Written Answers Nos. 792-811
792. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacancies for social workers positions that Tusla currently has available; and the steps being taken to attract extra social workers. [55515/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
793. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of full-time therapists and child arts psychotherapists directly employed by Tusla, by Tusla area and service or the team in which they are working. [55516/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
794. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the childcare subsidy announced in budget 2023 is applied as a reduction on the hourly rate as opposed to a monthly deduction, given many providers charge a fixed daily rate regardless of the length of time a child is in childcare for, and that parents paying the daily rate who do not avail of a full day of childcare will not benefit fully from the reduction in cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55531/22]
View answerSignificant investment is being made by my Department to address affordability for parents through the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). As the Deputy is aware, I announced additional funding of €121m as part of Budget 2023 for the NCS, which has been allocated to reduce average parental co-payments for early learning and childcare.
From 2 January 2023, all families accessing registered early learning and childcare will receive a minimum hourly NCS subsidy of €1.40. This is an increase of €0.90 from the current minimum hourly rate.
Firstly, it is important to note that early learning and childcare providers are private entities and as such, they continue to set their own fees, sessions and admissions policies.
Secondly, to clarify, all subsidies under the NCS are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of hours for which that rate is payable. Parents and providers must work together to decide on the amount of childcare that is needed and, can be provided. The hourly subsidy rate is then applied to the hours agreed between both parties. Providers simply subtract the subsidy from their published fee, giving parents access to lower childcare costs. If the hours agreed exceed those which have been awarded, the remaining hours of care will be unsubsidised and paid by the parent in full.
It is a key aspect of the Scheme that all claims are paid in arrears based on the actual attendance of a child. This is a key financial and governance control to ensure that we are maximising the benefits of public monies and that the investment is following the child.
Lastly, the Scheme has been designed to be flexible so that parents can access their award through any registered early learning and childcare service in contract to deliver the NCS. If required, parents may contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for information and assistance with locating a suitable service or childminder in their area that is participating in the NCS. Further information on CCCs can be found at www.myccc.ie.
795. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a reply will issue to a query which this Deputy raised with the Ukraine temporary accommodation unit on behalf of a person who contacted the unit regarding vacant accommodation which they have available to accommodate Ukrainian nationals (details supplied); the reason for the delay in responding to this query despite the fact that all Government agencies have put out an urgent call for vacant properties to be made available to accommodate Ukrainian nationals due to a lack of available accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55536/22]
View answerRegarding the matter raised, I can confirm to the Deputy that the correspondence has been received and my officials are currently reviewing same.
I apologise for the delay in responding, due to an extraordinary volume of correspondence on hands in the procurement unit. My officials are currently reducing the backlog and patience is appreciated in this regard.
796. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a reply will issue to correspondence which this Deputy forwarded to the Ukraine temporary accommodation unit on behalf of a Ukrainian national who wishes to transfer from current accommodation (details supplied); the reason for the delay in responding to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55537/22]
View answerI am advised by my officials that correspondence relating to the individual in the details supplied was received on 21 October and that an interim reply issued stating that the query has been forwarded for consideration. In the interim, my officials have been advised that the individuals concerned have secured alternative accommodation and the enquiry has accordingly been closed.
797. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline his plans for the use of a building and lands (details supplied). [55614/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the Temporary Protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months.
The Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 56,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 45,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department has contracted in excess of 34,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 550 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings. The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.
Discussions are ongoing at this stage between the Department and the provider of the building which the Deputy referred to about its potential use to house Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Should the contract be agreed, the facility is intended to be for families (mothers, fathers and children) and single females.
799. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views in relation to Haddington Road hours (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54601/22]
View answerThe Croke Park Agreement (CPA) hours are part of wider productivity measures introduced under the Public Service Agreements. With regard to categories of public servants to which they apply, in terms of schools, the CPA hours are 33 additional hours a year at post primary (36 hours at primary) worked by teachers. I understand that CPA hours may also apply to certain grades in Third Level Education, but that sector now falls under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
In schools, a central purpose of the CPA hours is to provide for certain essential activities such as staff meetings, parent-teacher meetings, school planning, subject planning and mandated Continuous Professional Development to take place without reducing tuition time. Before the CPA hours were introduced, these activities ate into tuition time. This meant that schools closed for full days or half days in order to carry them out, causing interruption to tuition and significant inconvenience for parents, as well as childcare costs – particularly for primary parents. While the Department and school authorities view the use of these hours as vital in providing delivery of education the specific use of the hours has been reviewed and amended in agreement with teacher unions over time.
The Haddington Road Agreement (HRA) hours were considered by the parties to the current public service pay agreement, Building Momentum, to be an outstanding matter to be resolved, and in this context, the Independent Hours Body, chaired by Kevin Mulvey was established to examine issues arising from the HRA hours. There is currently no plan to review CPA Hours in a similar way and any proposal to do so would need to be part of future national pay agreement negotiations.
800. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if repeating first-year students are eligible for the fee reduction announced in budget 2023, in cases where a student has changed course after one year and is now a first-year student on a course; if he will set out the guidance for which students have been deemed eligible for the fee reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54106/22]
View answer811. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that the reduction in the student contribution of €1,000 is not extended to students who have changed college course and are deemed to be repeating first year even though it is a different course; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulty that this is causing for a great number of families where a student has changed courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54439/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 800 and 811 together.
The fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education.
For full time undergraduate students, under my Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students with students paying the student contribution.
A key principle of the free fees schemes is to support students in progressing through a chosen course of study from year to year. Typically students are not supported for a repeat period of study or for a different course at the same level under the free fees schemes. However, once an equivalent period of study has been completed on the new course, the student may be eligible for free fees funding for the remainder of the course. An individual student's eligibility for the scheme, is assessed by the institution in accordance with the terms of the scheme.
Where undergraduate students do not meet the qualifying criteria of the free fees schemes they are required to pay tuition fees in full to their higher education institution. It is a matter for the higher education institution as an autonomous body to determine the applicable fee rate for students.
As part of Budget 2023 the Government has approved a once off reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under the Department free fees schemes in academic year 22/23.
In this regard the once off student contribution support of €1,000 cannot apply to students undertaking a repeat period of study that were not deemed eligible for the Free Fees schemes in 2022/23 by the institution attended.
I am conscious that not all students are eligible for free fees or student grants and so, as part of the cost-of-living measures, I have allocated a further €8 million of funding for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for the current academic year. This Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It 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. Applications can be made under the SAF through the Access Office in a student’s third level institution.
801. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider adding graduate-entry medicine students to the SUSI grant scheme to help alleviate the costs of that programme for low-income students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54150/22]
View answerEntry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes. Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study medicine. 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 21/22 the state contribution was €11,950 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
I have been actively considering the range of policy and funding tools we have available to increase the supply of domestic medical graduates, which has involved considerable engagement with the medical schools and the Department of Health. On the 12th July last, I, along with the Minister for Health, announced an agreement with the Irish medical schools to increase the number of places available for EU students by 200 over the next five years. The agreement reached with the medical schools has begun with an additional 60 EU students in September 2022, which will climb to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026. This marks a significant expansion in the number of places available to students applying through the CAO system. It increases the opportunities for students to progress to study medicine in Ireland and to help build our talent pipeline. Budget 2023 saw a significant increase in the amount the State pays for medicine places, including graduate entry. As part of this agreement, the state contribution for new places will increase to €14,500. For existing places, an increase in the state contribution to this level will be phased in.
The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) identifies target groups that are currently under-represented in higher education. These include entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education who would not have considered attending higher education without such supports. The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund is the funding mechanise established to implement the National Access Plan (NAP). There are three strands to the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH). Strand 2 provides bursaries (1916 Bursary) to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged students in the target groups under the National Access Plan. I have recently changed the rules so that students who hold a 1916 Bursary may continue their bursary if they wish to participate in Graduate Entry Medicine.
Students on graduate entry medicine courses may also 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. 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 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.
802. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the omission of graduate-entry medicine students from lowered contribution fees for higher education students announced in budget 2023, during a time of a shortage of doctors and medical staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54151/22]
View answer832. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure students in graduate-entry medicine courses are included in the one-off €1,000 fee reduction. [55654/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 802 and 832 together.
As part of Budget 2023, in recognition of the cost of living financial challenges facing full time third level students funded through my Department, I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students, including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes. The once off reduction of €1,000 relates specifically to the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under my Department's free fees schemes in academic year 22/23 and will reduce the student contribution payable from €3,000 to €2,000 in 22/23. In this regard, all full time undergraduate students eligible for free fees and paying the student contribution will benefit from this measure.
Students pursuing Graduate Entry Medicine programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants.
However, the State does provide support directly to higher education institutions for Graduate Entry Medicine programmes in order to widen access and assist the students pursuing these programmes. The balance of fees is payable by the student.
In July 2022, Government approved a proposal from my Department and the Department of Health to increase the number of medicine places per annum by 200 by 2026, and move the funding of medicine places to a more sustainable basis. This has included an increase of 60 in 2022/2023. 55 of these places are on direct entry programmes, and five are Graduate Entry Medicine.
For new Graduate Entry Medicine places, the State contribution will increase to €14,500 (from the current level of €11,950). For existing places, an increase in the State contribution will be phased in to this level.
It is important to note that this measure is designed to strengthen the sustainability of funding of Graduate Entry Medicine places and to increase the number of places on offer to Irish/EU students. The total level of fees charged to Graduate Entry Medicine students remains a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy.
I am conscious that not all students are eligible for free fees or student grants and so, as part of the cost-of-living measures, I have allocated a further €8 million of funding for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for the current academic year. This Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It 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. Applications can be made under the SAF through the Access Office in a student’s third level institution.
803. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports available to students to alleviate the high cost of the graduate-entry medicine programme at University College Dublin (details supplied); the plans in place to bring the fees down in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54152/22]
View answerThe total level of fees charged to Graduate Entry Medicine students is a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy.
Students pursuing Graduate Entry Medicine programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants.
However, the State does provide support directly to higher education institutions for Graduate Entry Medicine programmes in order to widen access and assist the students pursuing these programmes. The balance of fees is payable by the student.
In July 2022, Government approved a proposal from my Department and the Department of Health to increase the number of medicine places per annum by 200 by 2026, and move the funding of medicine places to a more sustainable basis. This has included an increase of 60 in 2022/2023. 55 of these places are on direct entry programmes, and five are Graduate Entry Medicine.
For new Graduate Entry Medicine places, the State contribution will increase to €14,500 (from the current level of €11,950). For existing places, an increase in the State contribution will be phased in to this level.
It is important to note that this measure is designed to strengthen the sustainability of funding of Graduate Entry Medicine places and to increase the number of places on offer to Irish/EU students. The total level of fees charged to Graduate Entry Medicine students remains a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy.
The Student Grant Scheme Review comments on the issue of Graduate Entry Medicine and states that a wider issue remains as to whether greater flexibility in the criteria for the student grant scheme could be considered in areas of critical skills shortage reflecting graduate entry routes. There are significant policy, legislative and funding considerations, as well as wider implications, if the current treatment of graduate entry medicine were to be amended. However, all elements of the review will be subject to consideration by my Department through the annual estimates processes.
The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) identifies target groups that are currently under-represented in higher education. These include entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education who would not have considered attending higher education without such supports. The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund is the funding mechanism established to implement the National Access Plan (NAP). There are three strands to the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH). Strand 2 provides bursaries (1916 Bursary) to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged students in the target groups under the National Access Plan. I have recently changed the rules so that students who hold a 1916 Bursary may continue their bursary if they wish to participate in Graduate Entry Medicine.
Students on Graduate Entry Medicine courses may also 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. 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 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.
804. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who have applied for additional scholarships for underrepresented and disadvantaged students announced on 29 July 2022; the number of successful applicants who have received funding under this scheme across all strands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54160/22]
View answerMy Department is committed to the continued roll-out of supports and targeted initiatives to tackle educational disadvantage and support equity of access, participation and success in both further and higher education.
The new National Access Plan: Strategic Action Plan for Equity, Participation and Success in Higher Education, 2022-02028, was launched on 31st August 2022. This new plan aims to support inclusion and diversity in our student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress. It recognises the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with special and additional needs.
PATH is the main funding stream that supports the implementation of the National Access Plan (NAP).
The applicant deadline for 2022/23 was Oct 20th and based on figures submitted to us by the IUA, they received 2,895 total applications.
Below is a breakdown per cluster.
|
Cluster: |
October 20th |
|
MEND |
629 |
|
South |
578 |
|
TU Dublin |
466 |
|
Leinster |
444 |
|
Mid-West |
356 |
|
West NW |
422 |
|
Total |
2,895 |
I have attached a breakdown of the number of bursary holders by cluster and a breakdown of bursaries by Tier.
As of June 2022, which is the latest data available to us, Table 1 shows that there are a total of 1333 live bursaries.
|
- |
Tier 1 Live Bursaries 2017/2018 |
Tier 1 Live Bursaries 2018/2019 |
Tier 1 Live Bursaries 2019/2020 |
Tier 1 Live Bursaries 2020/2021 |
Total Live Bursaries 2021/2022 |
Total Live Bursaries as of June 2022 |
|
Leinster Pillar I |
3 |
26 |
37 |
40 |
140 |
246 |
|
MEND |
11 |
22 |
34 |
38 |
246 |
351 |
|
South |
9 |
29 |
31 |
30 |
180 |
279 |
|
Mid-West |
5 |
29 |
35 |
35 |
106 |
210 |
|
West/North-West |
5 |
14 |
25 |
24 |
46 |
114 |
|
TU Dublin |
1 |
8 |
24 |
20 |
80 |
133 |
|
Total |
34 |
128 |
186 |
187 |
798 |
1,333 |
Table 2 shows a breakdown of the live bursaries across the three tiers, tier 2 and 3 were introduced last year for the first time.
|
- |
Eligible applications 2021/2022 |
Tier 1 New bursaries 2021/2022 |
Tier 2 New bursaries 2021/2022 |
Tier 3 New bursaries 2021/2022 |
Total bursaries allocated 2021/2022 |
|
Leinster Pillar I |
141 |
43 |
20 |
77 |
140 |
|
MEND |
261 |
40 |
21 |
189 |
250 |
|
South |
187 |
35 |
29 |
123 |
187 |
|
Mid-West |
110 |
35 |
15 |
56 |
106 |
|
West/North-West |
89 |
25 |
16 |
7 |
48 |
|
TU Dublin |
80 |
25 |
15 |
40 |
80 |
|
Total |
868 |
203 |
120 |
492 |
811 |
Overall, there were 721 active tier 1, 120 active tier 2, and 492 active tier 3 bursaries allocated as at June 2022.
805. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of graduate-entry medicine scholarship students who have retained funding from the National Access Plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54161/22]
View answerIn July 2022, I announced that 50 additional '1916 bursaries' of €5,000 per student would be made available for the most socio-economically disadvantaged students as identified in the National Access Plan. This includes those with a disability, mature students, lone parents, and further education award holders. In addition, changes were introduced to the 2022/2023 PATH 2 '1916 Bursary' scheme to allow those on existing bursaries to continue their bursaries to pursue a graduate entry medicine course.
Data on the number of students choosing to continue their bursaries has not yet been reported to the Department. The HEA will be seeking this information in 2023.
806. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department and all bodies under his Department's aegis have reviewed their estates portfolio in the context of identifying unoccupied buildings that may be suitable for use in the context of meeting the accommodation needs of persons arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. [54218/22]
View answer807. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and type of unused and-or unoccupied buildings in his Department's estates portfolio and all bodies under his Department's aegis. [54236/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 806 and 807 together.
