Written Answers Nos. 141-160
141. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure in Budget 2024 that all three streams of PhD psychology students are fully-funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26745/23]
View answerMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the health and wellbeing 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.
As the Deputy is aware, Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions and therefore it is a matter for individual institutions to determine the rate of tuition fees for postgraduate academic programmes including psychology.
Funding was secured in Budget 2023 by the Department of Health to provide for sponsorship for Clinical and Counselling trainee Psychologist PhD programmes. This arrangement is not the responsibility of my Department, but the Department of Health and the HSE.
Issues arising from sponsorships and employment eligibility in relation to psychologists, and indeed more generally, are matters for relevant employers rather than the responsibility of my Department.
With regards to Educational Psychology, it should be noted that a working group in the Department of Education has been examining how NEPS can continue to recruit adequate numbers of suitably qualified staff and continue to respond to the educational psychological needs of children in recognised primary and post-primary schools across the country.
To address supply issues in the medium to long term a workforce plan for educational psychologists is being developed within the Department of Education. As an immediate short-term measure the Department of Education introduced a bursary to support Trainee Educational Psychologists currently in their third year (or third year equivalent) of professional training in University College Dublin (UCD) and Mary Immaculate College (MIC), who expect to graduate in 2023.
Officials in the Department of Education are finalising details with Mary Immaculate College and University College Dublin to provide bursary supports for students of the educational psychological doctorate programme who would graduate in 2024, 2025 and 2026 respectively.
142. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has plans to increase the number of places on courses related to health and social care on the accelerated graduate programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26740/23]
View answerThe Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not place a quota on the number of places on these type of courses as offered by higher education institutions, and as such the number of places provided each year is determined by the institutions themselves in line with their capacity.
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018 . As such they are autonomous in relation to their administrative and academic affairs, and the courses offered by any institution, and the level at which they are offered, are a matter for the individual institutions to determine
There are two-year professional qualification programmes available in the University of Limerick at Masters level in the disciplines of Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language therapy. The data for the most recently available five years of graduates from these programmes is in the table below. This data was sourced from the Student Records System (SRS) of the HEA .
|
HEI |
Programme |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
University of Limerick |
Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification) |
25 |
35 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
|
University of Limerick |
Physiotherapy (Professional Qualification) |
10 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
20 |
|
University of Limerick |
Speech and Language Therapy (Professional Qualification) |
30 |
30 |
20 |
20 |
30 |
The Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service.
Health and social care programmes are by their nature complex in delivery. Officials from my Department are continuing to engage with Higher Education Institutions to maximise additionality in Health and Social Care Professional undergraduate programmes from September 2023. 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.
My Department has established a working group, including representation from the Department of Health, Education, Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth HSE, the Higher Education Sector and CORU, as well as the higher education sector to specifically examine how placements can be secured to facilitate greater numbers of training places.
This group has made good progress and the HSCP Office within the HSE is developing a Framework for Practice Placement Education. I understand that the Department of Health have also recently appointed a HSCP Officer to lead on enabling expansion in health and social care profession
It is important to say that the provision of such programmes in the further and higher education system must have regard to overall workforce plans which are the responsibility of the relevant agencies and Departments to develop for their sectors. Such plans need to take account of planned service expansion, retirement and improvements in the retention of existing staff, and changes in the mix of staff which employers are best placed to understand and influence.
The HEA have also advised higher education institutions of their intention to conduct an exercise to identify where substantial additional capacity could be built in priority HSCP disciplines. This would likely require the development of physical infrastructure, the recruitment of staff, and the approval of programmes by regulators. These factors will impact on the ultimate timeline for substantial numbers of additional places being made available.
143. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of passports that have been issued to children that fall under the parameters of a judgement (details supplied). [26812/23]
View answerAll passport applications are subject to the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act”). The 2008 Act requires that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit a complete application form with supporting documents positively confirming to the satisfaction of the Minister, amongst other things, that the person is an Irish citizen and as such is entitled to a passport.
