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Thursday, 1 Jun 2023

Written Answers Nos. 385-404

Third Level Education

Questions (385)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

385. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline his plans in relation to expanding the teaching of university courses through the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25329/23]

View answer

Written answers

The Government is committed to the promotion of the Irish language, and I recognise the vital role which the further and higher education system plays in promoting our language, and in ensuring that there are sufficient graduates with competence in Irish to meet skills needs in this area.

Reflecting the importance of the language in the higher education system, the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 includes in the objects of the HEA the responsibility of ensuring that higher education institutions support the promotion and use of the Irish language.

As with all academic disciplines, each higher education institution is responsible for its own Irish language strategy, and has control over the provision and expansion and teaching of university courses through the Irish language, as well as any research in the Irish language. The statistics that are available are not comprehensive, but there over 100 courses available in Irish in at least 11 different higher education institutions with at least 2,500 enrolments.

The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media also works directly with the higher education system through the Advanced Irish Language Skills Initiative, which aims to ensure the availability of qualified persons with Irish language skills to meet recruitment needs in Ireland and the EU. Under this scheme institutions provide a range of specialised third level Irish language courses in areas such as translation, interpretation and law.

The skills dimension will be increasingly important with implementation of the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021, given the commitment to ensure that 20% of new recruits to the public service will be competent in Irish by the 2030. I hope that this will stimulate demand and interest among people interested in working in the public service in the coming years, and thinking about the skills they need to develop.

More generally, my Department sponsors the Conradh na Gaeilge initiative, ‘Gníomhaí Gaeilge’ which is run in conjunction with the Union of Students of Ireland. It offers Irish language clubs and societies with skills and mentorship in developing the use of the language within Higher Education.

Further and Higher Education

Questions (386)

Alan Dillon

Question:

386. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the discussions on pay grades for adult education tutors (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26761/23]

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Written answers

Following discussions between my Department, the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform a proposal in response to the recommendation of the Labour Court regarding adult education tutors was agreed.

Currently, adult education tutors are employed under a variety of terms and conditions. The proposal is to establish a grade of Adult Educator with a standardised pay scale aligned with the Youthreach Resource Person Scale. This grade will apply to tutors employed in Education and Training Boards to deliver FET programmes,

The formal offer has issued to the Unions and there has been subsequent engagement on operational aspects of the offer. The provision of a pay scale will allow for incremental progression and a career path for tutors in the further education and training sector.

Education and Training Boards

Questions (387)

Alan Dillon

Question:

387. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide clarification on the differences in pay arrangements across the education and training boards for adult education tutors; the specific differences that exist; how they are being addressed to ensure consistency and fairness in remuneration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26795/23]

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Written answers

Currently, there is no specific grade of adult education tutors. Tutors employed by ETBs are paid on an hourly rate basis.

While tutors are generally paid the unqualified teacher rate, there are differences in pay arrangements in some ETBs. For example, some ETBs pay the self-financing rate for tutors.

Following discussions between my Department, the Department of Education and Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, a proposal in response to the recommendation of the Labour Court regarding adult education tutors was outlined to the unions in April and further meetings have taken place to discuss the details. The proposal is that a grade of Adult Educator will be formally established with a standardised payscale aligned with the Youthreach Resource Person Scale.

Where tutors are paid on other rates, such as the self-financing rates, they will be offered assimilation to the scale which will regularise pay across the ETBs.

The provision of a pay scale will allow for incremental progression and a career path for tutors in the further education and training sector.

Further and Higher Education

Questions (388)

Alan Dillon

Question:

388. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the claim to align adult education tutors with a pay scale of an existing grade in ETBs; the progress that has been made in identifying the scale of cost and making an offer within the parameters set by FEMPI legislation and the Public Service Stability Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26796/23]

View answer

Written answers

Following discussions between my Department, the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plain Delivery and Reform a proposal in response to the recommendation of the Labour Court regarding adult education tutors was agreed. The proposal is to establish a grade of Adult Educator with a standardised pay scale aligned with the Youthreach Resource Person Scale. This grade will apply to tutors employed in ETBs to deliver FET programmes, who are currently employed under a variety of terms and conditions. The formal offer has issued to the Unions and there has been subsequent engagement on operational aspects of the offer. The provision of a pay scale will allow for incremental progression and a career path for tutors in the further education and training sector.

