Written Answers Nos. 1067-1086
1067. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if student numbers for radiation therapy courses at third level have increased in 2023 in comparison to numbers in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40072/23]
View answer1068. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what engagement has taken place to date between his Department and higher education institutions in the expansion of existing radiation therapy programmes from 2023; what progress, if any, has been made to date between his Department and the Department of Health in increasing corresponding student placements in the health sector for these additional radiation therapy students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40073/23]
View answer1069. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the working group, established by his Department in 2022, to identify and address barriers to expansion in the health and social care professions, including radiation therapy; what progress has been made to date in particular with regard to radiation therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40074/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1067, 1068 and 1069 together.
Officials from my Department have been engaging regularly with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to ascertain possible expansion on existing programmes from 2023, including in the health and social care professions.
The Department of Health have recently given a written commitment to this Department as to the availability of the corresponding clinical placements required to provide these places and this has been communicated to the HEIs.
As a result of engagements between my Department and the HEIs, I was very pleased to announce in July that over 400 permanent additional places would be made available across the health and social care professions from September 2023, of which 5 additional places are in Radiation Therapy.
Last year my Department established a working group to identify and address barriers to expansion in the health and social care professions, including radiation therapy. This working group has included representatives from the Department of Health, the HSE, CORU, the higher education sector as well as my Department. This group looked at at both incremental expansion from September 2023, and enabling more substantial expansion in the medium term. I look forward to working with the Deputy on this going forward.
The HSE is developing a Framework for Practice Placement Education. I understand that the Department of Health have also recently appointed a HSCP Officer to lead on enabling expansion in health and social care professions. It should be noted that 2022/2023 data has not been released yet by the HEA for comparison purposes year on year.
1070. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration would be given to his Department engaging with the Department of Health and the HSE with regard to funding the master's programme in University College Cork for radiation therapy, in view that the master's programme in University College Cork is funded for diagnostic radiographers by the HSE, whereby it is more difficult to attract students onto the radiation therapy course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40075/23]
View answerLast year my Department established a working group to identify and address barriers to expansion in the health and social care professions, including radiation therapy. This working group has included representatives from the Department of Health, the HSE, CORU, the higher education sector as well as my Department. This group has looked at both incremental expansion from September 2023, and enabling more substantial expansion in the medium term.
The HSE is developing a Framework for Practice Placement Education. The Department of Health have also recently appointed a HSCP Officer to lead on enabling expansion in health and social care professions.
As the Deputy is aware, the HSE comes under the remit of Minister Donnelly. My understanding from engagements with that Department is that the funding mechanism for the radiography programme in UCC was completed within the South-South West Hospital Group and not at a national level. Students were then sponsored to work in that hospital group.
The majority of graduate entry programmes in the Health & Social Care Profession (HSCP) disciplines are not funded but it is possible that there may be local arrangements to sponsor students like the arrangement in UCC.
1071. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on partnerships between gambling industry-funded bodies and addiction studies programmes in higher education institutes (details supplied); his views on whether such partnerships are appropriate; the steps he is taking to ensure addiction studies is free from the influence of the gambling industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40182/23]
View answerMy officials are seeking further information on this matter from the institutions in question. I will revert with a reply to the Deputy directly as soon as it is received.
1072. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will intervene in the case of person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40205/23]
View answerHigher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous and manage their own academic affairs. Under The Universities Act 1997 legislation the institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes and neither I, nor my Department, have a role in these internal processes.
I would encourage the student to make contact with the University of Limerick to seek clarity. If the student is still unsatisfied there is an option to appeal that decision to the Ombudsman.
1073. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the full- and first-year cost of increasing the number of social work courses provided by third level institutions by 5%, 10%, 20% and 25%; and how many extra places this would add, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40211/23]
View answerIn considering matters raised it is important to note that the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not place a cap on the number of Social Work places and therefore the places offered are a matter for the higher education institutions (HEIs), in line with their autonomy.
Currently, six higher education institutes have accredited programmes providing professional qualifications in social work. Two programmes are at undergraduate level, with the majority of programmes at a post-graduate level. The most recent student number data from the HEA indicates that the courses under reference, collectively, had over 670 enrolments in 2021/22.
HEIs, as autonomous institutions, are responsible for their own academic affairs including the curriculum and student numbers on individual courses. The costs incurred by HEIs in increasing student places on a particular course can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the individual circumstances of the relevant provider.
