Mattie McGrath
Question:285. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children in the care of Tusla who are wards of court. [24005/22]
View answerWards of Court
Questions (285)
Written answers
As this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for direct reply.
Wards of Court
Questions (286)
Mattie McGrath
Question:286. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of applications that were made to the courts in each of the years 2014-2021 to take children into wardship. [24006/22]
View answerWritten answers
This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice, as the court services are under her remit.
Wards of Court
Questions (287)
Mattie McGrath
Question:287. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of applications that were made to the courts in each of the years 2014-2021 to take children into wardship that were granted by the courts. [24007/22]
View answerWritten answers
This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice, as the court services are under her remit.
Wards of Court
Questions (288)
Mattie McGrath
Question:288. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children who are wards of court who are currently in receipt of care outside the country; and the location of these care centres. [24008/22]
View answerWritten answers
This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice, as the court services are under her remit.
Rights of People with Disabilities
Questions (289)
Brendan Smith
Question:289. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the outcome of the consultations following the publication of the Initial State Report under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the next stage in the consultation process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24045/22]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018. Ireland’s Initial State Report under Article 35 of the Convention was formally submitted to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities by Ireland’s Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva on the 8th of November 2021. The report gives an article by article account of how the Convention is being implemented in Ireland. The report was drafted following extensive stakeholder consultations which took place over a three month period in early 2021, including consultation sessions with stakeholder groups.
The report will now be considered by the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Ireland will be invited to appear before a future meeting of the Committee to discuss the report. I do not have an indication, at this time, as to when the review may take place.
Outside of formal review by the UN Committee the consultations provide a wealth of data which will assist in the development and formulation of future policy measures.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (290)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:290. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to help apprentices who have to pay high rents when they are completing different phases of their course away from home and who cannot stay at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23888/22]
View answerWritten answers
Craft apprentices are eligible for certain allowances during their off-the-job training such as meal, travel and rent allowances.
These allowances are paid in addition to the craft training allowances that apprentices receive while they are attending off the job training.
All apprentices are primarily employees and as such, eligible apprentices are also entitled to access general employment supports such as the Working Family Payment and other relevant schemes.
Grant Payments
Questions (291)
Pauline Tully
Question:291. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has plans to alter the income limit range with regard to the number of dependent children in the means test for the maintenance grant, the full fee grant and the partial fee grant in order that it increases with each additional child attending a third-level institution on either a full-time or part-time basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23913/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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 which relate to nationality, residency, approved course, previous academic attainment and means. Particular priority is afforded to those on the lowest incomes and social welfare dependents through the special rate of maintenance grant.
The means test arrangements of the student grant scheme are applied nationally. In the case of both employed and self-employed applicants, gross income is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service payments excluded.
The Student Grant Scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have (i) less than 4 dependent children (ii) between 4 and 7 dependent children and (iii) 8 or more dependent children.
Also, in recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college, an increment for each additional relevant person, can be applied to the income thresholds at the rates outlined in the student grant scheme. For 2022/23 academic year I have increased the maximum increment that can be applied for each additional family member attending college at the same time to €4,950. In this way, the Student Grant Scheme is responsive to the individual circumstances of particular families.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
I intend to implement, in a phased way, the recommendations of the Student Grant Scheme review in the context of successive annual Estimates processes. However, this will be dependent on the availability of resources to this Department and overall consideration of Budgetary and Ministerial priorities. I intend to publish, during the Summer in advance of each year’s Estimates process, a paper outlining potential options and impacts, to be considered in the Budgetary process, related to the Student Grant scheme and other programmes related to student supports and costs of higher education, including with respect to those priorities identified in the Student Grant Scheme Review.
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. Students can?be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. 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 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.
Grant Payments
Questions (292)
Joan Collins
Question:292. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the interpretation by SUSI of the qualifying grounds for the non-adjacent rate in the case of a person (details supplied). [23930/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under 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.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by an appeals officer in SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe (i.e. not later than 30 days after the notification of the determination of the appeals officer to the applicant). Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.ie.
In this particular case I have been informed by SUSI that in the 2020/2021 academic year the applicant appealed their adjacency and was advised that their appeal was not submitted within the required timeframe for an appeal (30 days from date of original decision plus additional 30 days if supporting reason for delay is accepted by Appeals team). It was determined that the appeal was received outside the 60 days and was, therefore, refused. In the 2021/2022 academic year the applicant was advised through the support desk in SUSI that if they were on placement in 21/22 academic year, they need to request a review and send in evidence of this. To date SUSI has received no internal review request on 2021/22 academic year application.
