Tuesday, 24 Oct 2023

Written Answers Nos. 630-647

Third Level Education

Questions (630)

Michael Lowry

Question:

630. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 797 of 30 May 2023, the status of the proposed new veterinary school at the University of Limerick; if he will provide an update on the negotiations between the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine and his Department concerning funding and the quantity of additional veterinary education places that will be available in UL; if these additional veterinary education places will be listed and available for students to apply for on the CAO system for the 2024-2025 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46184/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Ensuring a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agrifood sector is an important issue for my Department.

A number of institutions put forward proposals, following the recent HEA Expression of Interest process outlining options for the expansion of veterinary medicine provision.

As the Deputy is aware, there is a substantial capital cost associated with the provision of any new schools in veterinary. It is important that the scale of the costs is fully understood and planned for. The options identified have the potential to transform the numbers of students who can take up places in these key areas. This would be an expansion at a scale rarely seen across five high demand areas and is a significant investment of public funding in our HEIs.

Detailed discussions need to take place about the ways and means to address capital costs for the provision of any new school, including in the context of an expected upcoming review of Departmental National Development Plan allocations. 

Given the nature of the discussions and the significant costs associated with expansion and the provision of any new schools, it will naturally take some time for these discussions to reach a conclusion. 

As these discussions are ongoing between the Departments, it is not possible at this time to determine whether extra CAO places may be available in the 2024-2025 academic year.

I am continuing to work with the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the next steps.

Question No. 631 answered with Question No. 627.

Question No. 632 answered with Question No. 627.

Student Accommodation

Questions (633)

Brian Stanley

Question:

633. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what plans there are for developing on-campus student accommodations units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46220/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I am actively prioritising the supply and affordability of student accommodation, in recognition of the challenges our students are facing.  Through “Housing for All”, the Government has approved development of policy and funding to increase the supply of student accommodation.  

I have to date secured Government approval in principle of up to €61m in funding to unlock the development of up to 1,000 additional student accommodation beds in partnership with our University sector. These projects which are being progressed under my Department’s Short Term Activation Plan, are developments that had planning permission but had stalled as a result of increased construction and financing costs.

My Officials are examining similar proposals with planning permission with UCD and TCD.  Subject to approval, I will be seeking Government support in the coming weeks to progress these additional projects through the NDP review process.

Capital allocations for the years 2026-2028 will be considered in the context of the review of the NDP, expected to commence in November 2023. Capital allocations for this period will need to cover ongoing commitments to existing programmes and take into account priorities for future initiatives and capital requirements.

Government approved investment of €1m in 2023/2024 to assist our TUs to undertake a needs assessment for student accommodation in key regional areas. Department officials and the HEA have been extensively engaging with the sector to progress this study.  The HEA is currently finalising the first report of this study, which is a supply and demand analysis of student accommodation across each region.  This report will inform long term policy development for state supported student accommodation for the TU sector.

The output of this study will inform the development of the long term student accommodation policy which I plan to bring to Government before the end of the year. The policy is expected to provide for a range of measures to address student accommodation challenges, including purpose-built student accommodation along with other measures such as the promotion of digs accommodation and identification of suitable refurbishment projects. I intend to bring this long term policy response to Government by the end of the year.

There are an additional 938 beds in our Universities for the current academic year. 674 in UG, 255 in UCC and 9 in TCD. In addition, over 1,500 privately funded beds are due for completion this autumn.

Since 2016, 14,079 purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) beds have been built. Work is underway on site on an additional 7,023 bed spaces. Planning permission has been obtained for a further 11,008. A further 1,712 have applied for planning permission. The total level of PBSA stock is over 48,000 as of Q3 2023.

Further and Higher Education

Questions (634)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

634. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a certificate will be provided to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46243/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

SOLAS are the body that has statutory responsibility for the national apprenticeship system. This includes responsibility for those awards issued under its predecessor bodies, FÁS and ANCO.

My Department has no role in issuing or validating individual awards.

