Written Answers Nos. 121-140
121. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 30 March 2023, if he will provide a status update on the proposed new further education college in Galway city; the status of the development of the preliminary business case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26560/23]
View answerLate last year, I was very happy to announce that Galway Roscommon ETB’s (GRETB) strategic proposal to develop a Further Education College in Galway city was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund. The proposal put forward by GRETB relates to the development of Mervue Training Centre which would provide a state-of-the-art FET campus and consolidate FET provision to one city location. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that since then my Department has worked closely with SOLAS in developing a suite of templates and guidance notes in line with Public Spending code requirements for the preliminary business case stage of the process. Workshops took place at the end of March 2023 with relevant ETB representatives, including GRETB, to advise on how to complete the templates. SOLAS will continue to work closely with these ETBs, including GRETB, during the development phase of their proposal. ETBs have up to the end of September to complete and return their preliminary business cases for evaluation.
122. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to reform the SUSI application process. [26396/23]
View answerThe Student Grant Scheme is administered by the centralised national grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) on behalf of my Department.
SUSI regularly reviews their systems, processes and service to identify improvements in service delivery and have made significant strides in this regard in recent years. This can be seen evidenced through, for example, the development of an online student portal and a centralised online system for the swift and consistent assessment of grant applications. Data sharing agreements with government bodies such as the Department of Social Protection, Revenue Commissioners and CAO have supported the delivery of a streamlined application process and have reduced the need for students to send documentation to SUSI. The launch of SUSI’s new website has also driven awareness of student funding by giving students access to key information and the addition of the eligibility indicator means students can quickly check if they might be eligible for funding. These continuous improvements outlined above have contributed to SUSI’s ability to meet and exceed the key performance indicators within the Management Framework Agreement (MFA) with my Department. In the academic year 2022/23, the mean time for the initial assessment of an application was within two weeks, with the time being within one week for assessment of returned documentation.
As the Deputy may be aware, a review was commissioned into SUSI, which focused on structural changes to the Scheme itself, rather than the application process. My Department is committed to continually reviewing the Scheme with a view to enhancing it and to working with SUSI to ensure that it is as accessible for students as possible.
123. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on efforts to reform the CAO system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26754/23]
View answerIt is a priority of my Department to expand pathways into and within tertiary education, supporting leaners to get to where they want to go according to a learning route that is well-suited to their needs.
There are now so many routes for learners to realise their chosen career and educational goals. For anyone who doesn’t gain access to their course of choice immediately, there is often an alternative education path available to them. That could be through further education or apprenticeship, or through other courses in higher education. My Department is examining the establishment of a single portal currently with a report due to me on possible options shortly.
The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) determine their own procedures for admission, in line with their statutory autonomy. The Central Applications Office (CAO), who are an independent body, process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO or the admissions decisions of institutions.
A key goal for my Department is to enhance the visibility of further education and training (FET) and apprenticeship options for school leavers. Last year's change which allows school leavers to explore options across the third level system at cao.ie/options, is a significant development which will help to build a more unified tertiary system.
Within the FET sector, a central portal has been developed to enable learners to apply for their chosen courses.?Technical experts from SOLAS and the CAO are working together to ensure that technology developed for FET in the short-term aligns with CAO systems to enable integration over time. The further development and expansion of the CAO FET offers to include wider options will build on the experience of the 2022 application process. By 24th April there had been 32,621 visits to www.fetchcourses.ie directly from the CAO website.
For apprenticeship options, where students can be hired by approved employers throughout the year, the CAO website links to www.apprenticeship.ie, a one-stop-shop website for information and guidance on apprenticeships. There were 50,172 visits to www.apprenticeship.ie from the CAO website by 24th April. The total number of new apprentice registrations last year was 8,286. There is also a freephone number available - 1800 794 487, for guidance on apprenticeships, which is open 12pm-6pm Monday-Friday. A briefing session for guidance counsellors was also organised by ETBI and SOLAS to provide information on apprenticeship options. Collectively, these measures will increase awareness of and access to apprenticeship programmes.
In December, I announced new programmes which will see students commence their third level experience in further education and complete the remainder in higher education institutions. The project will be jointly managed by the HEA and SOLAS through the new National Tertiary Office which is governed by a memorandum of understanding between both organisations. A Director for the National Tertiary Office has been appointed.