Prior to the Supreme Court decision in U.M. (a minor) v Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Ors (U.M.), certain applications for passports may have been refused or cancelled on the grounds that the children involved were not Irish citizens under section 6A(1) of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended. Passport policy has been revised following the decision in U.M. and passports have issued accordingly in compliance with the provisions of the 2008 Act.
It is not possible to provide the information the Deputy has requested, as the Passport Service does not separately track passport applications that fall under the parameters of the judgment to which the Deputy refers.
144. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if a first-time passport application will issue for a child (details supplied) who is travelling on 1 June; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26815/23]
View answerWith regard to the specific application about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued a passport to the applicant.
145. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26912/23]
View answerThere are no State bodies under the aegis of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
146. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if clarity could be given on travelling from Ireland to the Schengen area on an Irish passport with less than three months' validity, as his Department’s website advises travel is valid right up until the date of expiration, but numerous Schengen member states outline on their own travel websites that there must be a minimum of three months validity left on a non-Schengen passport that is, an Irish passport from the date of departure of the Schengen country in order to enter the country legally. [26952/23]
View answerAll Irish passport holders, as EU citizens, have the right to move and reside freely within the EU. EU citizens can travel to and live in another EU country for up to three months without any requirements other than holding a valid identity card or passport.
The Department of Foreign Affairs’ travel advice for EU/Schengen countries reflects this fact, stating that Irish passports do not have a minimum validity requirement while travelling within the EU.
Citizens with international travel advice queries can email traveladvice@dfa.ie with specific queries or for additional guidance.
147. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if the Environmental Protection Agency tests all rivers for the quality of the water to establish their suitability for swimming and water activities. [26763/23]
View answerAs Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, I have no function or responsibility in respect of this matter.
The EPA is an independent public body established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 and is entirely independent in the exercise of its functions.
148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the extent to which broadband service to residents of Firmount, Clane, County Kildare, can expect an improvement in broadband services to facilitate working from home or business transactions as required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26767/23]
View answerThe High Speed Broadband Map, which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie, shows the areas included in the National Broadband Plan (NBP) State led intervention as well as areas targeted by commercial operators. The map is colour coded and searchable by address and Eircode.
Premises in the AMBER area will be provided with high-speed broadband through the State led Intervention. The BLUE area represents those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.
The majority of the premises in Firmount are located in the BLUE area on the high-speed broadband map with some premises located in the AMBER area; National Broadband Ireland (NBI) advise that the network build in the Firmount AMBER area is in progress with an anticipated connection date of April – June 2024.
BLUE areas are not included in the State intervention area covered by the National Broadband Plan as commercial operators are already providing high-speed broadband or have indicated future plans to do so. My Department defines high-speed broadband as a connection with minimum speeds of 30Mbps download and 6Mbps upload. Under State aid rules, my Department is not permitted to displace commercial investment by intervening in areas where commercial investment exists or is planned, as to do so would be an infringement of these State aid rules.
In December 2022 my Department published Ireland's Digital Connectivity Strategy which supports the ambition outlined in the National Digital Strategy and sets out a number of ambitious targets namely:
* all Irish households and businesses will be covered by a Gigabit network no later than 2028;
* all populated areas will be covered by 5G no later than 2030.
The majority of digital connectivity across the State will be delivered through commercial investment by the telecommunications industry and this will be complemented by the National Broadband Plan.
149. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26910/23]
View answerThere are 14 bodies under the aegis of my Department, the details of which are set out in the table below, along with the contact details for Members of the Oireachtas for each of the relevant bodies.