However, the Apprenticeship Services section of SOLAS receive a lot of these types of queries and will be happy to assist in providing proof of your constituent having served a recognised apprenticeship.

They can be contacted at [e-mail].

Third Level Costs

Questions (635)

Richard Bruton

Question:

635. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider extending the grants which are available on a means-tested basis towards the student contribution charged by Irish colleges, to cover Irish students studying in the EU or the UK who face similar charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46245/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Simon Harris)

Through the Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the State provides funding, exclusive of the student contribution, towards the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students who are pursuing approved full-time undergraduate courses of study in an approved higher education institution in the State.

Courses outside the State are not included under the FFI and the student contribution arrangements under the FFI do not apply. The tuition fee, or any contribution towards fees, payable by a student attending a higher education course of study outside the state is not under the remit of my Department and students pay the applicable tuition fee to the higher education institution attended.

As student contribution grants under the Student Grant Scheme exist exclusively to assist students in paying their student contribution, it is not possible to extend this type of grant to students who are not eligible for free fees and therefore do not pay the student contribution.

Departmental Funding

Questions (636)

Robert Troy

Question:

636. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to unlock the €1.5 billion international training fund; how this fund can be used to support the apprenticeship system. [46260/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

While there is a significant and growing surplus in the National Training Fund (NTF), plans to spend the NTF surplus must be considered within the context of budgetary policy and EU fiscal rules.  Any increase in NTF expenditure, all other things being equal and without a corresponding reduction on the Vote, requires an increase in my Department’s and overall Government expenditure ceilings.

In his Budget speech, Minister Donohoe noted the NTF surplus and committed to examining how the funding needs of further and higher education can be met.  I fully support the key role the NTF surplus can play in future proofing the skills needs of the labour market and ensuring that workers can upskill and reskill, accessing lifelong learning opportunities.  I have written to Minister Donohoe regarding the next steps to identify options, including legislative changes, for the future operation of the Fund.

The NTF is providing funding of some €258 million this year to support the apprenticeship system.  As part of Budget 2024, an additional €67 million investment will help to grow the apprenticeship system, and in particular will allow craft apprenticeship to move from providing 13,000 places in 2022 to over 16,000 places in 2024, and reduce the length of time an apprentice waits for training.

Third Level Education

Questions (637)

Robert Troy

Question:

637. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will carry out an audit on the quality of research equipment and infrastructure across all third-level institutions and commit to any potential upgrades that may be needed as identified by this audit. [46261/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The revised national development plan, NDP, provides for Exchequer investment of nearly €2.9 billion in further and higher education infrastructure, research and innovation over the five-year period from 2021 to 2025. Research infrastructure is a critical element of an enabling R&I environment. Impact 2030 commits to the development of a framework for future research and innovation capital investment to identify the main infrastructural requirements. The framework will include consideration of how best to leverage private sector and other external funding sources.

I might add that the SFI Research Infrastructure Programme supports the research community in building and sustaining infrastructural capacity to accomplish high-quality, high-impact and innovative research that demonstrably enhances and supports enterprise competitiveness and societal development. SFI holds periodic infrastructure calls. There were three calls over the period from 2015 to 2021. There was a total of 76 awardees over the period from 2015 to 2020, with a total awarded of €127 million and an average award value of €1.7 million. Funding of €53.3 million across 33 awards was made under the 2021 programme. The SFI Research Infrastructure Programme 2023 call was for Strategic Research Infrastructure proposals that focus on large-scale items in areas of national priority and other areas of strategic opportunity. Submissions are currently under review, and final approved awards will be announced before the end of the year.

Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs. My Department and the HEA will be working with universities and third level institutions to ensure they are equipped with the best possible tools. 

My Department will also be supporting new higher education projects approved to progress to the next stage under two programme calls announced in 2022 - the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF) & Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund (HESIF) II. Funding provided under the TSSPF will strengthen the technological sector by supporting additional capacity and delivering core infrastructure improvements including research and innovation activity.    

