Written Answers Nos. 1461-1475
1461. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of all commercial and non-commercial semi-State bodies indicating the number of apprentices employed in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40735/22]
View answerAt the end of last year, the apprentice population was 24,212 and there were approximately 255 apprentices registered with public service employers such as the Civil Service, the Defence Forces and local authorities. These apprentices were registered across over 20 different apprenticeship programmes in areas as diverse as cybersecurity, accounting technician, recruitment, heavy vehicle mechanics and stonecutting and stonemasonry. This number grew to 779 apprentices i.e. almost 3% of the apprentice population at that time when commercial and non-commercial semi-state organisations are included.
As requested by the Deputy, a list of all commercial and non-commercial semi-State bodies indicating the number of apprentices employed in tabular form at the end of 2021 is attached. The attached table also lists the number of apprentices employed in Civil Service departments, local authorities and the Defence Forces at the end of last year.
The Deputy should note that where fewer than five apprentices were registered, the number is given as "Less than 5" in order to protect individuals' identities.
|
Organisation Name |
number of apprentices employed end of 2021 |
|
Bord Na Mona |
7 |
|
Bus Atha Cliath |
41 |
|
Bus Eireann |
75 |
|
Central Bank Of Ireland |
5 |
|
Clare County Council |
less than 5 |
|
Cork City Council |
less than 5 |
|
Cork County Council |
5 |
|
Defence Forces |
176 |
|
Department Of Justice |
less than 5 |
|
Department Of Transport |
less than 5 |
|
Donegal Co Council |
less than 5 |
|
Dublin Airport Authority |
5 |
|
Dublin City Council |
28 |
|
ESB |
345 |
|
Fingal County Council |
less than 5 |
|
Houses Of The Oireachtas |
less than 5 |
|
Iarnród Eireann |
45 |
|
Irish Prison Services |
less than 5 |
|
Limerick City & County Council |
less than 5 |
|
National Gallery Of Ireland |
less than 5 |
|
Office Of Public Works |
11 |
|
Office Of The Comptroller And Auditor General |
less than 5 |
|
Public Appointments Service |
less than 5 |
|
Revenue Commissioners |
less than 5 |
|
Roscommon County Council |
less than 5 |
|
Tipperary County Council |
less than 5 |
|
Westmeath Co Council |
less than 5 |
|
Wicklow County Council |
less than 5 |
|
TOTAL |
779 |
1462. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the planned National Apprenticeship Office has finalised its work programme for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40736/22]
View answerA work programme for 2022 has been developed by the Director of the National Apprenticeship Office in parallel with development and implementation of solid governance and financial arrangements, aligned with the Action Plan, in consultation with SOLAS, the HEA, my Department and other key partners.
1463. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for stakeholder engagement regarding the higher education authority Bill 2022 prior to the legislation concluding Report Stage in Seanad Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40850/22]
View answerThe extensive consultation process undertaken by the Department has been a central element of the development of the legislation. This includes ongoing engagement with the key stakeholders. The views of stakeholders have been sought on all of the key issues and the approach has been to make clear the policy objectives and reforms are understood and, to the greatest extent possible, supported by stakeholders.
Consultation commenced in July 2018, with three formal consultation processes, in 2018, 2019 and 2021. To augment these consultations, a number of focused stakeholder meetings were held including with Higher Education Authority, Irish Universities Association (IUA), Technological Higher Education Association (THEA), Union of Students in Ireland (USI), Trinity College Dublin and the Irish Congress of Trade Union (ICTU). The key issues raised by the stakeholders were taken into account in the General Scheme of a Bill which was approved by Government in May 2021.
The general scheme was scrutinised by the Joint committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science under the pre-legislative scrutiny process between July and September 2021. The Joint Committee invited a wide range of stakeholders to make written submissions on the General Scheme of the Bill and oral hearings were held by the Committee in July 2021. Many of the recommendations made by the committee in the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny report have been included in the HEA legislation.
