Written Answers Nos. 1159-1182
1159. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection has ever expressed a view to him that private family care arrangements have no legal standing under the Child Care Act 1991; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21159/22]
View answerTusla’s statutory obligations in relation to children and families stem primarily from the Child Care Act 1991. Tusla is responsible for promoting the welfare of children not receiving adequate care and protection. In doing so, the best interests of the child are paramount, but Tusla also seeks to have regard to the rights of parents and to the principle that it is generally in the best interests of a child that they are brought up in their own family. Tusla’s statutory responsibilities include children in care and family support.
In this context, Tusla may take a child into care, in accordance with the statutory provisions, either in a voluntary care arrangement or under a court order. The thresholds which must be met for taking a child into care are set out in the Child Care Act.
There is no formal definition of “private family arrangements”, but there are a number of circumstances in which Tusla may engage with a child and their family, where the child is not in care under the Child Care Act.
As part of Tusla’s intervention, a parent and their wider family may agree to a plan that sees a child living with extended family, relatives or friends. Such arrangements can be a key component of a safety planning process where there are ongoing concerns of harm to a child that require Tusla’s ongoing involvement to assure the child’s safety. Tusla remains involved in such cases until such time as the child’s safety has been evidenced over time or until a decision is made to invoke formal care arrangements, which can be in the form of relative foster care.
A parent and their extended family can also agree a temporary arrangement to support the care of the child while the parent gets respite and support. Where support is required Tusla can provide such support to the child, parent and carer through what is often referred to as a family support plan. There are also legal provisions under guardianship legislation for the family to have such arrangements made more formal through the appointment of a temporary or full guardian. Tusla is often made a notice party to such applications to support the Court in its decision making process.
A parent/family may also enter into a temporary care arrangement with a relative where no support is required and where Tusla has no involvement. Where a parent enters into a private care arrangement with someone who is not a guardian or relative and where Tusla has not had any involvement, the Child Care Act (Part IVB) requires the parent to notify Tusla of such an arrangement. Tusla has the authority to determine the suitability of such an arrangement if required and to apply to the District Court for directions if it believes the arrangement is not in the child’s best interests. Such notifications are rare.
Dr. Conor O’Mahony, the current Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, has commented on private family arrangements in the context of research undertaken by UCC, which he co-authored and published in 2021. Contained within this research, titled Voluntary Care in Ireland Study, the co-authors stated, a “significant number of participants in the study expressed positive views in support of the use of PFAs”. However the authors added that, “the existing ad hoc approach to PFAs raises considerable concerns” and “notwithstanding the support amongst some practitioners for the use of PFAs”, the authors concluded that “the better solution is to bring all kinship placements under this heading in the existing model and to discontinue reliance on ad hoc, unregulated PFAs.”
While I have not discussed the issue of private family arrangements directly with Dr. O’Mahony, I am aware of his views, as set out above.
Issues in relation to private family arrangements and engagement by Tusla with children and families in care and in the community will be considered in the context of the ongoing review of the Child Care Act 1991. The Heads of Bill/General Scheme is due for completion by the end of 2022.
Consideration of the role of Tusla in supporting children and families in the community and in the formal care system forms part of the review. Relevant reports and comments, including those made by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, will inform the deliberations. The review is a complex process, involving detailed stakeholder engagement. The specific issue of private family arrangements is being actively considered and final decisions have not yet been taken.
1160. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of times he has met with or corresponded with the CEO of Tusla since he took office; and if he will list the dates upon which he met or corresponded with the CEO of Tusla. [21160/22]
View answerAs Minister, I meet with the Chair and CEO of Tusla on a quarterly basis. These meetings have taken place on the following dates since I took office:
- 10 July 2020
- 14 December 2020
- 13 April 2021
- 22 September 2021
- 22 February 2022
I correspond regularly with the CEO of Tusla, so it is not possible to list individual dates of such instances, as I am sure the Deputy can understand.