|
Name of Body |
Contact details for Members of the Oireachtas |
|
An Post |
Angus.Laverty@anpost.ie |
|
Bord na Mona |
oireachtas@bnm.ie |
|
Eirgrid |
oireachtas@eirgrid.com or Padraig.slyne@eirgrid.com |
|
ESB |
seanjmurphy@esb.ie |
|
Digital Hub Development Agency |
oireachtas@thedigitalhub.com |
|
Environmental Protection Agency |
oireachtasqueries@epa.ie |
|
Inland Fisheries Ireland |
oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie |
|
Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC) |
n/a |
|
Loughs Agency |
Sharon.mcmahon@loughs-agency.org |
|
Mining Board |
miningboardie@gmail.com |
|
National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA) |
n/a |
|
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland |
oireachtas@seai.ie |
|
Commission for Communications Regulation |
oireachtas@comreg.ie |
|
Commission for Regulation of Utilities |
Oireachtas@cru.ie |
150. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications if he will outline the potential for alternative energy sources to be developed within local communities, or at the level of a small business or farm under the respective opportunities for solar, small-scale wind, anaerobic digestion, biofuels, and so on; if, in each case, he will outline the potential for energy generation, and the impact in terms of economic activity of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27040/23]
View answerMy Department has developed a number of schemes to support production of renewable electricity in Ireland which are open to community participation. These schemes include the grid scale, auction based Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) - of which the third onshore auction is to be held in 2023, and the Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS), for smaller installations, up to 50 kW in size (30kWe for micro-renewable Combined Heat and Power).
My Department is also developing a Small-Scale Generation Scheme (SSGS) to support non-domestic renewable electricity generators above 50kW, but smaller than those supported under the RESS. This scheme will enable larger businesses, farms, public buildings, and community projects to maximise their participation in the energy transition.
The scheme proposes to support applicants, including renewables self-consumers, to install renewable electricity generators up to 1MW, with 100% Renewable Energy Community (REC) projects to be supported up to 6MW. My Department is progressing the scheme design and I expect to launch the SSGS later this year.
The RESS and MSS schemes both include Anaerobic Digestion (AD) for electricity generation with High Efficiency Combined Heat and Power as an eligible technology. However, no AD projects have come through the RESS auctions to date.
Anaerobic digestion for renewable heat is supported through the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH). The SSRH is a Government funded initiative designed to increase the energy generated from renewable sources in the heat sector, whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The scheme is open to commercial, industrial, agricultural, district heating, public sector and other non-domestic heat users and is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI).
Furthermore, a dedicated Biomethane Working Group, chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine, has been established. Its purpose is to oversee an all-of-Government approach to developing a National Biomethane Strategy, which aims to deliver up to the 5.7TWh of indigenously produced biomethane by 2030.
Regarding biofuels, within the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), the supply of biomethane in transport is incentivised through the issue of additional RTFO certificates.
151. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26907/23]
View answerThe only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 and consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members. The Secretary to the Board is provided from the staff of my Department. Therefore, any queries from members of the Oireachtas in relation to that body, as with any other matter, can be sent to minister@defence.ie.
152. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the capital expenditure for the Defence Forces from 2020 to 2023, in tabular form. [26940/23]
View answerThe principal demand drivers of Defence capital requirements are the ongoing acquisition and renewal of military equipment along with the development and upgrade of Defence Forces built infrastructure and ICT capacity. The importance of this was set out in the 2019 White Paper Update and reinforced in the Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces in 2022.
The table below outlines overall capital expenditure from the Defence Vote (including Civil Defence & Administration capital expenditure) over the specified timeframe:
Table: Capital Expenditure on the Defence Vote from 2020 to 2023 (end-April)
|
- |
Capital Expenditure |
||
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 (end-April) |
|
€159m |
€130m |
€144m |
€37m |
The primary return on Defence capital investment is the maintenance and development of necessary military capabilities which provide the means by which the Defence Forces contribute to national and international peace and security and fulfil all other roles assigned by Government.
153. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence the number of vacant engineer room artificer technicians currently in the Naval Service; and when these vacancies will be filled, in tabular form. [26939/23]
View answerThe military authorities have provided the following information, as at 29 May 2023, in respect of Engine Room Artificers in the Naval Service:
|
Establishment |
85 |
|
Strength |
65* |
|
Vacancies |
20 |
*includes 16 personnel undergoing training to become Engine Room Artificers and two personnel who have applied for discharge.
