Tuesday, 12 Dec 2023

Third Level Education

Questions (870)

Thomas Gould

Question:

870. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the college campus on the north side of Cork city. [54812/23]

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Written answers

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

I have not been made aware of any plans to develop a new campus on the north side of Cork city. However, my Department is willing to work collaboratively with all higher education institutions and Education and Training Boards on the development of capital projects in line with their established masterplans.

My Department is currently supporting a number of key ongoing major capital projects in Cork city, including a new Learning Resource Centre on the MTU Cork Campus, which is part of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme, and a major upgrade project to the 1970s Building on the MTU Cork Campus Bishopstown. UCC has been approve for funding of €50 million under the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund, €25m to co-fund a custom-built Business School in Cork city centre and €25m to co-fund the Kane Science Building Redevelopment project. Under the TSSPF programme call, I was delighted to announce on the 4th December that MTU's application in respect of a proposed upgrade, repurposing and extension to facilities at the Bishopstown Campus has been successful in the second stage of the assessment process and will now move to the next stage, ‘approval in principle’ with permission to appoint a design team. This proposal will provide core teaching facilities in the areas of Business, Humanities, Engineering, Science, Health and Wellbeing, Tourism.

In addition to the above funding programmes, I also announced in 2022 a programme call for the Further Education and Training Sector - College of the Future Major Projects Fund. This programme call will support the implementation of the vision set out in the Further Education Strategy. Cork ETB's application for its Bishopstown campus for the development of a FET College of the future to act as a focal point for all FET services in Cork incorporating a new Digital FET Centre has been successful in the first stage of the assessment process and has moved to the next stage of proposal development. This stage entails the development of a Preliminary Business Case (PBC), The deadline for submission of completed PBC’s for all relevant ETBs including Cork ETB will take place in Q1 2024. To date, as a short term measure the Government has approved in principle a total of up to €61m in funding to unlock the development of circa 1,000 purpose-built student accommodation beds across a number of higher education institutions. The Department is also engaged closely with UCC, to identify and assess potential projects in Cork. In addition, investment was announced to support the TUs, including MTU, in conducting an activation feasibility assessment to ascertain student accommodation needs in campus locations.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (871)

Thomas Gould

Question:

871. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices, by phase, in Cork, in tabular form. [54813/23]

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Written answers

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

I am pleased to provide the Deputy with the requested table outlining the number of craft apprentices by phase in the Cork region, as of the end of November 2023, is attached. The table also breaks down the numbers by craft programme.

As you will see in the table, as of 30 November 2023, the Cork region has a total craft apprentice population of 2,744. This consists of 1,108 apprentices at Phase 1, 277 at Phase 2, 509 at Phase 3, 234 at Phase 4, 382 at Phase 5, 151 at Phase 6 and 83 at Phase 7.

Cork Region Craft Trades by Phase at End of November 2023 (Live Apprentice Population)
Trade	Phase 1	Phase 2	Phase 3	Phase 4	Phase 5	Phase 6	Phase 7	Total
Construction	255	76	138	63	105	40	43	720
Brick and Stonelaying	10	5	10	4	9	3	10	51
Cabinet Making								0
Carpentry and Joinery	126	36	60	31	42	12	15	322
Painting and Decorating	2	3	3		1	1	1	11
Plastering	4	3	10		8	3	2	30
Plumbing	87	28	48	24	42	20	14	263
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry	1							1
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing	25	1	7	4	3	1	1	42
Electrical	512	132	198	106	149	63	21	1181
Aircraft Mechanics					1			1
Electrical	395	99	133	61	108	42	16	854
Electrical Instrumentation	71	21	37	35	24	15	2	205
Electronic Security Systems	9	3	2	1	1		1	17
Instrumentation	10		14		7	4		35
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning	27	9	12	9	8	2	2	69
Engineering	202	38	108	33	82	26	10	499
Farriery								0
Industrial Insulation	5	3	9	4	6			27
M.A.M.F.	62	5	30	11	27	5	3	143
Metal Fabrication	67	19	33	9	25	8	6	167
Pipefitting	65	7	22	3	11	10		118
Sheet Metalworking		1	7	2	6		1	17
Toolmaking	3	3	7	4	7	3		27
Motor	139	31	65	32	46	22	9	344
Agricultural Mechanics	11	7	10	4	8	4		44
Construction Plant Fitting	7	1	5	1	2	1		17
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics	40	4	10	4	15	1	1	75
Motor Mechanics	79	15	36	21	15	15	8	189
Vehicle Body Repairs	2	4	4	2	6	1		19
Printing & Paper	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Print Media								0
Grand Total	1108	277	509	234	382	151	83	2744

