Written Answers Nos. 611-630
611. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that the redevelopment of the dental school in University College Cork has not progressed, despite launching its redevelopment in 2019; his plans to progress this redevelopment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9760/22]
View answerIn 2019, my Department launched a call under the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF) for key strategic projects to be co-funded by the Exchequer. At that time University College Cork (UCC) prioritised an application for a new building, the Cork University Business School (CUBS) to be funded. The CUBS application was successful and approved in principle for funding of €25m under the HESIF call.
I have recently announced a second HESIF call for applications for major HE capital projects. The prioritisation of projects is again a matter for each higher education institution. It is open to UCC to submit an application for the Dental School under this programme call.
612. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are only an estimated 60 dental graduates per year; his views on whether this is sufficient to meet the demands of dental patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9761/22]
View answerThere is no quota placed on dental courses by my Department, and therefore the places offered are a matter for the higher education institutions, in line with their autonomy. However due to the high level of practical work involved there are material constraints on the number of students that can be accepted onto dentistry courses.
My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services.
The Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service.
My officials are actively engaging with the Department of Health on determining the longer term skills needs of the healthcare services, and the role which the further and higher education sector can play in meeting those skills needs. I will ensure that there is continued engagement with all stakeholders to ensure that we deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.
613. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the regional breakdown of the network of regional skills fora; and the contact details for the forum managers. [9786/22]
View answer614. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the recent engagements between the network of regional skills fora in relation to foreign direct investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9787/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 613 and 614 together.
Ireland places central importance on skills policy and human capital development. Ireland has an advanced system of skills provision, across Further and Higher Education, lifelong learning and human capital development, which is agile and responsive to changes in the world of work, in order to address evolving skills needs. As outlined in the 2021 National Economic Recovery Plan, skills and human capital are important elements in Ireland’s broader labour market and economic policy approach, and in allowing Ireland to compete on an international stage and for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
The National Skills Council (NSC) and nine Regional Skills Fora (RSF), created under the National Skills Strategy, foster engagement and collaboration between enterprise and the education and training system, and relevant Government Departments and agencies. In developing our skills policy, this partnership approach, including with the enterprise agencies such as IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, is key.
IDA Ireland is represented on each of the Regional Skills Fora. Where needed, the RSF managers work closely with IDA Ireland to address the skills needs of their client companies, including talent attraction and retention and upskilling / reskilling needs of existing employees. Engagement, where relevant, also takes the form of (a) individual IDA client companies being referred to the RSF managers to undertake skills analysis and facilitate introductions with relevant regional education and training providers; (b) IDA Ireland representation on a range of RSF led steering groups/clusters and participation in sectoral studies in collaboration with the RSF managers, for example in areas such as cybersecurity, manufacturing and engineering.
Looking forward, the OECD Skills Strategy Project, which I launched in November, will greatly assist my Department in its examination of our National Skills Strategy and approach - in order to ensure that we have a solid foundation on which to build Ireland’s competitiveness and support economic and social sustainability into the future. The RSF are a key engagement platform throughout the OECD project, leveraging their existing networks to engage with large and small enterprises across Ireland and to ensure alignment at regional and national level in relation to skills issues.
Regarding the breakdown of the Regional Skills Fora network, the RSF cover the following nine regions:
Dublin – Dublin
Mid East – Kildare, Meath, Wicklow
Mid West – Clare, Limerick, Tipperary (North)
Midlands – Laois, Longford, Offaly, Westmeath
North East – Cavan, Louth, Monaghan
North West – Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo
South East – Carlow, Kilkenny, Tipperary (South), Waterford, Wexford
South West – Cork, Kerry
West – Galway, Mayo, Roscommon
Contact information for each Regional Skills Fora manager is provided below.