There was further engagement with the key stakeholders including the HEA, IUA, THEA and USI following the receipt of the Report on the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2021. The views of the key stakeholders were considered prior to the finalisation of the Bill.
The Bill also received significant changes as it passed through the Dáil at the request of T.D.s. following engagement with stakeholders and members of the Oireachtas. A total of 179 amendments were made at Committee Stage (97 amendments) and Report stage (82 amendments). It is considered that these amendments have strengthened the Bill and that the Bill represents an important milestone in providing for a high quality, student centred higher education sector.
My officials and I have also engaged with Senators on the legislative provisions within the Bill prior to Report Stage in Seanad Éireann. Report Stage is currently scheduled to be resumed on 14th September 2022.
1464. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement that he has had regarding the shortage of student accommodation for new and returning students to TUS Athlone in the coming academic year. [40893/22]
View answerSince becoming Minister, both I and my Department officials have engaged intensively with both the Minister and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the wider higher education sector and stakeholders on student accommodation issues, within the context of overall housing policy.
My recent engagement with the sector indicates that hundreds of additional bed spaces owned by higher education institutions (HEIs) will be available for the start of the forthcoming academic year.
At the recent July Cabinet Housing Committee meeting to discuss student accommodation policy further, I received support to further explore a potential new provision model that would seek to bridge the challenging gap between the viability of delivering purpose built student accommodation and subsequent rental affordability for students. Both I and my Department are continuing to engage with Minister O’Brien and his officials in particular, and with other relevant sectoral stakeholders, on this.
Additionally, in the wider context many HEIs continue to support their students to find accommodation in the private rental sector through, for example, the encouragement of room rental or ‘student digs’ in family homes and maintain online databases students can access to search for and check out accommodation, where advertisements for room rentals can be placed and advice on sample rental agreements provided. This is an approach which I and my Department fully support and encourage.
In relation to technological universities, such as TÚS, borrowing to develop student accommodation, it has been confirmed through engagement that the Housing Finance Agency Act 1981 (as amended) provides a legislative basis for borrowing from that Agency by specified institutes of higher education, including TUs, where such borrowing is in respect of the provision of housing accommodation for students. The impacts, risks and responsibilities arising from such borrowing are key considerations in this context.
In addition to accessing borrowing on commercially viable and appropriate terms such as would not adversely impact the financial position of TUs themselves or the wider public finances, requisite oversight, risk evaluation, project management and attendant governance and regulatory processes would also need to be established. As such while this remains a complex issue my Department and the Departments of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and Public Expenditure and Reform are committed to working with any viable pilot student accommodation proposals that emerge from the technological sector and to progress a borrowing framework in that context.
I have also been in recent correspondence with the President of the TÚS Students’ Union on these matters.
1465. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions and engagements that his Department has taken to date to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy efficiency in all buildings under his Department. [40913/22]
View answerIn 2020 my Department partnered with SEAI to commence a Pathfinder Programme in higher education buildings. The purpose of this programme is to establish a pathway for a large-scale building energy retrofit programme to meet the targets set out in the Climate Action Plan 2021. A total of €18 million has been allocated to date, funded 50/50 by my Department and SEAI, and additional funding is currently under consideration. Building on the success of this Pathfinder Programme it is intended to extend the programme imminently to the Further Education and Training sector.
Energy management and performance data for the further and higher education sector is reported annually to the SEAI in order to track the sector’s progress. The SEAI in turn publishes an Annual Report setting out the overall energy efficiency performance results of public sector bodies.
The 2021 Annual Report was based on data relating to 2020 and the report was therefore based on sectoral groups as they existed at the outset of 2020. Higher Education Institutions and Education & Training Boards formed part of the Education and Skills Group. The Education and Skills group performed well, reporting energy savings since baseline of 46%. These savings have been achieved by a combination of behavioural change as a result of energy conservation campaigns and targeted investment in the area of energy upgrade works. There is a strong commitment in the sector to improved energy efficiency and decarbonisation.
