Written Answers Nos. 1340-1355
1340. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will extend the deadline for a training fund (details supplied) beyond 1 November 2023, given that the majority of the fund remains unspent. [27165/23]
View answerThe Debenhams Training Fund, proposed by the Chairman of the Labour Court in the context of the liquidation of Debenhams Ireland, was endorsed by the former workers in May 2021. Having secured the necessary approval of the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Fund is being financed from the National Training Fund. The Fund is administered by SOLAS and provides financial supports for occupational guidance and career planning support; privately provided accredited educational programmes and course expense contributions. The Fund will operate for two years, from its official commencement on 1st November 2021, or until fully expended, if earlier.
As of 31st May 2023, 517 ex-Debenhams workers have registered for the training fund with SOLAS. Of these 399 have confirming their eligibility and 280 have made 916 applications for support. Payments of €615,267.64 had issued to 255 former workers in respect of 812 applications.
Since the establishment of the Debenhams Training Fund, SOLAS has been proactive in engaging, assisting and supporting former workers to access the Fund. The advisory committee, established to support the implementation of the Fund, with members drawn from representatives of Mandate and SIPTU on behalf of the former workers, has also sought to maximise participation in the programme.
The maximum timeline of two years was set out in the proposal for the Debenhams Training Fund and reflects the timeline applied under the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund. The Fund was approved on this basis and accordingly the Fund will cease to operate on 31st October 2023.
1341. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) will be called for their 2nd-year stage of their apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27173/23]
View answerUnder the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.
My officials have referred your query to SOLAS, who have advised the apprentice will be called to their off the job training in October 2023.
1342. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what continual funding will be put in place to ensure that the SUSI grant payments are reflective to the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27205/23]
View answerAddressing the cost of education is a key priority for me.
Over the course of the past three Budgets, I have delivered a range of enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme to put more money into the pockets of students and their families including a significant package of cost of living measures which took effect this academic year.
For students starting their course this September, I have increased grant rates, with all maintenance grant rates increasing by at least 10%. Both the special rate of grant and Band 1, which apply to those with least means have increased by 14%. I was pleased to be able to effect these changes from 1st January this year.
In addition, I have taken measures to ensure that more undergraduate students than ever before will now be entitled to a form of support by-
• increasing the income threshold to qualify for the 50% Student Contribution Grant and
• introducing a new Student Contribution Grant of €500 for qualifying families on incomes between €62,000 and €100,000.
I have also increased the amount a student can earn outside of term time, without it counting as income for their grant, to €6,552, and I have enhanced postgraduate supports.
I am actively working to address the challenges faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation and have secured Government approval to develop both short and medium term policy responses to activate supply.
Last month, I met with students and other stakeholders at our first Cost of Education event, and the views from this consultation will feed into a cost of education paper which I will publish in the Summer. This will set out the full range of options on what interventions should be prioritised in the Budget to continue to make the greatest impact in addressing costs as a barrier to further and higher education.
1343. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentices cannot get a student ID card, given that a number of apprentices have been refused access to various premises despite the fact that they had legitimate ID which was not a student ID card; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27218/23]
View answerApprentices are primarily employees for the duration of their apprenticeship and all of the 67 available apprenticeships are undertaken under a contract of employment. Apprenticeship programmes incorporate a minimum of 50% on-the-job training combined with off-the-job training. This is delivered in a number of different ways according to the apprenticeship programme. Training format ranges from remote or online learning to one day per week in an education institution or periods of off-the-job training (typically from 10-20 weeks) in an ETB, Institute of Technology, or Technological University.
Any apprentice can apply, individually, for an International Student Identity Card (ISIC). The apprentice requires a confirmation from their campus/centre, that they are a registered FET learner when applying. Further details of the application process can be found at www.isic.ie. The International Student Identity Card is valid for 12 months from date of issue. ISIC have no specific information regarding apprentices on their website but are hoping to have in the near future as this is a regular question.
Students attending technical universities for Phases 4 and 6 of their apprenticeship receive a student card at registration, which is valid for the duration of the academic year.
1344. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if future legislation is planned in the regulation of capitation fees in HEIs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27242/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, higher education institutions are autonomous institutions and therefore it is a matter for individual institutions to determine policy and procedure in relation to any capitation fees or other levy payable by students for services or campus facilitates.
