Written Answers Nos. 714-729
714. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a late HEAR grant application will be accepted from a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42198/23]
View answerThe HEAR scheme is owned and operated by participating Higher Education Institutions and as it is an Independent process, my Department has no role in the administration of the scheme or the appeals process.
However, I can advise the Deputy that the review and appeals process is in place to make sure that all HEAR applicants are treated fairly and that the assessment procedures have been applied consistently. Further information on the appeals process is available at: www.accesscollege.ie/hear/making-an-application/hear-review-and-appeals/
Subsequently, applicants also have recourse to make an appeal to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s service is free, independent and impartial, and the applicant may wish to consider contacting the Ombudsman’s Office to see whether an appeals process is open to him/her.
Further information and contact details for the Ombudsman’s Office are available at: www.ombudsman.ie/publications/information-leaflets/The-Ombudsman-and-Education-services.pdf
715. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to enumerate the number of childcare courses nationally; furthermore, if it is possible to attain a figure to establish how many of these graduates go on to work in the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42232/23]
View answerOfficials in my Department have liaised with SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority for the latest data on childcare courses. Currently, there are 63 childcare focused courses being offered across the country, with 19 being offered in Education and Training Boards and a further 44 in Higher Education Institutions. A full list of these courses and course references is attached. Important work is being carried out on workforce development in the early years sector by colleagues in the Department of Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth (DCEIDY) and the Department of Education (DoE). In December 2021, Minister O’Gorman launched Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School Aged Childcare, 2022-2028. The Plan includes specific actions to support the recruitment and retention of staff with the necessary qualifications, and ongoing staff training and development, to create a workforce which feels valued and is motivated to deliver the best possible service to children. There is currently no data available on the employment outcomes for learners in childcare courses in FET and HEIs.
716. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of data breaches experienced by his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [42367/23]
View answerPlease see below in tabular form the number of data breaches that occurred in my Department since its formation in 2020 and to date in 2023, and the numbers which were reported to the Data Protection Commission (DPC). In line with DPC guidance, the remainder were deemed not to meet the threshold that would require reporting to the DPC due to the nature of the particular risk they represented and as such notification of the DPC was not undertaken.
|
Year |
No. of Breaches |
No. of Breaches reported to DPC |
Cases still open |
|
2020 |
- |
- |
- |
|
2021 |
1 |
1 |
- |
|
2022 |
2 |
1 |
- |
|
2023 to date |
2 |
- |
- |
717. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the CAO application process alerts students of unapproved courses that do not qualify for SUSI grants; if he is aware of the financial difficulties placed upon students who, having commenced such places, are subsequently notified that they do not qualify for a SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42466/23]
View answerThe CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the HEIs. As such, neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO. However, my understanding it does not alert students to such matters. I would encourage all students to ensure they contact SUSI before applying to a course to ensure it is registered with them.
718. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what funding, if any, is available for a masters in child and adolescent therapy (details supplied). [42497/23]
View answerA student attending a private college which is not listed in the Student Support Regulations 2023 would not be eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme 2023. However, it is open to higher education institutions that operate on a 'for profit' basis to use their own resources to provide financial supports to any of their students that they consider to be in particular need.
I would advise any student to make direct contact with the institution that they plan to attend to consider what supports may be available.
However, the student in question may be eligible for tax relief in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including approved postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information is available from the student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners on www.revenue.ie
719. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline, in light of the recent publication of his report on PhD stipends, the discussions he has had with different universities; if he can confirm, in tabular form, which universities have agreed to increase the value of their stipend; the value of the increase; the date this is being enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42567/23]
View answer720. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in relation to the issue of PhD stipends and his Department's recent report recommending they be increased, he is aware that some institutions provide stipends from benefaction funds; if he is aware that stipends from such funding sources are being considered for the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42568/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 719 and 720 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 funders, institutions and research disciplines.