Third Level Fees

Questions (389)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

389. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for changes to the student contribution charge for undergraduate fees in the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26811/23]

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Written answers

Qualifications Recognition

Questions (390)

Paul Murphy

Question:

390. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm whether every new candidate will have to hold QQI certification as part of the new licence system for construction workers; and if so, if Solas and QQI will reimburse those who have to pay for the course and certification, including any wages lost for the time taken to complete the course. [26848/23]

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Written answers

Under the current model, trainees who successfully complete a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) or Quarries Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) programme receive QQI accreditation and a CSCS/QSCS card.

Following an independent review of SOLAS’s Construction Services Unit in 2017 and subsequent consultation with public sector, industry, and staff representatives, all stakeholders agreed that the recommendations of the review would be adopted, including moving to a licensing system for certain construction and quarrying activities.

It is proposed as part of the licensing system that new candidates who are carrying out any of the scheduled activities under the Construction Safety Licensing Bill will not have to hold QQI certification.

The Bill, once enacted, will provide for the establishment of a licensing authority to oversee the new licensing system, including the renewal and reassessment of licences for workers. This will replace the current QQI accreditation model.

A transition period will be in place for those who currently hold CSCS or QSCS cards. It is proposed that a CSCS or QSCS card will remain valid for a period of 5 years beginning from when the relevant section in the Bill is enacted, or until the card’s expiry date, and a person must then apply for a licence to replace this card.

SOLAS will not be making any reimbursements for associated costs and salaries.

The Construction Safety Licensing Bill, as initiated, can be found here: data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2023/24/eng/initiated/b2423d.pdf.

Further and Higher Education

Questions (391)

Steven Matthews

Question:

391. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding funding for a project (details supplied); if he will outline a timeline for a support framework to be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26849/23]

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Written answers

I am aware of the project referred to by the Deputy and I understand that there has been some high level engagement with Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) as regards its potential.

As the Deputy is aware, my Department allocates specific funding for competitive research and other calls which are administered by Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish Research Council and the Higher Education Authority. However, it is important to note that such Calls are open to applicants from across our university and research sector. The management of such competitive funding calls is a matter for each agency, based on its own internal competitive funding processes and having regard to appropriate advice and expertise, including from international experts.

I have sought additional information from SFI and will revert to the Deputy.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (392)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

392. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26913/23]

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Written answers

The list of public bodies under the aegis of my Department is as follows:

• The Higher Education Authority

• Irish Research Council

• Grangegorman Development Agency

• SOLAS

• Skillnet Ireland

• Quality and Qualifications Ireland

• Léargas - The Exchange Bureau

• Science Foundation Ireland

The Oireachtas contact details for each of the aegis bodies are provided in the document attached.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Name of Body

Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas

Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members

Higher Education Authority

Oireachtas@hea.ie

Padraic Mellett*

Irish Research Council( Note 1)

Oireachtas@research.ie

Padraic Mellett*

Grangegorman Development Agency

Communications@ggda.ie

nora.rahill@ggda.ie

SOLAS

oireachtasinfo@solas.ie

Maria Walsh maria.walshe@solas.ie

Skillnets Ltd

oireachtas@skillnets.com

t.donnery@skillnets.com

Quality and Qualifications Ireland

ceo@qqi.ie

ceo@qqi.ie

Léargas – The Exchange Bureau

oireachtas@leargas.ie

fbroughan@leargas.ie

Science Foundation Ireland

ciara.cotter@sfi.ie

Ciara Cotter

Note 1 – In regard to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) as the IRC operates under the auspices of the HEA. Mr Mellett will address Oireachtas queries for both the HEA and IRC. Please use Oireachtas@hea.ie and Oireachtas@research.ie respectively to contact Mr Mellett.

Third Level Education

Questions (393, 394, 395, 396, 398, 401)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

393. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to research future requirements in the education sector with a view to ensuring an adequate supply of graduates throughout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26995/23]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

394. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the most obvious likely shortages of graduates in the future to meet the demands for the academic sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26996/23]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

395. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the most obvious likely shortages of graduates in the future to meet the demands for the technical sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26997/23]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

396. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he is satisfied that adequate third and fourth level places remain available to meet the demands of the academic and technical sectors in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26998/23]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

398. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which adequate third level places remain available within the academic sector in order to meet the current and expected demand in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27000/23]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects science to play an increased role in the higher education sector, with particular reference to ensuring an adequate number of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27003/23]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 393, 394, 395, 396, 398 and 401 together.

One of my goals as Minister is to ensure that potential learners have access to the educational pathways that allow them reach their potential in a way that meets the very broad and rapidly changing needs of our labour force, the economy and society. It is therefore my objective to ensure that capacity continues to build in the tertiary education sector and that there is access into either further or higher education for each person who wishes to pursue educational options at third-level.