Dublin – Natasha Kinsella (natashakinsella@regionalskills.ie)
Mid East – Siobhán Keogh (siobhankeogh@regionalskills.ie)
Mid West – Joe Leddin (joeleddin@regionalskills.ie)
Midlands – John Costello (jcostello@regionalskills.ie)
North East – Ray Murphy (raymurphy@regionalskills.ie)
North West – Hilary McPartland (hilarymcpartland@regionalskills.ie)
South East – Edmond Connolly (edmondconnolly@regionalskills.ie)
South West – Siobhan Bradley (siobhanbradley@regionalskills.ie)
West – Denise Rocks (deniserocks@regionalskills.ie)
616. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will increase the income threshold to qualify for the special rate of maintenance grant for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9858/22]
View answerThe income limit for the special rate of grant is aligned to the maximum point of the weekly State Contributory Pension plus the maximum Qualified Adult Allowance for a person over 66 years. The student grant means test for 2022 is based on gross reckonable income for the 2021 tax year. As the Department of Social Protection state pension payment was not increased in Budget 2021, the special rate income threshold remains at €24,500 for the 2022 Scheme. The income threshold for the special rate of grant is strategically aligned with the highest Department of Social Protection rate as described in order to target students from households in receipt of long term social welfare assistance effectively. However, the special rate of grant payment itself was increased by €200 as part of Budget 2022, along with all other student grant rates. For the 2022/23 academic year, the special rate of grant is payable at the non-adjacent rate of €6,115 or the adjacent rate of €2,575, depending on the distance from ordinary residence to the college attended. Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level 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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. In addition, 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. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
617. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he envisages his Department will establish a climate action unit; the reason for the delay in establishing the unit, considering the fact that retrofitting will be key focus in climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9891/22]
View answerA Capital Planning and Climate Change unit was established within my Department in September 2021. The Unit is responsible for coordination of the overall Departmental approach to Climate Action Plan implementation including supporting inter-Departmental and whole of Government work in this area.
618. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9932/22]
View answerUnder the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.
While The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021 -2025 plan sets out actions to provide for craft apprentices to express preferences on the location of their off-the-job training. The offer of an off-the-job training place will be dependent on a number of factors such as demand for a specific location and available spaces.
SOLAS has taken a number of practical steps to enhance communications with apprentices during 2020 and 2021. A clear and coherent apprentice communications strategy will be developed by SOLAS to ensure that apprentices are aware of the route through which communication will take place, including the availability of both on-the-job and off-the-job supports available to address any issues arising during the period of apprenticeship.
Craft apprentices’ ownership of their education and training journey will be enhanced through supporting choice in the location and timing of off-the-job training for craft apprentices.
Regarding the persons whose details were supplied, my Departments officials have engaged with SOLAS on behalf of Deputy Michael Healy-Rae and have requested SOLAS to engage directly with the individual concerned.
619. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he uses an application on his official Government telephone; if so, if he has the disappearing messages setting activated on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9961/22]
View answerI do have the application referred to by the Deputy. However, I do not use it for official Government business.
620. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if persons employed by education and training boards (details supplied) will receive increments and pension entitlements in respect of their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9972/22]
View answerThe Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides funding to higher and further education institutions for the delivery of key services and supports for students with disabilities. It aims to support the personal, educational and professional development of the participating students. While historically administered by the Higher Education Authority, responsibility for the Fund in the further education and training sector transferred to SOLAS during 2020. SOLAS provides FSD funding to the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who manage the funding allocations to PLC further education providers for services and accommodations required to support students with disabilities. Funding can be used to provide a range of supports and accommodations including non-medical helpers such as personal assistants and notetakers.
Need assessments determine the supports and accommodations requested for students and the individual ETB/ further education college is responsible for decisions on the most appropriate support to meet the needs of the student, in accordance with the guidelines issued by SOLAS.
As noted in the SOLAS Guidelines, where an ETB or further education college employs personnel to deliver supports to individual students, responsibility for the terms of employment rests with the individual ETB/ further education college.
621. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of research centres funded by Science Foundation Ireland in 2021; and the Budget 2022 allocation for same. [10071/22]
View answerThe SFI Research Centres are funded on a multi annual basis. During 2021 there were 16 SFI Research Centres in receipt of funding through the SFI Research Centres Programme. These are set out below along with the projected allocations for those Research Centres in 2022.