The National Tertiary Office will lead on the development of the joint programmes this year. These programmes are still in development. The details of the courses, module specifications, organisation, progression principles, and how each programme will specifically link between individual ETBs and Higher Education Institutes is being devised on an individual, course by course basis by the institutions themselves with the guidance and co-operation of the National Tertiary Office. Further information on modules and course layout will be made available by the National Tertiary Office and the relevant Institutions in due course.
124. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the three new farming apprenticeships launched in September 2022; the uptake of places on these apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26677/23]
View answerUntil recently there has been a long-standing legislative impediment to farming apprenticeships under the Industrial Training Act, 1967, wherein it was stated that the development of apprenticeship programmes in “an activity of agriculture, horticulture or fishing which is an activity of primary production, or any activity of a professional occupation” was prohibited.
I am delighted to advise the Deputy that under the Higher Education Authority Bill, 2022 which has recently been approved by the Oireachtas, I have ensured that this legislative barrier to the establishment of apprenticeship programmes for these occupations has been removed. This broadens the scope to develop and implement apprenticeship programmes in these important areas where there are significant opportunities to build the skills of the workforce.
A number of Apprenticeships are due to be launched under the family Agriculture and Horticulture. The Sportsturf Management level 6 apprenticeship has been launched last week and registrations opened on 24 May. It is expected apprentices will commence the programme in September 2023.
Three further apprenticeship programmes are due to launch shortly with anticipated starts of September/October this year;
• Farm Manager L7
• Farm Technician L6
• Horticulture L6
The Stud Farm Management L7 apprenticeship is due to launch in 2024.
Further details of the programmes, including locations where the training will be provided, will be available once the validation and legislative processes are finalised.
These new apprenticeships, which will have off-the-job training delivered through online or blended learning, provide a significant opportunity for widening of access to apprenticeship for rural businesses and learners and will play a very important role in ensuring apprenticeship provision has a strong regional dimension. I am very grateful for all the work of all the stakeholders involved in bringing the apprenticeship model into one of the most important sectors of the economy.
125. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action he has taken to date in increasing apprenticeship places, as well as their starting remuneration; his upcoming plans in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26603/23]
View answerApprenticeships are employer-led demand-driven programmes that develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the labour market needs. The number of new apprenticeship registrations is, therefore, primarily determined by the level of recruitment of apprentices by employers.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets a target of 10,000 apprentice registrations per annum by 2025. 2022 saw 8,286 new apprenticeship registrations an increase of 34% on the pre-Covid figure in 2019. Overall, the broader range of apprenticeship offerings and a growth in registrations linked to the re-opening of the economy after the pandemic created an apprentice population of 24,212 by the end of 2021. Strong registrations continued in 2022, with 8,286 registrations and a population of 26,325 at year end.
This strong growth in apprenticeship training is very welcome and indeed essential to meeting priority skills needs. The apprenticeship system has, however, been engaging with meeting this greatly increased demand while recovering from the impact of the extended closures of the training system during Covid.
As part of a response to this dual challenge, SOLAS has worked with ETBs to increase training capacity via capital development, additional instructors, and innovative delivery models.
This has been facilitated by significant Government investment to allow for additional capacity across the system. This includes €12m during the pandemic to support additional classes and teaching capacity to ameliorate Covid-19 measures, over €17m in 2022 for increased capital investment, €6m for measures including additional instructors, and in 2023, additional funding of €30m for apprenticeship growth.
This fund will support up to 5,000 additional training places in 2023 across both Further and Higher education sectors and support the continuing growth of apprenticeships with a forecast of almost 9,000 registrations in 2023 in line with the Governments Action Plan for Apprenticeships 2021-2025. The majority (over 6500) will be on craft programmes. This will provide critical support to the delivery of Government goals under Housing for All, climate action and retrofitting.
Work continues to develop additional capacity allocation across further and higher education and these places will continue to come on stream in 2023.
Approximately 80 new instructor posts were approved across June-Oct 2021 for the three largest apprenticeship programmes: Electrical, Plumbing, and Carpentry & Joinery.
In 2022, the Minister announced the roll-out of €17.2 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships, and ensure the required increased capacity will be delivered. This builds on the €20 million Apprenticeship Capital Fund investment in 2021 across both the further and higher education sectors. The funding includes:
• The development of hubs dedicated to electrical training for the next three years.
• Expansion of electrical, plumbing, and carpentry programmes across FE & HE
• The development of essential craft apprenticeship training facilities at Kilkenny and Carlow ETB and in Donegal.