My Department continues to prioritise strengthening our skills ecosystem to ensure it has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape, including increasingly rapid, technologically driven changes in the world of work. This focus is underpinned by the detailed and comprehensive OECD Report on Ireland's Skills Strategy published on 9th May.

Bodies such as SOLAS's Skills and Labour Market Research Unit and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have a key role in assessing and forecasting for the skills and talent needs in an economy being transformed by digitisation and the decarbonisation imperative. The analysis which they carry out is central to informing responsive programme planning across the tertiary system; and flexible and innovative responses to changes in the world of work, such as the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) and Springboard+.

This agility and flexibility is further underscored by responsiveness to priority industry and enterprise workforce needs under key policy initiatives such as, for example; the Action Plan for Apprenticeship; Funding the Future; the Green Skills for FET Roadmap; and the National Digital Strategy Harnessing Digital.

Ireland's success in ensuring that those with qualifications from the tertiary system are meeting the economy's skills needs are evidenced by the results of the Higher Education Authority's national Graduate Outcomes Survey which shows that overall 81.9% of graduates in 2021 were in employment nine months after graduation. It will be a priority to ensure a continued high level of responsiveness by the tertiary education system to the rapid pace of technological change, including in particular the expected substantial impact of AI on the workforce.

My Department will continue to advance efforts to ensure that Ireland offers learning opportunities to all who wish to pursue them, and produces the graduates the workforce needs with the skills that our economy and society require.

Question No. 394 answered with Question No. 393.
Question No. 395 answered with Question No. 393.
Question No. 396 answered with Question No. 393.

Labour Market

Questions (397)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

397. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the anticipated requirements in the technical market in the future on an annual basis and the degree to which it is expected to meet this demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26999/23]

View answer

Written answers

My Department continues to prioritise strengthening our skills ecosystem to ensure it has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape, including increasingly rapid, technologically driven changes in the world of work. This focus is underpinned by the detailed and comprehensive OECD Report on Ireland's Skills Strategy published on 9th May.

Bodies such as SOLAS's Skills and Labour Market Research Unit and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment have a key role in assessing and forecasting for the skills and talent needs in an economy being transformed by digitisation and the decarbonisation imperative. The analysis which they carry out is central to informing responsive programme planning across the tertiary system; and flexible and innovative responses to changes in the world of work, such as the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) and Springboard+.

This agility and flexibility is further underscored by responsiveness to priority industry and enterprise workforce needs under key policy initiatives such as, for example; the Action Plan for Apprenticeship; Funding the Future; the Green Skills for FET Roadmap; and the National Digital Strategy Harnessing Digital.

Ireland's success in ensuring that those with qualifications from the tertiary system are meeting the economy's skills needs are evidenced by the results of the Higher Education Authority's national Graduate Outcomes Survey which shows that overall 81.9% of graduates in 2021 were in employment nine months after graduation. It will be a priority to ensure a continued high level of responsiveness by the tertiary education system to the rapid pace of technological change, including in particular the expected substantial impact of AI on the workforce.

Question No. 398 answered with Question No. 393.

Third Level Education

Questions (399)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

399. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which it is expected to provide student accommodation on campus to facilitate the academic and technical sectors for the foreseeable future; if a specific programme remains available to meet this demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27001/23]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is actively addressing the availability of student accommodation, given the challenges in the wider rental market. Through “Housing for All”, the Government has approved development of policy and provision of funding to increase the supply of purpose built student accommodation.

This has resulted in the State directly supporting the short term development of 1,071 new student accommodation units by public Higher Education Institutes, where planning permission already exists but projects have stalled as a result of construction inflation and supply chain uncertainties. My officials are also assessing a number of other projects with planning permission for delivery of additional supply.

The Government has also approved funding of €1m to support the Technological Universities in the assessment of accommodation needs, which will inform a long term student accommodation policy and methodology which I hope to bring to Government before the summer recess.

My Department is also supporting increased usage of "digs" accommodation through the Rent-a-Room Scheme. The Government has introduced changes to the scheme to make it more attractive to homeowners. Income generated through the scheme may now be disregarded for the purposes of social welfare eligibility and also when calculating the qualifying financial threshold for medical cards. Local Authority tenants will also be able to participate in the scheme; work is ongoing across the relevant Departments to progress the implementation of these changes.

