Written Answers Nos. 212-231
212. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will give serious consideration to launching a structured graduate programme that would support the 35% of cardiac physiologists who are not trained in echocardiography and bring them to the point of certification; if fees for same will be covered by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47457/22]
View answerThe matter of health workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of qualified healthcare workers within Ireland, is a major priority for my Department. The Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service.
My officials are actively engaging with the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can continue to deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.
213. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship registrations in the construction sector, by type, to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47501/22]
View answerThe total number of apprenticeship registrations in the construction sector as of the end of August 2022 is 2793. A breakdown of the individual programmes is set out in the table.
|
Construction Apprenticeships |
Total as of end of August |
|
Construction |
1004 |
|
Brick and Stonelaying |
43 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
398 |
|
Geo Driller |
1 |
|
Painting and Decorating |
12 |
|
Plastering |
18 |
|
Plumbing |
504 |
|
Scaffolding |
21 |
|
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry |
7 |
|
Electrical |
1537 |
|
Electrical |
1445 |
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
92 |
|
Engineering |
252 |
|
Engineering Services Management |
10 |
|
Equipment Systems Engineer |
2 |
|
Metal Fabrication |
145 |
|
Pipefitting |
65 |
|
Principal Engineer |
3 |
|
Sheet Metalworking |
27 |
|
Wind Turbine Maintenance |
0 |
|
Grand Total |
2793 |
214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the sources of funding, if any, that are available for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry to further their education. [47520/22]
View answerUnder the progression/previous academic attainment criteria of the scheme, a grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need may apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the college attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
Also, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including approved postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners at: www.revenue.ie
215. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered increasing the number of places available for students to obtain a bachelor of pharmacy degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47550/22]
View answerOn the 28th June, I announced an additional 1,056 college places, which will be available from September 2022. These places are in areas including IT, architecture and construction, nursing, engineering, education and welfare. An additional ten places in pharmacy in RCSI have been created from September 2022.
The matter of health workforce planning and ensuring an appropriate pipeline of qualified healthcare workers within Ireland, is a major priority for my Department. The Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service.
My officials are actively engaging with the Department of Health and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that we can continue to deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.
216. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of occupational therapy places that were accepted for the incoming college year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47551/22]
View answerThe Department does not hold data on acceptances of individual courses for the coming academic year. The table below shows the first year enrolments of the three Occupational Therapy degree programmes for the most recent academic year 2021/2022 by institution.
|
HEI |
2021/2022 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
27 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
37 |
|
University College Cork |
31 |
|
Grand Total |
95 |
217. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of speech and language therapy places that were accepted for the incoming college year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47552/22]
View answerThe Department does not hold data on acceptances of individual courses for the coming academic year. The table below shows the first year enrolments of the three Speech and Language Therapy degree programmes for the most recent academic year 2021/2022 by institution.
|
HEI |
Title |
2021/2022 |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
Clinical Speech and Language Studies |
37 |
|
University College Cork |
Speech and Language Therapy |
32 |
|
National University of Ireland, Galway |
Speech and Language Therapy |
28 |
|
Grand Total |
|
97 |
218. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship applications that were made in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47553/22]
View answer219. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship applications that were accepted in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47554/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.
Apprenticeship is a demand driven, employer-led offering based on a contract of employment between the apprentice and their respective employer. As such, the number of apprentices in any specific sector is determined directly by employer provision. The total number of registrations this year is 4276, as of the end of August 2022. Registrations are usually higher after the academic year commences. Details of the individual programmes are set out in the table.
|
Apprenticeship Programme |
Aug-22 |
|
Aboriculture |
0 |
|
Accounting Technician |
62 |
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
25 |
|
Aircraft Mechanics |
17 |
|
Auctioneering and Property Services |
64 |
|
Bar Manager |
55 |
|
Brick and Stonelaying |
43 |
|
Butcher |
23 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
398 |
|
CGI technical Artist |
0 |
|
Chef de Partie |
2 |
|
Commis Chef |
50 |
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
44 |
|
Cybersecurity |
26 |
|
Cybersecurity Practitioner |
0 |
|
Electrical |
1445 |
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
47 |
|
Electronic Security Systems |
46 |
|
Engineering Services Management |
10 |
|
Equipment Systems Engineer |
2 |
|
Farriery |
3 |
|
GEO Driller |
1 |
|
Hairdressing |
17 |
|
Health Care Assistant |
0 |
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
84 |
|
ICT - Network Engineer Associate |
16 |
|
Industrial Electrical Engineer |
13 |
|
Industrial Insulation |
9 |
|
Instrumentation |
8 |
|
Insurance Practitioner |
54 |
|
International Financial Services Associate |
10 |
|
International Financial Services Specialist |
3 |
|
Laboratory Analyst |
3 |
|
Laboratory Technician |
7 |
|
Lean Sigma Manager |
22 |
|
Logistics Associate |
21 |
|
Manufacturing Engineer (Level 7) |
16 |
|
Manufacturing Technology (Level 6) |
43 |
|
Mechanical Automation & Maintenance Fitting |
92 |
|
Metal Fabrication |
145 |
|
Motor Mechanics |
241 |
|
OEM Engineer |
6 |
|
Painting and Decorating |
12 |
|
Pipefitting |
65 |
|
Plastering |
18 |
|
Plumbing |
504 |
|
Polymer Processing Technology |
11 |
|
Principal Engineer |
3 |
|
Recruitment |
11 |
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
92 |
|
Retail Supervision |
82 |
|
Sales |
18 |
|
Scaffolding |
21 |
|
Sheet Metalworking |
27 |
|
Software Developer Associate |
70 |
|
Sous Chef |
1 |
|
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry |
7 |
|
Supply Chain Associate |
1 |
|
Supply Chain Manager |
5 |
|
Supply Chain Specialist |
5 |
|
Telecommunications and Data Net. Tech. |
26 |
|
Toolmaking |
25 |
|
Transport Operations and Commercial Driving |
4 |
|
Vehicle Body Repairs |
11 |
|
Wind Turbine Maintenance Technician |
0 |
|
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing |
84 |
|
Grand Total |
4276 |
220. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice when she expects a determination to be made in the case of an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47354/22]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy continues to be processed by my Department, with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation. It will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
Applications are processed in chronological order by date received. Due to the high volume of applications currently on hand, regrettably, processing times can be up to 19 months.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
In 2021, my Department issued 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest number of decisions made since 2015, and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
221. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the number of public order units operating across each of the six Garda divisions in Dublin from 2017 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form. [47364/22]
View answerI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
222. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the number of public order units operating full-time across each of the six Garda divisions in Dublin from 2017 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form. [47365/22]
View answerI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
223. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the number of gardaí assigned to each of the public order units operating across each of the six Garda divisions in Dublin from 2017 to 2022, inclusive, in tabular form. [47366/22]
View answerI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
224. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Justice the options that are available to a 20-year-old Belarussian national (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47422/22]
View answerIreland supports the entry of migrants through a number of legal pathways, to facilitate legal migration into the State.
