Written Answers Nos. 77-100
77. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how the destination of graduates after qualification has evolved over the past five years; and whether any lessons can be drawn from the impact of the Covid experience. [40279/23]
View answerTracking graduate outcomes is crucial to monitoring and improving the quality and outcomes for learners in higher education.
There are two key sources of data in this regard. The Higher Education Outcomes data, published annually by the Central Statistics Office tracks the destinations and earnings of graduates by linking student records from the Higher Education Authority with administrative data from the Revenue Commissioners.
Separately, the Graduate Outcomes Survey is a nationally representative annual survey of graduates from the Higher Education Institutions, administered by the Higher Education Authority.
The specific indicators in these two publications varies slightly, as might be expected given the different ways in which the data are compiled, but the key trends are consistent and complementary.
There has been strong growth in employment outcomes. The most recent CSO data, from 2022, indicates that the rate of employment one year after graduation grew from 66% for 2010 graduates to 83% for 2018 graduates, based on a reference year of 2020.
The impact of COVID was evident for graduates in 2019. The CSO indicates that 80% of these graduates were in employment one year after graduation compared to 83% for graduates in the previous year. Analysis shows that 15% of 2019 graduates entered the professional, scientific and technical areas such as law, and accounting. 12% entered employment in education, 12% in Health and Social work and 8% into industry. However, given the strong labour market, it would be expected that when data for graduates from 2020 and later years is published by the CSO, employment rates will be equal to or above the pre-pandemic rates.
This is also borne out by the trends in the HEA data. The Class of 2020 experienced a decrease in the employment rate from the Class of 2018. However, there has been a significant rebound for the class of 2021, which shows the graduate employment rate since the survey began (with 82% in employment).
The HEA data indicate that the proportion of graduates pursuing further study has decreased to 12% in 2021, down from 14% in 2020. This reflects a growing number of graduates going straight into employment post-graduation.
For the class of 2021, 4% of graduates are unemployed nine months after graduation, compared to 8% in 2020. Employment is highest for Education graduates (94.2%) and lowest for Arts & Humanities graduates (65%).
The overall picture is reflective of the strong labour market for recent graduates, and shows little evidence of a lasting Covid impact on employment outcomes.
79. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has ever undertaken a study on the physical accessibility of third-level institutions for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40284/23]
View answerInclusion is a core goal for my Department across the tertiary education system and equity of access to Further & Higher Education continues to be a national priority for the Government and my Department.
While higher education institutions are autonomous, the approach of my Department has been to offer a range of supports which enable them to meet national objectives, including those related to inclusion and supports for people with disabilities.
The number of new entrant students with disabilities participating in higher education is increasing. The original National Access Plan target of 8% has been exceeded and the figure is currently 13.2% (2021/2022 academic year).
But the higher education population of students with disabilities does not reflect the wider population. That is why we have placed an unrelenting focus on this area and have a new target of 16% by 2028.
In January 2021, I announced approval for €5.8 million towards strategic initiatives aimed at supporting students with disabilities to access and engage with higher education funded under the Fund for Students with a Disability (FSD). Under the FSD Strategic Initiatives, 5 HEIs, namely National College of Ireland, St Angela’s College, Trinity College Dublin, Munster TU and Dundalk IT, conducted accessibility audits.
In 2022, €3 million of funding was provided by my Department for Universal Design Measures. Institutions have provided their proposed project plans. Projects are currently ongoing and some of these include accessibility audits/mapping and enhancements to physical accessibility.
With regard to the buildings and estates, the Higher Education Authority undertook a detailed space survey of the higher education estate in 2022. As part of this survey, higher education institutions were asked to indicate the compliance of their buildings with Part M of the Building Regulations, which addresses access for people with disabilities. This survey found that 35% of buildings were fully compliant, 60% of buildings were partially compliant and 5% were non-compliant. Institutions can address issues of non-compliance using funding from their Devolved Capital Grant or as part of broader building upgrade projects and my Department will work with them on this.
82. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average wait time for an apprentice to enter each of the taught phases, by county, in tabular form; if he is aware of delays (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40478/23]
View answerThe table requested is being collated and I will provide the Deputy with the information in writing.
Since becoming Minister, I have prioritised increasing pathways after secondary school through Apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship system provides a real and substantive career pathway for first time learners, it allows them to ‘earn while they learn’ whilst also combining practical hands on training with classroom learning.To date, the programmes on offer through this model have expanded to address areas of skills shortage such as engineering, technology, logistics, and fin-tech.
The current buoyant labour market, coupled with the recognition of apprenticeship as a valuable employment and skills development opportunity, is a welcome endorsement of this Government’s support of, and ambitions for, Apprenticeships in the tertiary sector.
The broader range of apprenticeship offerings and a growth in registrations, linked to the re-opening of the economy after the pandemic, created an apprentice population of 24,212 by the end of 2021. Strong registrations continued in 2022, with 8,286 registrations - an increase of 34% on the pre-Covid figure in 2019, and a population of 26,325 at year end. This trend has continued in 2023, with 4,711 registrations to end-August and a population of 25,409.
The increased popularity of apprenticeship, particularly in areas relating to construction, coupled with legacy backlogs from Covid-related closures has meant ongoing delays in offering training.
There is a crucial requirement to align training capacity in ETBs with the continued strong demand for apprenticeships - with particular focus on apprenticeships linked to the construction sector - and also to put in place further measures that will add to capacity over the period required to respond to ongoing delays in apprenticeship training.
In 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.
The pipefitting apprentice referenced by the Deputy is one of 340 apprentices across the country waiting for phase 4 training at the end of August this year, of which 15 apprentices had been waiting for longer than 6 months.
In relation to the particular case raised by the Deputy. My officials have engaged with SOLAS on the matter. SOLAS will contact the individual with an update on his placement in the near future.
Reducing the number of apprentices waiting for training has been an area of unrelenting focus for this Government.
During 2019, some 9,700 craft apprentices were being put through off-the-job training. This dropped to 7,000 in 2020 due largely to the impact of Covid, and returned to growth in 2021 with the number of apprentices trained increasing to 7,300. My Department has worked closely with SOLAS and the ETBs to continue to increase training capacity, resulting in 13,000 places delivered in 2022, a very important step in responding to the challenge of apprentices waiting to access off-the-job training. It is intended to deliver some 15,300 places in total in 2023.
In order to further accelerate and intensify delivery of 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.
83. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what engagement he has had with other Ministers and Departments concerning the rising cost of living for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40750/23]
View answerI engage regularly with my Government colleagues on how the rising cost of living is impacting students, and I have ensured that measures to support students have formed a core part of the Government's overall response to cost of living issues. This includes close engagement with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
My Department works to ensure that our policy and funding responses are coherent with overall cross-Government initiatives. The National Access Plan Steering Group which meets on a quarterly basis brings a specific focus on measures required to improve access to higher education for students who are socio-economically disadvantaged, students with a disability and students from the Traveller & Roma communities. This group includes participants from the Departments of Education, Justice, Rural and Community Development, Health, Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Social Protection
I recently published my Department’s second annual options paper on the cost of higher education. An in-person Stakeholder Event was organised and strongly attended and I also separately met with Student Union representatives on these issues. To provide context and clarity to the options paper, my Department engaged with a number of other Departments including the Departments of Justice, Finance, Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners.
My Department also engages on an ongoing basis with the Department of An Taoiseach and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage on student accommodation issues, within the context of Housing for All.
The Government remains committed to reducing the cost of college for families. As part of the forthcoming Budgetary process, I will be examining all the levers I have to address the cost of education in a way that has impact for students and families and that applies broadly and fairly across society.
86. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his view on a phased abolition of the student contribution charge, reflected by a total reduction of €1,500 in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40658/23]
View answerI have made it a priority over recent years to address the issue of the student contribution, as part of an overall approach to addressing the cost of education for learners and families.
My Department pays the student contribution, in full or part, on behalf of students who qualify under the student grant scheme. In 2022/23 almost 54,000 students, or approximately 38% of free fees eligible students, had all or part of their student contribution paid on their behalf through student support grants.
As part of Budget 2023, I was pleased to secure Government agreement to the introduction of a permanent new rate of student contribution support, through SUSI, from September 2023. This new support, worth €500, is now available for students whose families have reckonable earnings between €62,000 and €100,000. This measure was estimated to benefit some 42,000 students. In addition the threshold for the student contribution 50% grant has been increased from €55,240 to €62,000. This measure was estimated to benefit some 8,000 students. As of the 17th September 2023, 10,605 students have been awarded the new €500 grant and 7,256 have been awarded the 50% Student Contribution Grant.
It is really important students and their families know they must apply for these important changes. I would encourage full time undergraduate students to go to susi.ie to apply for these new supports.
In 2022/23, as part of the cost of living measures agreed by Government, a once off reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution payable by free fees eligible students was also universally applied.
As I look to the next Budget, I am conscious of the financial challenges facing students and the need for the continued progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education. Last month, I published an options paper setting out various possible measures to address the cost of education. The various options set out in this paper will inform the deliberations regarding cost of education measures in Budget 2024, including options in respect of the student contribution.
87. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider reforms of SUSI to include part-time students and better conditions for students from households in receipt of a widow’s pension or lone-parent families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40648/23]
View answerThe Student Grant Scheme is currently targeted at full-time students. Courses that are part-time, less than two years in duration, undertaken online or as distance courses, or which lead to a special purpose or distance award, are not currently approved for the Student Grant Scheme.
The Springboard+ and HCI initiatives funded by my Department do offer a number of part-time courses which are free or heavily subsidised courses and the student assistance fund and fund for students with a disability are available for eligible part-time students.
However, I have been consistent in my position that we need to develop our student support system over time to ensure that it supports more flexible forms of learning.
Through sectoral engagements, there is an increased recognition that supporting part-time, blended and postgraduate learning has the potential to transform access to learning in the medium term, once existing reform commitments are embedded within the sector.
That is why in the context of Budget 2024 my Department is currently considering options to provide greater support to part-time learners in higher education. The issue of expanding part-time delivery of third-level education in Ireland is complex and requires significant planning. Due to the level of complexity the creation of a pathfinder proposal is currently being developed by my Department.
The National Access Plan has called for more flexible forms of learning for target groups which would include lone parents and those who are socioeconmically disadvantaged. One of the key considerations for this year's budget is to reduce child poverty. We know that Education has the power to transform lives, lift people out of poverty and break down cycles of intergenerational poverty.
88. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department's plans to respond to and resource the Digital Inclusion Roadmap, particularly with respect to the 280,000 people over the age of 60 years who do not use the internet at all, according to CSO data, and cognisant of the Roadmap's high-level commitment to delivering the United Nations principle of "Leave No One Behind"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40034/23]
View answerThe Digital Inclusion Roadmap brings together work across Government to achieve digital inclusion through better skills, access and infrastructure.
My Department's role in respect of the Roadmap is ensuring that adults have basic digital skills, including skills to use the internet for older people, should they wish to do so. The Adult Literacy for Life, or ALL Strategy is a crucial element of the Roadmap, and the delivery of priorities set out under ALL will be central to the effective and successful delivery of the Roadmap.
Significantly, the ALL Strategy aims to reduce the share of adults in Ireland without basic digital skills from 47% to 20% by 2030. Key deliverables for 2023 under the ALL strategy include a specific focus on literacy and digital skills of older people. A number of projects under the ALL Collaboration and Innovation Fund focus specifically on digital literacy, including for older people. One of the areas we intend to focus on in the coming months is digital skills for older people.