1161. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has met with or corresponded with his predecessor (details supplied) since he took office; and the dates upon which these meetings or instances of correspondences took place. [21161/22]
View answerI have met with my predecessor on one occasion shortly after I took office on the 10th July 2020.
1162. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children referred to Tusla in 2021; the source of the referrals as was provided in response to Parliamentary Question No. 570 of 1 February 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21162/22]
View answerFollowing from Parliamentary Question 570 of the 1st of February 2022, please find attached the requested data, including the source of the referrals outlined.
Referrals to Child Protection & Welfare Services by Source and Primary Report Type, Jan - Sep 2021
|
Source (including list as per Schedule 2 Child First Act 2015) |
Physical Abuse |
Emotional Abuse |
Sexual Abuse |
Neglect |
Child Welfare Concern |
Not Recorded |
Grand Total |
|
Anonymous |
151 |
123 |
20 |
298 |
1351 |
186 |
2129 |
|
Courts 1 (S.20 Child Care Act 1991) |
* |
* |
0 |
0 |
321 |
49 |
379 |
|
Courts 3 (Other Court Request) |
0 |
* |
0 |
0 |
26 |
* |
38 |
|
HSE Officer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
* |
* |
2 |
|
International Social Services |
0 |
* |
0 |
* |
29 |
2 |
35 |
|
Member of the Public |
39 |
29 |
22 |
60 |
364 |
60 |
574 |
|
Other |
85 |
138 |
53 |
113 |
1303 |
410 |
2102 |
|
Other Family Member |
76 |
84 |
20 |
57 |
491 |
106 |
834 |
|
Parent/Guardian |
251 |
135 |
126 |
66 |
1266 |
341 |
2185 |
|
Self |
28 |
11 |
8 |
6 |
43 |
21 |
117 |
|
A person carrying on a pre-school service |
15 |
* |
* |
6 |
27 |
9 |
63 |
|
A safe guarding officer,child protection officer or other person (howsoever described) who is employed for the purpose of performing child welfare and protection functions of religious, sporting, recreational, cultural, educational and other bodies and organisations offering services to children |
250 |
167 |
88 |
98 |
747 |
238 |
1588 |
|
An addiction counsellor |
* |
5 |
* |
5 |
39 |
12 |
67 |
|
Child care staff member employed in a pre-school service |
33 |
11 |
4 |
13 |
46 |
14 |
121 |
|
Dentist |
* |
0 |
0 |
* |
3 |
1 |
7 |
|
Director of any institution where a child is detained by an order of a court |
* |
0 |
* |
0 |
5 |
5 |
14 |
|
Emergency medical technician |
6 |
* |
* |
5 |
21 |
4 |
40 |
|
Foster carer registered with the Agency |
18 |
* |
20 |
* |
28 |
24 |
101 |
|
Guardian Ad Litem |
* |
11 |
* |
0 |
* |
6 |
25 |
|
Manager of a language school or other recreational school where children reside away from home |
* |
* |
0 |
0 |
* |
2 |
9 |
|
Manager of asylum seeker accommodation (direct provision centre) |
15 |
* |
* |
23 |
13 |
3 |
57 |
|
Manager of domestic violence shelter |
127 |
344 |
27 |
13 |
493 |
117 |
1121 |
|
Manager of homeless provision or emergency accommodation facility |
23 |
70 |
8 |
49 |
206 |
54 |
410 |
|
Medical practitioner |
199 |
129 |
239 |
71 |
704 |
205 |
1547 |
|
Member of An Garda Siochana |
627 |
5127 |
1080 |
627 |
9214 |
3434 |
20109 |
|
Member of the clergy (howsoever described) or pastoral care worker (howsoever described) of a church or other religious community |
* |
* |
* |
* |
5 |
1 |
13 |
|
Occupational therapist |
13 |
10 |
12 |
* |
25 |
* |
70 |
|
Person responsible for the care or management of a youth work service |
51 |
24 |
21 |
16 |
138 |
31 |
281 |
|
Physiotherapist |
14 |
* |
18 |
11 |
22 |
* |
73 |
|
Probation officer |
10 |
* |
15 |
* |
52 |
11 |
96 |
|
Psychologist |
174 |
69 |
100 |
22 |
294 |
78 |
737 |
|
Psychotherapist or a person providing counselling who is registered with one of the professional bodies |
116 |
77 |
129 |
26 |
311 |
113 |
772 |
|
Registered nurse /midwife |
64 |
77 |
80 |
89 |
872 |
201 |
1383 |
|
Social care worker |
351 |
206 |
172 |
127 |
755 |
330 |
1941 |
|
Social worker |
636 |
459 |
468 |
448 |
3117 |
768 |
5896 |
|
Speech and language therapist |
13 |
5 |
4 |
5 |
36 |
9 |
72 |
|
Teacher |
948 |
203 |
337 |
220 |
1705 |
398 |
3811 |
|
