Written Answers Nos. 229-241
229. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether PhDs classified as non-EU will be provided with updated residency visas with a four-year duration, similar to the hosting agreement scheme used for attracting non-EU research talent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33017/23]
View answer230. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a recommendation will be made that PhD researchers have access to PRSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33018/23]
View answer231. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a recommendation will be made on mandating that PhD researchers have access to sick leave and/or parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33019/23]
View answer232. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a recommendation will be made for PhDs to have access to the Workplace Relations Commission in order to resolve disputes with their university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33020/23]
View answer233. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether a recommendation will be made on establishing minimum standards for the provision of funding for PhD researchers in Ireland, including minimum standards of pay (such as the national minimum wage); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33021/23]
View answer234. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether a recommendation will be made on the matter of employee status for PhDs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33022/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 229, 230, 231, 232, 233 and 234 together.
In November 2022, I appointed Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This reflects the objective, under the dedicated Talent Pillar of Impact 2030, Ireland’s national research and innovation strategy, for a consistent research student experience across research funders, higher education institutions and research disciplines.
The Review Terms of Reference comprise examination of:
• Current financial supports for PhD researchers,
• The adequacy, consistency and equity of current arrangements,
• The status of PhD researchers (employee/ student) including a review of international comparators,
• Impact on the funding of research programmes of any adjustments to current supports,
• Graduate outcomes, including return on investment,
• Visa requirements and duration for non-EU students.
The Co-Chairs recently submitted their first report to me which I brought to Cabinet on Tuesday 20 June for information. The report was subsequently published on my Department’s website on Wednesday 26 June and is available at the following address:
www.gov.ie/en/press-release/6ae92-minister-publishes-independent-report-on-supports-for-phd-researchers-in-ireland/
In this first report, based on extensive consultation and analysis, the Co-Chairs provide recommendations on the following:
• Financial supports for PhD researchers, with particular regard to stipend levels;
• Issues encountered by PhD researchers coming to Ireland from outside the European Union/ European Economic Area;
• Improving PhD graduate outcomes.
Within this, they recommend an increased stipend level, with an optimum target of €25,000. They acknowledge the potential ramifications of any such change on public finances and recognise that significant additional work will be needed in order give effect to such a recommendation.
Because of their particular complexity, the following elements of the terms of reference will require deeper analysis prior to final recommendations being made:
• Consistency and equity of approaches in how PhD researchers are supported, for example, those coming from underrepresented groups;
• The status of a PhD researcher, i.e. classification as either a student or an employee.
The Co-Chairs will prepare a final review report to consider these outstanding issues. The status issue in particular will require significant examination – especially in terms of any consequences for the Employment Control Framework.
Also, my officials will engage with their counterparts in the Department of Justice to discuss the issue around the updated residency visas for non-EU PhD students.
This first report provides a rich picture, at a point in time, of a range of important issues that now need to be considered by all stakeholders. Any budgetary implications of recommendations will be dealt with through the normal budgetary processes.
235. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the pay and any other benefits, including any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind, of each chief executive of State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of his Department for each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33053/23]
View answerThe information being sought by the Deputy with regard to the pay or any other benefits of each chief executive of the public bodies under the aegis of my Department is currently being collated. I will ensure that it is furnished to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
236. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the Shared Island cross-border funding to expand Ulster University’s Derry campus announced on 20 June 2023. [32835/23]
View answerThe Government’s Shared Island initiative aims to harness the full potential of the Good Friday Agreement to enhance cooperation, connection and mutual understanding, as well as engagement with all communities and traditions to build consensus around a shared future on the island.
On the 20th of June, the Government awarded €56 million from the Shared Island Fund for significant cross-border investments including a major investment at Ulster University’s campus in Derry to expand higher education on both sides of the border. €44.5 million will be provided to implement the Government’s commitment under the New Decade, New Approach agreement to capital investment at Ulster University campus in Derry for construction of a new Teaching and Student Services building to expand provision in the North West. This project is part of Ulster University’s development plan to provide a campus that can increase student numbers in Derry to 6,500 and beyond. Subject to appropriate due diligence, the Government will provide 85% of the estimated cost of construction, with Ulster University commitment to cover the balance and any additional costs. Capital investment at Ulster University’s campus in Derry is also supported by the NI Executive and UK Government, including through the Derry City Deal.
The project has a strong cross-border dimension, directly supporting the significant and expanding joint undergraduate and postgraduate course provision and research collaboration by Atlantic Technological University (Donegal) and Ulster University. This investment has been welcomed by all stakeholders in the region, and will help to transform the delivery of education in the North-West.
237. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of instances in which his Department used unlicensed software and/or lapsed licenced software in the past ten years to date; the associated expenditure on same to remedy the situation; and the software that was being used. [33157/23]
View answerMy Department has recorded no instances of using unlicensed and/or lapsed licenced software since its establishment in August 2020 to date.
238. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are plans or if consideration is being given to the pre-Budget 2024 to a request by an organisation (details supplied). [32929/23]
View answerMy Department’s mission is to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. In delivering on its mission, my Department provides a wide range of strategic interventions, funding programmes and policies to support all cohorts living in our communities, including young people, older people, and people with disabilities.
