Written Answers Nos. 1142-1158
1142. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if eight education and training boards will receive less funding compared to 2020 despite the €0.8 million increase to the Mitigating against Educational Disadvantage Fund; the education and training boards that will receive less funding; the reduction amount in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63010/21]
View answerThe Mitigating Educational Disadvantage Fund (MAEDF), which is managed by SOLAS, was specifically designed to tackle educational inequalities which continue to be highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic and to support access to community education.
€5.8 million was made available under the MAEDF in 2020 with 507 projects supporting community education receiving funding through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The projects funded varied from projects to help support online leaning, connect communities and provide social supports to the most disadvantaged. The MAEDF has a strong focus on building the digital infrastructure of community education providers, including providing devices and software, and increasing their capacity to deliver online learning.
A further €6.6 million was made available through the ETBs under the MAEDF in 2021 for 629 projects, following two calls for proposals issued by SOLAS in July and October.
While 5 ETBs were awarded lower amounts in 2021 as compared to 2020, 11 ETBs received higher amounts in 2021. The amounts awarded relate to the level of eligible applications received by, or made on behalf of, the individual ETBs. Details of funding issued to ETBs under the MAEDF in 2020 and 2021 in tabular form is attached for the Deputy's information.
In addition funding of almost €0.25 million was awarded in response to 8 applications for initiatives in the Voluntary Secondary and Community and Comprehensive Schools under the 2021 MAEDF.
MAEDF Funding Approved by ETB
|
ETB |
2021 |
2020 |
Difference 2021 compared to 2020 |
|
Cavan and Monaghan ETB |
€641,182 |
€520,462 |
€120,720 |
|
City of Dublin ETB |
€1,273,594 |
€925,141 |
€348,453 |
|
Cork ETB |
€543,517 |
€946,669 |
-€403,152 |
|
Donegal ETB |
€307,489 |
€282,892 |
€24,597 |
|
Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB |
€231,884 |
€134,509 |
€97,375 |
|
Galway and Roscommon ETB |
€319,066 |
€220,951 |
€98,115 |
|
Kerry ETB |
€56,525 |
€37,278 |
€19,247 |
|
Kildare and Wicklow ETB |
€159,657 |
€14,536 |
€145,121 |
|
Kilkenny and Carlow ETB |
€223,271 |
€27,320 |
€195,951 |
|
Laois and Offaly ETB |
€321,410 |
€447,801 |
-€126,391 |
|
Limerick and Clare ETB |
€488,200 |
€505,750 |
-€17,550 |
|
Longford and Westmeath ETB |
€223,472 |
€173,638 |
€49,834 |
|
Louth and Meath ETB |
€640,116 |
€385,777 |
€254,339 |
|
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB |
€450,737 |
€274,838 |
€175,899 |
|
Tipperary ETB |
€112,300 |
€150,446 |
-€38,146 |
|
Waterford and Wexford ETB |
€564,037 |
€788,739 |
-€224,702 |
|
Total for ETBs |
€6,556,457 |
€5,836,747 |
€719,710 |
1143. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are grants available to students who wish to pursue postgraduate opportunities but have already availed of the SUSI grant for an undergraduate degree; the funding available to a person in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63117/21]
View answerThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level e.g. progressing to postgraduate study. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.
One of the criteria in the student grant scheme relates to 'progression'. This means that a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another, where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. If an individual already holds a qualification, s/he is not eligible for funding at the same level again.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter in the first instance for the grant awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI).
In terms of supports and in line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the gap in postgraduate grants, from September 2021 the postgraduate fee grant increased from €2,000 to €3,500. This increase will allay some of the costs for postgraduate study and will give greater certainty for students in terms of supports. In addition, the fee grant income threshold increased from €31,500 to €54,240 from September 2021.
Postgraduate students who meet all of the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible for a maintenance grant of up to €5,915; the income threshold for this grant for the 2021/22 academic year is €24,500. Qualifying postgraduate students may also be eligible to have their tuition fees paid up to a maximum fee limit of €6,270.