In terms of the building occupied by my Department, since the establishment of my Department in August 2020, my staff have worked across a number of locations. Several of these buildings are shared an operated by the Department of Education and as such my staff in those buildings adhere to Department of Education initiatives on energy efficiency.
The Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, acquired new office space for my Department’s Head Quarters at 52 Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 in September 2021. As my Department has only been in occupancy for a short period of time it is not possible to quantify the energy costs associated with the building and associated actions on usage. However, I can state that during enabling works on the building, carried out on behalf of the Office of Public Works in December 2021 a new energy efficient gas boiler system was commissioned. This is predicted to provide considerable savings and a reduction in energy wastage. Furthermore, building surveys are being carried out on what other measures may be implemented in, what is, a historic structure. These surveys include the upgrading of windows and improving insulation to prevent heat loss.
My officials continue to take measures to reduce energy consumption where possible with equipment upgrades and refurbished lighting helping to reduce the energy demand.
1466. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the guidelines and circulars issued to institutes of technology and the new university entities on the structure of pay scales for lecturers from 2003 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40951/22]
View answerPublic sector pay policy is set down by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) as changes in pay are normally agreed at national pay talks, whereby that Department leads in negotiations with the relevant stakeholders, including employee representatives. Fiscal measures, such as those imposed under the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (FEMPI), also have had an impact on the pay of public servants from January 2010 on, with the FEMPI Acts providing for a number of changes in pay.
In line with instructions received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Pay Circulars have been issued by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, whereby instructions have been provided to the Higher Education Authority to issue relevant Circulars to the Institutes of Technology and the Technological Universities, indicating the relevant increase or reduction to be applied to different cohorts of employees in the higher education sector, based on the DPER instruction. These Circulars include the salary scales to be applied to distinct grades, and lecturer grades in the institutes of technology and the new technological universities are included.
All higher education pay circulars issued by the Department of Further Higher Education Research, Innovation and Science can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/search/?q=pay+circulars&sort_by=published_date&organisation=department-of-higher-education-innovation-and-science.
Previous to the establishment of the Department in 2020, the Circulars issued to the technological higher education sector, by the then Department of Education and Skills, can be found at the following link, www.gov.ie/en/circulars/ by searching for the Department of Education and Skills and the year where were changes to pay. Changes to pay occurred in the following years: 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and in 2020.
1467. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the apprenticeships on which employers are eligible for a grant to participate. [40991/22]
View answerAll apprentices are paid during their off the job training phases either by their employer as is the case with the new consortia led programmes or by the Education Shared Business Services (ESBS) Centre in the Department of Education in the case of craft apprentice programmes. The cost to employers of craft apprentices is effectively reduced through these payments by the ESBS. In order to rectify this anomaly the introduction of an annual employer grant is a significant deliverable under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. In this way, employers of all apprentices will have some of the cost of the apprenticeship defrayed, promoting engagement with the non-craft programmes and balancing Government priorities in terms of meeting strategic skills needs through targeted interventions.
The new Employer Grant is funded in Budget 2022 and will see annual payments to employers of €2,000 per apprentice for those apprenticeships which are not eligible for the payment of off-the-job training allowances. Its introduction means that, for the first time, employers of all apprentices will now have access to some level of financial support, either through direct payment of allowances to apprentices or through the employer grant. The grant came into effect from January 2022 with the application portal for this payment formally launched on 26 May 2022. Employers of those apprenticeships that are not eligible for the payment of off-the-job training allowances will be reimbursed at mid- and end-year intervals.
A full list of the 41 eligible programmes is attached.
