, SLIGO AND LEITRIM ETB |
|||
|
Funded Organisation |
2021 |
RESILIENCE PRO RATA |
TOTAL 2021 |
|
Foroige Ballyhaunis |
€144,697 |
€144,697 |
|
|
Involve Ballina |
€78,898 |
€2,666 |
€81,564 |
|
Involve Leitrim Travellers |
€24,670 |
€3,166 |
€27,836 |
|
Mohill Community YP |
€31,783 |
€31,783 |
|
|
Sligo Leitrim Home Youth |
€49,979 |
€49,979 |
|
|
YWI Leitrim Youth Project |
€92,348 |
€92,348 |
|
|
YWI North Mayo Youth |
€98,599 |
€98,599 |
|
|
Errris Youth Project |
€25,569 |
€25,569 |
|
|
TOTAL ALLOCATION |
€520,974 |
€5,832 |
€552,375 |
|
TIPPERARY ETB |
|||
|
Funded Organisation |
2021 |
RESILIENCE PRO RATA |
TOTAL 2021 |
|
Foróige Nenagh |
€92,348 |
€92,348 |
|
|
NTDC Roscrea |
€92,348 |
€92,348 |
|
|
Thurles and Templemore YP |
€216,865 |
€216,865 |
|
|
WSTCYS Cahir Community YP |
€120,386 |
€120,386 |
|
|
WSTCYS Clonmel Community YP |
€54,585 |
€2,605 |
€57,190 |
|
YWI Fethard and Killenaule Youth Project |
€115,477 |
€115,477 |
|
|
YWI Littleton Travellers |
€19,223 |
€2,000 |
€21,223 |
|
YWI Tipperary Rural Outreach |
€75,368 |
€75,368 |
|
|
YWI Tipperary Town YP |
€53,284 |
€2,605 |
€55,889 |
|
TOTAL ALLOCATION |
€839,884 |
€7,210 |
€847,094 |
|
WATERFORD AND WEXFORD ETB |
|||
|
Funded Organisation |
2021 |
RESILIENCE PRO RATA |
TOTAL 2021 |
|
Children’s Link Group |
€106,268 |
€106,268 |
|
|
FAI Waterford |
€25,816 |
€25,816 |
|
|
Foroige Ferrybank Drugs |
€99,411 |
€99,411 |
|
|
Foroige Ferrybank YDP |
€98,964 |
€98,964 |
|
|
Little Red Kettle Waterford |
€72,863 |
€72,863 |
|
|
Manor St John YP |
€132,656 |
€132,656 |
|
|
Waterford Sports Partnership |
€50,680 |
€50,680 |
|
|
Waterford Travellers YSP |
€64,530 |
€64,530 |
|
|
Waterford Youth Arts |
€92,711 |
€92,711 |
|
|
Waterford Youth Transport |
€37,109 |
€37,109 |
|
|
Wexford FAI |
€8,553 |
€8,553 |
|
|
Wexford Local Development |
€23,989 |
€23,989 |
|
|
WSTCYS Axis Project |
€50,576 |
€50,576 |
|
|
WSTCYS Ballybeg Community CYP |
€92,711 |
€1,863 |
€94,574 |
|
WSTCYS Dungarvan CYP |
€55,067 |
€14,191 |
€69,258 |
|
WSTCYS Farran Park |
€50,576 |
€50,576 |
|
|
WSTCYS Farronshoneen |
€266,990 |
€266,990 |
|
|
WSTCYS Frontline Drugs Project |
€75,495 |
€75,495 |
|
|
WSTCYS Inner City Community YP |
€50,576 |
€50,576 |
|
|
WSTCYS Manor Street Youth |
€317,527 |
€317,527 |
|
|
WSTCYS Millennium Project |
€50,576 |
€7,096 |
€57,672 |
|
WSTCYS Northern Suburbs |
€75,495 |
€75,495 |
|
|
WSTCYS SHY Project |
€93,740 |
€93,740 |
|
|
WSTCYS Woodstown Residential |
€22,482 |
€22,482 |
|
|
Youth New Ross (now including WLD) |
€92,348 |
€92,348 |
|
|
YWI FDYS Cloisters |
€56,875 |
€56,875 |
|
|
YWI FDYS Coolcotts |
€71,544 |
€71,544 |
|
|
YWI FDYS Enniscorthy |
€71,544 |
€2,192 |
€73,736 |
|
YWI FDYS Gorey |
€82,640 |
€82,640 |
|
|
YWI FDYS WAYS |
€119,570 |
€119,570 |
|
|
YWI FDYS Bunclody |
€31,254 |
€31,254 |
|
|
TOTAL ALLOCATION |
€2,509,882 |
€25,342 |
€2,566,478 |
|
OVERALL TOTAL |
€39,443,016 |
€266,647.50 |
€39,709,663.50 |
97. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if information on a convent (details supplied) is contained in the archives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60774/21]
View answerIn accordance with its terms of reference, the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation investigated 14 Mother and Baby Homes and 4 County Homes – a full list of the Homes investigated by the Commission is available on my Department’s website.
