Written Answers Nos. 257-268
257. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason there are no provisions made for those who have been renting rooms in properties that are not registered with the RTB and are trying to prove independence when applying for SUSI grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23622/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application referred to by the Deputy, I have been advised by my officials that an application from the student in question for the 2023/24 academic year has been commenced online by the student but has not yet been finalised and submitted to SUSI for assessment.
In general for student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.
A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if he or she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course or of re-entry following a break in studies of at least three years and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous October. Otherwise he or she would continue to be assessed on the basis of parental income.
Only in exceptional cases, where compelling evidence of estrangement from parents/guardians is provided, can candidates who are under 23 be assessed without reference to their parents/guardians income or address, Article 21(3)(b) of the Scheme refers.
The types of documents accepted in respect of proving independence under the Student Grant Scheme is a matter in the first instance for SUSI, as the awarding authority. A full list of accepted documentation and details on the appeals process are outlined in the "Independent Students" section on the SUSI website at www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/applicant-class/independent-students/.
258. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on all current National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects under his Department being progressed in Cork South West, including the current status of each project and the planned completion date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23309/23]
View answerI am pleased to provide the Deputy with details of capital projects being progressed under National Development Plan currently in the area referred to.
The attached table details further education and training (FET) projects being progressed by Cork Education & Training Board (CETB) who have responsibility for projects in Cork, including the region referred to by the Deputy.
As there are no higher education institutions in the area in question there are no projects to advise on.
In addition to the FET projects listed in the attached table, I wish to advise the Deputy of the Devolved Grant which supports the ETB network in addressing their most urgent infrastructural requirements. Under this funding stream Cork ETB received €580,000 for 2023. This funding is managed at local level and may be used to address works such as maintenance and refurbishment of facilities; replacement and upgrade of equipment, including ICT equipment; and small-scale building works in the context of the delivery of strategic goals.
|
Programme |
Facility |
Project |
Current Status |
|
Minor Works |
Cork Training Centre, Bishopstown |
NZEB provision |
Works on site |
|
SIUF |
Mallow Youthreach |
New build to accommodate Mallow Youthreach Centre |
Design team appointment stage (Decision Gate1) |
|
Apprenticeship |
Cork Training Centre, Bishopstown |
2 new Electrical Workshops |
Works on site |
|
College of the Future |
Cork City College of the Future |
Provision of College of the Future |
Preliminary Business Case |
259. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reasons for the delay of approval to purchase a shareholding (details supplied). [23327/23]
View answerSection 25(3A) of the Technological Universities Act 2018 (Number 3 of 2018) requires a technological university to seek consent from the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to acquire shares in a company formed for purposes other than the manufacture or development of a product, service or process, or the creation and use of intellectual property connected therewith for commercial purposes, arising from the conduct of research or the undertaking of innovation activity by the technological university. This is a newly amended provision inserted by section 95 of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 (Number 31 of 2022).
My Department is currently assessing the merits of a request from Munster Technological University under this provision and has sought and obtained additional information in this regard from the TU. Officials in the Department are in contact with their counterparts in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on this matter currently.
Subject to conclusion of the necessary examination and considerations of what are inter-related matters of funding, governance and due diligence and ensuring protection of the public finances I shall make a decision when all matters of fact are placed before me in due course and I shall endeavour do so in as expeditious a manner as possible.
260. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to his Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23408/23]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department was established in August 2020 and commenced moving headquarters into existing State-owned office space in September 2021. Since moving my Department secured the services of Accent Cleaning Solutions to provide contract cleaning within the building and there is one private cleaner on site Monday – Friday. My department recently engaged a new cleaning service provider, Allpro Services, effective from 11th February 2023. The costs incurred, inclusive of VAT, for both service providers are given in the table below.
|
Service Provider |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (YTD) |
|
Accent Cleaning Solutions |
€ 3,628 |
€ 18,030 |
€ 1,790 |
|
Allpro Services |
€ - |
€ - |
€ 4,422 |
|
|
€ 3,628 |
€ 18,030 |
€ 6,211 |
261. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that many State agencies, including local authorities, will not allow for their workers to upskill or reskill by undertaking part-time study to achieve a level 8 degree; if protected time for upskilling and reskilling will be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23442/23]
View answerMy Department does not have access to the information regarding policies in place in each state agency.
