Written Answers Nos. 1393-1413
1393. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagements his Department, or any agency or body under his direction, has had with the government of Israel, any state body of the government of Israel, or any engagement within or with Israel, in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47808/23]
View answerA Ministerial level Conference on Science and Innovation, transmitted by the Embassy of Israel to Ireland on behalf of the State of Israel’s Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, was due to take place in Israel in October 2023. A subsequent letter was received indicating that the conference had been postponed.
The invitation was acknowledged by my office with no further correspondence on the matter.
The Higher Education Authority and Leargas, are the National Agencies of the Erasmus Plus programme on behalf of Ireland. Under Erasmus+ programme, funding was awarded to the below for partnerships with Israel:
|
Action Name and year |
Israel |
|
2023 KA171 |
Trinity College Dublin University College Dublin |
|
2022 KA171 |
Trinity College Dublin |
|
2020 KA107 |
Trinity College Dublin Dublin City University National College of Art and Design National University of Ireland – Galway St. Nicholas Montessori Society of Ireland |
|
Project ref. no |
Project status |
Activity type |
Name of Irish beneficiary |
Country |
Partner organisation |
Type of mobility |
|
2021-1-IE01-KA153-YOU-000019903 |
Ongoing |
Mobility of youth workers |
Cloughjordan Community Farm |
Israel |
A New Dawn in the Negev |
Incoming mobility to Ireland from Israel |
|
2023-3-IE01-KA153-YOU-000182008 |
Eligible – awaiting evaluation (not yet funded) |
Mobility of youth workers |
Crooked House Theatre Company |
Israel |
The Jerusalem Ashtar theatre |
Incoming mobility to Ireland from both Israel and Palestine |
|
2023-3-IE01-KA152-YOU-000179019 |
Eligible – awaiting evaluation (not yet funded) |
Mobility of young people |
Crooked House Theatre Company |
Israel |
The Jerusalem Ashtar theatre |
Incoming mobility to Finland from Ireland and Israel (among others) |
|
2023-3-IE01-KA153-YOU-000178736 |
Eligible – awaiting evaluation (not yet funded) |
Mobility of youth workers |
Crooked House Theatre Company |
Israel |
The Jerusalem Ashtar theatre |
Incoming mobility to Turkey from Ireland and Israel (among others) |
From Science Foundation Ireland’s 2022 research outputs, there are 38 collaborations between SFI-funded researchers and researchers within Israel.
Of note:
• One third of the engagements are with the Weizmann Institute of Science & Tel Aviv University.
• University of Galway accounts for one third of collaborations and UCC, 20%.
• APC Microbiome Ireland SFI Research Centre and Curam - SFI Research Centre for Medical Devices, have 4 and 3 collaborations respectively.
• The main areas covered are biomedicine, immunity & infection, and microbiology.
• There are about 15 non-academic links with companies, including Agilent Technologies Israel & IBM Israel.
1394. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagements his Department, or any agency or body under his direction, has had with the Palestinian Authority, any organ of the Palestinian Authority, or any engagement within, or with organisations in, the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in the years 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47826/23]
View answerAt the request of the Irish Representative Office in Ramallah, an official of my Department met with an education delegation from the Palestinian Authority, who were attending a conference in Dublin Castle on 2 December 2022. The purpose of the meeting was to explain the structure of the Irish Tertiary system, and to invite any comments/ discussions.
The Higher Education Authority and Leargas are the National Agencies of the Erasmus Plus programme on behalf of Ireland. Under the Erasmus+ programme, funding was awarded to the below for partnerships with Palestine.