As part of Budget 2022, I have secured an additional €15m to enhance the existing financial supports under the Student Grant Scheme.
For the academic year 2022/23 this will mean:
- An increase to all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, of €200 per year which will benefit all students entitled to receive a maintenance Grant. There are currently circa 62,000 SUSI grant recipients receiving maintenance support.
- The income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant has been increased by €1,000.
- The qualifying distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant has been reduced from 45km to 30km, effective from the start of the 2022/23 academic year.
I have prioritised these changes for the 2022/23 academic year and they will benefit thousands of students building on the improvements that have already been made for postgraduate students through this year’s student grant scheme. These improvements to the student grant scheme have been a priority for me since taking up my Ministerial appointment.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in higher education institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website.
1144. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to extend the SUSI grant to part-time college courses. [63170/21]
View answerDuring the 2020/2021 academic year, statistics from the Higher Education Authority show that there were 49,658 students studying at all levels in our publicly funded institutions on a part time basis.
The costs of extending the SUSI grant scheme to these part time students would depend on an assessment to see if they meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those which relate to course mode, nationality, residency, previous academic attainment (progression) and means. As they have not been assessed under the SUSI scheme, we do not know how many of these students would be eligible to receive SUSI grant funding if they were eligible to apply.
However the following will give you an indication of estimated costs of extending the SUSI scheme to these part time students:
- If 10,000 of these students were deemed eligible, we would estimate a cost of €46m
- If 20,000 of these students were deemed eligible, we would estimate a cost of €92m
- If 30,000 of these students were deemed eligible, we would estimate a cost of €138m
- If all 49,658 of these students were deemed eligible for funding, we would estimate the cost to be €228m
These estimates are based on the average fee and maintenance grant received by eligible full time students under the SUSI grant scheme and do not include an estimation of extending funding to part time students under the free fees initiative which would be an additional cost to the exchequer.
1145. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the SUSI review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63195/21]
View answerI am happy to give an update on the review of the Student Grant Scheme. This was a very important commitment in the Programme for Government, which will help shape decision-making on how we support students over the years to come.
Following a procurement process, the review has been undertaken by Indecon Economic Consultants, under the guidance of a steering group which has included student and sectoral representatives.
There was significant public interest in the Review, with around 280 submissions. A very welcome feature of the process was engagement with students, and I understand that over 9,000 survey responses were received from students across the country.
This strong element of public engagement, in addition to the economic work undertaken by the consultants, should provide a solid evidence basis for the recommendations of the review.
The draft report was submitted to me in late December 2021. Given the inter-connectivity between strategic student support issues and other reform priorities (e.g. the expansion of supports to part-time and blended learners as an enabler of lifelong learning or enhanced postgraduate supports as an enabler to equality, diversity and inclusion in the R&I system) it is now my intention to bring the report to Cabinet shortly alongside the Future Funding Model report.
1146. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the response of his Department to the findings of the Cost of Disability in Ireland research report; the plans that will be made in quarter one 2022 in response to these findings; if he will implement an all-Department response which will be timescaled and measured to ensure everyday costs are reduced for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63224/21]
View answerI welcome the research report on the cost of disability in Ireland.
Inclusion is one of the core strategic goals for my Department, and my ambition is to ensure that we provide supports and opportunities for learning to all. This means recognising the needs of vulnerable learners, people who are most marginalised and people with special and additional needs.
The cost of disability can be measured by the costs faced by people with a disability in their day-to-day lives that others in society do not face (the ‘direct costs’ approach). It can also be measured by the amount of additional income a household containing a person with a disability would require to achieve the same standard of living as a comparable household that does not contain a person with a disability (the ‘equivalence’ approach).
In order to get a better understanding of the extent and composition of these costs, and the way they affect people differently, the Department of Social Protection commissioned Indecon International Research Economists to conduct an independent Cost of Disability study.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to use research into the cost of disability to properly inform the direction of future policy. The publication of the Indecon report last December will enable the development of a whole of government approach to the costs of disability in Ireland. In this regard, the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Disabilities, have referred the report to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group (NDISSG), as the mechanism through which the issues raised by the report are to be discussed and progressed.