In relation to local authorities, the local government sector is committed to creating a culture of continuous learning and development so that employees can develop to their full potential. Local authority employees are encouraged and supported to expand their existing skillsets by attending training programmes or by gaining extra qualifications.
The recently published OECD Skills Strategy review recommends consideration of a range of supports to individuals and employers to encourage the uptake of upskilling, reskilling and learning opportunities.
Government funding is provided under Springboard+ to incentivise the delivery of programmes which support the development of professionals by providing free and subsidised upskilling and reskilling higher education opportunities in areas of identified skills need. Springboard+ courses are open for application to the employed and offer blended part-time Higher Education courses.
Springboard+ 2022 provided over 11,500 places on 310 courses from Level 6 to Level 9 on the NFQ for academic year 2022/2023. 96% of these courses were part-time. 26% of these courses are level 8 and part-time. Please see Springboard+ 2022 Course Breakdown table for further information.
Springboard+ 2023 will be launched in the coming weeks. Full details on Springboard+, the eligibility criteria and how to apply can be found on the website: www.springboardcourses.ie
The Department is examining the issue of assisting employers with the cost of engaging in reskilling and upskilling. My officials are engaging with the Department of Enterprise on the matter.
262. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by his Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23578/23]
View answerFunding (full funding or co-funding) for capital projects is disbursed by my Department generally via the HEA to individual higher education institutions who are fully responsible for managing all phases of the design and delivery of a capital project within the parameters of the approval in principle provided. A percentage of the cost of any publicly funded capital, infrastructural and building development can be allocated to the commissioning of a work of art.
In addition, I can advise the Deputy that my Department directly disbursed €128,000 in 2021 and a further €50,000 in 2023 towards the Grangegorman Public Art programme under the percent for art scheme.
The Grangegorman Public Art programme was launched in September 2015. It is designed to be comprehensive and consists of six diverse but complementary art pathways. The core vision of the Arts Strategy is to connect ambitious art and artists with Grangegorman’s past and futures in ways which meaningfully contribute to the cultures and sub-cultures at play. The aim of the Grangegorman Public Art programme is to support the ongoing commissioning of artworks which have the imaginative potential to address the possibilities of this context and which build a legacy into the future. Further information can be found at: ggda.ie/public_art
263. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on all current National Development Plan 2021-2030 projects under her Department being progressed in Cork South West, including the current status of each project and the planned completion date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23322/23]
View answerThe National Development Plan 2021 – 2030 is the largest National Development Plan ever delivered in the history of the State at €165 billion, with a particular focus on priority solutions to strengthen housing, climate ambitions, transport, healthcare, jobs growth in every region and economic renewal for the decade ahead.
While the Plan is a whole of Government approach, Chapter 8: Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities sets out details that will be delivered and administered by my Department. The NDP will support the achievement of the ambitious objectives set out in Our Rural Future – the Rural Development Policy 2021-2025.
Over the life of the NDP, my Department will continue to invest in and support rural Ireland and communities across the country.
I understand that the focus of the Deputy’s question relates to The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) and the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Details in this regard are outlined below, and information in relation to projects under other capital schemes operated by my Department is available on my Department’s website.
The RRDF is one of the key schemes under the NDP, providing funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. Three projects located in South West Cork have been allocated RRDF funding of €9.6 million for projects worth €22.7million
Cork County Council was awarded €2.15 million under the first call for Category 1 applications in 2018 for the Kinsale Library Project. In addition, I awarded funding for two further projects under the fourth call for Category 1 applications late last year. These are the Bandon Town Centre Renewal and Regeneration Project, for which Cork County Council was awarded €5.5 million, and the Neart Enterprise, Creative and Digital Hub on Sherkin Island, for which Comhar na nOileán was awarded over €1.9 million. The projects allocated funding in South West Cork are large scale capital projects that will have a lasting impact and be truly transformational for these communities. A list of RRDF project in Cork South West including the status and planned completion date is set out in Table 1.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme also aims to rejuvenate rural towns and villages across Ireland in line with the objectives contained in Our Rural Future and the Town Centre First policy. A list of Town and Village projects located in Cork South West is set out in Table 2.