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (872)

Thomas Gould

Question:

872. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average time it took, from phase 1 to completion, to complete each apprenticeship, by trade, in Cork, to date in 2023, in tabular form. [54814/23]

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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 where the information requested is presently being compiled. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (873)

Thomas Gould

Question:

873. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he provided funding to schools to engage in an apprenticeship transitional programme as provided by a school (details supplied) in Cork city. [54840/23]

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Written answers

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

During 2023, as part of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) began engagement with partners at second level and in further and higher education to explore the development of a Transition Unit (TU) on national apprenticeship options for delivery in Transition Year and with similar age cohorts in other second level settings (Youthreach and Community Training Centres). The NAO has not engaged, as of yet, with the school referred to by the Deputy. However, it is envisaged that the TU will ultimately be available to all second level schools and further education providers.

The response from partners has been positive and the 2024 workplan for the NAO will include the development of a TU with the aim of implementation from September 2024. Furthermore, the NAO has confirmed that it can work with the school referred to as part of this.

Third Level Costs

Questions (874)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

874. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the recently announced reduction in student fees for the 2023-2024 academic year applies to a student who is paying full fees while undertaking a second level 8 degree, having already attained a level 8 degree; if this fee reduction applies to an individual undertaking a level 9 Masters Degree who is not in receipt of SUSI supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54932/23]

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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 the provision of one off funding to reduce the student contribution fee payable by higher education students that are eligible for the free fees initiative (FFI), in academic year 2023/24, by €1,000.

In relation to the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students, the reduction will apply to full time undergraduate students who are eligible for the free fees initiative (FFI).Where students are not eligible for free fees then, the student contribution arrangements under the FFI do not apply and students pay the applicable tuition fee to the higher education institution attended.A key principle of the design of the free fees initiative is to encourage progression of first time higher education students, that is, to support students in progressing through a chosen course of study from year to year. As a result, 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 does not apply to students undertaking a repeat period of study if that period of study is not eligible for the free fees scheme in this academic year. Postgraduate courses are not part of the free fees initiative.

Departmental Properties

Questions (875)

Ivana Bacik

Question:

875. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of vacant and derelict properties and sites that are owned by his Department; his plans to bring each of these properties and sites into use; where no plans are in place, the reasons why; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55047/23]

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Written answers

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

I would like to thank the Deputy for this question relating to property or sites in the ownership of the my department, and whether any of them are vacant or derelict.

My department does not own any sites or properties which are vacant or derelict. I can confirm that my department does not actually own any properties or sites. I hope this clarifies this matter for the Deputy.

Third Level Education

Questions (876)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

876. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process for establishment of new veterinary colleges around the country; how funding is provided and approved; the method to ensure regional parity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55161/23]

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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 agri-food sector is an important issue for my Department.

As you are aware, a number of institutions put forward proposals following the recent HEA Expression of Interest process outlining options for the expansion of existing veterinary medicine provision. A number of the proposals could be regionally impactful, increasing the supply of graduates in veterinary.

There is a substantial capital cost associated with the provision of any new school in veterinary. 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 programmes.This would represent a significant investment of public funding in our higher education institutions.

Detailed discussions are continuing 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.

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

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (877)

Mairéad Farrell

Question:

877. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of craft apprenticeship dropouts in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55180/23]

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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 where the information requested is presently being compiled. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.