• A call for additional phase 2 capacity in craft programmes that include carpentry, plumbing, and refrigeration.
• Expansion of electrical apprenticeships in ATU Donegal and MTU Kerry
Registrations for craft apprenticeship are forecasted to show significant increases in demand over time. To ensure the craft training system is expanded to meet this demand and other capital needs (including equipment needs arising from changes in programme curricula) investment will continue.
Apprentices are primarily employees and all of the 67 available apprenticeships are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer with the employer paying the apprentice during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements of the apprenticeship.
For craft apprenticeship programmes, the minimum rates of pay are agreed through legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders (Construction Sector and Mechanical Engineering Building Services Contracting Sector) or through agreement within the relevant sector.
Whilst on that basis any review of rates is a matter for the appropriate industrial relations structures, the Department recognises that there is increasing pressure on workers as a result of inflation and other cost of living factors. Equally, it is important that apprenticeship is a valued and valuable option for employers and prospective apprentices. Consequently, the Department is engaging with partners to assess how these structures could best be informed of apprenticeship considerations. This is ongoing and the Department is committed to concluding the process as soon as possible.
Separately, as part of Budget 2023 the Government introduced a cost-of-living package for students. This included a once-off reduction of up to 33% in the contribution fee for apprentices and additional funding for social inclusion measures in apprenticeship, such as a bursary for apprentices from under-represented groups.
126. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the conversations he and his Department have had with the Department of Health in relation to increasing clinical spaces in mental health care to allow and develop the amount of mental health spaces at third level. [26485/23]
View answerMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the health and welfare of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce, and support a range of clinical teams in our health services.
Healthcare programmes are by their nature complex in delivery. The availability of appropriate placements and placement supports is a key enabler of expansion. A working group, including representation from the Department of Health, HSE and CORU, as well as the higher education sector, has been established to specifically examine how placements can be secured to facilitate greater numbers of training places.
Officials in my Department are engaging with Higher Education Institutions to explore possible areas of expansion of existing health care programmes, including mental health nursing programmes and clinical and counselling psychology. My officials are also engaging with the Department of Health as these additional places require the allocation of resources, and require placements to be put in place by the HSE and the Department of Health.
Nursing, which would include mental health nursing, was one of the disciplines included in the recent HEA exercise to identify where capacity could be built in the higher education sector. I will shortly bring a memorandum to Government to outline the opportunities identified, the costs arising with any expansion and to outline the engagements I have had on the options outlined with my colleague the Minister for Health
This builds upon the significant increase in medicine, nursing and health and social care professional course places that has been introduced since my Department was set up just three years ago.
In this context, the Department is engaging on an ongoing basis with the Department of Health, Department of Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, the Department of Education and other relevant stakeholders with regard to how the further and higher education system can best support workforce planning for the delivery of essential public services.
We have already made good progress in key healthcare areas, for example in putting in place a multi-annual plan to deliver 200 more medical places by 2026. In March this year, the HEA submitted its Expression of Interest recommendations to the Minister. This process sought proposals from Higher Education Institutions interested in building capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary with capability to expand existing courses or create new courses in academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26.
The provision of healthcare programmes is complex and involves many different parts of the system. It is important that any increases in places are done in a sustainable way with an evidence based understanding of the future needs of the health system.
Disciplines such as medicine, nursing and a range of allied health professions are relevant to mental health but also to a range of other areas in health and social care. It is for the Department of Health and the HSE to undertake workforce planning for both the overall health services and for particular care areas. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health to translate those workforce plans into the projected demand for health graduates and to substantially increase enrolments in heath related courses, together with expansion in the required number of clinical placements within the health service for those on such programmes.
The national health and social care professions office in the HSE completed a report in 2021 which recommended the development of a workforce plan for psychology, including educational psychology. My Department understands that implementation of the recommendations is being examined by the HSE. My Department is also engaging with the Department of Education on its workforce needs, including for the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS.
127. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is intended to ensure a fair regional spread of new courses in pharmacy and veterinary medicine, in view of the Government’s commitments to balanced regional development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25489/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the HEA ran an Expression of Interest process to identify options to build capacity in Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, as well as Medicine, Nursing and Dentistry. I have received the report from the HEA on this process, and am currently reviewing it in conjunction with my Cabinet colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Two of the key criteria set out in the Expression of Interest form requested the institutions responding to give a rationale for the ‘location and regional relevance’ and ‘relevance to institutional, regional and national strategy’, and the resultant data has been collated in the HEA's report.