In this regard it is not open to my Department to intervene in such policies and my Department has no plans to amend legislation to change the autonomous position referenced above.
In May I held our first ever Cost of Education consultation event, to hear directly from students and stakeholders about their priorities. Building 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.
1345. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a part-time apprenticeship course is available for people with disabilities (details supplied).. [27256/23]
View answerOne of the five overarching objectives of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is "Apprenticeship for All", so that the profile of the apprenticeship population more closely reflects the profile of the general population. The Plan promotes general access, diversity and inclusion in apprenticeship by offering targeted supports to encourage participation from under-represented groups including people with disabilities. Targets and interventions for specific groups are being considered by the Access & Inclusion Sub-Committee of the National Apprenticeship Alliance, to ensure that the voice of under-represented groups is integral to the further development of the apprenticeship system.
Currently all national apprenticeships are structured on a full-time basis and are designed to be delivered within a set period of time. While recognising the fact that an apprenticeship is a full time work based learning opportunity, it is intended that programmes will be reviewed giving consideration to increasing the flexibility of learning provision, both on the job and off the job to allow for part time delivery of apprenticeship and modular learning.
I would advise your constituent to make an appointment with the Adult Education Guidance Service in their local ETB, who provide impartial careers and education information on apprenticeship or FET programmes within ETBs.
1346. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the student registration fee for 2023-2024 will remain the same as last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27292/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising matters in relation to the cost of supporting students with higher education costs. 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.
In Budget 2023, the Government introduced a range of measures to support people with the cost of living. As part of this overall response, I introduced a significant package that has seen students and families directly benefit. The package provided for adjustments to the level of funding available through existing supports provided by my Department, including once-off measures in academic year 2022/23. This included a once-off reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution rate payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative for academic year 2022/23.
For 2023/24 I was pleased to secure Government agreement to the introduction of a permanent new rate of student contribution support through SUSI. 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 also increased 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.
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.
1347. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the integration into the higher education framework in a region of an institution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27375/23]
View answerAny integration of Carlow College, St. Patrick's into an autonomous higher education institution is in the first instance a matter for the respective governing authorities of Carlow College and any potential partner higher education institution.
In this context, the Department understands that the College has been engaging with South East Technological University (SETU) on potential incorporation.
SETU’s first Strategic Plan Connecting for Impact 2023-2028 was launched three weeks ago. The Plan cites a strategic objective to lead and deepen strategic partnerships with, inter alia, the education sector within the south east to maximise regional cohesion and impact, enhance capacity to plan for and respond dynamically to current and emerging skills and educational needs of employers and to enhance regional productivity, growth and sustainability. As an action under this objective SETU cites seeking non-core funding to enable SETU to conduct academic, financial and legal analyses in relation to future partnership models with Carlow College.
My Department understands that the HEA will consider any request by SETU for resourcing in this context should such be made in due course.
My Department also approved a business case for an increase in the level of funding paid to Carlow College, St. Patrick's under the Free Fees Initiative for the 2022/23 academic year and subsequent years. This increase in funding will make a contribution towards stabilising the cash flow position while the College considers its strategic options and engages with SETU. However, it remains necessary for the College to address its overall sustainability.
1348. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action his Department is taking to attract people into agricultural and heavy vehicle mechanics apprenticeships, in view that there is a growing shortage of qualified mechanics in the farm machinery industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27578/23]
View answerA key strength of the apprenticeship model is that it is an employer demand-led approach to meeting workforce and skill requirements in our economy. As such, the demand for and number of apprentices is primarily dictated by employers in any sector.
General expansion of apprenticeship as a route to career development is a key priority for Government. The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make them more accessible to achieve a target of 10,000 annual registrations 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) and the National Apprenticeship Alliance (NAA), delivering new governance and operational structures for the apprenticeship system.
• The establishment of the Access and Inclusion subcommittee of the NAA, 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
Many of these measures are specifically designed to increase engagement with apprenticeship, by both employers and potential apprentices.