|
Action Name and year |
Funding Recipient |
|
2023 KA171 |
University of Limerick University College Dublin |
|
2022 KA171 |
University of Limerick |
|
2020 KA107 |
Dublin City University University of Limerick |
|
Project ref. no |
Project status |
Activity type |
Name of Irish beneficiary |
Country |
Partner organisation |
Type of mobility |
|
2022-2-IE01-KA153-YOU-000090550 |
Ongoing |
Mobility of youth workers |
Crooked House Theatre Company |
Palestine |
The Jerusalem Ashtar theatre |
Incoming mobility to Ireland fromPalestine |
|
2023-1-IE01-KA153-YOU-000137733 |
Ongoing |
Mobility of youth workers |
Crooked House Theatre Company |
Israel |
The Jerusalem Ashtar theatre |
Incoming mobility to Turkey from Ireland and Palestine (among others) |
|
2023-3-IE01-KA153-YOU-000182008 |
Eligible – awaiting evaluation (not yet funded) |
Mobility of youth workers |
Crooked House Theatre Company |
Israel |
The Jerusalem Ashtar theatre |
Incoming mobility to Ireland from both Israel and Palestine |
1395. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures his Department is implementing to address the issues raised by the motion passed by Seanad Éireann (details supplied) relating to precarious work in higher education; if any of the policy solutions recommended by Seanad Éireann have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47848/23]
View answerThe issue of academic career precarity is and will remain an important element of the work of my Department. As such, many of the proposals identified in the motion passed by Seanad Éireann are being progressed.
As announced in the recent Budget, an additional €193 million in funding is being provided over 2023 and 2024 to the Higher Education sector. This includes some €60m under the Funding the Future policy framework to build capacity and to ensure the sector is funded on a sustainable basis. Among other things, this will allow more staff to be recruited and provide additional scope to help address the issue of precarious work.
In addition, my officials have already undertaken a considerable amount of work to develop a revised staffing framework to replace the current Employment Control Framework (ECF). Work is continuing on this new approach which will better align with the realities that the higher education sector now faces. Furthermore, an uplift of some 1,500 core-funded posts under the current ECF was announced in the summer which will facilitate Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in recruiting more permanent staff.
An independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers was commissioned in 2022, with the first report of the Co-Chairs published in May 2023. This focused particularly on stipend levels and recommended an increase towards an optimum level of €25,000, subject to funding availability. Under Budget 2024, funding was secured to increase the stipend offered by the research funding agencies under my Department’s remit (Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council) to €22,000, building on the increase secured under Budget 2023, and demonstrating clear and consistent progress on this issue. The Co-Chairs have now submitted their final independent review report which will be published shortly.
My officials will also continue to engage with stakeholders, including trade unions and HEIs, with the aim of ensuring that there is optimal security and stability for staff while, at the same time, recognising the autonomy of universities and other institutions and the legitimate need for an appropriate staffing mix that supports a high-performing sector.
1396. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total allocation of capital grants made available, per ETB, in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [47885/23]
View answerAs requested by the Deputy, I am pleased to attach a table outlining the FET Capital Grants paid to the Education and Training Board sector for 2021, 2022 and to end of October in 2023.
|
Capital Available in 2021 |
Capital Available in 2022 |
Capital Available from January to October 2023 |
|
|
CORK ETB |
€ 1.2m |
€ 2.7m |
€ 1.6m |
|
CITY OF DUBLIN ETB |
€ 0.98m |
€ 1.3m |
€ 2.6m |
|
GALWAY AND ROSCOMMON ETB |
€ 5.9m |
€ 0.73m |
€ 6.7m |
|
LIMERICK AND CLARE ETB |
€ 1.5m |
€ 1.8m |
€ 3.7m |
|
CAVAN AND MONAGHAN ETB |
€ 0.56m |
€ 5.6m |
€ 2.0m |
|
DONEGAL ETB |
€ 0.73m |
€ 0.76m |
€ 1.6m |
|
DUBLIN AND DUN LAOGHAIRE ETB |
€ 0.83m |
€ 2.76m |
€ 3.0m |
|
KERRY ETB |
€ 1.4m |
€ 1.1m |
€ 3.1m |
|
KILDARE AND WICKLOW ETB |
€ 0.51m |
€ 0.86m |
€ 0.84m |
|
KILKENNY AND CARLOW ETB |
€ 0.44m |
€ 0.44m |
€ 2.0m |
|
LAOIS AND OFFALY ETB |
€ 0.65m |
€ 0.44m |
€ 1.2m |
|
LONGFORD AND WESTMEATH ETB |
€ 0.55m |
€ 0.73m |
€ 0.82m |
|
LOUTH AND MEATH ETB |
€ 3.3m |
€ 20.5m |
€ 2.9m |
|
MAYO SLIGO AND LEITRIM ETB |
€ 0.91m |
€ 2.3m |
€ 0.96m |
|
TIPPERARY ETB |
€ 0.44m |
€ 1.2m |
€ 0.65m |
|
WATERFORD AND WEXFORD ETB |
€ 1.1m |
€ 0.78m |
€ 2.0m |
|
*VARIOUS ETBs (Apprentice Equipment) |
€ 3.1m |
||
|
Totals: |
€ 21m |
€ 44m |
€ 38.8m |
|
* Funding of €3.1m available for Apprenticeship Equipment currently being disbursed by SOLAS to ETBs |
|
* A balance held in SOLAS of circa €0.6 million has also been disbursed to the ETBs in 2023 for Capital spending |
1397. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the proposed centre of excellence for electric vehicle management in Mullingar. [47887/23]
View answerThe Climate Action Plan 2023 includes the expansion of Ireland’s electric vehicle fleet as a key objective and set an ambitious target of 30% of our private car fleet having made the switch to electric vehicles by 2030. This expansion will see a significant increase in new skills requirements. The Expert Group for Future Skills Needs report Skills for Zero Carbon estimates that the electrification of our private car fleet will create increased demand for EV technicians in particular as we approach the achievement of the 2030 objective.