The Review Terms of Reference comprised 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’ first review report was published on 26 June 2023 and is available on www.gov.ie . The first report addressed the issue of stipends in particular and recommended an increase to achieve a optimum level of €25,000, subject to the availability of funding, conscious of the potential implications of any stipend change on the public finances.
The Co-Chairs have now submitted their second and final report to the me and the totality of their recommendations - both financial and non-financial – are currently being considered by my officials and myself. A 12-18 month work programme to implement appropriate recommendations is under development.
Financial recommendations regarding any increase to level of stipend are being managed through the normal budgetary processes. Stipends funded by agencies such as Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council are provided on a competitive basis. Those provided by the institutions (institutional scholarships) are funded primarily through the block grant allocated to them by the Higher Education Authority as well as a range of other sources of funding specific to each institution.
Any increases to publicly funded stipend payments form part of the deliberations under the Funding the Future initiative. It is important to note that as autonomous institutions, the higher education institutions have discretion over their own internal budget allocation.
It is not appropriate to comment on any changes to stipend amounts before the Government has announced its decisions with regards to Budget 2024.
I would finally like to bring to the attention of the Deputy an options paper I published in August entitled “Funding our Future - An annual options paper on the cost of higher education”. The paper considers in detail the option of increasing payments for competitive agencies as well as institutional scholarships. It is available on www.gov.ie .
721. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide information on a scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42655/23]
View answerI have recently approved the continuation of the Scheme referred to by the Deputy for the 2023/24 academic year.
The Scheme has been finalised and is now open for applications. All information, including the application form, is available on the gov.ie website.
The Scheme will continue to be administered by the awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
722. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in the interests of promoting the Irish language and boosting employment opportunities, he will consider introducing a new Irish-language training course for people in receipt of social welfare payments, as no such course currently exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42667/23]
View answerIn the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, there is provision available in relation to the Irish Language. This provision is mainly free or heavily subsidised, and may be available to those in receipt of social welfare payments. This includes courses such as Irish for Beginners, Irish for Parents, Conversational Irish, Irish Language and Culture, etc. The Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are responsible for structuring their provision in terms of learner demand and need, in line with local and national skills priorities. This is completed in tandem with the Strategic Performance Agreements in place between SOLAS and each of the 16 ETBs.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query about introducing a new Irish-language training course for people in receipt of social welfare payments, this area could be explored as part of the existing engagement channels between my Department, the Department of Social Protection and SOLAS.
723. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can determine what exact documentation is required by an applicant for a SUSI grant (details supplied) in order to have their application considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42673/23]
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.
Only in exceptional cases, where compelling evidence of irreconcilable estrangement from parents/guardians is provided, can candidates who are under 23 be assessed without reference to their parents/guardians income or address, Article 21(3) (b) of the Scheme refers.
If an applicant is irreconcilably estranged from their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) they can declare this on their SUSI application. Such applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis by a specialist assessment team who are dedicated to giving them the care and thorough consideration required around such a sensitive issue.
In relation to the student referred to by the Deputy, my officials have informed me that SUSI has received additional documents from the student and their application is now queued for review by a member of the specialist assessment team. The student will be notified of the outcome of this review in writing once complete.
If an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
724. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to address matters raised (details supplied) regarding students from the North wishing to study in universities in the South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42688/23]
View answerI recently have written to the Irish Universities Association regarding the matters raised by the Deputy. As she will appreciate, decisions regarding acceptance are a matter for each institution.
For this reason, I welcome the establishment of an expert working group, under the auspices of Universities Ireland (chaired by Professor Pól Ó Dochairtaigh, Deputy President and Registrar, University of Galway) to examine the question of equivalencies for A levels. I have a keen interest in the outcomes of this working group, and officials from my Department are available to support the work of this group if required.
725. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to respond to correspondence mailed to his office (details supplied) on a policy matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42715/23]
View answerUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
Approved undergraduate courses for the Student Grant Scheme are prescribed in the Student Support Regulations 2023 and in the Student Support Act 2011. In general, students attending approved undergraduate courses in the UK can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme.