Departmental Priorities

Questions (878)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

878. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his main policy and legislative priorities for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55209/23]

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Written answers

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

My Department’s Statement of Strategy 2023 -2025 was published recently. It outlines the policy and legislative priorities of the Department for the coming years. More immediately, my Department is working across all areas within its remit on a variety of initiatives.

Key legislative priorities for 2024 is the continued progressing of the Construction Safety Licensing Bill. The Committee Stage in the Dáil (stage 3) has been completed. The Department is now waiting to begin preparation for Report Stage. The second key legislative priority for 2023 is the Research and Innovation Bill, of which Government agreement for its publication has been announced. The bill provides for the amalgamation of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland, and the establishment of a new research and innovation funding agency, Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland.

Under the theme of Developing Talent, these include:

• The development of a new Tertiary Education Strategy.

• Leading work in relation to the Department’s engagement with the Housing for All policy, through the promotion of construction related careers, training in Modern Methods of Construction, identification of future capacity requirements for the sector.

• Progression of the Construction Safety Licensing Bill.

• Ensuring the provision of Green Skills, including delivery of the national offshore wind energy agenda in conjunction with partner Departments and bodies.

• Reforming approaches to career guidance provision, including through the development of a single national online portal.

• Supporting the Creative Youth Plan 2023- 2027 including through identifying aims, principles and features of a creative campus, in collaboration with further and higher education institutions, the creative sectors and communities.

• Establishing appropriate workforce planning structures with relevant Departments to strengthen alignment of Higher Education provision with skills needs, and with a particular focus on healthcare and disability services.

• Reconfiguring Ireland’s Skills system through refreshing the mandate and membership of the National

• Skills Council and the establishment of a new High Level Skills Implementation Group.

In efforts to Promote Research, we will:

• Progress the Research and Innovation Bill and oversee the amalgamation of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council.

• Implement Impact 2030 – the National Research and Innovation Strategy.

• Establish new Science Advisory Structures to support Government, and appoint a new Government Science Advisor.

• Strengthen connections between Government Departments and the public research system.

• Enhance career supports and career progression for researchers and consider recommendations from the State Support of PhD researchers review.

• Progress Ireland’s application to become a member of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research.

• Continue to progress funding for projects under the Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund.

• Progress the implementation of the Public Sector Climate Action Mandate across the tertiary sector.

The Department is also committed to Supporting Inclusion. In that context, we will:

• Oversee delivery of the National Access Plan 2022-2028.

• Support the adoption of Universal Design principles in Higher Education institutions.

• Develop policy responses to eliminate sexual violence and harassment and bullying.

• Support Higher Education Institutions to deliver affordable student accommodation.

• Implement “Adult Literacy for Life” - the 10- year Adult Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Skills Strategy.

• Support implementation of Digital for Good, Ireland’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap to make Ireland one of the most digitally inclusive States in the EU.

In relation to Global Engagement, the Department will:

• Publish and implement a new International Education and Research Strategy.

• Closely engage with European Funding Programmes such as Horizon Europe and the European Social Fund Plus to ensure Irish researchers are positioned to participate to the greatest extent possible.

• Advance North South cooperation efforts in line with “New Decade, New Approach”, in cooperation with Department of An Taoiseach, in the development of all-island research centres, capacity building in North-South research collaboration, the development of Ulster University Magee Campus and oversight of projects under the Peace +Programme, as well as the inclusion of students from Northern Ireland in Erasmus+.

• Commence advance preparations for the next Irish Presidency of the EU, due to take place in the second half of 2026.

• Implement the International Education Mark.

In promoting System Performance and Reform, we will work to:

• Ensure full implementation of the new HEA Act 2022 and the transitions required in relation to the Governing Boards of Higher Education Institutions.

• Continue the development of the Technological Universities, including the development of new management and academic leadership structures and reformed staff contracts. A key focus will be enhanced research and innovation capabilities, including new research and innovation offices to support engagement and better position the institutions to secure external research funding.

• Drive reform and transformation in the Further Education and Training sector, with regard to staffing framework structures, the FET practitioner and the design of the FET College of the Future.