Where the State seeks to see an increase in student numbers in a particular field of study, a specific engagement with the sector and external stakeholders is very often required to determine the feasibility of securing the provision of additional places. For example, in March I received recommendations from the HEA in respect of the Expressions of Interest process that sought submissions regarding possible expansion of places in five disciplines – Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary. An engagement process allows for a deeper consideration of wider issues such as existing capacity; staffing requirements; availability of placements or capital investment in buildings and equipment. It is therefore, not possible to definitively calculate the costs sought in the absence of a specific engagement with the sector.
1074. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details on the measures his Department has taken to implement specific action points (details supplied) of the action plan to support the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. [40233/23]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 predates the DFHERIS, and that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) are in the process of developing a new LGBTI+ strategy. My Department is a member of the national LGBTI+ Steering Committee which oversees the implementation of the strategy and is working with the DCEDIY on the development of the new strategy.
Diversity is a key strength of tertiary education. In recent decades our universities, institutes of technology, and colleges have been transformed to reflect an increasingly diverse student body, of all ages, backgrounds and gender identities.
Each of the higher education institutions have equality policies in place to provide an inclusive environment which promotes equality, values diversity and is committed to maintaining an environment of dignity and respect where all staff and students can develop their full potential.
1075. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places currently in the Masters of Arts in Social Work at the Atlantic Technological University. [40248/23]
View answer1076. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places currently in the Masters of Social Work; Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work Studies and the Bachelor of Social Work at University College Cork, in tabular form. [40249/23]
View answer1077. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places currently in the Masters of Arts in Social Science (Social Work) and Professional Master of Social Work, at University College Dublin, in tabular form. [40250/23]
View answer1078. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places currently in the Masters in Social Work, Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work and Bachelor in Social Studies at Trinity College Dublin, in tabular form. [40251/23]
View answer1079. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places currently in the Masters in Social Work at the National University of Ireland Galway. [40252/23]
View answer1080. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places currently in the Masters of Social Science Maynooth University. [40253/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1075, 1076, 1077, 1078, 1079 and 1080 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department, the most recent data for new entrants regarding the requested Social Work programmes is from 2021/2022, sourced from the Student Records System of the HEA, outlined in the table below. This data is rounded to the nearest five by the HEA statistics unit.
|
Masters Taught (Postgraduate) |
Atlantic Technological University |
Master of Arts in Social Work |
20 |
|
Masters Taught (Postgraduate) |
Maynooth University |
MASTER OF SOCIAL SCIENCE (SOCIAL WORK) |
35 |
|
Masters Taught (Postgraduate) |
National University of Ireland, Galway |
Master of Arts (Social Work) |
25 |
|
Undergraduate Honours Degree |
Trinity College Dublin |
Social Studies |
40 |
|
Masters Taught (Postgraduate) |
Trinity College Dublin |
Social Work |
20 |
|
Undergraduate Honours Degree |
University College Cork |
Social Work |
10 |
|
Masters Taught (Postgraduate) |
University College Cork |
Master of Social Work |
40 |
|
Masters Taught (Postgraduate) |
University College Dublin |
Prof Masters Social Work FT |
55 |
1081. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration can be given to the case of a person (details supplied) in relation changes to the assessment of the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40262/23]
View answerFor student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students. A student may be assessed as an independent student (i.e. assessed without reference to parental income and address) if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course, and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1st October.
Otherwise, he/she would be assessed as a dependent student, i.e. assessed with reference to parental income and address.
Applicants who do not meet the criteria to be assessed as an independent student for grant purposes, or who cannot supply the necessary documentation to establish independent living for the required period, may still apply to SUSI to have their grant eligibility assessed as a dependent student. The relevant information, including details of parental income, would be required by SUSI to determine grant eligibility as a dependent student.
SUSI can be contacted on the dedicated email oireachtas@susi.ie for Oireachtas members should you wish to provide more specific details in respect of this grant application.
1082. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding can be accessed by third-level institutions to increase student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40268/23]
View answerIn November 2022, I received Government approval for a new policy led by my Department, to provide funding to stimulate the development of new and additional student accommodation for public higher education institutions. This landmark policy response will, for the first time, see the State providing financial support in the construction of student accommodation, and underpins the policy commitments set out in Housing for All.
To date, the Government has approved up to €61m in capital and current funding to unlock the development of nearly 1,000 beds, with delivery beginning in 2024. Department officials are also examining additional proposals for potential developments within the HEI sector.
Investment of €1m in 2023/2024 was also announced to support the Technological Universities in conducting activation feasibility assessments to ascertain student accommodation needs in campus locations. This will include data led projections of student numbers and engagement with local authorities to examine potential vacant stock. Work commenced on phase one of the study in June.