New apprenticeships introduced in 2022 and subsequent years will be automatically included in the grant scheme.
|
List of Apprenticeships eligible for Employer Grant |
|
|
Current Apprenticeships |
|
|
ARBORICULTURE |
|
|
1 |
Arboriculture |
|
BIOPHARMA |
|
|
2 |
Laboratory Analyst |
|
3 |
Laboratory Technician |
|
CONSTRUCTION |
|
|
4 |
Geo-Driller |
|
5 |
Scaffolding |
|
ELECTRICAL |
|
|
6 |
Industrial Electrical Engineer |
|
ENGINEERING |
|
|
7 |
Lean Sigma Manager |
|
8 |
Engineering Services Management |
|
9 |
Equipment Systems Engineer |
|
10 |
Manufacturing Engineer (Level 7) |
|
11 |
Manufacturing Technology (Level 6) |
|
12 |
OEM Engineer |
|
13 |
Polymer Processing Technology |
|
14 |
Principal Engineer |
|
15 |
Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician |
|
FINANCE |
|
|
16 |
Accounting Technician |
|
17 |
International Financial Services Associate |
|
18 |
International Financial Services Specialist |
|
HAIR |
|
|
19 |
Hairdressing |
|
HEALTHCARE |
|
|
20 |
Advanced Healthcare Assistant Practitioner |
|
HOSPITALITY & FOOD |
|
|
21 |
Bar Manager |
|
22 |
Butcher |
|
23 |
Chef de Partie |
|
24 |
Commis Chef |
|
25 |
Sous Chef |
|
ICT |
|
|
26 |
CGI Technical Artist (Animation, Games, VFX) |
|
27 |
Cybersecurity |
|
28 |
Cybersecurity Practitioner |
|
29 |
Network Engineer Associate |
|
30 |
Software Developer Associate |
|
31 |
Telecommunications and Data Network Technician |
|
INSURANCE |
|
|
32 |
Insurance Practitioner |
|
LOGISTICS |
|
|
33 |
Logistics Associate |
|
34 |
Supply Chain Associate |
|
35 |
Supply Chain Manager |
|
36 |
Supply Chain Specialist |
|
37 |
Transport Operations and Commercial Driver |
|
PROPERTY SERVICES |
|
|
38 |
Auctioneering and Property Services |
|
RECRUITMENT |
|
|
39 |
Recruitment Executive |
|
SALES |
|
|
40 |
Retail Supervision |
|
41 |
Sales |
1468. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the apprenticeships on which the extra payment to encourage minority gender participation now apply; and if this applies to all apprenticeships or only to those for which an employer subsidy applies. [40992/22]
View answerOn 14th April, I announced a new gender-based bursary for apprenticeship employers as part of the national Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025. The bursary, which is worth €2,666, is available to employers who employ apprentices in the minority gender on any national apprenticeship programme with greater than 80% representation of a single gender. It is being implemented with effect from 01 January 2022, and covers all new apprentice registrations from that date on eligible national apprenticeship programmes. The apprenticeship gender-based bursary is an expansion of the ‘female bursary’ available to craft apprenticeship employers prior to 2022. Currently there are 41 programmes eligible for the bursary. The full list of these programmes is attached. This bursary is in addition to the Government supports that apprenticeship employers receive via the craft training allowance and the employer grant.
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
Manufacturing Engineer |
|
Aircraft Mechanics |
Mechanical Automation and Maintenance Fitting (MAMF) |
|
Arboriculture |
Metal Fabrication |
|
Brick and Stone-Laying |
Motor Mechanics |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
Network Engineer Associate |
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
OEM Engineer |
|
Craft Butcher |
Painting and Decorating |
|
Cybersecurity |
Pipefitting |
|
Electrical |
Plastering |
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
Plumbing |
|
Electronic Security Systems |
Polymer Processing Technology |
|
Engineering Services Management |
Principal Engineer |
|
Equipment Systems Engineer |
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
|
Farriery |
Sales |
|
Scaffolding |
|
|
Geo Driller |
Sheet Metalworking |
|
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry |
|
|
Hairdressing (*men less than 20%) |
|
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
Telecoms & Data Network Technician |
|
Industrial Electrical Engineer |
Toolmaking |
|
Industrial Insulation |
Vehicle Body Repairs |
|
Instrumentation |
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing |
1469. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if those at work and those returning to the workforce can participate in all Springboard courses; and if so, if any fees are required from participants or their employers. [40993/22]
View answerUnemployed applicants in receipt of an eligible DSP payment, and Returners have the entirety of their course fee paid for.