Table 1. RRDF Projects located in Cork South West
|
Project Title |
Lead Party |
Call |
Cat |
Project Description |
Project Cost |
RRDF Funding |
Status |
Estimated Completion Period |
|
Kinsale Library Project |
Cork County Council |
1 |
1 |
This project involves the relocation of Kinsale library to a heritage building owned by Cork County Council. The larger library will allow for greater access, more membership/visitors and events to take place. |
€2,876,500.00 |
€2,157,375.00 |
Implementation |
Q4 2023 |
|
Neart Enterprise, Creative and Digital Hub |
Comhar na nOileán |
4 |
1 |
This project will support an island community to grow and develop and deliver a new Enterprise, Creative and Digital Hub which will support the Neart Initiative, a three year income and job creation plan. |
€2,396,621.00 |
€1,917,297.00 |
Due Diligence |
Q2 2025 |
|
Bandon Town Centre Renewal and Regeneration Project |
Cork County Council |
4 |
1 |
This is an ambitious and town centre focused regeneration project that includes the conversion of a vacant building into a community space, the transformation of the old town library into an e-hub remote working facility, the provision of new public spaces and major public realm works that will support active travel. |
€17,500,000.00 |
€5,500,000.00 |
Due Diligence |
Q4 2026 |
Table 2. TVRS Projects located in Cork South West
|
Town/Village |
Year |
Scheme |
Description |
Project Cost |
Grant Approved |
Project Status |
Date Completed |
Expected Date of Completion |
|
Bandon |
2022 |
SEM |
Streetscape Enhancement |
€79,838 |
€63,870 |
Completed |
Nov-22 |
|
|
Bandon |
2016 |
TVRS |
Commemortative space to celebrate 1916 |
€90,000 |
€47,500 |
Completed |
Nov-16 |
|
|
Bantry |
2017 |
TVRS |
Develop and Brand Bantry Market |
€96,000 |
€76,800 |
Completed |
Dec-18 |
|
|
Bantry |
2018 |
TVRS |
Enhancement of Main Street |
€120,000 |
€96,000 |
Completed |
Dec-20 |
|
|
Bantry |
2022 |
TVRS |
The installation of an inclusive, accessible playground in the Peace Park in Bantry. |
€240,000 |
€216,000 |
ongoing |
|
Aug-24 |
|
Castletownbere |
2021 |
PDM |
Obtain professional report in respect of the refurbishment and redevelopment of St Peter’s Church, Castletownbere with a view to developing a fishing museum and community hub in the former Church of Ireland building. |
€44,280 |
€39,852 |
ongoing |
|
Aug-23 |
|
Castletownbere |
2017 |
TVRS |
Carpark and Street enhancement |
€200,000 |
€100,000 |
Completed |
Oct-18 |
|
|
Castletownbere |
2021 |
TVRS |
Transforming an underused site into a safe and universally accessible vertical ‘pocket park area in the town centre of Castletownbere, Co Cork |
€108,890 |
€98,001 |
ongoing |
|
Aug-23 |
|
Clonakilty |
2017 |
TVRS |
Cycleway and Pedestrian Access route |
€137,500 |
€100,000 |
Completed |
Dec-18 |
|
|
Drinagh |
2017 |
TVRS |
Plaza, Public lightening, Footpath etc. |
€100,000 |
€80,000 |
Completed |
Dec-18 |
|
|
Dunmanway |
2016 |
TVRS |
Tourism - Sam Maguire Trail |
€56,000 |
€47,500 |
Completed |
Nov-16 |
|
|
Dunmanway |
2018 |
TVRS |
Refurbish car park, incorporate pedestrian link to Dunmanway |
€120,000 |
€96,000 |
Completed |
Dec-20 |
|
|
Durras |
2019 |
TVRS |
Public realm improvements in Durras Village. |
€75,000 |
€60,000 |
Completed |
Jan-22 |
|
|
Glengarriff |
2017 |
TVRS |
Life size bronze to commemorate Maureen O Hara |
€60,000 |
€48,000 |
Completed |
Dec-18 |
|
|
Glengarriff |
2019 |
TVRS |
Installing a new riverside walk, eradicating invasive species while planting native ones, and upgrading existing walks. |
€125,000 |
€100,000 |
Completed |
Dec-21 |
|
|
Kinsale |
2017 |
TVRS |
Renovate Local Museum |
€100,000 |
€80,000 |
Completed |
Dec-19 |
|
|
Leap |
2020 |
TVRS |
?Amenity park overlooking the estuary, including:Viewing platform, landscaping, wild flower garden, walkways & raised seating area. |
€95,000 |
€85,000 |
Completed |
Dec-21 |
|
|
Schull |
2017 |
TVRS |
New Pontoon facilities -Commerical and Leisure vessels |