We are acting quickly to address these requirements. Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board (LWETB) have committed to the establishment of an eMobility Capability Centre in Mullingar. LWETB has a long history of delivering quality education provision and apprenticeship programmes in the midlands region, with a particular focus on skilled craft training in motor mechanics. As such, they are a key partner in leading on the requirement for EV technicians.
A proposal for the development of an eMobility Capability Centre in Mullingar has been submitted to SOLAS by LWETB. The proposal includes a staged approach, beginning with the establishment of an eMobility project office within LWETB to drive the development of the capability centre itself. SOLAS have recently submitted recommendations based on this business case to my department. These recommendations are now under consideration by my Department.
On that basis, I expect to make an announcement regarding the Centre and its future development in Mullingar in the coming weeks which will be an important milestone on our climate action journey.
1399. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what financial supports can be made available to graduate entry medical students who are struggling with high course fees and a lack of loan provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47905/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, graduate entry medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four year programme.
Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression criteria of the Scheme.
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of academic affairs. They retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures. The total level of fees to be charged in the case of GEM fees are therefore solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.
As the Deputy may know, the cost of GEM is something my Department has been examining over a number of years and we have taken a number of steps to respond to the cost of GEM. It is important to note that unlike other second undergraduate degree programmes, the State does provide a subsidy to HEIs towards the cost of provision for EU graduate entry student places.
The State subsidy to Higher Education Institutions towards the cost of provision for EU graduate entry medicine places has increased. Budget 2023 and Budget 2024 saw a significant increase in the amount the State pays for medicine places, including graduate entry. In the academic year 2022/23 the State contribution was €12,100 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student. By 2026, all graduate entry places will be funded by the state to the value of €14,500.
In addition, we have introduced a new system where bursaries that are provided to the most socio-economically disadvantaged students under the National Access Plan can be retained throughout their GEM programme.
In terms of other financial assistance available, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie .
The Rent Tax Credit is also increasing to €750 per individual and €1,500 per jointly assessed couple for 2024 and 2025. Payments made by parents in respect of “digs” or rent-a-room arrangements for their children to attend an approved course will now qualify for the Rent Tax Credit, provided the claimant and their child are not related to the landlord. This change will apply retrospectively for the years 2022 and 2023.
I want to reassure the Deputy that it is my priority to continue to try and make improvements for all students, including GEM students.
1400. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the Leaving Certificate (Established) is being taken from the College of Further Education and Training, O'Connell Avenue, Limerick, which has provided same since 2000; if he agrees that this decision is all the more shocking, because of the fact that in July 2023, Tusla reported a dramatic rise in early school leavers over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47908/23]
View answerThe Youthreach programme aims to provide early school leavers with the knowledge, skills and confidence required to participate fully in society and progress to further education, training and employment. The content of Youthreach programmes is a matter for the individual ETBs.
I understand that the latest Retention Report published by the Department of Education, based on post-primary first year entrants in 2016 recorded a slight decrease overall in retention rates from the previous year, driven by decreased participation by males in both DEIS schools, and community and comprehensive schools.