SFI Research Centres do receive funding through other SFI programmes. The attached table reflects the core funding through the SFI Research Centres Programme.
|
SFI Research Centre |
SFI Research Centre Programme Award |
2022 Allocation |
|
BiOrbic, SFI Bioeconomy Research Centre |
15,021,703.00 |
484,416.75 |
|
FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases |
10,337,285.00 |
1,556,927.00 |
|
Confirm, SFI Research Centre for Smart Manufacturing |
32,171,331.00 |
4,680,939.00 |
|
I-FORM, The SFI Research Centre for Advanced Manufacturing |
15,709,451.00 |
1,803,122.90 |
|
VistaMilk, SFI Research Centre for Digitalising Dairy Production and Processing |
25,629,333.00 |
4,904,787.00 |
|
APC, APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre |
34,251,344.00 |
5,674,797.00 |
|
Insight, SFI Research Centre for Data Analytics |
63,628,806.00 |
11,820,281.00 |
|
SSPC, SFI Research Centre for Pharmaceuticals |
29,973,083.00 |
3,001,646.00 |
|
AMBER, SFI Research Centre for Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research |
51,895,011.00 |
9,684,959.60 |
|
IPIC, SFI Research Centre |
26,639,181.00 |
2,739,418.00 |
|
MaREI, SFI Research Centre for Energy, Climate and Marine |
25,029,197.00 |
5,117,637.00 |
|
ADAPT, SFI Research Centre for AI-driven Digital Content Technology |
42,090,078.00 |
7,497,891.00 |
|
Lero, SFI Research Centre for Software |
37,449,510.00 |
6,267,699.00 |
|
Connect, SFI Research Centre for Future Networks and Communications |
38,864,909.00 |
3,535,858.50 |
|
CÚRAM, SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices |
46,372,380.00 |
6,961,648.36 |
|
ICRAG, SFI Research Centre in Applied Geosciencs (iCRAG) |
28,273,066.00 |
2,722,348.55 |
622. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the procedure to be followed to obtain a copy or have a certificate of naturalisation reissued in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9079/22]
View answerMy Department does not re-issue replacement certificates of naturalisation. However, a statement to the effect that the person was granted Irish citizenship can be issued if requested.
Any person requiring such a statement can download the relevant questionnaire at 1p9fz05mazr28icdhq6jweym-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Questionnaire-Form-Lost-Cert.pdf and fill in the details and return it to the address on the form along with the following required documents:
- a copy of long form birth certificate and certified translation if not in English;
- a copy of marriage certificate (if applicable) and certified translation if not in English;
- a copy of the bio-metric page of their current passport; and
- a police report as evidence that the loss of the certificate of naturalisation has been reported to the relevant police authority.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
623. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice the number of peace commissioners that are currently appointed in County Kilkenny; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9082/22]
View answerPeace Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice under Section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. Peace Commissioners are empowered to act in their county of appointment and within the counties adjoining that county.
According to my Department’s records, there are 93 Peace Commissioners currently appointed in County Kilkenny (as of 17 February 2022).
The Department maintains a Roll of Peace Commissioners. While every effort is made to maintain its accuracy, it should be noted that Peace Commissioner records are appointment-based and do not always reflect the actual situation on the ground. This is because the Department is reliant on the Peace Commissioners themselves and other interested parties to advise of changes in circumstances which may occur subsequent to an appointment.
Individuals requesting the services of a Peace Commissioner are advised to contact their local Garda station to ensure that a particular listed individual is active and available. The details of appointed Peace Commissioners are also retained by the Peace Commissioner Unit in my Department and officials are pleased to assist individuals who require the services of a Peace Commissioner. They can be contacted by email at PeaceCommissioners@justice.ie or by telephone at (01) 8592323.
624. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice her plans to ratify the second optional protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and the details of the outstanding issues that need to be resolved by the Government to enable ratification. [9097/22]
View answerThe Government continues to be strongly committed to the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
A number of significant pieces of legislation had to be passed to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. The enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 constituted key steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.
My Department continues to engage with the Office of the Attorney General to determine whether a small number of additional legislative measures may be required to ensure that the State is compliant with all of the extra-territorial jurisdiction requirements under Article 3.1 of the Protocol. As noted previously to the Deputy, officials are considering advices and, if further legislative amendments are considered necessary, I will bring those forward at the earliest opportunity.
625. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the number of files related to allegations of sexual, physical, psychological, financial, institutional abuse or neglect of residents living in nursing homes or disabilities centres which have been received by Office of Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, since 2015; the number of files which resulted in a decision to prosecute by type of crime; the number of subsequent successful prosecutions which resulted from a decision to prosecute by type of crime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9106/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is an independent law officer under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended) and I have no role in the Office of the DPP and I am unable to comment on files received by the DPP, or on prosecutions brought by that office.
In relation to the outcomes of prosecutions, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, officials from my Department have made enquiries and the Courts Service has said that prosecutions are against alleged perpetrators and by offences. The Courts Service cannot identify classes of victims or categorise the location of offences.
For the Deputy’s information, the Courts Service provides a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
626. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice if there ever been a prosecution of a person under the Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons Act 2012 (details supplied); if so, if she will provide statistical information relating to the cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9107/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is an independent law officer under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended) and I have no role in respect of the Office of the DPP.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, officials from my Department have made enquiries with An Garda Síochána. I'm informed that a key word search was carried out on 22/02/2022 for charges and summonses which contained the terms “withholding” and “vulnerable”.
No results were found which related to Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons Act 2012.
PULSE figures are operational and liable to change.
Under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions, which include the provision of information on the courts system.
For the Deputy’s information, the Courts Service provides a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
627. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of offences committed against women contrary to each of the sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997 in each of the years 2010 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9124/22]
View answer628. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of offences committed against women contrary to each of the sections 2, 3, and 4 of the Criminal Law (Rape) (Amendment) Act 1990 in each of the years 2010 2021 and to date in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9125/22]
View answer629. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the number of homicides against women for each of the years from 2010 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the total number of homicides for the same time period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9126/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 627 to 629, inclusive, together.
It has not been possible to obtain the information requested by the Deputy in the timeframe permitted. Once this information is received I will write to the Deputy.
630. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice the new criteria for community groups when applying for a lottery licence (detail supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9128/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department is not in a position to interpret the law as passed by the Oireachtas.
The Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019 commenced on 1 December 2020, with all sections coming into effect. The 2019 Act modernises the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956 and helps the better promotion of local gaming and lottery activity.
The process whereby a charitable or philanthropic organisation can apply to the District Court for a lottery licence is set out in the new Section 28 of the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1956, as inserted by the Gaming and Lotteries (Amendment) Act 2019.
Applications for lottery licences should be made to the District Court of the district in which it is proposed to promote the lottery, authorising the person to conduct periodical lotteries in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The application should be made not less than 60 days before the first day on which it is intended to promote the lottery. This period was intended to ensure that the court is provided with sufficient notice and full details of the proposed lottery activity so as to determine the application.
The current fee payable on application to a District Court for a Lottery Licence is €150.
The District Court to which the application is made, may seek further information from the applicant including in relation to the proposed conduct of the lottery, the premises where the lottery is promoted from and the availability of prizes.
The promotion of the lottery must comply with all of the conditions set out in Section 28 of the Act.
Matters relating to the issuance of lottery licences by the District Court, including application forms under Section 28, are set out in revised Order 66 of the Rules of the District Court, SI No. 63/2021 (District Court (Gaming and Lotteries) Rules 2021).
On the commencement of the Act on 1 December 2020, my Department placed advertisements in 35 regional papers, including the Anglo Celt and the Longford Leader, and information notes and a detailed press release were published on my Department’s website.