The NDISSG is chaired by the Minister for Disabilities and has representation from Government Departments, agencies and the Disability Stakeholders Group. My Department is represented on the Steering Group and participated in the December meeting where the Cost of Disability in Ireland report was considered.
Consideration of appropriate policy responses to the report’s finding will form a large part of the NDISSG’s work in 2022, where my department will play its part in developing appropriate policy responses.
My department has recently published a number of policy documents which articulate policy responses for key groups, including persons with disabilities. The Further Education and Training Strategy 2020-2024 includes plans to target priority groups who have diverse needs, such as people with disabilities. The 10 year Adult Literacy for Life Strategy (2021-30), which was launched last September, outlines a cross-Government approach to reduce the number of adults in Ireland who have unmet literacy, numeracy and digital skills needs. People with a disability are one of the key target groups within the strategy.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship (2021-25) was launched in April 2021. One of the five unambiguous objectives in the plan is ‘Apprenticeship for all’, meaning that the profile of the apprenticeship population will more closely reflect the profile of the general population. The explicit ‘deliverables’ underpinning this include an apprenticeship structure that is inclusive in terms of access and delivery.
I intend to publish the Strategic Action Plan for Equity, Participation and Success in Higher Education (2022-2026) in early 2022. The new plan will include specific supports for persons with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities.
I look forward to engaging with the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group during the course of 2022, to progress policy responses for persons with disabilities.
1147. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the names, occupations and specific expertise of the review panel that adjudicated on the recent applications of the Science Foundation Ireland Research Infrastructure 2021 programme call; the international representation on this review panel; the professional relationships the reviewers have as part of their occupation or consulting relationships with educational or public sector bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63274/21]
View answerThe Infrastructure Call supports the research community in building and sustaining the required infrastructural capacity to accomplish high quality, high impact and innovative research in areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics that demonstrably enhance and underpin enterprise competitiveness and societal development in Ireland. Proposals, that are received on foot of the Call are reviewed by an international panel of experts. International peer review ensures that SFI are funding research that is recognised as excellent at an international level, which ensures that Ireland continues to compete globally.
The identities of international expert technical reviewers, who participated in the postal review of applications to SFI’s funding programmes, are not disclosed to ensure that each proposal receives a robust assessment where there can be no contact between the applicant and the reviewer thus guaranteeing impartiality in the review process.
Thirty-four (34) international reviewers took part in the Science Foundation Ireland Research Infrastructure 2021 programme call, all 34 reviewers are Professors in international academic institutions.
The overall areas of expertise of the 34 reviewers is listed below:
Photonics and Optics
Earth Sciences
Energy Systems
Astrophysics
Energy Materials
Materials Science & Engineering
Materials Science and Technology
Materials Science, Materials Engineering and Chemistry.
Chemical Engineering
Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Science
Computer Engineering, Virtual Reality
Optoelectronics, photonics, lasers
Advanced Computing
Computer Science, Scalable Data Systems and Analytics
Internet of Things, Wireless computing
Computer Sciences and Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning
Immunology, Infectious diseases, Gasteroenterology
Biological engineering, Genomics, Systems biology, Cell biology, Medical biotechnology
Biophysics, Medical imaging and Neuroscience
Cell biology, Imaging
Biochemical Engineering, Systems Biology
Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics
Precision Agriculture, Biological Systems
Cellular Imaging, Microscopy
Medicine, Surgery and Cancer
Biopharmaceutics, Biomaterials, 2D/3D cell cultures, Drug Delivery, Spectroscopy
Industrial Ecology, Food Systems
Neuroscoence
Cytomics, Biomedical Engineering
Ecological Sciences
Agrotechnology, Food Sciences, Bioprocess Engineering
Microscopy, Imaging, Physics
Life-imaging, microscopy
Genetics, Infectious disease genomics, Environmental Genomics
The number of reviewers for each subject area was selected based on the number of applications in each subject area, and it was ensured that each proposal was reviewed by three expert reviewers.