Youth worker who (a) holds a professional qualification that is recognised by the national qualifications authority in Youth work or a related discipline, and (b) is employed in a youth work service |
84 |
45 |
36 |
43 |
207 |
69 |
484 |
|
Mandated person - not specified |
79 |
330 |
50 |
149 |
2988 |
590 |
4186 |
|
Total |
4513 |
7929 |
3172 |
2676 |
27275 |
7924 |
53489 |
|
*figures suppressed for confidentiality reasons. Suppressed figures included in the totals |
|||||||
|
Quality & Regulation 21/04/2022 |
1163. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he will take to ensure that additional childcare places are made available in the Coolock area of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21189/22]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority.
Since 2015, significant increases in State investment in early learning and childcare has given rise to a substantial growth in the numbers of children participating in these services. More than 100,000 children now participate on the universal pre-school programme on an annual basis and the National Childcare Scheme subsidises up to 80,000 children.
To ensure that the supply of early learning and childcare places meets demand, my Department has, since 2015, funded the creation of more than 27,000 new places through an Annual Capital Programme.
Before the onset of Covid-19, national data indicated that, on the whole, supply of early learning and childcare places was meeting demand, with evidence of undersupply for certain areas, and in certain age groups.
Data gathered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic revealed lower demand for early learning and childcare, and reduced occupancy among early learning and childcare services. Indeed, data captured in June 2021 found significant vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate averaging at 21%.
As part of ongoing efforts by my Department to monitor early learning and childcare capacity, Pobal, using the data captured as part of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey in June 2021 and current registration data, recently projected national vacancy rates in February 2022. These projections revealed an estimated fall in national vacancy rates from June 2021 to February 2022 – with vacancy rates projected to have fallen from 21% to 19%.
Pobal has commenced the new data collection as of 4 April 2022, as part of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey. This will allow for updated information on capacity among early learning and childcare services to be established.
In addition to these efforts to monitor capacity issues across the country, my Department is planning a range of steps to address any issue of under supply. A new funding model, to roll out in September, will provide funding for services aligned to costs of delivery. Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places. Another important step being taken by my Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government (DHPLG), is to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. In addition, CCC are currently proactively engaging with early learning and childcare services to identify unused capacity and explore the potential for services in increase capacity where there is evidence of unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
1164. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a piece of surveillance technology (details supplied) is being used by his Department or any agencies under his remit in view of the fact that there are security and privacy concerns associated with the use of same; the data protection policies on the use of artificial intelligence with respect to instances in which this technology is being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21229/22]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that my Department operates from 2 offices:
1. Miesian Plaza. 50-58 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2. D02 XWI4
2. Montague Court. 7/11 Montague Court, Montague Street, Dublin.
My Department has no surveillance technology equipped with facial recognition technology at Miesian Plaza or Montague Court.
In respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department, I can advise the Deputy as follows:
|
Body |
Response |
|
National Disability Authority (NDA) |
The NDA can confirm that they have a nil return on this question. |
|
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) |
The IHREC will reply directly to the Deputy. |
|
Child and Family Agency (Tusla) |
Tusla will reply directly to the Deputy. |
|
Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) |
The AAI will reply directly to the Deputy. |
|
Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
Oberstown can confirm that they have a nil return on this question. |
|
Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO) |
The OCO will reply directly to the Deputy. |
1165. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that the doors of the Clondalkin Intercultural Centre remain closed; and if he will commit to re-opening the centre which is needed more than ever given the influx of persons from Ukraine. [21250/22]
View answerMy Department is providing accommodation where requested to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Over 16,500 people have sought accommodation from the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) to date.
Clondalkin Intercultural Centre was part of South Dublin County Partnership which received funding under the Asylum Migration Integration Fund (AMIF) in 2017. It is my intention to run another call for proposals under AMIF in 2022, which South Dublin County Partnership, or Clondalkin Intercultural Centre could apply for.
Other funding streams for integration projects run by my Department include the Community Integration Fund, and the National Integration Fund, the next round of which is due to open for proposals in 2023.
1166. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the latest calls by an organisation (details supplied) to combat child homelessness including ensuring that all children have timely access to a child support worker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21263/22]
View answerThe primary responsibility for housing and managing homelessness lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the local authorities.
Policy responsibility for homeless young people, insofar as it extends to my Department, relates to children under 18 and any child welfare and protection concerns that may arise in the context of the Child Care Act 1991. Children under 16 who present as being homeless to emergency services are taken into care by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Children aged 16 and 17 may be taken into care, or provided with accommodation under section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991.
Where children are homeless as part of a family experiencing homelessness, Tusla works with other statutory and voluntary agencies to mitigate the challenges faced by these parents and children. Such actions taken by Tusla include the provision of funding for child support workers.
It is important to note that Tusla only intervenes in family life in exceptional circumstances. Children who are with their families in emergency accommodation remain in the care of their parents or guardians. Where Tusla has concerns regarding the welfare and development of any child they will provide family supports to assist that family and child.
While the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage has ultimate responsibility for managing homelessness, my Department is committed to addressing homelessness as part of a whole-of-Government response including contributing to the development of a Youth Homeless Strategy. My Department is leading and co-ordinating consultations with representatives of young people experiencing homelessness and most at risk of homelessness so that their voices are heard and their needs properly reflected in the action plan developed as part of the strategy.
The findings of the consultation with young people experiencing homelessness will additionally inform the development of the successor framework to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures which is currently being developed by my Department.
1167. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of first-year medical enrolments for 2021-2022, by domicile group, in tabular form; the number of places that will be provided for 2022-2023; the cost of the CAO and EU entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19398/22]
View answerFirst year medical enrolments for the latest available academic year - 2020/21 - are in the table below. This data is taken from the HEA's Student Records System (SRS). Please note that first year enrolments do not capture all new entrants to medicine, as in some circumstances new students progress directly to second year, and these students cannot be differentiated from other second year students on the SRS.
|
Domicile |
First Year Students |
|
Ireland |
721 |
|
Northern Ireland |
8 |
|
Great Britain |
12 |
|
(Other) EU |
13 |
|
Non-EU |
649 |
|
Total |
1403 |
My officials are engaging on an ongoing basis with the medical schools and the Department of Health on creating a significant number of additional places for EU students in the medical schools for 2022 and beyond.
At present, the medical schools receive €12,500 per year in respect of pre-Fottrell undergraduate places and €18,077 per year in respect of Fottrell undergraduate places. The undergraduate figures are inclusive of the €3,000 student contribution and €5,900 free fees.
The fees of participating CAO/EU students in Graduate Entry Medicine are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA). In the academic year 20/21 the state contribution was €11,524 per student with the balance of the fees - approximately €15,000 payable by the student.
The ongoing discussions about increasing places are also intended to address funding levels for medical education, with the aim of bringing funding in line with the cost of provision.