Vacancies are filled in line with promotional arrangements, as appropriate, and by recruitment. A direct entry competition for Engine Room Artificers is ongoing and, as at 30 April 2023 has attracted 12 applications.
154. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport if he is aware that the British government is set to recommence the HGB road user levy from 1 August 2023; if he is aware whether there is any concession available with respect to North-South trade; and, if not, if he has engaged with his British counterparts regarding the possibility of exemption with respect to the North-South trade. [26774/23]
View answerThe UK HGV road user levy was introduced in 2014, affecting all UK roads including in Northern Ireland. Prior to its introduction, the Irish Government engaged with UK authorities seeking to exempt Northern Ireland from the charge because of the potential impact on cross-border trade. The UK authorities ultimately decided to maintain the levy, with only very minor exemptions for Northern Ireland. The levy was suspended in August 2020 to support the haulage sector during the COVID-19 pandemic – it is now to be reinstated with amendments to align the levy with the environmental performance of a vehicle in support of decarbonisation goals. While it is appreciated that the levy imposes additional costs on Irish hauliers operating across the region, its application is a matter for the UK authorities.
155. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport the reason NCT certificates are being given for six months instead of twelve months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26851/23]
View answerUnder European Directive 2014/45/EU on periodic roadworthiness testing, Ireland, like all Member States, must comply with the minimum specified intervals for carrying out such inspections. This is given effect in Irish law by the Road Traffic (National Car Test) Regulations 2017 (SI 415/2017), as amended.
Regulation 3(2) of the 2017 Regulations provides that the initial test due date for a vehicle is determined by its registration date and subsequent test due dates automatically fall on anniversaries of the registration date. Any certificate issued for that vehicle will be valid up to the test due date after the certificate is issued and is not automatically issued for 24 months, or 12 months in the case of vehicles over 10 years old, from the date of testing.
Permitting NCT certificates to be extended beyond the minimum test due dates without inspections would place the State in breach of our obligations under EU law and may affect road safety, should the vehicle in question be unsafe to drive. There are no current plans to amend this legislation.
156. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Transport if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26922/23]
View answerMy Department and the agencies under our aegis are committed to providing an efficient, timely, professional, and courteous service to all our customers. My officials have contacted the deputy directly and provided her with a table which lists the email addresses at which members of the Oireachtas can contact the agencies under the aegis of my Department.
157. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport the locations within Meath where a new bus shelter was installed in the past 12 months; and the locations within Meath that are scheduled to have a new bus shelter installed before the end of this year. [26944/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, including the provision of bus stops and bus shelters.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
158. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Transport if supports are available to senior citizens to assist them in buying electric bikes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27028/23]
View answerMy Department is continuously exploring ways to encourage the uptake of cycling as a mode of transport and it is evident that the popularity of e-bikes is rising. Our National Sustainable Mobility Policy examines the different behavioural change measures that can be explored to promote modal shift away from private car use and towards zero-emission transport modes such as walking, cycling and e-biking.
The Programme for Government commits to “widening the eligibility of the Bike to Work scheme”. The Deputy will be aware that in Budget 2021, my colleague, the then Minister for Finance, increased the thresholds for the Cycle to Work scheme to enable the purchase of e-bikes and more recently the thresholds were increased again in the most recent Budget to accommodate the purchase of cargo bikes and e-cargo bikes.
To further advance the Programme for Government commitment, my Department, in conjunction with the Department of Rural and Community Development, introduced a pilot initiative in 2021 for the provision of high quality up-cycled bicycles and e-bikes for those on low incomes and the most marginalised and disadvantaged.
Funding of up approximately €1 million per annum is being provided by my Department over a three-year period through the Community Services Programme, which is managed by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Rural and Community Development. Depending on the organisation involved, upcycled bicycles are made available for free or at a lower cost to various groups including those in direct provision or those outside employment. A review of this pilot will be undertaken later this year with a view to ascertaining the impact of this Initiative.