The international representation of the review panels is as follows: 12 (35%) were based in the UK 6 (18%) were based in the USA, and 16 (47%) were based in the EU.
All reviewers used by SFI are based in international organisations outside of Ireland and do not have any relationship with Irish educational or public sector bodies. Reviewers are appointed as independent experts and are deemed to work in a personal capacity and, in performing the work, do not represent any organisation. All reviewers are required to abide by the SFI Reviewer code of conduct (www.sfi.ie/funding/sfi-policies-and-guidance/review/SFI_-_Reviewer_Code_of_Conduct.pdf).
1148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the list of all further education and training providers by county; the number of staff employed; the number of courses offered by each provider in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63284/21]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is currently being compiled by SOLAS, the Further Education Authority. I have requested that SOLAS forward the information directly to the Deputy when complete.
1149. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding available to those looking to develop citizen science initiatives. [63355/21]
View answerI am taking citizen science to mean a range of different levels of participation, from raising public knowledge of science, encouraging citizens to participate in the scientific process by observing, gathering and processing data, right up to setting scientific agenda and co-designing and implementing science-related policies
I should first say that my Department allocates specific funding for research through Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Irish Research Council (IRC). In 2021, SFI and the IRC spent €257 million to that end. Higher Education Institutions also fund research from their block grants.
Ctizen science and does can benefit from this funding. This can be indirectly as a product of a particular research project, or directly, such as through SFI Discover Programme which has invited applications for training and engagement activities of citizen science projects.
1150. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are financial supports available to assist in completing a diploma course in embalming which is not covered through the SUSI system. [63450/21]
View answerThe main support provided by my Department in terms of financial supports is the Student Grant Scheme. The Student Grant Scheme, administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), provides grant assistance to students attending an approved full-time course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The Student Grant Regulations prescribe that an approved course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of two years to complete in an approved institution. The definition of an approved institution is set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 3 of the Student Support Regulations 2021.
A student attending a private college which is not listed in the Student Support Regulations 2021 would not be eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme 2021. However, it is open to course providers that operate on a 'for profit' basis to use their own resources to provide financial supports to any of their students that they consider to be in particular need.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie.
1151. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider advising third-level institutions to move their examinations to online given the rising risk of Covid-19 in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63488/21]
View answerEducation is an essential service and the Government has agreed that it can continue on-site, in line with Safe Return Plan published last June.
However, in light of increased cases, local risk assessment and contingency planning has largely seen exams now moved online. Certain exams where it hasn’t been practical to move on line will continue in-person. In instances where examinations are being held in person, institutions are ensuring that these are taking place in environments in line with public health guidance and at a significantly lower capacity than normal. The diversity of the sector requires continued discretion based upon particular local circumstances and risk assessment.
Procedures are in place to accommodate students who cannot sit an exam as a result of Covid impacting either themselves or close contacts.
The sector continues to carefully consider the balance between the measures, the risk assessments and to engage with staff and students in planning for examinations.
In all instances public health must remain a priority. I also recently announced a €9 million fund to enable institutions provide free antigen tests to students. The use of these tests can provide an additional layer of protection, to prevent onward transmission and help to protect students, our third level sector and the community at large.
1152. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 171 of 29 September 2021, when outstanding claims for incremental credits will be finalised for a person (details supplied) considering that this matter has been ongoing for some time; the progress that has been made since the matter was last queried; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63519/21]
View answerI understand from enquiries made by my officials with Louth Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) that the incremental credit application for the person concerned has been forwarded to the Department of Education for review in accordance with the relevant Circulars agreed under the auspices of the Teachers’ Conciliation Council. The Department of Education has confirmed that it processes applications received in date order and that it will advise LMETB when its review is completed.
1153. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the expert panel currently reviewing the further education and training funding model; when the review will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63578/21]
View answerThe terms of reference of the expert panel, commissioned by SOLAS, 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.
