Written Answers Nos. 237-239
237. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1085 of 20 September 2023, the current number of apprentices waiting for off-the-job training at levels 2, 4 and 6; the numbers waiting for such training in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43004/23]
View answerThe information requested by Deputy Farrell is presented in the tables below.
At the end of September this year, 5,345 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.
Waiting list for off-the-job training
|
31 Aug 2022 |
31 Aug 2023 |
30 Sep 2023 |
|
|
Waiting longer than 6mths |
5,252 |
5,257 |
5,345 |
|
Ph2 >6mths |
5,159 |
5,212 |
5,194 |
|
Ph4 & 6 >6mths |
93 |
45 |
151 |
Craft registrations, populations and training capacity
|
Registrations |
Population |
Training capacity |
|
|
2019 |
5,271 |
16,142 |
10,002 |
|
2020 |
4,377 |
17,183 |
7,078 |
|
2021 |
6,955 |
20,956 |
7,368 |
|
2022 |
6,299 |
22,429 |
13,336 |
|
2023 (YTD) |
4,530 |
21,877 |
14,800 (estimated) |
238. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will have issues of concern to a number of organisations given detailed consideration (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42936/23]
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 that ensure rural and urban communities continue to thrive. This includes community and voluntary organisations that provide vital services to our communities.
In 2019, my Department launched Sustainable, Inclusive and Empowered Communities, the Strategy to support the community and voluntary sector in Ireland. The Strategy seeks to create a vibrant and active civil society, developing opportunities for all communities to contribute, engage and participate in decision-making and policy implementation. Implementation of the measures contained in the Strategy is ongoing, working collaboratively with the community and voluntary sector through the Cross Sector Group on Local and Community Development.
Notwithstanding the above, it is important to note that the specific organisations within the wider community and voluntary sector generally have funding relationships with the Departments responsible for the sectors in which they operate. Budgetary considerations for each area are a matter for the relevant Ministers.
For 2023 my Department has allocated a total of €19.8 million in funding for specific supports for the Community and Voluntary Sector. This includes €6.7 million for the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO), €6.6 million for volunteering supports, €2.85 million for Public Participation Networks (PPNs), €2.3 million for the Seniors Alert Scheme (supplemented by an additional €3 million from the Dormant Accounts Fund), €0.56 million for the Community and Voluntary Pillar, and €0.3 million for supports for philanthropy. This funding of €19.8 million in 2023 amounts to an additional €1.5 million in comparison to 2022 funding allocations, including an additional €1 million for volunteering supports and an additional €0.4 million for PPNs.
In addition to the above, and allocation of €52.39 million is currently provided for the Community Services Programme (CSP), which funds 420 organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. A redesigned programme was launched earlier this year and five-year multi-annual funding contracts have now issued to CSP organisations under which almost all organisations currently supported have received additional funding. Other community development supports include the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme and supports for Local Community Development Committees.
My Department recognises the important work of charities, and community and voluntary groups, in supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our communities. The Government is aware of the challenges facing these sectors, and is committed to working with the sectors to manage these challenges and to support emerging needs within our communities. However, as noted, specific budgetary decisions are a matter for each relevant Minister, in the context of their policy areas.
239. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a list of general schemes referred by her Department to an Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny from 1 January 2016 to date; the date each was referred; the date that the general scheme was published for the public to review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42956/23]
View answerTo date, there has only been one General Scheme referred by my Department for pre-legislative scrutiny. The General Scheme of the Charities (Amendment) Bill was published on 29 April 2022. This General Scheme was subsequently submitted to the Joint Committee on Social Protection, Community and Rural Development and the Islands for Pre-Legislative scrutiny on 12 May 2022.
This Bill is to provide for a number of amendments to the Charities Act 2009. The aim of the proposed amendments is to improve the ability of the Charities Regulator to conduct its statutory functions, providing greater transparency, clarity and fairness in terms of the regulation of charities, leading to greater public trust and confidence in the sector. It is important that we strike the right balance between necessary regulation and proportionate governance, ensuring that a reasonable and fair approach is at its core.
Further to the publication of the Joint Committee’s Report on the Pre-Legislative scrutiny of the General Scheme in November 2022, my officials are currently working with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to finalise the draft Heads of Bill, which will then be presented to Government for approval.
I look forward to working with members of both Houses of the Oireachtas to enable the passage and enactment of this Bill as expeditiously as possible.