The scheme provides a tax exemption for homeowners to earn up to €14,000 per annum in rental income. The Government will launch a national media campaign to promote awareness of and participation in the scheme, targeted both at homeowners and students. This campaign will be run in tandem with localised campaigns run by the higher education institutions.

Bullying in Educational Institutions

Questions (400)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

400. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which provision continues to be made to eliminate bullying throughout the educational sector in both the academic and technical divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27002/23]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, our tertiary education institutions have a duty of care to ensure that staff and students have a safe environment to study and work; free from bullying, harassment or other forms of unwanted behaviour. This is an entitlement for everyone who works and studies at our third level institutions.

The Deputy will be familiar with the ‘Speak Out’ tool which my Department has funded. Speak Out is an online, anonymous reporting tool for staff, students and visitors to higher education institutions that was developed by the Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland with financial support from my Department, the Department of Education and the Higher Education Authority.

This tool provides a safe space for members of higher education communities to speak out about experiences of bullying, cyberbullying, harassment, discrimination, hate crime, coercive behaviour/control, stalking, assault, sexual harassment, sexual assault, and rape. Users of the tool are provided with tailored information on the support services available to them.

Data on reports made via Speak Out is regularly reviewed at the institutional level. Data from all institutions implementing Speak Out is currently being collated by PCHEI.

The Deputy will be aware that there are a number of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments aimed at addressing bullying, including a commitment to commission surveys of staff and students in the areas of harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying in higher education.

In August 2022, I launched the findings of a Report on the National Survey of Staff Experiences of Bullying in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) - www.gov.ie/en/publication/4d148-report-on-the-national-survey-of-staff-experiences-of-bullying-in-irish-higher-education-institutions/ - conducted by the specialist DCU Anti-Bullying Centre, antibullyingcentre.ie/. This report presents the findings of an anonymous online survey, commissioned by my department, examining the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying among staff in 20 publicly-funded HEIs in Ireland. The survey of staff experiences of bullying in higher education was conducted in late 2021. A total of 3,835 HEI staff responses were analysed. The survey report includes a number of recommendations, which will inform future policy decisions to tackle workplace bullying within higher education institutions.

On 28th October, 2022 I launched a national survey on student experiences of bullying in the higher education sector. The survey was conducted by researchers at the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre, and it was sent to higher education students in Ireland by their institutions. A report on the findings is been finalised and will be published shortly.

The primary goal of the proposed project is to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of bullying among higher education students across Ireland. Insights from this study will be used to implement new or updated policies, processes, training and resources to support higher education institutions in addressing these issues.

The intention is to work with the HEA’s Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, to review the findings of the two bullying surveys and develop actions to achieve our shared goal to develop a more inclusive organisational culture for both staff and students in Irish higher education institutions.

I have been very clear that the tertiary education and training sector must lead the way in changing cultures, behaviours and practices across society to ensure that bullying, sexual violence and harassment are not tolerated. I want to bring about institutional change where all forms of unwanted behaviour are eradicated.

Question No. 401 answered with Question No. 393.

Third Level Education

Questions (402)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

402. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which it is possible for all students to reach and avail of third level education; the obstacles, if any, to this achievement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27004/23]

View answer

Written answers

Equity of Access to Further and Higher Education continues to be a national priority for the Government and the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. Inclusion is a key goal in my Department's Statement of Strategy.

The Deputy may be aware that I already instigated improvements to the student grant scheme in Budget 2022. For the academic year 2022/23, I increased the income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant by €1,000 and all maintenance grant holders benefited from a grant increase of €200.

I also announced a range of further measures to enhance the scheme as part of Budget 2023. Some of these cost-of-living measures commenced in 2022.

• As part of the Government's cost of living measures, every SUSI maintenance grant recipient received an additional once-off extra maintenance payment;

• All higher education students who are eligible for the fees initiative benefited from a once off reduction in the Student Contribution rate of €1,000 for the 2022/2023 academic year;

• PhD students funded by the SFI and the IRC benefited from a once off payment of €500 in the current academic year; and

• Post Graduate Students who met the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant benefited from a once off increase in this grant of €1,000 from €3,500 to €4,500.

In addition, I increased all maintenance grants effective from January 2023 in order to provide further financial assistance to those students most in need. The special rate and Band 1 rate of maintenance increased by 14% and all other maintenance grant rates increased by 10%.