Indeed in your own constituency, the Waterford Wexford ETB Adult Literacy Centres provide a range of digital literacy classes for adults including introduction to technology, computer skills, desktop publishing, spreadsheets, and internet skills. Many of the classes include using social media for learning and teaching giving students the skills to participate in modern life. Waterford Library Services provide additional support for learners who return to education. Waterford Wexford ETB are currently running four digital literacy courses in Waterford City. Learners attending classes with Waterford Wexford ETB are learning the digital literacy skills that are required in the modern workplace and education environments.
The 16 Education and Training Boards, funded through SOLAS, provide a range of programmes to cater for the digital literacy needs of adults, including older people. Digital skills in using devices as well as other practical digital skills such as learning how to use the internet, cloud services, and applications are all areas that have become a priority for delivery, including for older adults.
My Department, working closely with the Programme Office for the ALL Strategy in SOLAS, will continue to actively engage on the commitments set out in the Roadmap to seek to ensure that no one is left behind as digitisation of our society intensified.
89. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what steps his Department is undertaking to ensure that students from the Travelling community are welcomed and encouraged to progress within the third-level education sector. [40283/23]
View answerI am committed to making progress in enhancing access, participation and success for learners across further education, apprenticeship and higher education.
The number of students who are members of the Irish Traveller community has improved marginally but still remains disappointingly low. Recent data for 2021/22 indicates that the current number of Traveller new entrants is 52. The current National Access Plan targets 150 new entrants from the Traveller community by 2028.
Learners from the Traveller and Roma communities are priority target groups under the new National Access Plan. Last year, I allocated a fund of €1.35 million over three years to the pilot PATH 5 programme, administered by the Higher Education Authority. The key objective of this funding stream is to increase the participation and progression of Traveller and Roma students in Higher Education. The Fund can be used to support the development of community-based partnerships with the Traveller and Roma communities.
There are a number of social inclusion measures aimed at supporting Traveller and Roma learners as part of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship. This includes the Traveller and Roma Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme, which I launched late last year. While an apprenticeship is a paid employment contract, there may be associated costs for apprentices, such as buying tools or equipment. To help with this, the Traveller Apprenticeship Incentivisation Programme and the new Social Inclusion Bursary will provide sums of €2,000 to €2,500 to apprentices.
There are also a number of programmes and strategies such as Youthreach and Adult Literacy for Life that are vital in supporting members of the Traveller and Roma community. This includes supporting learners from the Travelling Community to develop literacy, numeracy and “soft” skills, in line with the Further Education and Training Strategy. A number of specific initiatives are also being funded which include SOLAS allocating €104,000 to Pavee Point in 2022 to widen Traveller and Roma Participation in Further Education and Training.
Finally, on 6th July this year, I visited Pavee Point and met with students who are currently studying in Maynooth University. They relayed their positive experiences of studying in Higher Education. We also focused on SUSI grants and I was able to confirm that the National Traveller and Roma Education Strategy is progressing.
90. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the allocation to the Fund for Students with Disabilities in Budget 2024. [40741/23]
View answerThe Fund for Students with Disabilities is a critical intervention which supports participation by students with a disability in further and higher education. The fund is an important driver for equity of access to education for students with a disability
The purpose of the fund is to provide resources to Further and Higher Education Institutions for the delivery of key services and supports for students with disabilities on full time and part time courses. The FSD operates firmly within the context of the wider education policy landscape in Ireland, which emphasises the importance of the system being one in which students of all backgrounds can succeed within the mainstream, including those with disabilities. The FSD is designed to complement, rather than substitute for, the core system.
The FSD is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved further and higher education courses in Ireland with an annual core budget of €7.658m at Higher education level. The expenditure at Further Education level in 2022 was €3.5m.