As this process is still ongoing, it is not possible to say at this stage how many places might be created, or what institutions might be involved.
My Department together with the Department of Health, and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, will continue to engage closely on this matter to consider these options, having regard to workforce plans and projected demand for graduates.
128. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the distribution of the devolved capital grant; the amount that has been allocated to the Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26699/23]
View answerSince 2021, the Department has disbursed just over €96m in funding for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years under the Devolved Capital Grant to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and eligible higher education institutions. The Devolved Capital Grant is allocated in accordance with a model based primarily on student numbers, weighted by course type and mode of study.
In April this year I announced €8 million in capital devolved funding for the Further Education and Training (FET) sector and I will be shortly announcing the funding available for the Higher Education Institutions.
The Devolved Capital Grant provides flexible capital funding to ETBs and eligible higher education institutions to support small-scale building works (including health and safety works, access works, refurbishment, energy upgrades etc.) and equipment purchase or renewal, including ICT. It is a matter for individual ETBs and higher education institutions to determine what works are prioritised.
In deployment of the grant, each ETB and higher education institution must ensure value for money, clear prioritisation and demonstrable impact on the capacity to deliver on its strategic goals.
Our third level sector faces significant challenges in responding to climate objectives and these funds will assist with making energy upgrades. It will also ensure our campuses are inclusive and accessible. The funding can be used to make the necessary upgrades to make campuses accessible for people with disabilities.
The 2023 FET Devolved Capital Grant issued to SOLAS in April, for onward distribution to the ETBs, and I can confirm to the Deputy that Kilkenny and Carlow ETB were allocated €435,000 for 2023.
129. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has met with University College Cork and Munster Technological University with a view to developing a third-level campus on the northside of Cork city. [26654/23]
View answerI have not been made aware of any plans to develop a new campus on the north side of Cork city. However, my Department is willing to work collaboratively with all higher education institutions and Education Training Boards with the HEA and SOLAS on the development of capital projects in line with their established masterplans.
My Department is currently supporting a number of key ongoing major capital projects in Cork city, including a new Learning Resource Centre on the MTU Cork Campus, which is part of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme, and a major upgrade project to the 1970s Building on the MTU Cork Campus Bishopstown.
UCC is also approved for funding of €25 million under the first phase of the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund to co-fund a custom-built Business School in Cork city centre.
In addition to this, I launched two new programme calls last year for the Higher Education Sector – the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF II) and Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF):
• Under the TSSPF programme call, I am pleased to announce that MTU's application in respect of a proposed upgrade, repurposing and extension to facilities at their Bishopstown Campus has been successful in the first stage of the assessment process and is now moving through the next stage of proposal development - the development of a preliminary business case. This proposal will provide core teaching facilities in the areas of Business, Humanities, Engineering, Science, Health and Wellbeing and Tourism.
• Under the HESIF II programme call, UCC submitted an application for re-development of the Kane Science Building. I am happy to relay that, alongside 3 other universities, I most recently announced this project as successful in securing approval in principle for a €25 million share of a €100m capital fund.
I also announced last year a programme call for the Further Education and Training Sector - College of the Future Major Projects Fund. This programme call will support the implementation of the vision set out in the Further Education Strategy.
Cork ETB's application for their Bishopstown campus (which I most recently visited) for the development of a FET College of the Future to act as a focal point for all FET services in Cork incorporating a new Digital FET Centre has been successful in the first stage of the assessment process and will now move to the next stage of proposal development - the development of a preliminary business case.
130. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to develop and support further and higher education in County Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26748/23]
View answerCavan Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) provides a broad range of further education and training options in Monaghan Institute and at other locations around County Monaghan. These options include various Adult and Community Education Programmes; PLC courses, Skills to Compete and Skills to Advance courses, Youthreach, as well as Apprenticeships and Traineeships. Tanagh Outdoor Education Centre also provides a range of specialised programmes.
The FET provision in County Monaghan, as across the country, is being supported and expanded by the investment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, the Adult Literacy for Life Strategy and Future FET: Transforming Learning, the FET strategy 2020-2024. All 16 ETBs, including CMETB, have in place a Strategic Performance Agreement with SOLAS for the period of 2022-2024. In all agreements each ETB sets out their ambition for achievement across the 12 agreed national targets. In addition, each agreement is effectively an implementation framework for the above strategies, with commitments and actions included to support achievement of the overall Transforming Learning agenda.