My Department will also continue to undertake research into other additional measures which could be introduced to promote modal shift and encourage uptake of electric bikes across all demographics as part of the annual Budgetary process. Potential schemes such as grants for bikes will be considered as part of this research.
159. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Transport if there are plans to increase the capacity for trains to pass through Connolly Station, which is becoming a significant bottleneck in planning the expansion of Dart north and threatens the direct service from Howth to the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27038/23]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area in the first instance, including the DART+ Programme and its constituent projects, which includes DART+ Coastal North.
As the Deputy may be aware, the City Centre Resignalling Project (CCRP) has facilitated an increase in rail frequency through Dublin city centre, and on the Belfast, Sligo and Rosslare lines from Connolly Station. The project has removed a bottleneck created by outdated signalling infrastructure, increasing capacity to 20 trains per direction per hour from 12 in 2014, prior to the project commencing. This increased capacity is required to cater for projected population growth and increased passenger travel demand. It is also an essential enabling element for the delivery of the wider DART+ Programme, which will significantly expand the reach and capacity of the existing electrified commuter network.
The Deputy may also wish to note that Iarnród Éireann has commenced the second round of public consultation on the DART+ Coastal North project. The public consultation will remain open until Friday 23rd June. After the public consultation process is complete, all feedback and submissions received will be reviewed and assessed as part of the next stage of the design development.
The public consultation process gives the opportunity to all to put forward their views in relation to the project, including proposed services and stopping patterns. I would encourage all citizens and public representatives to participate in this important process and contribute to the ultimate design of the project.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter raised, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply on the specific issues raised. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.
160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance his views on rising insurance costs (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26788/23]
View answerI note that the question refers to the cost of insurance for the amusement sector. At the outset, it is important to note that neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can direct the pricing or provision of insurance products. This position is reinforced by the EU Single Market framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive).
Nevertheless, this Government is aware that certain business sectors are currently facing difficulty in terms of affordability and availability of insurance, and has therefore continued to prioritise the delivery of the Action Plan for Insurance Reform. The latest implementation report, published in November 2022, indicates that significant progress has been achieved, with the vast majority of actions now completed, and the remainder ongoing.
Key reforms include the introduction of the Personal Injuries Guidelines, with data from the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB) indicating that the overall average award has fallen by 38 per cent compared to awards made in 2020 under the Book of Quantum. Another key, complementary action is the Personal Injuries Resolution Board Act 2022, which aims to increase the number of personal injury claims settled through the PIAB, thereby reducing the expense and time associated with personal injuries litigation. Further actions aimed at lowering costs include measures to reduce fraud, and legislation placing perjury on a statutory footing for the first time.
Minister of State Carroll MacNeill has met with the main insurers in the Irish market to set out the Government’s expectation that savings arising from this wide-ranging reform agenda will be reflected via reduced premiums, as well as increased availability of cover. In addition, the Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market is working closely with IDA Ireland to help leverage the ongoing reforms, with the objective of targeting new entrants to the Irish market, or persuading current incumbents to expand their risk appetite. In my engagement with industry, including its representative body Insurance Ireland, I have also impressed upon them the importance of insurers increasing their risk appetite, especially to provide cover for small and niche sectors that may be experiencing issues with affordability and availability.
In terms of next steps, rebalancing the “common Duty of Care” legislation (the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995) is now a priority. This legislation, which is expected to be passed this summer, would help to reduce frivolous claims proceeding to litigation. In time, cost savings from reduced claims should also help to lower premiums for businesses, particularly those engaged in phigh-risk/high-footfall areas, where claims associated with ‘slips, trips and falls’ are more prevalent.
In conclusion, I wish to assure the Deputy that seeking to secure a more sustainable and competitive market through deepening and widening the supply of insurance in Ireland remains a key policy priority for this Government. For my part, I am committed to working with colleagues to complete outstanding reforms, and monitoring their impact, with a view to achieving an improved insurance environment for all policyholders, including SMEs.