The procurement, purchase and rent of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments and offices. I can confirm to the Deputy that an office space was acquired in September 2021 for my Department’s Head Quarters at 52 Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. I can also confirm that there are no suitable unoccupied buildings in my Department’s portfolio.
The Further and Higher Education sector has been open in response to the needs of those people arriving from Ukraine. My Department’s officials engaged with the Irish University Association in relation to the use of student accommodation over the summer months. 4,500 beds were identified for use at various times over the summer period, with 2,000 provided by the University Sector, with the remaining 2,500 available through private providers.
My Department’s officials also have reviewed information available to us through calls to the sector seeking potential sites for development. Through this engagement and research, one area of land which may have been suitable for development or housing was identified. This information was provided to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage who were leading on the matter.
I am conscious that there continues to be an urgent need to source accommodation and I can assure the Deputy that my officials remain engaged on this issue.
808. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding increasing the quantity of student accommodation available for undergraduate students in Ireland. [54260/22]
View answerAccommodation shortages in the private rental market is impacting significantly on students. Fundamentally, the challenge is one of supply. As a country, we need to dramatically increase the supply of all types of housing and accommodation, including student accommodation. A considerable body of work has been undertaken since the Cabinet Committee on Housing identified last July that support for increased supply of student accommodation is a priority in improving pressures within the rental market and supporting students to access education.
I brought a proposal on student accommodation to the Cabinet Committee on Housing in October and received support to progress a new policy that bridges the challenging gap between the viability of delivering purpose-built student accommodation and subsequent rental affordability for students.
Supported by the agreement from the Cabinet Committee on Housing, I intend to bring a memorandum to Government in November with proposals to support the construction of student accommodation on identified public sites in return for affordable rates for priority groups, together with an outline of planned wider policy development.
This will involve the State for the first time assisting with the cost of building student accommodation in return for affordability commitments on rent. To advance this work I have established a dedicated Student Accommodation Unit which the purpose of examining and drafting a policy for Student Housing and Accommodation as a matter of urgency. This unit will lead the examination of and development of a range of policy options and supports to ensure that adequate accommodation will be provided to students especially those who are struggling to afford rent.
Housing For All contains an action to stimulating supply of affordable student accommodation in addition it also contains a commitment to support technological universities (TUs) to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists.
809. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the new international education strategy will be published before the end of 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54314/22]
View answerThe new International Education Research and Innovation Strategy will be a high-level document setting ambitious yet achievable strategic goals and objectives in international education and research, and will seek to align further and higher education with research and innovation in a single strategy.
The new strategy will also play a key role in the recovery of these sectors following the pandemic and will provide a framework on which to develop and strengthen existing and new connections.
The responses to the consultation are being analysed, and further engagements with stakeholders are taking place. I am hopeful that the Strategy will be published by the end of this year.
810. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is concerned regarding the levels of drug-taking within Ireland's third level student community; the efforts that can be taken to clamp down on drug use within the student community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54367/22]
View answerI am conscious of how drug use can hinder the progression and participation of students in tertiary education.
The National Drugs and Alcohol Strategy (2017-2025) represents a framework for dealing with the issues of Drug and Alcohol use in Ireland. In introducing the strategy, the Taoiseach noted that Ireland has a problem with substance misuse. Rates of drug use in Ireland have risen significantly over the last decade with the greatest increase seen among young people. ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery’ is a whole of government approach that emphasises a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland.
The strategy highlights the need to reduce the harms associated with substance use along with combating underlying reasons for the demand for drugs. I am engaging with the Stakeholders in order to identify areas that can address the issue of drug misuse on Campus.
In July 2021 I co-launched Healthy Campus Ireland with the Minister for Health, which aims to embed health and wellbeing into decisions around teaching and learning. This takes a positive and proactive approach to all aspects of campus life including mental health, wellbeing and drug use.
An important resource in identifying drug misuse, which I launched in January was the first national survey report on drug use in third level institutions undertaken by UCC. This data is vital to map the extent of the issue and will help us to develop appropriate responses and monitor trends in drug use in higher education over the coming years.