A further range of improvements to the student grant scheme as announce in Budget 2023 will take effect for the 2023/24 academic year, including:

• An increase in income limit from €55,240 to €62,000 for the 50% student contribution grant;

• A new student contribution grant of €500 for incomes between €62,000 and €100,000;

• An increase the postgraduate fee grant by €500 on 2022 levels from €3,500 to €4,000;

• A reduction in the eligibility for second chance mature students from 5 to 3 years;

• Exclusion of up to €14,000 rental income earned under the Government's Rent-a-Room Relief Scheme from reckonable income;

• An increase in student earnings outside of term time from €4,500 to €6,552; and

• A greater degree of flexibility for students who may have a long term social welfare payment but are falling outside of the special rate (this will allow a small increase on the income threshold for the special rate if a family has 4 or more children and/or has two or more students in college).

The cost of accommodation is a significant pressure on students and families and I have secured Government approval to develop both short and medium term policy responses to activate the supply of affordable student accommodation.

Last week I held our first ever Cost of Education consultation event, to hear directly from students and stakeholders about their priorities. To build on this, I will be publishing a cost of education options paper in the Summer which will set out options for addressing costs. I hope this will stimulate debate on how we can best prioritise our resources to support students in the next Budget.

I have provided €15.9 million through the Higher Education Authority to support student mental health and well-being activities in Irish Higher Education Institutions since 2020. (This includes €900,000 that was made available in 2022 to support Ukrainian students registered in Irish HEIs.)

In January of this year, I announced an additional once off funding of €4.3 million to be allocated to the Student Assistance Fund to assist students with the cost of living. This was in addition to the €8m that was allocated in Budget 2023. This brings the total allocation for the Student Assistance Fund for the 22/23 academic year to over €20 million, which is the highest amount that has ever been provided under this fund.

Regarding access measures for disadvantaged students, the new National Access Plan, a Strategic Action Plan for Equity of Access, Participation and Success 2022-2028 was developed in the context of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments and other social inclusion policy measures. The plan aligns with and builds on the wider ambitions of the PfG by providing accessible, affordable education to all citizens.

€5m was secured under Budget 2022 to support new pilot initiatives and enhance existing initiatives under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund to address priority actions under the NAP. Delivery of the Plan is supported by the PATH programme which provides a range of supports to priority groups including bursaries under the 1916 scholarship scheme and support for people from target groups in accessing initial teacher education. The programme also supports clusters of higher education institutions in attracting under-represented students.

A fully inclusive Further Education and Training (FET) system that meets all learners' education and training needs is a key priority for my Department. Indeed, Fostering Inclusion is one of the core pillars which the FET Strategy 2020-2024, Future FET Transforming Learning, is built.

Within the FET Sector, there is a broad range of accessible face-to-face, online and blended learning options available to all, offering opportunities to reskill and upskill, leading to progression towards awards at levels 1-6 on the NFQ.

FET courses are typically free of charge or heavily subsidised, and the announcement in Budget 2022 of the removal of the €200 PLC levy, which was introduced in 2011, with effect from the 2023/2024 academic year is particularly welcome. People who are interested in FET options can access free, one-to-one career guidance at over 260 locations across Ireland, please see www.therightcourse.ie for further information on courses, training and financial supports that may be available to them.

Departmental Funding

Questions (403)

Colm Burke

Question:

403. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will confirm whether she will provide grants for agricultural shows, in view of the fact that these shows promote community involvement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26893/23]

View answer

Written answers

Since 2018, my Department has provided funding of almost €2.3 million to the Irish Shows Association (ISA) to support agricultural shows throughout Ireland. The ISA is the umbrella body for most of the agricultural shows run throughout the country.

These shows are regarded as key dates in the rural calendar and central points for the agri-food industry, farming community and local artisan producers. I understand some 122 shows have been confirmed for this year.

The agricultural shows support programme is funded under Project Ireland 2040 as part of Our Rural Future. The funding is used to defray some of the operational costs associated with running the shows. The ISA work with my Department to distribute funding to individual affiliated show committees.

I am keenly aware of the sterling work undertaken by dedicated voluntary committees in making these Shows happen and I expect to be in a position to confirm the 2023 funding in the coming weeks.

Departmental Bodies

Questions (404)

Rose Conway-Walsh

Question:

404. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a full list of public bodies under the aegis of her Department and Oireachtas contact details for each. [26918/23]

View answer

Written answers

The four Agencies under the remit of my Department are listed in the table below, which also includes Oireachtas contact details for each.

Agency

Contact details

Pobal

oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie

Charities Regulator

oireachtas@charitiesregulator.ie

Water Safety Ireland

oireachtas@wsi.ie

Western Development Commission

oireachtas@wdc.ie

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