• Continue the rollout of the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund to address deficits in existing infrastructure.

• In close coordination with the HEA, progress projects under the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund.

• Progress initiatives in line with the Funding the Future policy, including with regard to policy on part time educational provision, new programmes of study, approaches to employment controls and funding reforms.

• Prepare the new Unified Tertiary System policy approach.

• Continue implementation of the Action Plan for Apprenticeships, including with regard to public sector apprenticeships.

• Ensure the delivery of the emergency response to address the COVID-19 related backlog in apprenticeship off-the-job training phases.

In relation to Capital Programmes the Government in continuing work on the following:

Delivery of 11 buildings major buildings by public private partnership. The buildings are divided into 2 bundles, Bundle 1 comprising of 6 buildings is under construction with sites in Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) Tallaght and Blanchardstown campuses; Munster Technological University (MTU) campuses in Cork and Tralee, the Athlone campus of Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and in the Institute of Art, Design and Technology(IADT), Dún Laoghaire. Bundle 2 consists of 5 projects in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) campuses in Letterkenny and Galway; South East Technological University (SETU) campuses in Waterford and Carlow and at TUS Athlone, currently at tender stage. When all 11 buildings are completed, they will comprise circa 73,000m2 of additional building space at the campuses and will cater for circa 11,700 additional student places.

The department is also working to deliver four targeted major capital programmes:

• a Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund focused on investments that provide essential additional capacity and strengthen the role of Technological Universities as drivers of regional development

• the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund, which co-funds strategic projects to a maximum of 50%

• a FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund, which will support projects that can help drive reform of the FET sector, including consolidation of provision in high quality facilities, integration of further education and training, realisation of centres of excellence, and unified tertiary planning

• a Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund, which will support smaller-scale investments in existing FET infrastructure, ensuring that works are progressed within the context of an overall strategic plan for the building and aligned with FET College of the Future principles

The Government agreed to support the development of long term evidence informed strategic policy to stimulate appropriate supply of student accommodation. Minister Harris and his officials are working closely with the HEA, the Local Authorities and the wider sector on the development of a long term policy response for State supported student accommodation.

A key policy priority for 2024 is the implementation of a long term policy for additional state supported student accommodation for target group students. This policy has been informed by the results of the first phase of the TU study and engagement with key stakeholders which has been presented to the Cabinet Committee on Housing on the 18th of December. This policy and methodology will inform the schemes and strategies which will be developed throughout 2024.

To date, as a short term measure to address challenges faced by students in assessing accommodation, the Government has approved in principle a total of up to €61m in funding to unlock the development of circa 1,000 beds at DCU, MU, UL, and UG, with delivery beginning in 2025. These were developments with planning permission but which had stalled due to the increased cost of construction and finance. 30% of the units will be made available at below market rates to the target cohort of students. 2024 will see the progression of these specific projects to tender and construction.

In addition, the recent Budget announcements also saw positive developments for the sector. These include:

- A €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative. When taken together with the new €500 student contribution grant the student contribution fee will be halved to €1,500 for eligible families with a household income of between €62,000 and €100,000.

- An increase to the Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant from €4,000 to €5,000.

- A once-off reduction of 33 percent in the contribution fee for apprentices in higher education.

- A further €8.1 million investment in the Student Assistance Fund for the 2023/24 academic year bringing the total to over €17 million.

- The removal of Post Leaving Cert (PLC) fees from September 2024

-An increase to all non-adjacent maintenance rates by €615 and adjacent maintenance rates by 10% from September 2024, with a pro-rata increase effective from January 2024.

- The full restoration of student maintenance grants for post graduates from September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash. A pro-rata increase will also be effective from January 2024.

- From September 2024, student contribution fees will be abolished for all incomes under €55,924. For the first time ever, this will include students on specified undergraduate part time/part-time online courses. In addition, maintenance grants will be available to households with incomes up to €50,840 (up from €46,790).