One of the key targets of the National Access Plan 2022 to 2028 (NAP) is to increase the participation of students with disabilities including intellectual disabilities in Higher Education. In 2020/21, the percentage of new entrants indicating a disability on entry to Higher Education was 12.4% exceeding the original National Access Plan target of 8%. Under the new NAP a target has been set at 16% by 2028 and I am pleased that recent figures for 2021/2022 already show an increase to 13.2%.
Earlier this year I launched a competitive funding call under the Programme for Access to Higher Education of €3m over 3 years for proposals to enhance provision for students with an intellectual disability. Institutions are asked to revert with their proposals by the 12th October and I look forward to the conclusion of this process and ultimately seeing projects coming to fruition to enhance provision for students.
I have recently published the 2023 Annual Options Paper on the cost of higher education. Within this, an option has been outlined to extend the FSD across the Further Education and Training Sector. As the Deputy will appreciate the estimates process is ongoing and while I cannot at this point pre-empt the budgetary process I can confirm I will have regard to all of the options set out in the Options paper when deciding how best to prioritise proposals.
91. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of SUSI grants that have been granted/refused in the current year; the action proposed to ensure that grants are available to the greatest extent possible, having regard to individual circumstances and the possible necessity of improving the qualification limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40703/23]
View answerAs of the start of this week, some 90,100 applications have been made to the Student Grant Scheme.
68,300 have been awarded and 6,900 have been refused. A further 2,300 were cancelled. Over 12,000 applications are awaiting assessment, or require further documentation to be provided. The figures for the 2023/24 academic year are likely to change as processing is ongoing and more applications are made.
As Minister I am very aware of the need to ensure that the student grant scheme reflects the needs of learners and families.
In Budget 2023 I introduced a number of measures which extended supports and allowed more people to qualify this academic year.
• The income threshold to qualify for the Student Contribution 50% Grant has increased from €55,240 to €62,000.
• In addition I created a new student contribution grant of €500 for incomes between €62,000 and €100,000.
These measures have the potential to benefit tens of thousands of students. I would urge students and their families who may never have applied for a Student Grant before to now check whether they are eligible for support towards their student contribution charge via the SUSI website.
I also brought in other changes effective from September which could impact on a student's eligibility
The deduction allowable for student earnings outside of term time increased from €4500 to €6552 which allows students to earn more effectively reducing their reckonable income assessed. This is for further consideration in the options paper.
I will be also be considering all options available in the context of Budget 2024 to ensure the scheme continues to evolve to meet the costs of education for families.
92. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the latest measures he is deploying to meet the skills shortages that Ireland faces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40335/23]
View answerThe tertiary education system plays a central role in ensuring that our graduates from higher education, further education and training and from apprenticeship are equipped with the cognitive skills, the essential transversal skills, and the vocational and professional skills and competencies which will equip them for success in work and society.
Against the backdrop of the accelerating and intensifying digital and green transitions, it is essential that our skills ecosystem has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape. In this context, one of the key themes of the OECD Review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy published last May was the need to secure a balance in skills through a responsive, diversified supply of skills in Ireland.The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs and SOLAS's Skills and Labour Market Research Unit have a key role in assessing and forecasting for the skills and talent needs in our economy. Their analysis, for example in relation to Green Skills, Digital transition etc. is central to informing responsive planning across the tertiary system, and flexible responses to changes in the employment environment, This is underscored by responsiveness to priority industry needs under key policy initiatives such as the Action Plan for Apprenticeship, Green Skills for FET Roadmap, National Digital Strategy, Harnessing Digital, the Human Capital Initiative and Springboard +, the establishment of the National Tertiary Office, and our work to deliver more flexible learning options for example through the microcredentials project. All of this work is carried out in partnership with enterprise and is informed by the workforce development agenda led by Skillnet Ireland.
The comprehensive roadmap provided by the OECD Review provides a strong basis for ensuring that we get skills policies right, ensuring societal well-being and sustainable growth in Ireland for the future.