The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 noted that while there was a notable decline in early school leaving in Ireland, the early leaver group had become more marginalised and presenting with greater levels of need. The ESRI found that the emphasis on personal and social skills was seen to be key to the work of Youthreach staff and these elements operate alongside learners gaining qualifications. The kinds of qualifications offered varied significantly across centres, with a small minority offering the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate Established programmes, and the majority providing QQI Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications. Learner need was identified as the primary basis for deciding on course provision, with many centres revising course offerings as the profile of learners changed.
Limerick and Clare ETB has advised my officials that the decision to discontinue delivery of the Leaving Certificate (Established) in the College of FET, O’Connell Avenue Limerick was taken as part of a wider curriculum review, which concluded that LCETB would focus Youthreach provision delivery on QQI awards and the Leaving Certificate Applied. This approach has been previously endorsed by the Inspectorate in various inspections of Youthreach provision and aligns with the practice generally across Youthreach centres nationwide.
1401. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the University of Limerick's application to become the location for Ireland's second veterinary school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47909/23]
View answerEnsuring a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agri-food and healthcare sector is an important issue for my Department.
As you will be aware, a number of institutions put forward proposals following the recent HEA Expression of Interest process outlining options for the development of new programmes, as well as expansion of existing veterinary medicine programmes.
There is a substantial capital cost associated with the provision of any new school of veterinary medicine. It is important that the scale of the costs is fully understood and planned for and 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 and would represent a significant investment of public funding in our HEIs.
Detailed discussions continue 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. and it is not possible at this time to determine where any new school will be located.
I am continuing to work with the Ministers for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Health and the Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the next steps.
1402. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to his announcement (details supplied) on the new funding that is to be provided by the EIB and HFA for student accommodation, if he will outline the conditionality, if any, that will be applied to Universities accessing this funding in terms of their obligations to set an affordable rates of rent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47923/23]
View answer1403. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to his announcement (details supplied) on the new funding that is to be provided by the EIB and HFA for student accommodation, if he will outline whether this model of delivery will differ from the existing model, or whether it is a continuation albeit with additional funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47924/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1402 and 1403 together.
I welcome the recent announcement from the European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) providing a new and increased financing investment of €434m student accommodation to support higher education institutions in the development of affordable student housing. The new scheme, backed by a forty-year €200m EIB loan, is expected to support the delivery of an estimated 2,700 new student beds across Ireland.
This initiative provides a framework loan facility to the Irish Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to provide finance directly to Irish public higher education providers to develop student accommodation.
This deal will further the Government’s priorities, as this new funding will form 25% of the Housing for All commitment made by the HFA. The funding is ring fenced for 5 years and is now open for applications.
The initiative is separate to the Government announcement where a total of up to €61 million has been approved in principle to unlock the development of over 1,000 beds across our universities. These were developments with planning permission that had stalled due to rising construction costs, and are now being progressed under my Department’s Short Term Activation Plan.
The Short-Term Activation Programme is a crisis response to the difficulties being faced by students in securing affordable student accommodation and the challenges being faced by the Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) trying to build student accommodation. This programme is the immediate response in advance of completing the new long term policy.
The priority is to activate the supply of new accommodation where planning permission already exists but developments have not proceeded due to increasing construction costs. The objective is to activate supply in a way that will enable targeted groups to access accommodation at more affordable rates.
Under this programme, the HEIs submit a project proposal that meets the programme criteria. If the project is approved, an agreed percentage of the total cost will be provided in grant funding to activate the PBSA project, subject to due diligence assessment, and compliance with the Public Spending Code and public procurement regulations.
In return, the HEI will ring fence a percentage of beds to be made available to target group students at below market rent over a specified number of years. The projects currently approved in principle will ring fence 30% of the new beds to be provided to the target group at a discount from market rent for an agreed number of years.
The balance of the finance required for any student accommodation project being progressed by a University is a matter for the individual University as an autonomous body and will not be administered or facilitated by the Department. I welcome the financing agreement between the EIB and HFA which will assist the HEIs to finance future student accommodation projects.
The long term policy approach which I intend to bring to Government in Q4, 2023 will include progression of standardised design specification templates and costing models to be developed in consultation with the DHLGH.