- Renters’ tax credit is being extended to parents who pay for student children’s rent in the case of Rent a Room accommodation or “digs”. This change will also apply retrospectively for the years 2022 and 2023

Budget 2024 saw a budget of €4.148 billion for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science including:

- funding of € 4.1 million to increase the number of medicine places.

- funding to support the National Tertiary Office in expanding the number of joint degree programmes outside the CAO.

- funding of €67 million for continued growth of apprenticeship from 13,000 places in 2022 to over 16,000 places in 2024, helping boost skills development.

- the start of a new scheme to help employers with the cost of upskilling and reskilling staff.

Further and Higher Education

Questions (879)

James Lawless

Question:

879. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in the further and higher education sectors since 27 June 2020; the new initiatives undertaken; and the additional funding provided for same. [55289/23]

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Written answers

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

My Department has made significant changes in the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sectors since its establishment in 2020, and has since seen encouraging progress across these sectors over the past number of years.With 400,000 people enrolled in learning across further and higher education, the Department is responsible for a sizeable sector. Learning outcomes have a significant influence on people's life paths.Compared to the EU and OECD averages, Ireland has high levels of higher education attainment.Below is a list of my Department's policy priorities and achievements over the course of 2023 and information on the Budget for 2024 and the years to follow:

Unified Tertiary System: Work continued on the development of a new Tertiary Education Strategy, as provided for in the Higher Education Authority Act 2022, including through a series of regional dialogue meetings involving all regional actors, to shape and guide policy and ensure the achievement of major cross-Government policy objectives.

My Department established a new National Tertiary Office. For the first time in September 2023, students entered new tertiary programmes outside of the CAO system. Starting their programme in further education, they will progress seamlessly to guaranteed place to complete a fully-accredited degree in higher education.

The Research and Innovation Bill 2023: The Department continued development of a landmark Research and Innovation Bill to amalgamate the functions of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council into a new Research Agency, to maximise the impact of approximately €300m of national competitive research funding (almost 40% of Government expenditure on R&D).

Impact 2030: The Department is leading a whole of government approach to the implementation of Ireland’s National Research and Innovation strategy, Impact 2030, so as to ensure the national research and innovation system supports key Government strategies such as the White Paper for Enterprise, the Climate Action Plan and Smart Specialisation of regions.

Delivering greater engagement between the research sector and public policy development is a key action in increasing the impact of Ireland's research sector in the evidence base for public policy. The Civil Service Research Network has been established to bring together all Government Departments to improve engagement with higher education researchers. The results of a public consultation on researcher experience with public policy development are under review and will inform an integrated national framework in the early part of 2024.The Department is also continuing to pursue Ireland's application for membership of CERN, which has recently received approval from Government.

European Social Fund: My Department is continuing to lead Irish participation in the European Social Fund, where some €1bn has been drawn down to date.

International Education and Research Strategy: A new international education and research strategy will be published shortly. The Strategy will emphasise the importance of the Shared Island agenda, and the promotion of European and Global Ireland engagements across the spectrum of further education, higher education, skills, research and innovation.

Higher Education: Utilising enhanced funding and the Funding the Future reform programme, my Department has worked to drive performance & governance reform and improved outcomes.

2024 saw further expansion in the training of healthcare students, with the creation of over 600 additional healthcare places in disciplines such as medicine, nursing, and speech and language therapy. For the first time ever, this included the Government funding places in universities in Northern Ireland for students from the Republic.

Implementation of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 continues to be a priority; through this new legislation, we are able to bring additional support to the modernisation of governance and accountability mechanisms.

The implementation of the International Education Mark is also being progressed. This will serve to strengthen Ireland’s reputation as a trusted destination and an educational hub with excellent standards for international learners seeking a high quality education experience.

Enabling Technological Universities: The Department is continuing to support technological universities in their post-establishment phase. In the summer, I announced a €50m fund, the Technological Sector Advancement Fund, to further this work.