93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which adequate higher level places have been made available to the student population in the current year, with particular reference to the identification of the sensitive areas that at present are having difficulty identifying sufficiently qualified personnel to fill the various posts at technical and academic levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40704/23]
View answerEnsuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified graduates is a key priority for me and my Department. This year 460 targeted additional places were created in healthcare programmes. This represents meaningful additionality within existing infrastructure, and targets expansion towards priority skills areas. It builds on additional places created, including in Nursing and Medicine, in recent years, and the funding of places for students from this jurisdiction in Queens University Belfast and Ulster University.
The increasingly strong alignment between student demand and what is on offer is reflected in this year's CAO data. A record 57,980 applicants received an offer in Round 1 of the CAO this year. 52,950 applicants received Level 8 offers, 1,140 more than last year.
There was also a significant increase in the proportion of students receiving a first preference offer - 59% of Round 1 Level 8 offers were for first preference courses, and 85% were for a first, second or third preference course.
But importantly, I have been very clear that the CAO is not the only option for learners.
This month sees the commencement of new programmes which will see students begin their third level experience in further education and complete the remainder in higher education institutions. There’s been great interest so far in this new pathway with more than 700 applications received. The programmes this year are just the first phase, and tomorrow a call will open for proposals for new tertiary programmes for September 2024.
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.
94. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide clarification on the status and cost of the student contribution fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40448/23]
View answerUnder the Free Fees Initiative the State provides funding toward the tuition fees of eligible undergraduate higher education students. All students eligible for the scheme receive State support whereby the State pays the cost of tuition fees exclusive of the student contribution. In academic year 2022/23 over 141,000 students benefited from the scheme.
The aforementioned student contribution applies annually to all free fees eligible students and the current rate is €3,000 per annum. It is important to note that the State pays the student contribution, in full or part, on behalf of students who qualify under the student grant scheme (aka the SUSI grant). In 2022/23 almost 54,000 students, or approximately 38% of free fees eligible students, had all or part of their student contribution paid on their behalf through student support grants. The costs of these recurring tuition fee and student contribution grant supports are now well in excess of half a billion euro per academic year.
In 2022/23, as part of the cost of living measures agreed by Government, a once off reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution payable by free fees eligible students was applied. While this was a once off measure I have been clear that I want to see the student's contribution towards tuition fees in higher education reduce in a meaningful way through the Estimates process. In this regard, as part of Budget 2023, I was pleased to secure Government agreement to the introduction of a permanent new rate of student contribution support, through SUSI, from September 2023.
This new support is now available for students whose families have reckonable earnings between €62,000 and €100,000. It is estimated that up to 42,000 students may be eligible for this support grant of €500. I would encourage students to apply for this support for the current academic year.
I also increased the income limit for students to avail of the 50% student contribution grant which may benefit up to 8,000 students. Information on the new €500 student contribution grant and other student supports are available on www.susi.ie.
As I look to the next Budget, I am conscious of the financial challenges facing students and the need for the continued progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education. During August, in advance of Budget 2024, I published an options paper setting out various possible measures to address the cost of education. The various options set out in this paper will inform the deliberations regarding cost of education measures in Budget 2024.
95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in view of the particular cost-of-living pressures at present, he will ensure that additional financial support will be provided to reduce undergraduate student contribution fees for this academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40698/23]
View answerUnder the Free Fees Initiative the State provides funding toward the tuition fees of eligible undergraduate higher education students. All students eligible for the scheme receive State support whereby the State pays the cost of tuition fees exclusive of the student contribution. In academic year 2022/23 over 141,000 students benefited from the scheme.
The aforementioned student contribution applies annually to all free fees eligible students and the current rate is €3,000 per annum. It is important to note that the State pays the student contribution, in full or part, on behalf of students who qualify under the student grant scheme (aka the SUSI grant). In 2022/23 almost 54,000 students, or approximately 38% of free fees eligible students, had all or part of their student contribution paid on their behalf through student support grants. The costs of these recurring tuition fee and student contribution grant supports are now well in excess of half a billion euro per academic year.
