Robert Troy
Question:172. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that a person (details supplied) is on the HSE cataract waiting list and at which hospital. [28813/23]
View answerHospital Waiting Lists
Questions (172)
Written answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 173 answered with Question No. 141.
Hospital Services
Questions (174)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:174. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will seek a costing proposal from the HSE/NSAC for the introduction of a population screening programme for haemochromatosis in order to appropriately diagnose the general population for this very serious condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28861/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am fully committed to supporting our population screening programmes which are a valuable part of our health service, enabling early treatment and care for many people, and improving the overall health of our population.
It is important to be aware that any decisions about changes to our national screening programmes, such as screening for Haemochromatosis, will be made on the advice of our National Screening Advisory Committee (NSAC). This independent expert group considers and assesses evidence in a robust and transparent manner, and against internationally accepted criteria. It is important we have rigorous processes in place to ensure our screening programmes are effective, quality assured and operating to safe standards, and that the benefits of screening outweigh the harms.
An exact costing cannot be provided for the introduction of a new population-based screening programme as financial cost is but one factor that is considered in the decision-making process. Due to the complex nature of the evaluation process and the criteria against which a decision is made, it would be impossible to accurately quantify the cost of a new screening programme until a full evidential assessment was completed.
The Committee's Annual Call 2022 for proposals for new screening programmes or changes to our existing programmes, received a total of 19 submissions, which included a submission on Genetic Haemochromatosis.
Genetic Haemochromatosis, along with a number of other conditions, is currently under consideration by NSAC. The Committee has published its Work Programme on its website, setting out the status of proposals currently being considered.
Student Accommodation
Questions (175)
Robert Troy
Question:175. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline any supports or schemes available to assist with the construction and provision of student accommodation. [28698/23]
View answerWritten answers
I 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 HEA are working 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.
My Department is supporting increased usage of "digs" accommodation through the Rent-a-Room Scheme. Department officials have been engaging with the sector and have met with a number of HEIs in relation to digs accommodation.
The Government has approved the extension of the Rent a Room scheme income disregard for social welfare recipients and medical card holders. The changes approved will also allow Local Authority tenants to access 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 in particular at homeowners. This campaign will be run in tandem with localised campaigns led by the higher education institutions.
My officials also continue to engage with DHLGH in relation to identification of vacant premises. Local authorities are currently gathering data on vacant properties in their functional areas. The data gathered can be used to report on vacancy levels, and can be used to assist in activation of those properties. It is intended that the survey will be completed by local authorities in mid-2023. My Department officials are also examining the expansion of the Capital Devolved Grant to provide assistance for the development or refurbishment of student accommodation.
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. It is my intention to update Government on this strategy in Q2 2023.
Third Level Costs
Questions (176)
Peter Fitzpatrick
Question:176. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available for adults looking to return to higher education in low-income, single-parent households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28719/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Student Grant Scheme is the principal financial support for students participating in higher education. The Scheme provides for fee and maintenance grants to all students who meet the qualifying criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
Particular priority is afforded to those on the lowest incomes and social welfare dependents through the special rate of grant, which is payable at the higher non-adjacent rate of €6,971 or the adjacent rate of €2,936, depending on the distance travelled to the college attended.
In assessing an application for the 2023/24 academic year, SUSI will have regard to the following qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant:1. The student must qualify for the standard rate of grant;
2. Total reckonable income, after income disregards and Child Dependant Increase(s) are excluded, must not exceed €25,000;
3. As at 31st December 2022, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Student Grant Scheme 2023.
The One Parent Family Payment is an eligible payment for the purposes of qualifying for the special rate of grant. It is also an income disregards for student grant purposes, where paid to the applicant and is not included in the means test. This treatment, along with other provisions of the scheme, ensures that those students most in need receive supports commensurate with their needs.