There has been a marked increase in the overall population of both the Agricultural Mechanics and the Heavy Vehicle Mechanics apprenticeship programmes, of 61% and 20% respectively, on the pre-Covid figures in 2019, as detailed below.
|
Apprenticeship Programme |
2019 |
2022 |
||
|
Registrations |
Population |
Registrations |
Population |
|
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
44 |
142 |
58 |
228 |
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
174 |
536 |
162 |
640 |
The National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) will continue to drive central branding and promotional activities targeted to heighten public awareness of the range of apprenticeship offerings. Visibility of programmes is being supported through the national Generation Apprenticeship campaign, which is currently delivering a summer campaign. This is aiming to increase awareness of apprenticeship opportunities across a broad audience of stakeholders including radio, digital, and billboard advertising. There is also continued engagement with regional vocational skills showcases.
1349. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if universities will be able to avail of Government plans to provide solar photovoltaic panels as part of the summer works scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27581/23]
View answerWhile there are currently no plans in my Department for the provision of funding of universities to explicitly avail of solar photovoltaic solutions as part of any summer works scheme, I can advise the Deputy that energy efficiency and decarbonisation initiatives in the Higher Education Sector are underway, since 2020.
An Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme (EEDPP) in Higher Education 2020 was co-funded with Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) in order to test and demonstrate energy retrofit approaches, build scale, and inform key stakeholders. A Programme fund of up to €5.9 million (co-funded by the SEAI) was approved in this initial phase. Approved projects are being progressed through various stages of design, planning and construction. Seven were nearing completion or at completion stage at year end 2022.
A second phase of the EEDPP (Higher Education) was agreed in 2021. The EEDPP 2021 (HE) aimed to consolidate the learnings from EEDPP 2020 and build on the solutions or pathways identified in the ‘Higher Education Decarbonisation Pathways’ Report. The programme made funding available for six pathways identified in the report with the aim of assisting key stakeholders to better understand how these pathways might be undertaken. Under the EEDPP 2021, HEIs were invited to submit proposals for retrofit works to existing buildings which were in line with the pathways identified in the HEA Decarbonisation Report. Eight projects were successful under EEDPP 2021 and are currently at design stage.
Around half of the projects supported under the EEDPP programme in 2020 and 2021 involve solar PV panels as part of the solution.
A new round of the EEDPP is now being progressed in HE in 2023. The HEA submitted an evaluation report to the Department and the SEAI and it is currently under consideration.
Using Devolved Grant 2023 funding, universities may of course separately opt, subject to defined expenditure limits, to directly invest in solar photovoltaic panels solutions.
1350. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update with regard to the Technological University Development Fund, the proposed successor to the Technological University Transformation (TUT) Fund; if this fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the TUT Fund in August 2023; the level funding that will be made available under the new TUT fund; if the TUs that merged more recently will be treated equally with the TUs who merged earlier; if he is open to keeping in place funding for existing supports which are in place at this important juncture in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27587/23]
View answer1351. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can provide an update with regard to the Technological University Development Fund, the proposed successor to the Technological University Transformation (TUT) Fund, given that there are a multitude of systems and processes which need to be integrated and aligned particularly for the recently established TUs; if he will retain the existing financial supports for such institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27591/23]
View answer1352. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update with regard to the technological university development fund, the proposed successor to the technological university transformation (TUT) fund; if this fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the TUT Fund on 31 August 2023; the level of funding to be made available under the new TUT fund; if he will confirm that those technological universities (TUs) that merged more recently will be treated equally with the TUs that previously merged; if he will confirm that funding will be kept in place for existing supports which are in place at this crucial juncture in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27596/23]
View answer1354. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the technological university development fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the technological university transformation fund (TUTF) on 31 August 2023; what level funding is going to be made available under the new TUT fund; if the Technological University (TUS) who merged more recently will be treated equally with the TUS which merged earlier; if he is open to keeping in place funding for existing supports which are in place at this very important juncture in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27601/23]
View answer1360. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can provide an update with regard to the Technological University Development Fund, the proposed successor to the Technological University Transformation Fund (details supplied); if this fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the Technological University Transformation Fund on 31 August 2023; the level of funding that will be made available under the new TUT fund; if the TUs that merged more recently will be treated equally with the TUs who merged earlier; if he is open to keeping in place funding for existing supports which are in place at this important juncture in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27685/23]
View answer1361. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update with regard to the technological university development fund, the proposed successor to the technological university transformation (TUT) fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27705/23]
View answer1362. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in light of the technological universities' recent designation, and the requirement for successor funding for the necessary internal infrastructure and the need to maintain stable industrial relations at a critical time of change, this fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the TUTF fund on 31 August 2023; the level of funding that is going to be made available under the new TUT fund; if the TUs that merged more recently will be treated equally with the TUs that merged earlier; and if he is open to keeping in place funding for existing supports which are in place at this very important juncture in the project. [27706/23]
View answer1378. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update with regard to the technological university development fund, the proposed successor to the technological university transformation (TUT) fund; if this fund will be made available in advance of the expiration of the TUT fund on 31 August 2023; the level of funding that is going to be made available under the new TUT fund; if the TUs who merged more recently be treated equally with the TUs who merged earlier; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28157/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1350 to 1352, inclusive, 1354, 1360 to 1362, inclusive, and 1378 together.