Employed applicants and Recent Graduates must pay 10% of the course fee.
The table below provides a description of each cohort and the % of the fee that is paid for by the Government of Ireland and EU co-financing.
|
Cohort |
Description |
% of course fee paid |
|
Unemployed |
not currently working, receiving a qualifying welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection (unless you are formerly self-employed) and actively seeking employment. |
100% |
|
Returner |
Homemaker, on other caring duties, or economically dependent on a partner/spouse for at least 9 of the last 12 months. |
100% |
|
Employed |
Someone who is working either for yourself or someone else. |
90% |
|
Recent Graduate |
Someone who is a graduate from a full-time NFQ Level 8 degree within the 12 months prior to the start of a Springboard+ course and who does not fit into one of the above categories. |
90% |
1470. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans that are in place to address the backlog in apprentice training block releases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41106/22]
View answerMore than 8,400 apprentices, over 70% of those delayed by Covid-19, have now progressed with their training. This includes over 700 final year apprentices who were fast-tracked to complete their qualification. The numbers of apprentices waiting for off the job training will reduce once again when scheduling for phases 2, 4 and 6 commence this month.
The very welcome sustained growth in apprenticeship registrations has compounded Covid-related pressures on access by craft apprentices to off-the-job training. To ensure that the remainder of the Covid-19 backlog is cleared and the system has the capacity to meet the training needs of rapidly increasing numbers of apprentices, expansion of the apprenticeship system is continuing in 2022.
In particular, further major investment in workshops and staff is planned for this year. On 8th July, I announced the roll-out of €17.2 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships. This builds on the €20 million Apprenticeship Capital Fund investment in 2021 across both the further and higher education sectors.
The funding includes: The development of two large training hubs dedicated to electrical training for the next three years; Expansion of electrical, plumbing and carpentry programmes across further and higher education; The construction of electrical workshops at Kilkenny and Carlow ETB and the development of a training facility in Donegal; A call for additional phase 2 capacity in craft programmes that include carpentry, plumbing and refrigeration Expansion of electrical apprenticeships in ATU Donegal and MTU Kerry.
Officials in my Department are in continuous engagement with SOLAS, the HEA and other partners on the matter of the backlog and it is expected that the majority of craft apprentices waiting for off-the-job training for phases 4 and 6 will be cleared later this year. The majority of phase 2 waiting lists is expected to be on target to be cleared by the end of 2022.
1471. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are currently any apprenticeships in the film industry; if not, if there are any plans to introduce apprenticeships in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41107/22]
View answerApprenticeship is a demand driven educational and training programme which aims to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. The development of new apprenticeships is employer-led, with consortia comprising employer groups and educational providers coming together to identify a skills need and appropriate apprenticeship response in their sector. While there is no specific apprenticeship for the film industry at present there is a Level 8 Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) Technical Artist Apprenticeship currently available. On completion of the programme, successful apprentices may then choose to work as a CGI technical artist in animation in the TV and film industry, game and app development, theme park and concert visual effects industry VFX, immersive technologies and related sectors.
Officials in my Department are not aware of any other apprenticeship in the film industry in development or being considered.
A defined process and structure for employers to become engaged in the apprenticeship process is in place. It is open to any industry that wishes to explore options for developing an apprenticeship to bring a proposal forward. The SOLAS Guidance Document for Submitting an Initial Proposal for a New National Apprenticeship together with their Handbook on Developing a National Apprenticeship provide an overview of the key features of new apprenticeships, including sectoral engagement and collaboration among enterprises and other stakeholders in the relevant industry. These publications are available on www.apprenticeship.ie.