The Housing Finance Agency Act 1981, as amended, facilitates lending by the HFA to institutions of higher education, including TUs. My Department and I are working with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to explore the development of a specific borrowing framework for the Technological University (TU) sector. The options arising from the TU feasibility study will inform this ongoing engagement. It is anticipated that any borrowing framework would in the first instance prioritise the provision of student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan.
1083. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the constraints on the children of certain categories of visa holders, including stamp 3 visa holders, who are often the children of critical skills visa holders working in the healthcare sector, given that these children, who have completed their Leaving Certificate, are now excluded from grant aid under SUSI, are unable to avail of certain QQI level 5 courses given the 150 hours' work experience requirement of same which they are unable to complete due to their visa restrictions; the proposals, if any, which he has put to the Department of Justice to resolve these issues; his views on the impact that this may have on attracting critical skills workers to the Irish economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40307/23]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, a student must be ordinarily resident in Ireland or an EU/EEA/Swiss/UK for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course.
Where undergraduate students do not qualify for free fees funding they must pay the appropriate fee, either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and therefore the criteria governing the level of fee payable by students (EU or non-EU) is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.
The nationality requirements for the Student Grant Scheme are set out in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2023. To qualify for a student grant, the candidate's nationality or his/her immigration status in the State determines whether or not he/she meets the nationality requirement outlined in the Act and Regulations. Further information in relation to the nationality requirements are available from SUSI's website: susi.ie/nationality-criteria/.
Permission to remain in the State on the basis of a Stamp 3 Visa does not meet the nationality requirements of the Student Grant Scheme 2023. However, article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2023 provides for a review of eligibility for the award of a grant in the event of a change of circumstances in the academic year, including a change in relation to a student's nationality or immigration status. Where a student acquires Irish citizenship by naturalisation, or is granted one of the permission to remain criterion provided for in the Act or Regulations during the course of their studies, he/she may apply to SUSI to have his/her application re-assessed.
My Department continues to liaise on an ongoing basis with officials in the Department of Justice on the various categories of immigration status in the context of student grant eligibility.
1084. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by his Department that were outsourced, in each year since the formation of this Government, in tabular form; the names of the companies to which each study, research and report was outsourced; the total cost for each; the number of reports finalised and presented to him that have yet to be released by his Department; the dates on which any such reports yet to be released were first provided to him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40372/23]
View answerThe list of all studies, research and reports commissioned by my Department since the formation of this Government can be found in the table attached.
1085. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current number of apprentices waiting for off-the-job training at level 2, 4 and 6, disaggregated by craft apprenticeship type, in tabular form;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40431/23]
View answerOn August 2021, there were almost 12,000 apprentices awaiting off-the-job training. At the end of August this year, 7,578 apprentices were waiting for off-the-job training. Of these 5,257 apprentices were waiting longer than six months.
There will always be a degree of waiting for apprentices, due to factors such as term commencement dates in higher education institutions and increased demand some craft programmes but this is generally limited to less than six months. My Department continues to work closely with SOLAS and the ETBs to increase training capacity, a very important step in responding to the challenge of craft apprentices waiting to access off-the-job training. It is intended to deliver some 15,300 places in 2023.
In order to further accelerate increased apprenticeship training capacity, a taskforce chaired by my Department composed of representatives of SOLAS, the National Apprenticeship Office, the Higher Education Authority, Education and Training Boards Ireland, the Education and Training Boards, and union representatives has been established with responsibility to implement successfully a set of actions to address this very significant and important issue. I will provide the information requested in writing.
1086. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current offerings available at the TUS Ennis campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40660/23]
View answerThe TUS campus on Bindon Street, Ennis, County Clare offers two CAO courses - BA Social Care Work (Level 7) and BA (Hons) Social Care Work (Level 8) - as well as a range of flexible learning and skills based short programmes.
In response to the recent Tertiary Education awards initiative that I launched last July, TUS also offers a degree in Business in Ennis in collaboration with Limerick-Clare ETB outside the traditional CAO.
As a regionally based university TUS is committed to supporting higher education provision for and the economic development of the entire county. In this context TUS provides a degree in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering in Shannon in collaboration with a major local employer, Atlantic Aviation Group. TUS also collaborates with another organisation in Shannon, Atlantic Air Venture, delivering a range of aircraft leasing and management programmes, that it is understood attract high demand from Shannon based aircraft leasing and management companies.
As County Clare continues to develop as an industry hub, TUS keeps its higher education and programme provision under review to meet the needs of industry and economic growth.