Maintenance grants under the Student Grant Scheme are awarded either at the non-adjacent rate or the adjacent rate, depending on the distance between the applicant’s normal residence and the college attended.
The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in the case of students whose normal residence is 45km or less from the approved institution which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.
The measurement of the distances relating to the award of adjacent or non-adjacent rates of student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority. The distance measurement for student grant rates is governed by Article 27(3)(a) and (b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2022. This provides that the relevant distance will be measured in line with agreed guidelines.
The guidelines require that the shortest most direct route between the applicant's normal residence and the institution being attended should apply. In determining the shortest most direct route, the relevant awarding authority shall establish:
- the method for measuring a route;
- the factors to be taken into account in establishing and measuring a route.
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 and have been a priority for me since taking up my Ministerial appointment.
This Department also provides funding for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The fund is available in various publicly funded higher education institutions. The SAF provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials.
The SAF is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. Further details of the fund is available from the Access Office in the higher education institution attended. Further information on the SAF is available at www.studentfinance.ie.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (293)
Michael McNamara
Question:293. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated with their next phase of the Solas apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23980/22]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.
My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply on this individual matter. If you do not receive a response from SOLAS within 30 days, please do come back to my office for further follow-up.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (294)
Brendan Howlin
Question:294. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 704 of 22 March 2022 and 1214 of 26 April 2022, when the information requested will be provided; her views on whether it is acceptable that three Parliamentary Questions over three successive months are required to ascertain information from SOLAS which is a State body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24043/22]
View answerWritten answers
In relation to the request of 22 March, the Deputy's question did instigate an investigation of the matter in SOLAS via this Department. The follow up question of 26 April was answered nine working days later on 9th May. The response issued was as follows -
I refer to a Parliamentary Question on 26 April 2022 in which you asked if the case of a person (details supplied) attending training as a carpentry apprentice with SOLAS will be investigated; if it will be ensured that they are paid the appropriate rate for their level of training.
Your constituent apprentice was called to attend for phase 2 off-the-job training on 12/12/2019. However, at this time his employer refused to release him. He was subsequently called again on 12/10/2020 to attend for his phase 2 off-the-job training in the ETB Training Centre Sligo. While attending training in Sligo, your constituent was incorrectly put on a phase 4 training rate due to an administration error. Unfortunately, he had to leave his phase 2 off-the-job training in Sligo on 06/11/2020 due to an injury. Your constituent was subsequently called to complete his phase 2 off-the-job training in Finglas Training Centre on 04/01/2022.
The rate of pay calculated was the phase 2 rate, which he will receive up until 13/05/2022. The calculation was explained to your constituent by the Authorised Officer in Finglas TC and the Officer has offered to meet with your constituent to explain this in more detail if he so wishes. In terms of parity with his peers, the same procedure is applied to all apprentices to determine their rate of pay.
I will bring your criticisms of the time taken to return this response to the attention of SOLAS. We are currently working on a new protocol with SOLAS to ensure this does not happen again.
State Examinations
Questions (295)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Question:295. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the CAO results will be announced in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23809/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Central Applications Office (CAO) is a not-for-profit company created by the Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It processes applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on the behalf of HEIs. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. My Department does not have a role in the operation of the CAO, or the determination of offer dates.
However, the processing and issuing of Round 1 CAO offers is contingent on the availability of Leaving Certificate results. It would be expected that once a results date for the Leaving Certificate is available, a CAO Round 1 offer date can be announced shortly afterwards.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (296)
Richard O'Donoghue
Question:296. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the number and location of the Garda stations in Limerick city and county that are open to the public 24/7 with a Garda present; and the details of same. [23886/22]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes decisions on the deployment of personnel among the various Garda Divisions. The Commissioner is also responsible for the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff under the Act and, as Minister, I have no direct role in these independent functions.
The Government is committed to ensuring that An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs, with an unprecedented allocation provided in Budget 2022 of over €2 billion.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimum use. The full complement of resources fluctuates on an ongoing basis and where a deficiency in resources is identified, the matter is considered fully and addressed accordingly.