€199,500 |
€100,000 |
Completed |
Dec-18 |
|
|
Skibbereen |
2017 |
TVRS |
Ludgate Hub Innovation cluster |
€190,783 |
€152,627 |
Completed |
Dec-18 |
|
|
Skibbereen |
2022 |
TVRS |
Upgrading of the public amenity known as the 'Rock' to include footpaths, new amphitheatre, interpretation of site heritage features, signage, picnic areas, outdoor gym units |
€270,000 |
€243,000 |
ongoing |
|
Aug-23 |
|
West Cork |
2020 |
TVRS Acc |
Purchase of 2 marquees and Amplification equipment to facilitate the holding of “All weather” community events in the West Cork area. |
€20,000 |
€18,000 |
Completed |
Jul-21 |
|
|
West Cork |
2020 |
TVRS Acc |
Purchase of stage and amplification equipment system to allow for the holding of medium scale community events & concerts across West Cork |
€20,000 |
€18,000 |
Completed |
Jul-22 |
|
264. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she can confirm that Leader programming for the islands will be delivered entirely through Irish, including local development strategies and documentation relating to the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23391/23]
View answerThe LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development launched in 2021, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. The programme is based on a community-led approach to rural development and plays an important role in supporting communities and enterprises in progressing job creation, social inclusion and environmental projects at local level.
I am aware that island communities do have particular needs and priorities and the LEADER programme can play a key role here within the context of the emerging National Islands Policy. In recognition of this, for any Group selected to deliver LEADER in an area that includes island communities, they will be required to include in their strategy, island specific actions with a ring-fenced budget which have been devised in consultation with the island communities. In addition, the Local Action Group selected will also be required to include a dedicated representation from the island community as part of its decision-making body.
The Guidelines that issued to applicant Groups on developing their LEADER local development strategy does not require that any local development strategy must be submitted in Irish. However, it is open to any applicant Group to submit their local development strategy in Irish if they so wish.
In line with the current operating rules for the LEADER programme the LAG must publicise that its services are available through Irish if they are in Gaeltacht or bordering regions.
The LAGs must ensure that application forms are available in both Irish and English. These provisions will also be a requirement of the 2023-2027 programme.
265. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the names of external cleaning companies that have provided cleaning services to her Department in the years of 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and the amount paid to each company for such works, in tabular form. [23413/23]
View answerMy Department occupies offices in Trinity Point, Dublin 2 and in Government Buildings in Ballina, Co. Mayo.
Cleaning services in Trinity Point are currently provided by 5 Star Facilities, which took over the contract from Accent Solutions in May 2022. The costs associated with cleaning services in Trinity Point for 2021, 2022 and this year to date are as follows:
2021 - €18,470.52
2022 - €18,042.69
2023 - €5,914.00 (January to date).
Cleaning services in Government Buildings in Ballina are procured by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in its role as lead tenant in the building.
Cleaning services in the building, which is occupied by a number of Departments, are supplied by the Mount Charles Group. The share of cleaning costs incurred by my Department for its footprint in Ballina are as follows:
2021 - €15,928
2022 - €16,720.19
2023 - €4,852.47 (January to date).
266. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if officials from her Department will meet a delegation from an organisation (details supplied) to debrief them on the reason that their project for a remote working hub, which was supported by the delegation’s local authority, was not funded by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23471/23]
View answerThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme is part of a range of measures to support the revitalisation of rural Ireland. The programme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future, Ireland's Rural Development strategy.
The 2022 Scheme placed particular emphasis on projects which support bringing vacant and derelict buildings and sites back into use as multi-purpose spaces. Since the introduction of the Scheme in 2016, over €149 million has been approved for more than 1,600 projects across the country.
On 14 December 2022, I announced funding of over €17m for 75 for projects under the main 2022 Town and village Renewal Scheme. However, the Clifden Remote Working Hub project was not selected for funding.
The Clifden Remote Working Hub project application provided good detail and evidence of the benefits of the proposed remote working hub. However due to a significant issues relating to ineligible match funding, and misalignment with priorities it was not selected for funding.
The Town and Village Scheme is administered by local authorities on behalf of my Department. Officials from my Department have engaged with Galway County Council regarding the decision on this project and are always happy to provide such feedback in order to support communities in accessing funding through well-developed project proposals.
This decision does not prevent the submission of a future funding application for this Clifden project under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
267. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of funding being allocated to an organisation (details supplied) for the next round of Leader funding; how this compares with the last round of Leader funding allocated to the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23550/23]
View answerThe LEADER programme is a key intervention implemented by my Department, which will help to underpin the Government's rural development goals as outlined in Our Rural Future. It forms part of Ireland's €10bn Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan.
Funding for the programme is allocated to the Local Action Groups(LAG) that deliver the programme at sub-regional area level rather than to individual organisations. The sub-regional areas are for the most part aligned to the county boundaries.
€250 million was allocated to the LEADER programme for the 2014-2020 period. €250m has also been made available for LEADER for the period 2021 to 2027. This is comprised of €70 million for the transitional period 2021 to 2022 and an additional €180 million from 2023 to 2027. The allocation to the sub-regional area of county Tipperary for the 2014-2020 LEADER programme was €10.1 million. The LAG for county Tipperary for that programme was Tipperary LCDC with Tipperary County Council as the Financial Partner and South Tipperary Development Company and North Tipperary Development Company as Implementing Partners. The sub-regional area of Tipperary has been allocated €7.8 million for the 2023-2027 programming period. When combined with the €3 million allocated under the Transitional Programme for 2021 and 2022 the total funding for the 2021-2027 period is €10.8 million. This is an increase of 7% on the previous programming period
The process to select Local Action Groups to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER programme is under way at present. Applicants groups are due to submit completed their Local Development Strategy (LDS) for consideration by 14th July 2023.
Following the conclusion of the selection process, it will be a matter for the Local Action Group in each area to agree the distribution of the funding to its implementing partners.
The 2023-2027 LEADER programme will be operational in Quarter 3 of this year and I look forward to its implementation and to ensuring that LEADER can continue to deliver real benefits to rural communities across Ireland.
268. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a schedule of the amount of funds, beneficiary of funds and use of funds released by her Department under the per cent for art scheme in each of the past five years to date in 2023, in tabular form. [23588/23]
View answerI wish to confirm to the Deputy that one project has been the beneficiary of funds from my department under the per cent for art scheme in the past five years. The details requested are set out in the attached table.
|
Beneficiary of Funds |
Project |
Funding Programme |
Funding 2018(Per cent for Art) |
Funding 2019(Per cent for Art) |
Funding 2020(Per cent for Art) |
Funding 2021(Per cent for Art) |
Funding 2022(Per cent for Art) |
Funding 2023(Per cent for Art) |
Total Amount of Funds (Per cent for Art) |
Use of Funds (Per cent for Art) |
|
|
Dublin City Council |
Kevin Street Library |
Libraries Capital Programme 2016-2022 |
€22,442.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€22,442.00 |
Paintings/Pictures for walls |