1168. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process followed for the appointment of the Chief Medical Officer as a professor at Trinity College, Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to similar posts appointed in this manner across Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19399/22]
View answer1179. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if new professorship positions in universities should be advertised and filled through open competition; the reason that the professorship of public health strategy and leadership in Trinity College Dublin was not advertised and put to open competition; the remuneration that is being offered for this position; the funding that is being made available for this position; if full details of this arrangement between Trinity College and his Department will be made available; the educational requirements to become a professor within Irish universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19734/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1168 and 1179 together.
My Department had no involvement in the matter raised by the Deputy.
Higher education institutions are academically independent and regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. The Code of Governance for Irish Universities states that ‘The role of the governing authority is governed in particular by Section 18, Universities Act, 1997 which determines that the functions of the governing authority of a university shall be: -- …-- to appoint the chief officer and such other employees as it thinks necessary for the purposes of the university, ….’.
Given academic autonomy, the requirements for appointment to academic appointments are a matter for the institutions themselves.
With respect to remuneration, public pay policy applies to universities, including in respect of secondments between public bodies.
1169. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of his Department’s capital and non-capital expenditures including research grants through the Higher Education Authority, Science Foundation Ireland and other agencies providing third-level funding supports which were provided to Trinity College Dublin since 2018 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19406/22]
View answerThe funding allocated to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, as set down in the annual Estimates, is used to meet costs associated with the provision of further and higher education, labour market initiatives including skills, and Irish research and development. The allocation is provided both directly and through my Department’s aegis bodies to fund: i) salaries and pensions of public sector workers in the higher education, further education and research sectors, ii) day to day running costs and capital investment needs of higher and further education institutions, iii) Irish research including through Science Foundation Ireland, iv) skills and labour market initiatives through SOLAS and the National Training Fund, v) general administration costs of my Department. Funding is also allocated to a range of programmes and initiatives.
As my Department was established during 2020, the table below outlines grant funding provided to Trinity College Dublin through the Higher Education Authority and Science Foundation Ireland from January 2020 to March 2022 inclusive.
Grant Funding to Trinity College Dublin from January 2020 to March 2022 Inclusive
|
Year |
Recurrent & other Grants €'000 |
Capital Grants €'000 |
Erasmus Grants €'000 |
Research Grants (Capital) €'000 |
Access grants €'000 |
Total Grants €'000 |
|
2020 |
126,135 |
5,819 |
1,392 |
54,603 |
1,735 |
189,684 |
|
2021 |
161,800 |
7,644 |
603 |
58,896 |
1,890 |
230,833 |
|
2022 |
30,534 |
1,003 |
- |
3,866 |
344 |
35,748 |
|
Total |
318,469 |
14,466 |
1,995 |
117,365 |
3,969 |
456,265 |
To note:
Recurrent & Other Grants refers to grants allocated under the Recurrent Grant Allocation Model which is a model used by the HEA to allocate core recurrent funding to institutions and includes allocations for skills within the National Training Fund and allocations for Superannuation costs.
Access Grants refers to Students with Disabilities, Student Assistance Fund, Covid Student Assistance, and Programme for Access to Higher Education grants.
1170. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the manner in which quotas for places on medical courses are set for EU and non-EU students; the way in which this is managed or altered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19429/22]
View answerThe Fottrell Report, published in 2006, continues to provide the basis on which the level of provision in medical schools is determined. It specified that an intake of between 700 and 740 EU students per annum was required to move towards national self-sufficiency. This target marked a more than doubling of the number of EU students who were accepted in to medical schools at the time the report was published, and the higher education institutions are continuing to meet this targeted level of provision.
However, in light of the workforce needs of the health service, there are discussions ongoing between my Department, the Department of Health and the medical schools around significantly increasing the number of medical places available from the 2022/23 academic year onwards. These engagements are at an advanced stage.
There is no quota set on the number of places for non-EU students, as these students are not funded by the state or guaranteed access to HSE internships after graduating in the way that EU students are. The number of these students admitted each year is at the discretion of the medical schools, in line with their autonomy.