CMETB is leading one of 13 projects which are funded nationally by SOLAS under the Skills to Advance Innovation for Collaboration Fund. This project, originally developed for the food sector, focuses on developing key skills in Business Innovation and Market Development applicable to a range of business sectors. It is currently being piloted with the view to roll out across the country from the autumn. This agile programme provides a bite-sized, flexible offer to stimulate innovation in SME product/service development and market expansion. It provides a national framework for supporting innovation in SMEs.
It is also important to set-out these plans in the context of the border regions. The demand for skills does not stop at the border and for this reason, I fully endorse the development of cross-border projects in conjunction with the Regional Colleges in Northern Ireland. This measure will not just address skills provisions, but also ensure compatible education and training provisions in all regions. I believe that the new PEACE PLUS programme will provide further opportunity for these collaborations to flourish.
131. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans in relation to student fees, and how reductions could be used to ease the cost-of-living for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26718/23]
View answer135. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the changes he intends to make to student fees in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26746/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 135 together.
I am acutely conscious of the challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education.
I also recognise that costs are not limited to tuition fees or other registration fees payable by students. Students have real cost of living challenges such as fuel, food or accommodation and have specific costs associated with their courses such as books or materials. I have been clear that I want to see the student's contribution towards tuition fees in higher education reduce in a meaningful way over the course of future budgets.
In relation to undergraduate tuition fees, I was pleased to secure Government agreement to the introduction of a permanent new rate of student contribution support through SUSI from September 2023. For students whose families have incomes between €62,000 and €100,000, there will be a new grant of €500 towards the undergraduate student contribution payable by free fees eligible undergraduate students. I am also increasing the income limit for students to avail of the 50% student contribution grant. These measures mean that 42,500 to 50,000 extra students may be eligible for additional help towards paying the undergraduate student contribution.
The Budget 2023 package included an increase in the Post Graduate Fee Contribution Grant (part of the Student Grant Scheme) by €500 on 2022 levels from €3,500 to €4,000 from September 2023. This measure will benefit postgraduate students who are eligible for a postgraduate fee contribution towards the cost of their tuition fees. That means postgraduate students whose reckonable income is up to €55,240 and who are not eligible for the special rate of grant will benefit.
In advance of Budget 2024, and as I did last year, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out various possible measures to address the cost of education. I am doing this in order to facilitate public discussion on the various choices available to amend student supports. I will have regard to these options, including any options in respect of providing additional tuition fee supports or tuition fee contribution costs, when making proposals in the context of budget discussions.
132. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on his recent meeting with student and stakeholder groups to discuss reducing the cost of third level education; when he expects the options paper to be published; the other measures he and his Department are examining to reduce the costs for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26588/23]
View answerThe improvement to the student grant scheme has been a priority for me since taking up my Ministerial appointment and I have made many improvements benefitting thousands of students. 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. .
I am committed to the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education, within the overall context of Government policy towards costs of living and other relevant strategies including those related to access and participation in education.
I was delighted to open the first stakeholder event to inform my Department’s options paper on reducing the cost of higher education student on the 25 May 2023. This was an opportunity for students, student representatives, people who work with students on a day to day basis and organisations who advocate for underrepresented groups to have their say on what should be included in our annual options paper. The event was attended by over 100 people and significant feedback was provided to my Department, who will consider all feedback when preparing the options paper which will be published in advance of the budget.
As I look towards the next budgetary cycle, I will be examining all the levers I have to address the cost of education in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly and fairly across society.
133. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on apprenticeships; his plans to address the backlogs in the system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26655/23]
View answerThe ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’ was launched in April 2021 and sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship more accessible to employers and learners. The Plan seeks to deliver on a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum, across a wide range of programmes, by 2025.
