Written Answers Nos. 81-100
85. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to ensure that there is a sufficient increase in capacity in veterinary schools in Ireland to meet the growing demand for vets and reduce reliance on education abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25295/23]
View answerEnsuring a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agri-food sector is an important issue for my Department.
Workforce planning requirements for the veterinary medicine sector are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in consultation with the Veterinary Council of Ireland. Officials in my Department have been engaging closely with colleagues in Minister Mc. Conalogue's Department in relation to these graduate supply requirements.
While my Department does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses, the reality is that there are constraints in current capacity. This reflects the fact that programmes involve significant practical and placement requirements, and facilities, including appropriate laboratory facilities, to ensure programmes meet the necessary standards of the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
In recognition of this capacity constraint, the Higher Education Authority recently ran a process to identify where capacity could be built in the higher education sector in a number of priority disciplines including veterinary medicine.
A number of institutions put forward proposals , including for the expansion of the existing veterinary medicine programme but also for the development of entirely new programmes. The HEA has advised that a number of proposals for additional veterinary places are worthy of further consideration and examination. The requirements identified to bring these proposals on stream are significant, including the development of major new capital projects and the provision of ongoing revenue support.
As I intend updating Government on this process in due course, it is not possible to say at this stage how many further places may be delivered. I expect that following Government consideration, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and I will devise a process to further examine the opportunities, identified by the HEA, for new programme provision alongside options for current programme expansion, in order to ensure that the plans identified and associated costs are robust and meet priority needs.
88. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure that students who secure a third level place are not prevented from taking-up their place as a result of the housing and cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26709/23]
View answerAddressing the cost of education is a key priority for me.
Over the course of the past three Budgets, I have delivered a range of enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme to put more money into the pockets of students and their families including a significant package of cost of living measures which took effect this academic year.
For students starting their course this September, I have increased grant rates, with all maintenance grant rates increasing by at least 10%. Both the special rate of grant and Band 1, which apply to those with least means have increased by 14%. I was pleased to be able to effect these changes from 1st January this year.
In addition, I have taken measures to ensure that more undergraduate students than ever before will now be entitled to a form of support by-
• increasing the income threshold to qualify for the 50% Student Contribution Grant and
• introducing a new Student Contribution Grant of €500 for qualifying families on incomes between €62,000 and €100,000.
I have also increased the amount a student can earn outside of term time, without it counting as income for their grant, to €6,552, and I have enhanced postgraduate supports.
I am actively working to address the challenges faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation. I have secured Government approval to develop both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply of affordable student accommodation. This policy has resulted in the State directly supporting the construction of over 1,100 new student accommodation units. In addition, my officials are continuing to assess a number of other projects with planning permission for delivery of additional supply.
In the immediate term, my Department supports the campaigns being run by higher education institutions to find accommodation in the private rental sector for students through the Rent a Room or “student digs” in family homes. Recent changes have extended the disregard of income earned under the Rent-a-Room relief to social welfare recipients and applicants under the Student Grant Scheme. The Government has also approved the extension of the disregard for both Medical Card Holders and Local Authority tenants and work is ongoing across the relevant Departments to progress the implementation of these changes. This scheme allows homeowners to earn up to €14,000 per annum in rental income before paying tax.
Last week, I met with students and other stakeholders at our first Cost of Education event, and the views from this consultation will feed into a cost of education paper which I will publish in the Summer. This will set out the full range of options on what interventions should be prioritised in the Budget to continue to make the greatest impact in addressing costs as a barrier to further and higher education.
94. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps which he intends to take to improve the interface between the wider research community and Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16973/23]
View answerThere a number of initiatives already underway and others planned to improve the interface between the wider research community and Government.
Earlier this month, I established the Research and Innovation Policy Advisory Forum. As envisaged in Impact 2030, this innovative Forum will provide an agreed structure for engagement between members of the research and innovation community and policy decision makers. An Expressions of Interest process is underway and I look forward to chairing the inaugural meeting in the Autumn.
In line with the Impact 2030 recommendations, my Department has established an Evidence for Policy function. This aims to deliver a framework to enhance long term linkages between the public policy and research sectors, and to effectively embed research in policy development and/or its implementation.
A Civil Service Research Network has been established. Comprised of research leads from across all government departments, this offers a forum for departments to share best practice.
Science Foundation Ireland's Public Service Fellowship offers researchers a unique opportunity to be temporarily seconded to Government Departments and Agencies to work on specific projects where they can add value resulting in mutually beneficial outcomes.
The Irish Research Council manages a number of programmes that feature research strands in partnership with a variety of Government Departments and agencies.
Looking forward, the landmark Research and Innovation Bill will establish a new competitive research and innovation agency. The agency will also have an important role in supporting evidence for policy development and in working with a range of Government Departments in terms of running funding calls. I am committed to ensuring that the views of the research community are captured and reflected on as the implementation of the new agency proceeds.
New science advice structures will be established shortly which include a National Science Advice Forum chaired by a Government Science Advisor. Part of this role is to develop the capacity of Departments in relation to science advice so they have their own capacity to seek it out and receive it when they need it.
97. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will give consideration to the establishment of an apprenticeship centre of excellence in west Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26690/23]
View answerA key strength of the apprenticeship model is that it is an employer demand-led approach to meeting workforce and skills requirements nationwide. Through education and training providers, including all 16 Education and Training Boards, apprentices gain valuable skills and experience. Employers can be confident that apprentices are truly job-ready when they graduate with a QQI-recognised qualification.
A crucial element of apprenticeship is the requirement for a minimum of 50% on-the-job training during each programme. This takes places wherever respective employers are located and so apprentices can gain work experience throughout the country.