1171. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the need to increase the SUSI grant in the context of the cost of living crisis. [19512/22]
View answerI recognise that cost can be major factor for many people in accessing higher education, and I am committed to delivering on the Programme for Government’s commitments regarding SUSI. In addition to commissioning a major review of the scheme, I have also prioritised expansion and reform of the scheme in budgetary allocations.
I commissioned a major review of the Student Grant Scheme, which has been conducted by Indecon International Economic Consultants under the direction of a steering group chaired by my Department and comprising a number of stakeholders.
It is my intention to bring the final report to Government shortly. It is my strong view that cost and access issues must be considered in tandem with the issues of system funding and reform. If we want the best outcomes, we need a well funded system which is accessible to people regardless of their background. Reform of the student support system can also be a critical enabler of other strategic outcomes across the tertiary system, including enhanced lifelong learning and stronger diversity among the postgraduate community.
Given these interconnections, it is my intention to bring the Student grant review to Cabinet alongside the report on funding and reform of higher education.
I have already initiated improvements to the Student Grant Scheme in the past two Budgets. These have been targeted at alleviating cost of living pressures for students and their families, supporting students who have to travel longer distances to their institution, recognising the need to reflect changes in income levels and expanding supports for postgraduates.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the gap in postgraduate grants, from September 2021 I increased the postgraduate fee grant from €2,000 to €3,500. In addition, the fee grant income threshold increased from €31,500 to €54,240 from September 2021.
The changes I made in Budget 2022, will mean that from the next academic year:-
- All student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, will increase by €200 per year.
- The income thresholds to qualify for the standard rate of student grant will increase 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.
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.
1172. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the details of the name, salary, position and roles of persons who are being paid for by his Department for secondment to another public, private or semi-private entity, in tabular form, following the announcement that the salary of a person (details supplied) being seconded to Trinity College, Dublin will be paid by the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19550/22]
View answerThere are no officials from my Department on secondment to organisations in the wider public, private or semi-private sectors whose costs are being met from the Department’s payroll budget. Please note that for administrative purposes, officials on secondment to outside organisations may continue to be paid through the Department’s payroll arrangements with the National Shared Services Office (NSSO) but the salary costs are then recouped to my Department.
1173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to issues (details supplied) with SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19620/22]
View answerOfficials in my Department are engaging with SOLAS to confirm the exact position in relation to this matter. Further details will be communicated to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1174. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons employed by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department with a rate of pay below the living wage of €12.30; the role that those persons occupy within his Department or relevant body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19630/22]
View answerAn hourly rate of €12.30, based on a 37 hour standard net working week, equates to an annual salary of €23,747. I can confirm that there are no staff currently employed in my Department, or in bodies under the aegis of my Department, earning less than this suggested living wage.
1175. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if graduate-entry medicine students will be included in the grant for the 2022-2023 academic year; if there are plans in place for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19658/22]
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.
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme in relation to progression, 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.
Students pursuing graduate entry medicine (GEM) programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants. However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA). In academic year 20/21 the state contribution was €11,524 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
Institutions participating in the graduate medical programme have been requested to provide accompanying services and supports to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged students in the programme.
Students on graduate entry medicine courses may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. The SAF guidelines provide that students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level, or who, in the past, attended higher education without ultimately obtaining a qualification, may be considered for support on a case-by-case basis and subject to available funding.
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, www.revenue.ie.
1176. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that information on the different vocations of Ukrainian citizens arriving in Ireland will be collated and made available to various sectors that wish to help in fast-tracking mutual qualification recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19663/22]
View answerMy Department is committed to providing every support possible for Ukrainian citizens who are seeking the recognition of their qualifications in Ireland.