The Regulations prescribe that an approved undergraduate course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of two years to complete in an approved institution.
726. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the numbers by college/course location attendance that comprise the reported 21% dropout rate figure (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42769/23]
View answerThe Higher Education Authority publishes data annually on the proportion of students who do not progress from first year to second year of higher education. This data is published by Higher Education Institution (HEI) but is not available by location within a HEI.
In 2019/20 there was a sudden decrease in non-progression, with only 9% of new entrants not progressing to second year in 2020. However this was due to the exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the non-progression rate has since reverted to its pre-pandemic level of 12%.
The rate of progression for 2021/22 entrants to the 2022/23 year will be published in Q1 of 2024, and the Department will continue to monitor the situation closely.
727. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a timeline for when the engineering building in Waterford will be sanctioned (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42770/23]
View answer728. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with the Higher Education Authority and/or universities to give consideration to additional special degree and masters programmes for students pursuing qualifications in early years in order to provide full immersion as Gaeilge in early years' settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42786/23]
View answerThe Higher Education Authority Act (2022) requires that institutions seek to promote the Irish language. The Department distributes recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for disbursement directly to the HEA's designated higher education institutions. The HEA distributes this funding as a block grant to the institutions. As autonomous institutions, each Higher Education Institution (HEI) is responsible for its Irish language strategy, including the expansion and the teaching of university courses through the Irish language.
The Qualifications Advisory Board (QAB) was jointly instituted by the Minister for Education and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs on a non-statutory basis to review Initial Professional Education (Level 7 and Level 8) Degree Programmes for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) Sector for their adherence to the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines (PACG). These guidelines underpin the quality assurance of professional degree programmes and enable initial professional education course providers to design and deliver a course (including professional practice placement) that develops the necessary values, knowledge(s) and practices in their graduates to enable them to practice as core professionals in the sector.
The QAB has approved 64 programmes in 18 Higher Education Institutions across 30 campuses. Graduates of QAB-approved programmes are eligible for recognition by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) for the graduate premium, and Early Years Educators enrolled on these programmes continue to be eligible to receive funding from DCEDIY through current and future upskilling initiatives.
Any new degree programme developed for the ELC sector, including those that would support graduates in providing full immersion as Gaeilge in ELC settings, would need to be approved by the QAB in order to be in line for automatic recognition of funding of graduates and support for upskilling initiatives .
DCEDIY's Commitments in Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare 2022-2028 includes a commitment to raising qualification levels. This includes to support the development of initial professional education programmes or modules that are conducted through the medium of Irish (at levels 5-8). Over the course of this Workforce Plan, incremental movement towards regulation of the profession will continue. Steps to be taken over the coming years will involve further development of the process of assuring the quality of courses of initial professional education in ELC and SAC, through extension of the Professional Award-Type Descriptors for ELC and the Professional Award Criteria and Guidelines for higher education awards in ELC to incorporate SAC.As part of the implementation plan there will be a focus on:• Raising Qualification levels ELC: Supporting the development of initial professional education programmes or modules that are conducted through the medium of Irish for Early Years Educators working in naíonraí within and outside the Gaeltacht. • Supporting the development of initial professional education programmes or modules for SAC that are conducted through the medium of Irish. In addition, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sports and Media (DTCAGSM) are in discussion with Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge regarding the development of a degree in early years education. They are in the process of recruiting a person to deliver this. DTCAGSM, are exploring the possibilities of providing further support to early years educators in the Gaeltacht who undertake to improve their language ability through the TEG system.
729. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has a policy on the use of artificial intelligence; and if any Departmental functions are assisted by language model-based chatbots (details supplied). [42817/23]
View answerMy Department and its officials do not presently use ChatGPT or any other form of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to generate official text and no such software is installed on my official's devices.
My Department does not presently have a policy on the use of AI, however it will continue to monitor developments in relation to AI, in particular with regard to potential applications that may be identified by other Government Departments.