The objective of the PBSA Standardised Design & Specification Project is to examine international best practice and flexibility of design to inform appropriate standards in the delivery of affordable accommodation.
1404. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to his announcement (details supplied) on the new funding that is to be provided by the EIB and HFA for student accommodation, it is stated that he recently "received approval to extend this lending to Technological Universities", so if he can confirm that the TU's borrowing will now deemed to be off balance sheet, and can he outline when they will be permitted to undertake their own borrowing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47925/23]
View answerThe European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) have agreed a new €434m student accommodation financing initiative to support higher education institutions in the development of affordable student housing. The new scheme, backed by a forty-year €200m EIB loan, is expected to support the delivery of an estimated 2,700 new student beds across Ireland.
The initiative provides a framework loan facility to the Irish Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to provide finance directly to Irish public higher education providers to develop student accommodation.This deal will further the Government’s priorities, as this new funding will form 25% of the Housing for All commitment made by the HFA. The funding is ring fenced for 5 years and is now open for applications.
The investment is separate to the Government announcement where a total of up to €61 million has been approved in principle to unlock the development of over 1,000 beds across our universities. These were developments with planning permission that had stalled due to rising construction costs, and are now being activated under short term response measures.
As you are aware, Government approved investment of €1 million in 2023/2024 to assist our Technological Universities (TUs) to undertake a needs assessment for student accommodation in key regional areas. Department officials and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) have been extensively engaging with the sector to progress this study.I can confirm that 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 remaining work programmes of this study will commence imminently to design a framework for student accommodation for the TU sector including an assessment of specific proposals.The Housing Finance Agency Act 1981, as amended, facilitates lending by the HFA to institutions of higher education, including TUs. My Department and I are working with relevant Government Departments and Agencies to explore the development of a specific borrowing framework for the TU sector, as part of an assessment of a range of mechanisms for the delivery of student accommodation for the TU sector. The options arising from the TU feasibility study will inform this ongoing engagement.
1405. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to his announcement (details supplied) on the new funding that is to be provided by the EIB and HFA for student accommodation, considering that the Department of Housing carried over the full 10% of last year's capital budget, if he foresee any difficulties in terms of the capacity to spend this additional funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47926/23]
View answerThe European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) have agreed a new €434m student accommodation financing initiative to support higher education institutions in the development of affordable student housing. The new scheme, backed by a forty-year €200m EIB loan, is expected to support the delivery of an estimated 2,700 new student beds across Ireland.
The initiative provides a framework loan facility to the Irish Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to provide finance directly to Irish public higher education providers to develop student accommodation.
This deal will further the Government’s priorities, as this new funding will form 25% of the Housing for All commitment made by the HFA. The funding is ring fenced for 5 years and is now open for applications.
The initiative is separate to the Government announcement where a total of up to €61 million has been approved in principle to unlock the development of over 1,000 beds across our universities. These were developments with planning permission that had stalled due to rising construction costs, and are now being progressed under my Department’s Short Term Activation Plan.
The Short-Term Activation Programme is a crisis response to the difficulties being faced by students in securing affordable student accommodation and the challenges being faced by the Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) trying to build student accommodation. This programme is the immediate response in advance of completing the new long term policy.
The priority is to activate the supply of new accommodation where planning permission already exists but developments have not proceeded due to increasing construction costs. The objective is to activate supply in a way that will enable targeted groups to access accommodation at affordable rates.
Under this programme, the HEIs submit a project proposal that meets the programme criteria. If the project is approved, an agreed percentage of the total cost will be provided in grant funding to activate the PBSA project, subject to due diligence assessment, and compliance with the Public Spending Code and public procurement regulations.
The balance of the finance required for the project is a matter for the individual University as an autonomous body and will not be administered or facilitated by the Department. I welcome the financing agreement between the EIB and HFA which will assist the HEIs to finance future student accommodation projects.
1407. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the necessary funding to Galway Roscommon Educational Training Board for the purchase of a site in Roscommon for the provision of an apprenticeship programme centre in Roscommon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48004/23]
View answerThe Department is aware that Galway Roscommon ETB (GRETB) have submitted a Business Case to SOLAS in respect of the purchase of a property in Roscommon for the purpose of provision of new apprenticeship capacity plus potentially consolidating existing FET provision from Lisnamult, Roscommon.