NARIC Ireland, a service hosted by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) can be readily provide advice, free of charge, on the academic recognition of foreign qualification. This service compares foreign qualifications to major award types and levels on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) which sets these foreign qualifications clearly into an Irish context. QQI’s NARIC database currently lists 18 Ukrainian qualifications, comparable to levels 3-10 on the NFQ, which includes general professional, further and higher education qualifications. NARIC Ireland is working with the NARIC network across Europe to continue building the list of Ukrainian qualifications as a matter of priority. The service provided by NARIC Ireland helps to inform employers to determine if an applicant holds the academic qualifications necessary for a particular job or employment opportunity.
Furthermore, a guide to NARIC has recently been translated into Ukrainian and other languages which are spoken by Ukrainians.
SOLAS operates the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process for tradespeople, as well as Recognition of Qualifications on relevant construction safety certification. In relation to Ukrainian applicants specifically, Ukrainian interpreters are being used as required, to enable individuals to access services so that they can have their qualifications recognised and engage in courses. Separately, SOLAS has scheduled the first of two Ukrainian Safe Pass programmes. As with the general approach already noted, the services of an approved Ukrainian interpreter are being used to assist with the delivery. Whilst presently, the RPL and RPQ systems are working as designed SOLAS will increase its monitoring of applications and any issues arising. In this approach, SOLAS is operating in line with QQI guidance.
Where a profession is unregulated, there is no formal barrier to prevent someone from continuing to practice their profession in Ireland. However, where a profession is regulated, an individual wishing to continue to practice their profession in Ireland must engage with the relevant Irish competent authority or professional regulator in order to seek the recognition of their qualifications. I would urge any Ukrainian citizen who wishes to practice a regulated profession in Ireland, to engage with the relevant Competent Authority with responsibility for that profession to seek the recognition of their professional qualifications. A list of all of the regulated professions in Ireland, their corresponding competent authority and the relevant contact information for each authority is available on the Department’s website at the following link:
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/123679/f3dc868b-f95a-42fe-87b3-531983e3bd1f.pdf#page=null.
My Department has been providing support to the work of our national Competent Authorities by sharing best practice material supplied by the European Commission in relation to the recognition of Ukrainian professional qualifications. In addition, these Competent Authorities have been advised of further information resources which are available to support their work from NARIC Ireland. My Department will continue its work with the European Commission and other Member States in relation to the recognition of professional qualifications of Ukrainian people to ensure an EU-wide appropriate response.
1177. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for reviewing fees at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19713/22]
View answerI am commited to the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education, within the overall context of Government policy towards costs of living and other relevant strategies including those related to access and participation in education.
It is important to highlight the very substantial financial support, currently well in excess of half a billion euros, provided by the taxpayer towards tuition fees and the student contribution for students in higher education.
This comprises State funding of tuition costs amounting to €357m per annum for 156,000 eligible higher education students. It also includes €190m paid by the Exchequer under the Student Grant Scheme in respect of all or some of the €3,000 student contribution which benefits over 65,000 eligible students.
The level of financial support highlights the Government's commitment to supporting students in meeting the costs of higher education and to obtaining higher education qualifications which the evidence demonstrates will assist them in securing more sustainable and higher paid employment than those in the labour force who do not benefit from such qualifications.
I am very conscious of the difficulties that students, like so many others in society, face as a result of the increased costs of living. For students and their families this includes not just costs such as accommodation and food but also education-specific costs such as tuition fees and the student contribution. The Government as a whole is committed to addressing issues related to the cost of living.
I have already taken significant steps to support learners and their families. Effective from the start of the next academic year the rate of grant will be increased by €200 for all SUSI recipients, I have widened the thresholds to allow more people to apply for student grants and I have changed the distance thresholds to reflect the increased costs for those who live further away from their colleges.
I have also put significant additional resources into the Student Assistance Fund, including an additional €1.3 million recently announced, which brings the fund to €18.5m for the current academic year.
However, the SUSI scheme clearly does not cover everybody, and there are many families who must pay out significant amounts of money each year to continue in third level education.
There are different options to address the costs of education, including adjusting the student contribution or increasing SUSI thresholds, but fundamentally these are decisions which must be made in the context of the annual Estimates process.