Apprenticeship, Further Education and Training & Skills

Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–25: In 2023, the Department continued to:- address current backlogs in apprenticeship training and meet future demand projections as set out in the recent report on Skills for Residential Construction and Retrofit. - deliver on the Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan demonstrating public service commitment and leadership through increased availability of apprenticeship opportunities across the public sector.- develop a high-quality single national apprenticeship model embodying greater flexibility and responsiveness to workforce requirements and enterprise needs.- advance social inclusion measures to aid the apprenticeship population in becoming more representative of wider society.

Further Education and Training (FET): My Department continues to support SOLAS and the ETBs in implementing the FET Strategy: Transforming Learning. The provision of an additional €3m in Budget 2024 will consolidate and expand the progress made across the three core pillars of building skills, fostering inclusion, and facilitating pathways to deliver a more strategic and integrated FET system.

Adult Literacy for Life strategy: €1m was allocated to the 51 successful projects under the Strategy’s Collaboration and Innovation Fund and the National Literacy Coalition and Regional Literacy Coalitions are up and running.

The Prison Education Taskforce launched in May 2023 is pursuing education and training opportunities for prisoners and Budget 2024 provides for €1.5m to drive the work of the Taskforce.

Quality Assurance in FET - The Sectoral Report on the inaugural review of Quality Assurance of FET in the ETB Sector was published in March 2023.

Support for Ukrainians - Since the outbreak of the war, up to end September 2023, 31,980 availed of FET programmes, predominantly English language courses.

Reconfigure Ireland's Skills system

In response to the key recommendations of the OECD Ireland Skills Strategy Review my Department continues to reform the National Skills Council by:

1. Advancing a NSC with reconfigured membership, to act as a platform for strategic engagement with industry, enterprise community and other non-governmental stakeholders with a strong interest in skills and workforce development policy, facilitating a high-level and broad perspective on skills challenges, policies and priorities, and;

2. Establishing a High Level Skills Implementation Group (HLIG), intended to deliver the whole-of-government and whole-of-tertiary engagement on national skills policy and delivery, as recommended by the OECD. The HLIG, chaired by DFHERIS, will have a lead role in driving the implementation of the 2023 OECD Skills Strategy Review Recommendations and ownership of skills issues across relevant stakeholders, as has been called out as critically needed in the OECD Report.

The reform is well under way as the first meeting of the HLIG took place on the 27 November 2023 and the inaugural meeting of the reformed NSC is expected to take place in Q1 2024.

National Digital Strategy:

The Department continues to engage on the Skills dimension of the National Digital Strategy.

The Department is working in partnership with the ESRI on a research programme on Irish Skills Requirements.

The first project under the programme examines in-demand skills needs for emerging technologies in key occupations, and is nearly complete.

Construction Skills:

The Dept. progressed work to enact the Construction Safety Licensing Bill, 2023 to enhance certification and regulation of construction sector skills.

It also began work, through the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, on an analysis of the skills for Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), to inform skills provision in 2024 onwards.

In addition, the development of the National Demonstration Park for MMC, based at the National Construction Training Campus in Co. Offaly has been advanced.

We have also seen an enhancement to the range of skills provision for construction, through initiatives such as the joint Laois-Offaly ETB and St. Andrew’s Resource Centre accredited construction skills course, which provides introductory training and links with employers to place graduates in employment.

Green Skills:

The Dept. continued to expand retrofit training through the programmes offered by the network of NZEB/Retrofit Centres of Excellence, with record numbers of students enrolling in 2023.

It is leading, with DECC and in collaboration with Wind Energy Ireland, on the skills responses required for the development of Ireland’s offshore wind industry, including through the establishment of a skills work stream as part of the cross-government Offshore Wind Energy Programme, and undertaking a detailed skills assessment report.

We have taken action to develop the skills required for the maintenance of electric vehicles, including through the announcement of the future development of a national e-mobility capability centre by Longford-Westmeath ETB in Mullingar.

Housing for All: We have progressed work to enact the Construction Safety Licensing Bill, 2023 to enhance certification and regulation of construction sector skills.

Adult Career Guidance:

In line with the recommendations of the Indecon Review of Lifelong guidance report and the OECD Ireland Skills Strategy Review (2023) which have identified the need to increase the navigability of the skills ecosystem, my Department set up an Oversight Group for a Single Portal for Career Guidance and Information.