On the dissolution of the Commission, the records relating to the Institutions investigated by the Commission were transferred to my Department. The institution referred to by the Deputy was not one of the institutions investigated by the Commission of Investigation.
If a person is seeking records relating to an Institution which is not included on the list of the Mother and Baby Homes and County Homes investigated by the Commission of Investigation, they may wish to forward a subject access request directly to the organisation in question.
98. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Irish students studying for their undergraduate degree in European universities in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the breakdown of countries they are going to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60596/21]
View answer99. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Irish students studying for their postgraduate degree in European universities in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the breakdown of countries they are going to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60597/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 98 and 99 together.
The information requested by the Deputy on Irish students studying for undergraduate or postgraduate degrees in European Universities is not collated by my Department.
100. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Irish students on Erasmus or exchange in European universities in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the breakdown of countries they are going to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60598/21]
View answer103. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of European students on Erasmus or exchange in Irish universities in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the breakdown of countries they are going to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60601/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 103 together.
I refer the Deputy to the attached data collated by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) (The National Agency for Erasmus for higher education mobilities) on a) the number of European students on Erasmus or exchange and b) the number of Irish students on Erasmus or exchange in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021.
In addition, to the top four Erasmus + destinations in the attached chart we are seeing a growing number of Irish students going to the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Luxembourg and Czech Republic.
It should be noted that the HEA does not have mobility figures for 2021 yet as the European Commission have not launched the relevant IT tool that allows the HEA to drawdown this data. This is expected to launch in January 2022.
101. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of European students studying for their undergraduate degree in Irish universities in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the breakdown of countries they are going to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60599/21]
View answer102. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of European students studying for their postgraduate degree in Irish universities in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the breakdown of countries they are going to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60600/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.
The details sought by the Deputy are attached.
It details the number of European students studying for their post-graduate and their undergraduate degrees in Irish universities in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, along with the domicile of origin.
The analysis confined to full-time enrolments only.
104. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to reform the funding model of the further education and training sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60608/21]
View answerIn late 2019, SOLAS commissioned an independent expert panel to conduct a review of the funding model for Further Education and Training (FET). The panel’s terms of reference are to:
- Review the existing approach to funding ETBs to deliver FET by SOLAS in terms of its effectiveness in delivering on national objectives, facilitating ETB flexibility and autonomy in responding to regional needs, ensuring sustainability and quality, and driving performance.
- Identify and consider options regarding how that approach is developed in order to reflect the core principles that must underpin future funding of FET.
- Make recommendations on an appropriate future approach to funding the sector, and on an implementation timeframe with moderating mechanisms to ensure a smooth transition to this approach, one that avoids any sudden or significant changes to current funding levels.
Since appointment, the panel have undertaken extensive research, consulted with a wide range of stakeholders, and tested funding ideas and approaches via a series of workshops with ETBs. Although the process has been delayed by COVID restrictions, a draft report is currently being drafted by the panel and is expected to be submitted to SOLAS early next year.
This review is an important enabler for the FET Strategy and I look forward to receiving the report and considering its findings and recommendations.
105. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the €118.5 million of non-voted Covid-19 expenditure from the National Training Fund in 2021; the total expenditure from the National Training Fund for 2021 including the €118.5 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60609/21]
View answerThe breakdown of the €118.5 million Covid expenditure allocations approved from the National Training Fund in 2021 along with the overall 2021 allocations are set out in the following table:
|
2021 Total Allocation |
Includes COVID allocation |
|
|
€m |
€m |
|
|
Programmes for those in Employment |
||
|
Apprenticeship |
198.373 |
26 |
|
Training Networks Programme |
35.449 |
2 |
|
Traineeships |
2.9 |
|
|
Training Grants to Industry |
6.5 |
|
|
Community & Voluntary Organisations |
1.02 |
0.12 |
|
Employee and Continuing Professional Development |
23.7 |
3.15 |
|
Regional Skills Innovation |
0.8 |
|
|
Springboard |
31.05 |
3.5 |
|
299.792 |
||
|
Skills acquisition for the purposes of taking up Employment |
||
|
Training People for Employment |
207.288 |
77.099 |
|
Enterprise Focused Higher Education |
148.352 |
|
|
Springboard |
10.388 |
3.5 |
|
Training Networks Programme |
5.449 |
3 |
|
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) |
0.05 |
|
|
Technical Employment Support Grant |
2.5 |
|
|
Community Employment Training |
4.2 |
|
|
Work Placement Experience Programme (WPEP) |
0 |
|
|
Human Capital Initiative |
60 |
|
|
438.227 |
||
|
Provision of Information on Skills Requirements |
||
|
Provision of Information on Skills Requirements |
3.204 |
0.131 |
|
Bank Charges |
0.05 |
|
|
Total Expenditure: |
741.273 |
118.5 |
The total expenditure incurred under the NTF in 2021 will be known at the end of the year following the processing of all payment applications by my Department.
106. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the €105 million Covid-19 expenditure in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60610/21]
View answerIn July I announced Government approval for €105 million for the third level sector to safely reopen in September 2021 in line with public health advice.
The package includes financial support for further and higher education to return on-site safely in line with public health advice and additional supports for students in further and higher education.
This funding will allow Higher Education Institutions and Education and Training Boards to safely and carefully maximise on-site provision of teaching, learning, research and other on-site activities. With thanks to efforts in the sector so far, we have seen approximately 400,000 learners return to on-site activity.
The funding package includes:
- €73m Support costs incurred by HEIs and ETBs in supporting dealing with challenges presented by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic
- €2 Immediate and intensive promotional Campaign to maximise enrolments by
- International Students for 2021/2022.
- €21 million of this funding will be allocated to provide specific extra supports for students:
- an extra €3m for student mental health
- an extra €10m for the Student Assistance Fund which provides financial supports to students experiencing financial difficulties while in college
- and €8m for the Mitigating Educational Disadvantage Fund which supports and engages disadvantaged learners
In addition a €9million contingency fund was provided in supporting Covid-19 testing for students.
107. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has co-funded higher education institution owned student accommodation in 2020 or 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60611/21]
View answerI’m acutely aware of the challenges facing students in securing accommodation this year, and my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are working closely together to address these issues.
The shortage of accommodation for students is happening in the context of the wider housing crisis.
In September the Government published Housing For All, a comprehensive plan which sets out the series of actions to be undertaken to fix the housing system. It has the largest ever housing budget in the history of the State. It aims to transform our housing system, with in excess of €20bn in funding provided through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Housing Finance Agency over the next five years to support these actions. My Department is working with the Department of Housing to support the implementation of this plan. A key part of this work is ensuring that our HEIs have access to the financing necessary to build affordable student accommodation.
In 2017 legislation was commenced which empowered the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to lend directly to HEIs for the development of student accommodation. 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.
I am conscious that, there are currently barriers to IoTs and TUs accessing the type of financing that is available to the traditional universities. Housing For All contains a commitment to support technological universities to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists.
My Department and I are continuing to work with colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and our HEIs to support them in progressing student accommodation plans.
108. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the spending of the €500,095,000 capital budget for 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60612/21]
View answerThe €500,096,000 gross capital funding allocated to my Department in 2021 as set down in the annual Estimates is provided both directly and through my Department’s aegis bodies to fund: i) the capital investment needs of higher and further education institutions, ii) Irish research including through Science Foundation Ireland.
A breakdown of capital spending for 2021 will be available after the completion of the Appropriation Accounts for 2021.
The published Estimates for my Department’s Vote provides information regarding expenditure and may be of assistance to the Deputy.