My Department provides a range of supports which are available to Men's Sheds, depending on the works being completed.
Last November, I was delighted to announce funding of €800,000 to support Men’s Sheds throughout the country with running costs such as electricity and insurance bills. The individual grants were distributed to the Men’s Sheds via its representative body, the Irish Men’s Sheds Association (IMSA).
Men's Sheds were eligible to apply for funding under the Community Support Fund (CSF) that was announced last November under the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP). The €10 million CSF was set up to help small community groups with their energy/running costs but also to provide funding for small capital works projects. The CSF is now closed and details of successful Men’s Sheds are available at www.gov.ie/DRCD. Since 2018, over €2 million in funding was allocated to Men’s Sheds under the CEP.
While there is likely to be a new iteration of the CEP in late 2023, the exact scope is yet to be determined. Groups are encouraged to engage with their Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs), Local Development Companies and Public Participation Networks (PPN) to ensure they are aware of funding opportunities as they become available.
The submission referred to by the Deputy will be considered in the context of my Department's discussions on the estimates for 2024.
239. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if, in respect of the recently published Census figures, the area of Pullough, Tullamore, County Offaly will be included in the Clár programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32993/23]
View answerThe CLÁR Programme provides funding for small-scale projects in designated rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population over a defined period. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures.
The CLÁR 2022 programme awarded a record €12.2 million with 292 projects supported.
A review of CLÁR areas nationally was undertaken in 2021 using the 2016 Census of Population data. The review examined changes in population patterns throughout the country on the basis of this 2016 data. It also examined the approach to developing the existing CLÁR designations, which is based on 2002 data, and considered how changes in population since then impacted on designations.
From the review it is clear that many areas have seen population growth in the relevant period rather than decline, and indeed the most recent census data published by the Central Statistics Office point to population growth across all counties since 2016. The details of the review are being considered by my Department before any decisions are made in relation to areas throughout Ireland which may be designated as eligible for CLÁR funding.
240. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the pay and any other benefits, including any loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefit-in-kind, of each chief executive of State/semi-State body or other public body under the aegis of her Department for each year since 2020, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33058/23]
View answerThere are 4 agencies under the aegis of my Department: Water Safety Ireland (WSI), Pobal, the Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA). Details in relation to the pay of the Chief Executive Officers of the above named agencies, excluding any expenses received, are available in tabular format below. I understand that none of the CEOs were in receipt of other benefits such as loyalty payments/bonuses or other benefits-in-kind during the period in question.
Water Safety Ireland
There were two Chief Executive Officers of Water Safety Ireland, during the period in question, and one Deputy CEO that was briefly acting CEO as follows:
• John Leech from 1st January, 2020 until 22nd March, 2022
• Roger Sweeney was acting CEO from 23rd March 2022 until 8th November, 2022
• Joanne Walsh was CEO from 9th November, 2022 to present day.
|
Name |
Gross Pay |
Year |
|
John Leech |
€90,878 |
2020 |
|
€94,344 |
2021 |
|
|
€35,904 |
2022 |
|
|
Roger Sweeney (Amount refers to duration as acting CEO) |
€63,216 |
2022 |
|
Joanne Walsh (secondment from Dept of Housing) |
€15,260 |
2022 |
|
€66,354 |
2023 to date 6th July 2023 |
Pobal
|
Name |
Gross Pay |
Year |
|
Anna Shakespeare |
€141,816.24 |
2020 |
|
€159,236.90 |
2021 |
|
|
€170,223.20 |
2022 |
|
|
€87,489.34 |
1 January to 30th June 2023 |
Western Development Commission
There were two CEO’s in the Western Development Commission during the period in question.
• Tomas O’Siochain: CEO - 24th September 2018 – 6th December 2022
• Allan Mulrooney: Interim CEO – 6th December 2022 – 6th October 2023 or until the appointment of a permanent CEO, whichever is sooner.
|
Name |
Gross Pay |
Year |
|
Tomás Ó Síocháin |
€92,352 |
2020 |
|
€98,408 |
2021 |
|
|
€99,818 |
2022 |
|
|
Allan Mulrooney |
€6,964 |
2022 |
|
€49,285 |
2023 to June 2023 |
Charities Regulatory Authority
|
Name |
Gross Pay |
Year |
|
Helen Martin |
€124,135 |
2020 |
|
€128,370 |
2021 |
|
|
€134,693 |
2022 |
|
|
€68,843 |
2023 year to 30th June 2023 |
241. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of instances in which her Department used unlicensed software and/or lapsed licenced software in the past ten years to date; the associated expenditure on same to remedy the situation; and the software that was used. [33162/23]
View answerMy Department's ICT managed service is provided by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform through the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
The use of software on my Department's devices is strictly monitored by both my Department and the OGCIO. All staff of the Department must comply with our ICT Acceptable Usage Policy and other relevant policies, including the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour.
The procurement of software licences are carried out in line with the agreed protocols between my Department and OGCIO.
All software in use in my department since its formation are fully licenced and I understand that there has not, to date, been an incidence of unlicenced and/or lapsed software being used .