Education Policy

Questions (638)

Robert Troy

Question:

638. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how he plans to close the funding gap in higher education; and how he envisions that investment in higher education will keep pace with the OECD average investment. [46262/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Since the formation of my Department by this Government there has been a significant improvement in funding to the higher education sector.

The Funding the Future funding and reform framework, approved by Government in May 2022, settled the question on funding higher education. The Framework identified an amount of €307 million as representing the quantum of increase in core funding required to deliver enhanced performance, strategic reforms and strengthened quality of outcomes. The Framework set out the policy intention to prioritise this additional investment over a number of budgets alongside increased supports for students.

Budget 2024 provides a significant increase in funding for higher education with some €195 million in additional funding to be allocated to the sector in 2023 and 2024. This funding will lead to increased staffing levels and enhanced support services for students. It will also expand the capabilities of our higher education institutions to deliver on priority skills needs and the further development of tertiary programmes.

It includes €60 million under Funding the Future which builds on the €40 million delivered in last year’s Budget and is aligned with the intention that over a number of years, further additional core funding will be prioritised through the Estimates process, while taking account of the Government’s budgetary and fiscal stance. It brings the total additional core funding to the sector under Funding the Future to €100 million over two Budgets.?

I am committed to continuing the process of investing in our higher education system and to ensure it aligns comparably with EU and international funding levels.

Question No. 639 answered with Question No. 627.

Education Policy

Questions (640)

Bríd Smith

Question:

640. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the decision was made to stop Leaving Certificate programmes in VTOS centres throughout Ireland; the reason for the decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46296/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) is an educational opportunities scheme that aims to provide second chance education to people who have been unemployed for at least six months. Operated through local Education and Training Boards (ETBs), VTOS provides learners opportunities to improve their general level of education, gain certification, develop their skills and prepare for employment, self-employment and/or further education and training.  VTOS is offered in two forms: VTOS core (offered in a VTOS centre or Adult Education Centre) and dispersed VTOS (where participants may be in a group of VTOS students and students on other courses / programmes).

The content of VTOS programmes is a matter for the individual ETBs.   While some VTOS centres continue to offer Leaving Certificate programmes others have moved to delivering QQI Certification for transfer and progression opportunities.

The Further Education and Training Strategy Future FET:Transforming Learning proposes a new Level 5 and Level 6 provision that will have a core brand, focused on the discipline/the career and NFQ level, and be linked to regional skills needs and clear employment or progression outcomes.  This will support the wider agenda for integration and consolidation of provision across FET.

Education Schemes

Questions (641)

Robert Troy

Question:

641. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will identify the plans for centres of excellence; the locations of each centre, and the update of the roll-out of each centre at the timeframe for delivery. [46319/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

There is currently a network of five NZEB Centres of Excellence operational; Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim ETB, Cork ETB, Laois Offaly ETB, Waterford Wexford ETB and Limerick Clare ETB. The most recent NZEB Centre of Excellence in MSLETB is due to be officially opened shortly. A sixth centre in City of Dublin ETB is under development and City of Dublin ETB are already delivering NZEB Fundamental Awareness training. NZEB courses are also provided in Tipperary ETB with further provision due later this year and in 2024.

These centres are delivering training in areas such as NZEB Ventilation Systems, NZEB Retrofit, NZEB Plumbing, NZEB Carpentry amongst others ensuring that the construction industry has the correct skills to deliver on our climate targets. In line with Action BE/23/18 of the Climate Action Plan Annex of Actions 2023, these centres are committed to expanding training programmes based on climate necessity and work together to ensure curricula are kept-to-date and new programmes are developed where needed.

Under the National Recover & Resilience Plan 2021, these Centres committed to 4,550 places for learners by Q4 2023. This target was met in July 2023 and the total enrolment in NZEB courses to date is 6,002. In addition, an e-Mobility Centre is currently under development and I will be in Westmeath next month to announce details of that.