The Technological University Transformation Fund (TUTF) is a three-year fund (1 September 2020 – 31 August 2023) that invested €90 million in the technological sector to assist with the development and progression of technological universities. Technological university consortia, technological universities, and institutes of technology received funding under the TUTF, with the final tranche of TUTF funding of €30 million dispersed in Q4 2022 by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) which administers the fund and with funded projects due to conclude on 31 August this year.
It is important to note that our higher education and research system is successful by nature of its diversity, within and across regions. Each former Institute of Technology, and now TUs, are distinctive by nature of their strategy, their location, their scale, their mission, and their stage of development. TUTF funding is allocated by the HEA in a managed fashion in response to requests from TUs taking account of all of these factors and based on stated and evidenced institutional needs.
My Department understands that the HEA is currently engaging with institutions on progress with TUTF funding ahead of the August 31 end date for the fund this year, which includes a process to facilitate a 12-month administrative extension for institutions that require additional time to compete elements of their TUTF projects.
In parallel, Department officials are currently liaising with their HEA counterparts regarding the requirement for further support for the technological sector in the context, inter alia, of finalisation of projects being funded by TUTF, the recent OECD report on academic career paths, contracts and organisation in Irish TUs and the ongoing operational and developmental needs of the sector in line with the Technological Universities Act 2018 and national strategy for higher education and research.
In this context any future TU funding will also complement the significant additional funding of some €124 million secured by Government for the progression of various elements of the TU agenda under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan to 2024 and under the European Regional Development Fund to 2027.
I am committed to ensuring requisite TU oriented funding is provided as appropriate during the crucial post-establishment phase whether through Exchequer or co-funded EU sources.
1353. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his awareness of the issues of the subsidisation of college-owned student accommodation but not for extensions of already built accommodation; if he plans to review this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27597/23]
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 so as to ensure increased availability and promote greater access in particular for student groups in line with the National Access Plan, and underpin the policy commitments set out in Housing for All.
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 1,065 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.
The Government agreed to support the development of long term evidence informed strategic policy to stimulate appropriate supply of student accommodation. This will include the development of standardised design specifications and guidance for future developments. This will also be informed by ongoing analysis across Europe and internationally for best practice for the delivery and management of student accommodation.
The Department and Higher Education Authority (HEA) are engaging closely with the Higher Education sector to define and gather accurate, relevant and informative data related to student accommodation, to inform future policy development and responses.
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.
As part of the long term response my Department are exploring a variety of options to bring on stream additional units. The long-term data driven, evidence based strategy is currently being developed to provide solutions to the student accommodation crisis. This will include an assessment of a range of options to deliver additional supply of affordable accommodation for our students. My officials are open to engaging with any institution which has a proposal on additional affordable supply. I intend to bring an update to Government on this strategy in Q2 2023.
1355. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of cases where non-disclosure agreements in third-level institutions have been used and placed upon a student or staff member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27607/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, third level institutions are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As such, individual institutions are responsible for student and staffing matters and are subject to compliance with relevant legislation.
My Department does not collect nor have access to the specific information requested by the Deputy. However, it is my view that non-disclosure agreements should not be used in this manner.