We are making significant progress in realising the ambition of the Plan. A key objective is to make apprenticeship more attractive to employers and learners, to ensure their continued engagement and to attract those who have not previously engaged with the system. Progress to date includes:
• The establishment of the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO), the appointment of its first Director and the initiation of its work plan;
• The removal of legislative barriers to the development of apprenticeship programmes in professions, enabled by the approval of the Oireachtas of the Higher Education Authority Bill, 2022;
• The establishment of the National Apprenticeship Alliance (NAA), representing the broad range of partners involved in apprenticeship;
• The establishment of the Access and Inclusion subcommittee, to help make apprenticeship more reflective of the national population;
• Securing resources for access measures, including a bursary programme for under-represented groups;
• The introduction of the apprenticeship employer grant of €2,000 and a gender bursary grant of €2,666;
• The allocation of €17.2m in additional capital investment for SOLAS and the HEA, building on the €20 million Apprenticeship Capital Fund investment in 2021;
• The inclusion of apprenticeship options on the CAO website from November 2021.
• The National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) Freephone advice helpline was officially launched on 19 January 2023
• The expansion of apprenticeship to all areas of the economy, with 67 programmes currently available, thus widening the impact of apprenticeship to areas of skills shortage such as engineering, technology skills, logistics, and fintech
• The submission of a memorandum to Government in November 2022 detailing the progress to date of the implementation of the Action Plan
The positive impacts of these measures are already evident in apprentice registrations. The Action Plan sets a target of 10,000 apprentice registrations per annum by 2025. 2022 saw 8,286 new apprenticeship registrations, an increase of 34% on the pre-Covid figure in 2019. Overall, the broader range of apprenticeship offerings and a growth in registrations linked to the re-opening of the economy after the pandemic created an apprentice population of 24,212 by the end of 2021. Strong registrations continued in 2022, with 8,286 registrations and a population of 26,325 at year end.
This strong growth in apprenticeship training is very welcome and indeed essential to meeting priority skills needs. The apprenticeship system has, however, been engaging with meeting this greatly increased demand while recovering from the impact of the extended closures of the training system during Covid. These closures created increased waiting lists for off-the-job training phases of craft apprenticeships.
There will always be a degree of waiting for apprentices, due to factors such as term commencement dates in higher education institutions. Significant progress has been made since, with classes resuming at full capacity in September 2021. Based on the end-Apr 2023 monthly figures, there are 5,367 apprentices waiting longer than six months to access off the job training. This has fallen from 11,200 in 2021.
With the commitment of a further €17.2m in capital investment into 2023, the required increased capacity will be delivered, with SOLAS intensifying the progress already made to reduce waiting times in those programmes with the highest numbers of apprentices waiting to be placed, with those waiting longest being prioritised for placements. Progress continues to be made as additional capacity comes on stream and it is expected that the phase 2 backlog is expected to be brought in line with normal waiting periods by the end of 2023.
Question No. 135 answered with Question No. 131.
136. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of spaces available on the third-level access course in each of the past five years and in the next academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25798/23]
View answerHigher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including course provision relating to third level access programmes that are specific to each HEI.
The HEA is responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating student and graduate enrolment data from higher education institutions (HEI) but does not collect data on the Third level Access programmes or the number of spaces available as requested by the Deputy.
The HEA does collate certain data surrounding the targets and KPIs identified in the National Access Plan (2022-2028).The National Access Plan commits to the collection of data on key priority groups from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds, students who are members of Irish Traveller and Roma Communities as well as students with disabilities including intellectual disabilities.
My 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.
137. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline his engagement with Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage concerning the provision of student accommodation. [26395/23]
View answerMy Department is engaging closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on a number of actions in the Housing for All action plan. My Department is also represented on the DHLGH’s Cost Rental Viability Measure working group. This close engagement helps to ensure there is a collaborative approach to housing and student accommodation.
Our Departments are also working closely on the issue of the rising cost of construction. DFHERIS officials participated on the DHLGH working group that commissioned the Residential Construction Cost Study. I am working with Minister O’Brien to address recommendations arising from the study including examination of design standards for new Purpose Build Student Accommodation.
Our Departments jointly proposed the Rent a Room income disregard for medical card holders and local authority tenants. Work is ongoing across the relevant Departments to progress the implementation of these changes.
My officials are also engaging with DHLGH on vacancy. Local authorities are currently gathering data on vacant properties in their functional areas. This work is scheduled for completion in mid 2023. The data gathered can be used to inform policy responses, including for student accommodation.
In addition, my Department is engaging with the Residential Tenancies Board regarding tenancy protections and the provision of information and research to inform policy.
138. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 728 of 9 May 2023, the details of any engagement he or his Department has had with local authorities around the country in 2022 and to date in 2023 with a view to increasing the number of apprenticeships in local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26561/23]
View answerA key commitment of the ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’ is to grow the number of apprenticeship registrations across the public service, including local authorities, to reach 750 annual registrations by 2025. This represents in excess of a seven-fold increase on 2020 registrations and will support a long-term goal of 7% of the apprentice population being employed by public service employers.
My Department’s officials have undertaken a number of actions in order to make progress towards achieving this commitment:
• A number of information sessions on apprenticeship were held late last year with notable/good attendance by representatives of the local authorities.
• The Working Group established to represent Government Departments and agencies and local authorities, continues to support the development of a Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan.
• The results of a 2022 survey of public service organisations have now been analysed and a Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan, informed by the survey results, is currently in the final stages of being drafted.
2022 saw a total of 373 apprentices registered with public service employers such as the civil service, the Defence Forces and local authorities. This was an increase of 46% on 2021 registrations. The apprentices were on over 20 different programmes in areas as diverse as cybersecurity, accounting technician, recruitment, heavy vehicle mechanics and stonecutting and stonemasonry.
Subject to overall budget allocations within organisations, local authorities are being encouraged to recruit for posts through the use of apprenticeship or to upskill existing staff through these programmes. They are also encouraged to engage with all available supports for developing an apprenticeship programme. The National Apprenticeship Office provide extensive information for prospective employers on how to engage with the apprenticeship system.
139. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Budget 2024 will include measures to ensure that student accommodation is affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26747/23]
View answerI am actively working to address the supply of student accommodation. Increasing costs of construction and financing are impacting on viability, and as a result a number of Universities had to pause their projects. In responding to these challenges, on 29 November 2022, Government approved development of both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply.
These landmark policy responses will see the State providing financial support for the construction of student accommodation to ensure increased availability and promote greater access in particular for targeted student groups in line with the National Access Plan, and to underpin the policy commitments set out in Housing for All.
At the heart of the new policy is a commitment to deliver student accommodation to those most in need, and to provide it at affordable rates. At a minimum, 30% of the beds will be made available at discounted rates for the target group of students.
I have already established a dedicated student accommodation unit in my Department to develop and implement this policy alongside the Higher Education Authority. Since taking up office, my Department officials and I have engaged and continue to engage on an ongoing basis with the Minister and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the wider higher education sector, and other key stakeholders on student accommodation issues.
In the short term, Government has approved funding to support development of 1,071 beds for students of the University of Limerick, Dublin City University, Maynooth University and the University of Galway which have planning permission granted but had stalled.
My officials are also examining potential developments at UCD and TCD, and UCC also has proposals in development.
These proposals are in addition to the 1,806 student accommodation beds delivered in the last year, with a further 929 beds due to open in Cork and Galway before the start of the next academic year.
In addition to stimulating purpose built student accommodation by higher education institutions my Department is encouraging the bringing on stream of additional units through minor capital grants, promotion of digs accommodation and utilisation of the rent a room scheme.
The recent extension to the rent a room scheme means that income generated is disregarded for social welfare and student grant assessment purposes. Approval was also given to disregard this income for medical card assessment purposes and also to allow Local Authority tenants to access the scheme; work is ongoing across the relevant Departments to progress the implementation of these changes.
Support of €1m is also being provided to our Technological Universities (TUs) to conduct a needs assessment and my Department is examining the development of a TU Borrowing Framework in conjunction with other Government Departments, as part of the range of student accommodation initiatives underway.
140. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has undertaken a study to determine if there is any disparity in rates of youth emigration across different graduate groups based on their area of study or qualification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25799/23]
View answerA core objective of the tertiary system is to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to adapt to living and working sustainably, whether that is in Ireland or abroad. The International Education strategy recognises the value of both inbound and outbound mobility, providing opportunities for learners to broaden their experience and strengthen global linkages for Ireland. Of the 2021 class of higher education graduates, 14.3% (10,340) were non-Irish domiciled students who completed their studies and graduated in Ireland, a factor which may also impact on graduate retention in Ireland post-graduation.
The Department has not, to date, delivered a comparative study on the outcomes across graduate groups in terms of migration patterns. The outcomes of graduates are monitored through data provided by the Higher Education Authority (HEA), SOLAS, and the Central Statistics Office (CSO). A key resource is the higher education graduate outcomes survey coordinated by the HEA which does capture whether a respondent has acquired employment or is pursuing further study abroad and this information, in the form of the info-byte series of publications, is published by the HEA on www.hea.ie.