Budget 2024

Questions (642)

Dara Calleary

Question:

642. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students returning to third level education to complete a degree at the same level as one previously attained, but four years ago, are eligible for the reduction in student contribution as announced in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46336/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Budget 2024 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost of living. These cost of living measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students applies to those students who are eligible for the free fees initiative (FFI).

Under the FFI students are not typically supported for a repeat period of study or for a different course at the same level. The once off student contribution support of €1,000 therefore cannot apply to students undertaking a new undergraduate course of study if that period of study is not eligible for the free fees scheme in this academic year.

Third Level Education

Questions (643, 644)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

643. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department can provide a breakdown or request a breakdown of the number of DARE places available in each of the third-level participating universities; if there are plans to expand the number of places available through the DARE programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46347/23]

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Question:

644. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the qualifying criteria for the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE); if there is a list of disabilities considered under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46348/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Deputy Simon Harris)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 643 and 644 together.

The DARE scheme is a reduced points mechanisms for entry into higher education. The scheme is managed and operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who are autonomous bodies. Admissions under the scheme are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the schemes, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.

The IUA have advised that the DARE scheme is a programme aimed at increasing participation by students whose disabilities have severely impacted their educational experience. All public HEIs in the state participate in the scheme and reserve a minimum of 5% of their first year undergraduate places for reduced points offers for these students in acknowledgement of the barriers they have faced. There are many other students who are eligible for the DARE scheme who go on to achieve the required points in the Leaving Certificate. Every DARE eligible student can access a range of disability supports once they start college and throughout their third level experience.

It should be noted that even those students whose disability has not severely impacted their post-primary experience can still avail of these supports in college even if they are not eligible for DARE.

There are no further plans however, to increase the number of reduced points places at HEIs

Applications to the schemes are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions. As such, my Department has no role in determining the policy criteria or operation of the scheme.

A full list of Access office contact details for participating HEIs and a full list of the Disabilities considered under the scheme can be found at www.cao.ie.

Question No. 644 answered with Question No. 643.

Further and Higher Education

Questions (645)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

645. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of approved PLC places in Co Kildare in the years of 2022 and to-date in 2023 in tabular form. [46477/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My officials have engaged with SOLAS who have advised that the information requested is available at ETB level rather than county level. The table below sets out the number of approved PLC places for Kildare and Wicklow ETB  for the academic years 2022/23 and 2023/24:

Academic Year	2022/23	2023/24
Kildare and Wicklow ETB	1,292	1,292

The approved places is the maximum number of PLC places approved for funding. These approvals are allocated per academic year.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (646)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

646. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the delay in offering a college place for an apprentice electrician (details supplied); if any assistance can be offered in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46497/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Under the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.

My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply on this individual matter. If the individual does not receive a response from SOLAS within 30 days, please do come back to my office for further follow-up.

State Bodies

Questions (647)

Carol Nolan

Question:

647. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details of all agencies and bodies under the aegis of his Department; if a dedicated Oireachtas email address is available for each; if not, if he will direct that such a dedicated email address be established to facilitate more efficient communication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46545/23]

Written answers

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The list of public bodies under the aegis of my Department are as follows: 

• The Higher Education Authority

• Irish Research Council

• Grangegorman Development Agency

• SOLAS

• Skillnet Ireland

• Quality and Qualifications Ireland

• Léargas - The Exchange Bureau

• Science Foundation Ireland

The Oireachtas contact details for each of the aegis bodies are provided in the document attached.

		Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
Name of Body	Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas	Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members
Higher Education Authority	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Irish Research Council( Note 1)	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Grangegorman Development Agency	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
SOLAS	[e-mail]	Maria Walsh [e-mail]
Skillnets Ltd	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Quality and Qualifications Ireland	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Science Foundation Ireland	[e-mail]	Ciara Cotter

Note 1 – In regard to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) as the IRC operates under the auspices of the HEA. Mr Mellett will address Oireachtas queries for both the HEA and IRC. Please use [e-mail] and [e-mail] respectively to contact Mr Mellett.