The business case is currently being appraised by SOLAS against a number of requirements including the National Apprenticeship Requirements, Climate Action-focused Estates Planning and the public spending code and SOLAS are working with GRETB on this.
This business case, once completed, will be submitted to my department with a recommendation from SOLAS and following a review of the business case by my department a decision will be made on funding for this project, taking into account overall budget commitments and priorities.
1408. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department engages a company (details supplied); if so, the duration and nature of the work; the cost of same to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48013/23]
View answerMy Department does not have any contracts in place with the company in question and has had no such contracts with this firm in previous years.
1409. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1052 of 20 September 2023, how many instructors deliver phase 6 training and in how many ETB centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48083/23]
View answer1422. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of instructors in each training centre delivering phase 4 pipefitting training. [48288/23]
View answer1423. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of instructors in each training centre delivering phase 6 pipefitting training. [48289/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1409, 1422 and 1423 together.
The information requested by the Deputy is presently being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1410. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1052 of 20 September 2023, how many pipefitting apprentices are in the group or the class size of the group for phase 4 and phase 6 of the training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48084/23]
View answerIn the Pipefitting Apprenticeship programme the current class capacity for Phase 4 training is 14 persons and for Phase 6 training it is 16 persons.
1411. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if consideration will be given to this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48122/23]
View answerMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the health and welfare of the population through the provision of graduates with the key skills to be effective in the health workforce, and to support a range of teams in our health services
The part time scheme announced by the Minister is a pilot scheme which is aimed at eligible undergraduates in the first instance. It will need to be monitored and evaluated before any further expansion to include Postgraduate students could be considered.
The Deputy may be aware that funding for postgraduate students is a priority of mine and I have made significant improvements in the past number of years, and most recently in Budget 2024, when I announced a range of measures.
Postgraduate students will see an immediate €1,000 increase in the Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant from €4,000 to €5,000 as part of the Budget cost of living measures. Also, there will be full restoration of student maintenance grants for postgraduates from September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash, which is being introduced on a pro-rata basis effective from January 2024.
1413. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 594 of 10 October 2023, if he will now address the parts of the question not answered which relate to the proof submitted by the applicant from SW confirming that the father's details which could not have been submitted within the timeframe as the applicant had to wait for a response from SW; and if he will conduct a full review of the application, with a view to approving the grant. [48190/23]
View answerI have been advised by my officials that the student referred to by the Deputy in Question No. 594 of 10th October 2023 was awarded a Postgraduate Fee Contribution of €4,000 on the 6th June 2023 by the awarding authority.
The Student Grant Scheme makes provision for combining periods of Pandemic Unemployment Payment, Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit and other eligible payments for the purposes of meeting the 391 days eligibility requirement for the special rate of grant. Schedule 2 of the scheme states that “The Department of Social Protection Illness Benefit or COVID-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit or COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment or Maternity Benefit can also be used to combine periods of Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit provided a period of Jobseeker's Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit comes directly before and directly after the period of Illness Benefit or COVID-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit or COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment”.
The applicant’s income was under the Special Rate threshold of €25,000. However, whilst the applicant’s father was in receipt of an eligible Special Rate payment on 31st December 2022 (Jobseeker’s Allowance) they did not meet the required 391 number of days under the terms of the scheme, having held the payment for 363 days. The period in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) could not be considered as there was no period in receipt of Jobseeker’s directly before the PUP. The Student Grant Appeals Board heard an appeal from this student on the 8th August 2023 and upheld the decision of the SUSI Appeals Officer. The student has now exhausted the appeals process.
However, a very important feature of the scheme is the change of circumstances provision. Article 32 of the Student Grant Scheme 2023 provides for a review of eligibility for the award of a grant in the event of a change of circumstances in the academic year.
Where a student experiences a change of circumstances during the course of their studies, he/she may apply to SUSI to have his/her application re-assessed at helpdesk@SUSI.ie quoting Internal Review in the Subject line. Should the student referred to by the Deputy have new information relevant to their application, they can apply to SUSI for a review of their application under this provision.