The student contribution costs as shared between the students and the state is a significant element of the overall income of our higher education institutions. In this regard the student contribution rate requires consideration in the context of a sustainable model of funding for higher education.
As I look towards the next budgetary cycle, I will be examining all the levers I have to address the issue in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly across society.
1178. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if clarity will be provided regarding the role of guidance counselling in colleges of further education in the context of the establishment of a national policy group for lifelong guidance (details supplied). [19733/22]
View answerStrong careers information and guidance is central to Ireland’s overall skills and human capital development approach. The OECD Skills Strategy Project, launched last year, is examining Ireland’s skills approach, which will include the importance of quality skills and careers information in ensuring that individuals are empowered to navigate and shape their career development, and their learning journey, in the workplace and through the lifecycle. Minister Foley has recently announced in relation to the establishment of a new Policy Group for Lifelong Guidance as recommended by Indecon in its review of Career Guidance Tools and Information. I am engaging with Minister Foley on these matters.
1180. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the salaries and expenses paid to advisers, Ministers and-or Ministers of State in his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [19747/22]
View answerUnder the terms of the “Guidelines for Ministerial Appointments to the 33rd Dáil” the salary scale for Special Adviser to a Minister is the same as the Civil Service Principal Officer pay scale whereas the pay scale for Special Adviser to a Minister of State is equivalent to the Assistant Principal Officer scale. In the event an appointee is a retired Civil Servant pension abatement applies.
The following tables contain the information requested by the Deputy.
Minister Harris:
|
YEAR |
SALARY |
EXPENSES |
|
2020 |
€179,213 pa |
€3,732 |
|
2021 |
€181,291 pa |
€11,180 |
|
2022 |
€183,923 pa |
€4,628 |
Minister Collins, T.D.
|
YEAR |
SALARY |
EXPENSES |
|
2020 |
€137,676 pa |
€8,714 |
|
2021 |
€139,754 pa |
€21,608 |
|
2022 |
€141,657 pa |
€10,414 |
I have two Special Advisers. In 2021, one advisor left in March and was replaced in April.
|
YEAR |
SALARY |
EXPENSES |
|
2020 |
€200,579 |
Nil |
|
2021 |
€192,920 |
€858 |
|
2022 |
€198,736 (this is a full year cost) |
€326 |
1181. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline all of the secondment arrangements within his Department; the conditions related to such secondments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19870/22]
View answerThe Department facilitates secondments from organisations in the public service/civil service, as required, to meet specific business requirements. In addition, this Department facilitates secondments of officials to other organisations, often in the further and higher education sector, as a result of their particular skillsets, to meet specific business needs and/or to facilitate career development opportunities.
Details in relation to staff on secondment to and from the Department are set out in the attached tabular statement.
There are 5 staff on secondment to my Department. The costs in respect of 4 of these are met by my Department. The cost associated with 1 of these is met by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), an aegis body of my Department, as part of the SFI Public Service Fellowship Programme.
The costs associated with the secondment of the 3 staff seconded out from my Department to other organisations are met by the receiving organisations.
In terms of the conditions attached to secondments, a seconded member of staff continues to be treated as a staff member of their parent organisation for the purposes of internal promotion competitions, pay and progression, incremental credit (subject to satisfactory performance), reckonable service, and will also continue to be a member of their parent organisation’s pension scheme and pay all contributions on the basis of this membership.
1182. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to extend the SUSI grant scheme to students of graduate-entry medicine; the expected timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19890/22]
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.
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme in relation to progression, 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.
Students pursuing graduate entry medicine (GEM) programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants. However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA). In academic year 20/21 the state contribution was €11,524 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
Institutions participating in the graduate medical programme have been requested to provide accompanying services and supports to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged students in the programme.
Students on graduate entry medicine courses may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. The SAF guidelines provide that students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level, or who, in the past, attended higher education without ultimately obtaining a qualification, may be considered for support on a case-by-case basis and subject to available funding.
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, www.revenue.ie.