In 2022/23, as part of the cost of living measures agreed by Government, a once off reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution payable by free fees eligible students was applied. While this was a once off measure I have been clear that I want to see the student's contribution towards tuition fees in higher education reduce in a meaningful way through the Estimates process. In this regard, as part of Budget 2023, I was pleased to secure Government agreement to the introduction of a permanent new rate of student contribution support, through SUSI, from September 2023.
This new support is now available for students whose families have reckonable earnings between €62,000 and €100,000. It is estimated that up to 42,000 students may be eligible for this support grant of €500. I would encourage students to apply for this support for the current academic year.
I also increased the income limit for students to avail of the 50% student contribution grant which may benefit up to 8,000 students. Information on the new €500 student contribution grant and other student supports are available on www.susi.ie.
As I look to the next Budget, I am conscious of the financial challenges facing students and the need for the continued progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education. During August, in advance of Budget 2024, I published an options paper setting out various possible measures to address the cost of education. The various options set out in this paper will inform the deliberations regarding cost of education measures in Budget 2024.
96. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the funding announced for Cavan IT; the plans for its development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40749/23]
View answerAs part of an ambitious new phase of capital investment launched in early 2022 for the Further Education sector, I was very happy to announce at the end of last year that Cavan Monaghan ETBs proposal for Cavan Town under the College of the Future Major Projects fund was successful at the first stage of the assessment process.
This proposal has moved to the next stage of development, which involves the development of a preliminary business case which is a fundamental part of the public spending code requirements.
SOLAS are working closely with Cavan Monaghan ETB during the development phase of their proposal and Cavan Monaghan ETB along with all other successful ETBs are working to finalise their preliminary business cases.
The proposal will provide additional accommodation which will be complementary to and work in collaboration with the current FET Training campus to further consolidate provision of FET programmes at Levels 5 and 6, as well as apprenticeships from a centralised, flagship college.
To address interim accommodation needs, I have also approved the acquisition and fit out of a substantial modular unit for CMETB, facilitating the opening of the new Education and Training Facility for Cavan Institute at its FET Campus earlier this month. This facility gives 300 students access to a range of PLC programmes which will offer state of the art facilities for students and staff and allow for the further growth of Cavan Institute
Capital investment is a key priority for me and for my department and I recognise the importance of infrastructure development to support the FET sector to provide high quality campuses for our learners and teaching staff.
My officials and SOLAS will continue to work closely with Cavan Monaghan ETB to ensure that the appropriate infrastructures are in place to meet the needs of their learners and staff.
97. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action his Department is taking to improve the number of places in healthcare and therapy areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40446/23]
View answerSignificant engagement is ongoing between my Department, the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Education to develop a joined-up approach to address system level demand in therapeutic disciplines and healthcare programmes.
This year 460 additional places were created in health care related programmes including therapy disciplines. This represents meaningful additionality within existing infrastructure, and includes an additional 60 EU medicine places, bringing to 120 the number of additional EU medicine places over the 2021 baseline.
My Department and the Departments of Health both North and South have agreed 200 places across Ulster University and Queens University Belfast in nursing for students from the Republic of Ireland. Ulster University have provided 50 places in therapy disciplines, 20 places each in occupational therapy and physiotherapy, and 10 places in speech and language therapy, from this September.
As the Deputy may be aware the Higher Education Authority recently conducted and expressions of interest from higher education institutions interested in building capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary Medicine from academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26. Significant options for expansion were identified, and these options are being considered in the context of Budgetary Processes and the National Development Plan review. A further process will consider options to build capacity in priority therapy disciplines.
98. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of institution-owned accommodation places of third-level institutions in Limerick; the projected bed space demand for third-level institutions in Limerick; the steps being taken to increase the number of on and off-campus institution-owned accommodation places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40688/23]
View answerThe University of Limerick is the only Higher Education Institution in Limerick that has on-campus accommodation of 2,842 beds. My Department is actively working with UL to assess potential projects for development, and UL is one of the Universities being examined under the short term activation initiative.
Building Information data provided by the HEA shows within Limerick, 82 beds are at an on-site stage, with an additional 862 beds granted planning permission, and a further 218 beds awaiting planning decision. These are being provided by the private market.
In relation to the Technological University of the Shannon, support of €1 million is also being provided to our Technological Universities to undertake a needs assessment for the provision of student accommodation in key areas. My Department is also examining the mechanisms available including a TU Borrowing Framework in conjunction with other Government Departments, as part of the range of student accommodation initiatives.
My Department is also supporting increased usage of "digs" accommodation through the Rent-a-Room Scheme. Changes introduced to the scheme which provides a tax exemption for homeowners to earn up to €14,000 per annum in rental income will now allow for the disregard of rental income for the purposes of social welfare eligibility, when calculating the qualifying financial thresholds for medical cards and eligibility for the SUSI grant scheme.
Based on data provided to my Department last week there is currently 192 digs beds for rent through the Higher Education Institutions in Limerick.
99. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the centre of excellence for EV identified for Columb Barracks, Mullingar. [40601/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to supporting the objectives set out in the Climate Action Plan 2023 including the expansion of Ireland’s electric vehicle fleet and the ambitious target of 30% of our private car fleet having made the switch to electric vehicles by 2030. My Department is coordinating future skills needs with the emerging demands in the sector. This work is based on studies including the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs’ November 2021 report Skills for Zero Carbon: The Demand for Renewable Energy, Residential Retrofit and Electric Vehicle Deployment Skills to 2030. This detailed report outlines the future skills and workforce requirements necessitated by Ireland’s ambitious electric vehicle targets between now and 2030.
I am aware that Longford Westmeath ETB are committed to the establishment of an Electric Mobility Capability Centre in Mullingar and have identified a number of possible sites. LWETB have recently submitted a proposal to SOLAS outlining a preliminary business case for this Capability Centre. This preliminary business case has been developed following identification of the significant need in specialist EV training, their strategic geographic location to house such a campus, and the wish to lead this training at a national level. As you are aware, LWETB have a long history in delivering quality education provision and apprenticeship in the midlands regions. Their proposal aims to increase capacity to deliver innovative, responsive and agile programmes to meet the newly emerging demands on industry – particularly in the mobility and EV space. The business case is currently under review with SOLAS.
Meanwhile, SOLAS are actively working, alongside other green priorities, to incorporate EV training into existing apprenticeship programmes.
100. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures are to be introduced to reduce undergraduate student contribution fees this academic year; if he will ensure that students studying outside of the State will receive such supports, as requested previously by this Deputy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40699/23]
View answerUnder the FFI, the State provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students attending an approved course. Funding under the Free Fees Initiative is only available in respect of approved courses within the State.
I have been clear that I want to see the student's contribution towards tuition fees in higher education reduce in a meaningful way over the course of future budgets. In this regard I was pleased to secure Government agreement to the introduction of a permanent new rate of student contribution grant support through SUSI from September 2023.
For students whose families have incomes between €62,000 and €100,000, a new grant of €500 towards the undergraduate student contribution for free fees students is now available. I also increased the income limit for students to avail of the 50% student contribution grant. Information on the new €500 student contribution grant and other student supports are available on www.susi.ie .
During August, in advance of Budget 2024, I published an options paper setting out various possible measures to address the cost of education. The various options set out in this paper will inform the deliberations regarding cost of education measures in Budget 2024.
In relation to support available for students studying abroad, as previously noted, the Free Fees Initiative and the student contribution arrangements do not apply. Instead, students pay the applicable tuition fee to the higher education institution attended.