Further details of the legal pathways available can be found on the Immigration Service website at the following link: www.irishimmigration.ie/, which may be of use to the person concerned in determining which permission or visa category would be most relevant to their circumstances.
Where a person is in the State and there are exceptional circumstances in an individual’s case it is open to them to apply to Immigration Service for consideration.
225. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice the average number of individuals who complete community service orders each year; the number who have completed community service orders in counties Cavan and Monaghan over the past three years; the type of work that has been done by those on community service over the past three years in Cavan and Monaghan; the way this community service is supervised; the number of persons on community service who are supervised by volunteers; the number of supervisors who are employed by the Probation Service in Cavan and Monaghan; the estimated cost to the State for each person doing community service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47566/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware it is generally recognised that non-custodial penalties, particularly supervised community sanctions, play a significant and important role in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing a degree of protection to the public. This is supported by Central Statistics Office figures on recidivism.
Non-custodial sentences, which includes sentencing a person to undertake community service, means that a person can retain links to their community (such as family connections, employment and education) which improves the chances that they will not re-offend.
This is reflected in the Review of Policy Options for Prison and Penal Reform 2022-2024 which I recently published. Among the issues the review makes recommendations on, is reducing the use of short custodial sentences (especially sentences under 3 months) and exploring how the judiciary can be provided with a greater range of non-custodial sanctions. Community sanctions can play a role in addressing criminality, reducing reoffending and providing protection to the public while holding the individual accountable. Non-custodial sentences, which includes sentencing a person to undertake community service, means that a person can retain links to their own community (e.g. family connections, their job) which improves the chances that they will not re-offend.
Community Service orders are non-custodial sanctions whereby individuals can be ordered by the sentencing judge to carry out unpaid work in the community, for the benefit of the community, ranging from 40 – 240 hours in lieu of prison sentences of up to 12 months.
In 2021, the Probation Service managed a total of 1,360 Community Service Orders (relating to 1,195 people) which totals 203,306 hours work in lieu of 713 years in prison. This equates to over €2 million worth of unpaid work for the benefit of communities nationwide.
A total of 1,195 people were subject to community service orders in 2021. This was a reduction on the pre-pandemic total of 2,355 in 2019. This reduction was a result of disruption to the work of the Courts and to host sites during this period due to national restrictions.
The type of work carried out by those on community service in Cavan and Monaghan over the past three years includes litter picking, grass cutting, grounds works in graveyards, the maintenance of green areas in both counties and general maintenance work in local clubs, sports facilities and schools.
People who are subject to community service orders are supervised by a paid supervisor who works alongside them. Each supervisor may supervise a maximum of eight people subject to orders on any one day
There are currently 3 community services supervisors working across Cavan and Monaghan.
The cost of a community service order is calculated at €1,500 per order.
As requested by the Deputy the table below shows the total number of people who were subject to community service orders from 2019–2021, and the number of people on community service orders in Cavan-Monaghan in 2019-2021.
It should be noted that the figures indicate the number of people who were subject to an order in 2021. While individuals begin a community service order in any given year, they may not necessarily complete the order in the same year.
Community Service Orders 2019-2021
|
- |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Total number of people on community service orders nationally |
2,355 |
1,033 |
1,195 |
|
Number of people on community service orders in Cavan-Monaghan |
244 |
88 |
151 |
226. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the volume of retirements in An Garda Síochána whereby the gardaí in question had not served five years or more in the force in total, excluding training for the years 2016 to 2022, by year and county, in tabular form. [47616/22]
View answerI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
|
Year |
2022 |
2021 |
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
Total |
|
Departures |
60 |
45 |
45 |
40 |
25 |
9 |
12 |
236 |
227. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of persons living with a disability who are currently supported by State-funded care packages to live in housing provided by private or for-profit organisations, as opposed to section 38 and 39 organisations. [47563/22]
View answerAs this relates to a service matter, I am referring it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
228. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on housing persons living with a disability in housing provided by private or for-profit organisations, as opposed to section 38 and 39 organisations; the percentage of the annual residential budget this equates to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47564/22]
View answerAs this relates to a service matter, I am referring it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
229. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the amount paid by the HSE to recruitment companies in each month in each of the years 2016 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the specific areas for which these companies were recruiting in the health service; and the number of staff that were successfully recruited each month for the same period, in tabular form. [47349/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
230. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health his views on the concerns raised by a person (details supplied) regarding eligibility for a medical card. [47352/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
231. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47357/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