I can inform the Deputy that, as of the end of April, Limerick Clare ETB has 1,805 apprentices registered in programmes such as supply change manager, retail, and plumbing.
Off-the-job training for apprenticeship is delivered in a number of different ways according to each programme. This is particularly a feature of the 25 craft programmes, and includes periods in training centres operated by ETBs. All of the ETBs have a strong tradition of delivering this form of training.
In planning their provision all ETBs work with partners, such as regional employers, to meet apprenticeship training needs. ETBs must consider many factors, including the demand for apprentices, the ability to recruit instructors and the benefits of providing training at scale in larger centres where significant infrastructure and equipment is available. If an ETB believes that there is a need for facilities in any location they must analyse this and see how it aligns with regional and national need, in consultation with other ETBs and SOLAS.
98. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 85 of 30 March 2023, if he will indicate in which academic year the additional academic places will be introduced in therapy disciplines resulting from the expression of interest process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26739/23]
View answerThe delivery of healthcare programmes is complex and requires coordination across multiple parts of the health and education systems, particularly in relation to the oversight and governance of clinical placements.
Following challenges faced by the higher education sector in securing sufficient appropriate and reliable clinical placements, in mid-2022 my Department established a working group to identify and address barriers to expansion in the health and social care professions. This working group includes representatives from the Department of Health, the HSE, CORU, and the Higher Education sector, with officials from the Department of Education and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth joining more recently.
This group has made good progress and the Health and Social Care Professions Office within the HSE is developing a Framework for Practice Placement Education. I understand that the Department of Health have also recently appointed a Health and Social Care Professions Officer to lead on enabling expansion in health and social care professions.
Officials from my Department are continuing to engage with Higher Education Institutions to maximise additionality in Health and Social Care Professional undergraduate programmes in September 2023, and subsequent years. My officials are also engaging with the Department of Health as these additional places require additional resources, and fundamentally require placements to be put in place by the HSE and the Department of Health.
The HEA has also advised higher education institutions of their intention to conduct an exercise to identify where substantial additional capacity could be built in priority Health and Social Care Profession disciplines. It is important that planning for such provision takes account of timelines for the development of physical infrastructure, the recruitment of staff, and the approval of programmes by regulators.
99. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has examined the impact of initiatives designed to respond to emerging skill needs, such as Springboard, Human Capital Initiative, and Skillnet; and the lessons that can be drawn for policy development from them. [26606/23]
View answerInvestment in people and the skills and capabilities they hold is a priority for Government. Skills and continuous learning are vital for enabling individuals and countries to thrive in an increasingly, interconnected and rapidly changing world.
In devising our overall policy response to meeting skills needs there is a balance to be struck between investment in core funding to support the capacity and capability of institutions to respond in an agile and sustainable way to skills demands, including by strengthening graduate competences and outcomes as well as more targeted initiatives including Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative, and the work of Skillnet, in supporting individuals to upskill, reskill and learn, with a positive impact across society and the economy.
Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiative Pillar 1 continue to support those who are unemployed or returning to the workforce to gain sustainable employment. In addition, they are providing opportunities for workforce development, enhancing the skill levels of those in employment. Collaboration between enterprise and higher education providers is key to the design and delivery of the programmes. Most programmes are delivered either fully online or in a blended format making them fully accessible. Since 2011, over 100,000 people have benefited from Springboard+.
Ensuring that we make our interventions based on sound evidence and evaluations is critical, and the HEA is currently undertaking a mid-term review of the 24 HCI Pillar 3 projects. Each project has been subject to a review process and a detailed report will be published in June 2023, focused on the implementation, management, impact and alignment of HCI Pillar 3 projects against their stated objectives and overall programme objectives.
In late 2022, the Government designated Skillnet Ireland to lead workforce development for small and medium businesses to stimulate increased engagement of enterprise in the skills agenda, and to facilitate a more targeted approach to workforce development to advance their competitiveness, productivity and innovation.?The European Commission and the OECD have identified the Skillnet Ireland model as a best practice public-private cooperation example for workforce development and a means of incentivising SME investment in skills.? The recent Government White Paper on Enterprise Strategy also highlighted the need to build on Skillnet Ireland’s enterprise networks to drive workforce development. To support this, my Department will develop a policy framework for delivering on Skillnet Ireland’s mandate for enterprise skills and workforce development priorities in partnership with the university system.
Finally, the recently completed OECD Review of Ireland's Skills performance provides important external validation and learning for the continued development and implementation of skills policy.
100. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the national review of State supports for PhD researchers; the outcome of the recent consultation on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26609/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for this question.
Under Pillar 4 of our national research and innovation strategy, Impact 2030, we have committed to ensuring that researchers have the right skills development and career opportunities so that they can make their maximum contribution, whether in academia, industry, the public sector or elsewhere. We have also committed to fostering a consistent research student experience, across funders, institutions and research disciplines.
As part of this commitment, I announced an independent national review of State supports for PhD researchers. I was pleased to appoint Dr Andrea Johnson and David Cagney as Co-Chairs for the review.
The Co-Chairs have now submitted their first report following a very comprehensive round of stakeholder consultations and online submissions, with 35 stakeholder meetings held and over 750 written submissions received.
The Co-Chairs have indicated that further work and engagement is required with respect to some aspects of the terms of reference, particularly regarding the status of PhD researchers.
Following consideration by myself and my officials and, where relevant, other departments, this report will be presented to Government in advance of publication.
Any decision that I will make on measures to support PhD researchers will be informed by the outcome of this Review and, where additional expenditure arises, the annual Budgetary process.