The members of the panel are:
- Fiona Hartley O’Connor, former Executive Director, Strategy and Knowledge in SOLAS;
- Ted Owens, former Chief Executive of Cork Education and Training Board; and
- Ken Rutherford, former Assistant Director at Scottish Funding Council.
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 expected to be submitted to SOLAS early this year. Following the finalisation of the draft report, SOLAS will publish the review report.
This review is an important enabler for the FET Strategy and I look forward to receiving the report and considering its findings and recommendations.
1154. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the target number of total registered apprentices for 2022; the breakdown between craft and consortia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63606/21]
View answerUnder the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, the Government has set an overall target of 10,000 new apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025. Projected total registrations for 2021 were 6,450. The projected total for end 2022 is 7,500.
However actual registrations for 2021 have already exceeded the projected 2022 targets. There were 8,607 total apprentice registrations for 2021 which is broken down as 6,955 craft apprentices and 1,652 consortia apprentices.
The recent appointment of Dr Mary-Liz Trant as Director of the National Apprenticeship Office, a key structure in the new apprenticeship architecture, marks an important development in delivering on the vision articulated in the Action Plan. This will create additional energy for making even further progress towards the 2025 target of 10,000 annual registrations.
Although year on year growth is difficult to estimate for an employer demand-led system, based on year on year growth to date, my Department predicts a roughly 75/25% split between craft and consortia apprenticeship registrations.
1155. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost per advanced healthcare assistant practitioner apprentice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63607/21]
View answer1156. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost per retail supervision apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63608/21]
View answer1157. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost per international financial services associate, international financial services specialist apprenticeship and recruitment executive apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63609/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1155, 1156 and 1157 together.
The advanced healthcare assistant practitioner, international financial services associate, international financial services specialist apprenticeship and recruitment executive apprenticeship are funded through via the Higher Education Authority (HEA)
In respect of consortia-led apprenticeship programmes, the HEA allocates funding to each consortia on a per apprentice registered basis. The amount allocated is referenced to a unit cost model for equivalent courses, as funded through the HEA’s Recurrent Grant Allocation Model.
The following table sets out the funding allocated for each of the programmes referenced in the Deputy’s PQs.
|
Programme |
Annual Total Allocation (including Apprentice Fee) |
|
L6 International Financial Services Associate |
€5,200 |
|
L8 International Financial Services Specialist |
€4,500 |
|
L8 Recruitment Practitioner |
€6,000 |
|
L6 Healthcare Practitioner |
€8,000 |
The consortia-led Retail Supervision L6 apprenticeship programme is funded by SOLAS, which allocates funding to each consortium on a per apprentice registered basis. The annual total allocation per apprentice for this programme is €3,322.
1158. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the situation at the University of Limerick in which an unknown number of staff have been overpaid; the number of staff who are affected; the total amount to be repaid; the individual maximum repayment being sought; when these overpayments commenced; if the university made requests for repayment in the week before Christmas 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63628/21]
View answerMy Department has been informed by the University of Limerick that the issue has arisen due to a misinterpretation of Circular 07/2019 resulting in the application of additional increments to a number of staff, in advance of their due date, across a 12-month period between March 2019 and January 2020. The University became aware of the issue in January 2021 and undertook a detailed review of the files to ensure a full understanding of the extent of the error and the remedial actions required.
The University of Limerick has been in discussions with my Department and I will be briefed on the matter shortly. I understand that the University indicated that significant engagement with the affected staff has taken place and that information in relation to this matter was brought to the attention of those affected throughout 2021, with the first contacts in April 2021.
I understand that the approach recommended by UL in the majority of cases is that the person remain on their existing rate of pay for a set period to allow the correction of the misapplication to take place over time, however I also understand that a number of staff elected to make immediate payments which were then processed in late December.
The University has assured my officials that it is working to deal with every case in an open, fair and reasonable manner and that every effort is being made to bring this issue to a speedy resolution and conclusion for all staff affected.