The aim of the group was to provide advice on the next steps to support the establishment of a single portal/one stop information resource in relation to all tertiary learning options by my Department.

The work of the Oversight Group concluded in October 2023 with a comprehensive report outlining the recommended approach to the development of a Career Guidance and Information Portal and I am now considering its findings.

Access

The Department has continued to develop the national access plan to help underrepresented groups to gain access to Higher Education.

PATH 1: Three centres (MU, DCU, and UCC) requested additional once-off bridging funding totalling €347,549 to maintain project activities for the 2023/24 academic year. In addition, three centres (NISE, DCU, and UCD/NCAD) were approved no-cost extensions up until 2024 and 2025.

PATH 2: The rollout of ESF assisted funding means we have increased the number of Tier 1 and Tier 2 bursaries from 373 to 600 for the 23/24 academic year, comprising of 400 Tier 1 at €5000 and 200 Tier 2 at €2500 each. A centralised application system for these bursaries has been approved and rolled out this year.

Path 4: Phase 1. An additional €1.8m has been provided for the rollout and implementation of Universal Design across the HEIs. This is in addition to the $3m already provided.

Path 4: Phase 2. A call for proposals for courses for people with Intellectual disabilities has been completed and final assessment is underway. This will be completed by the Expert panel shortly.

Mental Health: An additional €3m has been provided in funding this year

Student Assistance Fund: An extra €8.54m has been provided this year to the SAF fund.

Ukrainian SAF: I have again approved €300,000 this year which is dedicated to the Ukrainian SAF

Pathfinder Programmes: We continued to implement the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme for the Higher Education Sector to test decarbonisation approaches, build capability, provide an evidence base and establish a pathway for a large-scale building decarbonisation programme as well as development of an equivalent programme for FET in 2023.

Student Accommodation: In the area of Student Accommodation, the Dept. continued to prioritise both short term solutions and longer term measures, including through commitment of funding where appropriate. The Development of Technological University Capacity to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency and others to fund student accommodation is also being supported.

Capital Programme

Four programmes, with a combined funding envelope of €395 million to 2025, are being progressed:

• a Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund focused on investments that provide essential additional capacity and strengthen the role of Technological Universities as drivers of regional development

• a second round of the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund, which is open to all higher education institutions and will co-fund strategic projects to a maximum of 50%

• a FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund, which will support projects that can help drive reform of the FET sector, including consolidation of provision in high quality facilities, integration of further education and training, realisation of centres of excellence, and unified tertiary planning

• a Strategic Infrastructure Upgrade Fund, which will support smaller-scale investments in existing FET infrastructure, ensuring that works are progressed within the context of an overall strategic plan for the building and aligned with FET College of the Future principles

Delivery on NDNA Commitments

Support for Northern Ireland Higher Education student mobilities.

€2.4 million has been allocated by DFHERIS to support HE students in NI to avail of mobilities and internships across Europe. Following detailed engagement with DFHERIS, QUB and UU have each been allocated €1 million each, while St Mary’s University College and Stranmillis University College was allocated €70k and €50k respectively. Further allocation (estimated at €153k) will be made to the Regional Colleges within the next week.

Co-centres Programme

The Co-Centres programme takes forward an Irish Government commitment in the Programme for Government and under the New Decade, New Approach Agreement to establish all-island research and innovation hubs, working with partners in NI and the wider UK. The programme is jointly funded up to €70 million by Science Foundation Ireland, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in NI (DAERA) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and will focus on Climate/ Biodiversity and Water, and Co-Centre for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems.

HE Funding and Student Supports

In 2023 and into 2024, €192 million will be provided to higher education including €60 million in core funding to address student staff ratios, plus a further €35 million to address pay shortfalls.

In addition to the above, the recent Budget announcements also saw positive developments for this sector. These include: - A €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative. When taken together with the new €500 student contribution grant the student contribution fee will be halved to €1,500 for eligible families with a household income of between €62,000 and €100,000.