There are currently 66 apprenticeship programmes on offer: 25 craft programmes and 41 programmes introduced since 2016. Eight new programmes were launched over 2020 and 2021, despite the pandemic; Arboriculture, Equipment Systems Engineer, Healthcare Assistant, Principal Engineer – Professional Doctorate, Recruitment Executive, Sales, Scaffolding , Supply Chain Associate.
In recent months, four further programmes have been launched: Bar Manager, Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician, Transport Operations & Commercial Driving and Cybersecurity Practitioner.
1472. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are currently any apprenticeships in the offshore renewable energy industry; if not, if there are any plans to introduce apprenticeships in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41108/22]
View answerSustainable green skills are embedded in the Further Education and Training Strategy, which provides that climate change and sustainable development are key components of Further Education and Training (FET) processes. FET will continue to contribute to the Government’s call of action to prioritise energy, building and the environment in its processes.
The Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician (WTMT) Apprenticeship was launched in March 2022. Kerry ETB is the coordinating provider for the apprenticeship. It is estimated that there will be in the region of 18 registrations by year end. It will run for a duration of 3 years and is offered at Level 6 on the NFQ. The rationale for this apprenticeship is that there is no current apprenticeship which provides the range of knowledge, skills and competencies needed for the role of wind turbine maintenance technician. This Apprenticeship is for people who wish to pursue a career in the maintenance of large scale commercial wind turbines. It is designed to meet the needs of the growing Irish Renewable and Sustainable Energy sector and creates a pathway into this career for school leavers or those who do not currently possess any relevant qualifications.
Other educational opportunities in the Further Education and Training sector include Kerry ETB’s Wind Turbine Maintenance Traineeship. Kerry ETB recognised the shortage of training and education opportunities in this area. This traineeship typically lasts 39 weeks and includes a minimum of 30 percent on-the-job training. Upon completion, trainees may receive a City and Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering. This has been run in Kerry ETB’s training facility since 2014 with very high placement rates for trainees involved. However, the entry requirements for this traineeship require potential trainees to hold one of the following:
- Advanced Craft Certificate (Electrical)
- Advanced Craft Certificate (MAMF)
- Advanced Craft Certificate (Motor Mechanic)
- BEng with related work experience
The Green Tech Skillnet provides training opportunities in wind energy both for those working in the industry and for people looking to enter the wind industry. The Green Tech Skillnet is an enterprise-led network facilitating the workforce and development needs of the Irish renewable energy industry. It is promoted by Wind Energy Ireland (WEI), the representative body for the Irish wind industry, working to promote wind energy as an essential, economical and environmentally friendly part of the country’s low-carbon energy future. A number of renewable energy programmes are funded under HCI and Springboard+, among other Green Skills courses. This includes: a Graduate Diploma in Sustainable Energy Systems at DCU; a Postgraduate Diploma in Wind Energy at Dundalk Institute of Technology; Certificate in Energy Sustainability at South East Technological University; and MEng in Energy Infrastructure at Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest.
Ireland has an ambitious skills agenda driven out by 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. A core objective for my Department is to ensure that individuals and businesses are offered supports and pathways to quality education, upskilling and reskilling opportunities.
1473. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has received any gifts from visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the details of these gifts, their value, and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41119/22]
View answerI have received no gifts from dignitaries visiting.
1474. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has received any gifts while travelling abroad; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and value of these gifts and the way they were disposed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41137/22]
View answerI have not received any gifts while travelling abroad.
1475. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he or his Department have given any gifts to visiting dignitaries; if he will provide a breakdown of the detail and the value of these gifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41155/22]
View answerI have not presented any gifts to visiting dignitaries.