I understand that it is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to them, having regard to the profile of each area within the division and its specific needs.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that Bruff, Henry Street, and Roxboro Garda stations are open to the public 24 hours a day, and have a Garda present. Contact details for all Garda Stations in the State are available on the Garda website at:
www.garda.ie/en/contact-us/station-directory/
In the interests of transparency, detailed information in relation to Garda numbers is available on my Department’s website. This information is updated every month with the latest data provided by An Garda Síochána, and includes the number of Gardaí by station across the whole country.
The information can be found at the following link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures
Workplace Relations Commission
Questions (297)
Patrick Costello
Question:297. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of referrals made under the National Referral of Mediators in the past four years; and the outcomes arising from same. [23937/22]
View answerWritten answers
I understand that the National Referral of Mediators referred to by the Deputy relates to the Workplace Relations Commission’s mediation process.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an agency under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Any questions in relation to the work of the WRC should be submitted to that Department for their direct reply.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (298)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:298. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the Government policy in relation to ensuring ethnic diversity in An Garda Síochána; the discussions that she has had with the Garda Commissioner in relation to this matter; the number of applications received from the Traveller community for membership of an Garda Síochána in 2019; the number recruited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23971/22]
View answerWritten answers
Both the Government and the Garda Commissioner are committed to increasing diversity within An Garda Síochána and ensuring that all communities can see themselves reflected in our police service.
The Garda Commissioner has put a welcome focus on equality, diversity and inclusion, as An Garda Síochána seek to embed the principle that human rights are the foundation and the purpose of policing in Ireland.
- An Garda Síochána have demonstrated this in recent years through the foundation of the Garda National Diversity & Integration Unit (GNDIU), publication of an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy Statement and Action Plan and through a concentrated effort to encourage minorities to apply for their most recent recruitment campaign.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that, as part of this work, the GNDIU (supported by other sections) complied information packs which set out in easy to understand formats information regarding:
- Entry requirements for applicants
- Changes to An Garda Síochána’s Uniform and Dress Policy
- Changes to the Irish Language requirements
The information packs were distributed to An Garda Síochána's Travelling Community stakeholders and members of the Garda Traveller Advisory Group (GTAG), in order to assist with efforts to raise awareness of the competition, and encourage applications within the Travelling Community. The information packs were also provided to Garda Diversity Officers (GDO) to promote awareness within minority communities in their areas. The Garda National Diversity Forum also supported these efforts.
I am advised that the GNDIU also conducted an information Webinar which included a Q&A with representatives from the Public Appointments Service, HR Competitions, Garda Probationers and Garda Interns, in which members of the Travelling Community participated.
Until this year, people applying to An Garda Síochána were required to have proven proficiency in two languages in order to join the Gardaí – one of which was required to be English or Irish. That requirement has changed, and candidates are now only required to have one of these languages to enter An Garda Síochána. We know that there are under-represented groups who are much less likely to have studied two languages, and the removal of the two language requirement takes away another barrier to entry for these groups.
I am pleased to say that there has been a very welcome increase in the number of people from the Traveller Community applying for a job with An Garda Síochána with 43 applicants describing themselves as ‘White Traveller’, which is up from just 19 applicants in 2019. There was also as increase in people from people from other minority backgrounds. This is really important as it is essential that An Garda Síochána is representative of the communities that it protects.
I am advised that An Garda Síochána does not record the ethnicity of Garda personnel and therefore the number recruited from the 2019 competition is not available.
- I would in conclusion like to advise the Deputy that An Garda Síochána launched the first Garda Diversity Internship last November, which is a first of its kind initiative for An Garda Síochána. The internship aims to increase the accessibility, understanding of, and potential for a career in An Garda Síochána for school-leavers and graduates, particularly those from groups typically under-represented in the organisation. There are currently 29 interns employed on the programme on a full-time, short-term basis; 13 third level graduates and 15 recent school leavers.
An Garda Síochána
Questions (299)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:299. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice her views on whether the Government policy of a multiethnic Garda Síochána, that would represent the diversity of Irish society is being achieved; the number of applications for Garda recruitment that were received; the number who were actually recruited, respectively broken down by ethnicity in 2019, 2020 and 2021, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23972/22]
View answerWritten answers
The Programme for Government commits to Increasing the diversity within An Garda Síochána, prioritising the identification and removal of barriers to recruiting and retaining people from diverse and minority backgrounds.
I have sought the information requested by the Deputy from the Garda authorities, however, the information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.