Also for the 2023/24 academic year the eligibility for second chance mature students has reduced from 5 to 3 years. This is particularly helpful for eligible adults over 23 who may have previously started a course but did not complete their course who wish to re-enter education following a break in studies and apply for supports. For further information on student grant scheme eligibility, see www.susi.ie.
Apart from the student grant students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. It is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to a SUSI grant.
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. Lone parents are included as a specific key performance indicator in this Plan.
€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. Details of bursaries and other supports are available on www.studentfinance.ie and I would encourage any student considering re-entering education to contact the access office of the institution they are attending to see what other supports may be available.
DFHERIS bursaries and SAF funding do not negatively affect SUSI grant eligibility for students.
Third Level Education
Questions (177)
Paul Murphy
Question:177. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, when the current constitution skills certification scheme (CSCS) comes to an end because of the proposed licence system for construction workers, his Department is going to refund all current construction workers for the cost of the SOLAS registration card, courses and time off work; and if not, the reason therefor. [28727/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023 provides for a new and comprehensive framework for the licensing of certain construction, quarrying and related activities in Ireland.
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.
There will be no requirement for refunds, as the current cohort of Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and Quarries Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS) card holders will be issued, upon the renewal date of their card, a licence for the skill in which they have held a CSCS or QSCS card.
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, whichever is the earlier, and a person must then apply for a licence to replace this card.
The Construction Safety Licensing Bill, as initiated, can be found here: data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2023/24/eng/initiated/b2423d.pdf.
Proposed Legislation
Questions (178)
Paul Murphy
Question:178. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views in regard to the upcoming Bill for construction workers and the proposed new licence system for construction workers to replace the current system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28729/23]
View answerWritten answers
I fully support the introduction of the Construction Safety Licensing Bill as it represents an important contribution by my Department to strengthening the statutory framework for health and safety training in Ireland.
The objective underpinning this Bill is to ensure that the number of accidents and fatalities on construction sites will fall as we continue to produce highly skilled workers who are confident and competent to work in a safe manner.
Activities that are currently covered by the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and the Quarries Skills Certification Scheme (QSCS), and administered by QQI as certificates for life, will move to a new licensing model under this Bill.
A licensing authority will be established to oversee this model and administer licences. All applicants for worker and tutor licences must demonstrate a level of competency and proficiency in their roles to successfully renew their licence.
The licensing model will impact the construction sector by transforming the health and safety practices of construction workers, and will aim to reduce workplace accidents, injuries and fatalities on sites.
This licensing model gives those within the construction sector the chance to obtain occupational recognition.
Through regulating these activities, and further embedding health and safety considerations into training, the licensing model will assist in meeting workforce requirements, skills and objectives outlined in a number of Government strategies, including Housing for All and the National Development Plan.
And finally, through widening the awareness of skills and occupations within the sector, there is also an opportunity to support increased female participation, furthering gender equality in the sector.
Third Level Education
Questions (179)
Paul Murphy
Question:179. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all new construction workers who will use the new licence system to become a skilled construction worker have to be in possession of a SOLAS CSCS registration card and a QQI certificate to meet the entry requirement for the newly proposed licence system; if not, the reason; and which expert group has advised in relation to this. [28730/23]
View answerWritten 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 or QSCS card.
Moving to a licensing model for the activities covered by the CSCS and QSCS programmes was a recommendation from the BearingPoint report, commissioned by SOLAS in 2017. Following this independent review 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.
The Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2023 provides for a new and comprehensive framework for the licensing of certain construction, quarrying and related activities in Ireland.
The Bill, once enacted, will establish a licensing authority who will have responsibility to establish and administer the licensing model, replacing the current QQI certified approach. On establishment of the authority, new candidates will not have to hold a QQI certificate.
There will be no requirement to hold a CSCS or QSCS card in advance of applying for a licence under the new licensing 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, whichever is the earlier, and a person must then apply for a licence to replace this card.
The Construction Safety Licensing Bill, as initiated, can be found here: data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/bill/2023/24/eng/initiated/b2423d.pdf.