Wednesday, 17 Jan 2024

Written Answers Nos. 1846-1859

Departmental Data

Questions (1846)

Paul Murphy

Question:

1846. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in relation to the HEA published student number data by mode of study full-time or part-time, the number of full-time students includes students registered on full-time programmes but who are repeating modules and not completing 60 credits in the year; if the same is true for part-time students; and if the figure for part-time students includes those repeating modules and doing less credits than is required to progress from one year to another. [57257/23]

Written answers

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

Statistics published by the HEA relating to student numbers include data on students who are repeating their studies and/or are completing less than 60 credits in a year. This is applicable across all modes of study. Whether a mode of study is recorded as full-time or part-time in the student record system relates to the number of credits a student is taking in an academic year.

Technological Universities

Questions (1847)

Paul Murphy

Question:

1847. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in relation to the role of President of TU Dublin which was advertised on the basis of it being a seven-year appointment with the option for the governing body, based on a performance review, to extend the appointment for a further three years, he will confirm that the TU Dublin governing body will evaluate the performance of the President to determine whether their appointment will be extended for a further three years or not. [57258/23]

Written answers

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

Technological Universities are autonomous bodies established under the Technological Universities Act 2018. Technological Universities regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. The Technological Universities Act provides that the President shall be appointed by the Technological University and that the selection criteria, including experience, training and expertise appropriate to the functions of a president under the Act, and procedures in respect of the appointment of a president shall be established by the technological university. The Act also states that the president of a technological university shall carry on and manage, and control generally the academic, administrative, and financial activities of the technological university, and matters relating to its staff and perform such other functions (if any) as may be determined, by the technological university, and for those purposes shall have such powers as are necessary or expedient. The president is required to perform his or her functions subject to such policies as may be determined from time to time by the technological university and shall be accountable to the technological university for the efficient and effective management of the technological university and for the due performance of his or her functions. The Act also provides that a governing body of a technological university shall establish and implement arrangements for the management of the performance of the president. It is a matter for TU Dublin to manage the performance of the president and to determine the arrangements for the appointment of the president. In the context of the legislative autonomy of Technological Universities, it would not be appropriate for me as Minister to interfere in the appointment process for the President of TU Dublin.

Technological Universities

Questions (1848, 1849)

Paul Murphy

Question:

1848. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide the total spend on legal fees by each of the technological universities for the past five years (details supplied). [57259/23]

Paul Murphy

Question:

1849. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide the total spend on external consultants by each of the technological universities for the past five years (details supplied). [57260/23]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1848 and 1849 together.

Please find the returned table with the requested information from each of the technological universities regarding the total spend on legal fees and external consultants for the relevant years.

Technological University	SOUTH EAST TU	TU DUBLIN		MUNSTER TU		TU SHANNON		ATLANTIC TU
Money Spent on Legal Fees 2022	222k	Money spend on legal fees 2022 Aug 21–Sept 22	354,214	Money spend on legal fees 2022	186K	January 2022 - December 2022Professional Fees - Legal	70,069.92	Money spent on Legal Fees Academic year Sept 21- March 22 (7 mths )	55,454.30
Money Spent on Legal Fees 2021	356k	Money spend on legal fees 2021Aug 20–Sept 21	706,977	Money spend on legal fees 2021	157K	Oct 2021 - December 2021Professional Fees - Legal	63,836.50	Money spent on Legal Fees Academic year 20/21	302,320.65
Money Spent on Legal Fees 2020		Money spend on legal fees 2020Aug 19–Sept 20	499,846	Money spend on legal fees 2020	161K
Money Spent on Legal Fees 2019		Money spend on legal fees 2019 Jan 19–Sept 19 * 8 month reporting	394,897

Question No. 1849 answered with Question No. 1848.

Third Level Education

Questions (1850)

Pauline Tully

Question:

1850. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in line with Action 88 of the Autism Committee’s Final Report, he has plans to ensure that understanding autism training is a component in all higher education courses relative to health and social care, including medicine, nursing, dentistry, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, social work and psychology; and the estimated first- and full-year cost, respectively, of implementing this proposal. [57301/23]

Written answers

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

The content of higher education programmes is a matter for each higher education institution, and any relevant professional regulatory body. The regulatory bodies for the professions listed include CORU, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland, the Dental Council, and the Irish Medical Council.Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As autonomous bodies with academic and administrative freedom, each institution is responsible for its own policy and programme development, including in relation to any potential autism training modules, in conjunction with the requirements of the relevant regulatory body, under the terms of EU Directive 2005/36. The Department distributes recurrent funding to the HEA for disbursement directly to the HEA's designated higher education institutions. The HEA distributes this funding as a block grant to the institutions. As autonomous bodies, use of this funding, including in relation to particular components of programmes, falls to the individual institution. Neither I nor the Department have a role in the development of such policies. As such, it is not possible to provide costing figures.It is worth noting that in 2022 a new strand of the Programme for Access to Higher Education PATH Strand 4 was launched. The PATH fund supports the objectives  of the National Access plan  and PATH 4 is a dedicated €12 million of funding which will be invested between 2022-2025 in supporting Universal Design and enhancing opportunities for students with an intellectual disability to participate in Higher Education.€3 million in funding has been provided for Universal Design measures under Path 4 Phase 1: Supporting Universal Design. A number of projects have been funded and are currently underway, their aim is to improve accessibility for all students.

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (1851)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

1851. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices currently in the construction trades, broken down by trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1069/24]

Written answers

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

As of the end of December 2023, the total population across the construction and construction related apprenticeship programmes was 20,219. This is an increase of 3% on the population as of the end of December 2022.

Of the 20,219, 17,747 were on construction programmes, and 2,472 were on construction-related apprenticeship programmes.

The full list of programmes and their total population numbers are attached:

	Construction Apprenticeship Population
	Pop - as end of December 2023
Construction	5933
Brick and Stonelaying	264
Carpentry and Joinery	2424
Geo Driller	15
Painting and Decorating	86
Plastering	105
Plumbing	2961
Scaffolding	59
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry	19
Electrical	10677
Electrical	10153
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning	524
Engineering	1137
Civil Engineering L6	9
Civil Engineering L7	33
Engineering Services Management	32
Equipment Systems Engineer	5
Metal Fabrication	920
Sheet Metalworking	138
Grand Total	17747

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (1852)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

1852. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship registrations in the construction trades in 2023, broken down by trade; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1070/24]

Written answers

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

As of the end of December 2023, there were a total of 5,794 registrations across the construction and construction related apprenticeship programmes. This is an increase of 3% on registrations for 2022.

Of these, 4,946 registrations were on construction apprenticeship programmes, and 848 were registrations on construction-related apprenticeship programmes.

The full list of programmes and their total registration numbers are attached, including registrations on a month by month basis.

Construction Apprenticeship Registrations
	Total - Year to Date (Dec '23)
Construction	1583
Brick and Stonelaying	66
Carpentry and Joinery	711
Geo Driller	0
Painting and Decorating	17
Plastering	30
Plumbing	739
Scaffolding	18
Stonecutting and Stonemasonry	2
Electrical	3011
Electrical	2837
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning	174
Engineering	352
Civil Engineering L6	9
Civil Engineering L7	35
Engineering Services Management	17
Equipment Systems Engineer	0
Metal Fabrication	259
Sheet Metalworking	32

Registrations Each Month 2023
		Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
Dec-23	Nov-23	Oct-23	Sep-23	Aug-23	Jul-23	Jun-23	May-23	Apr-23	Mar-23	Feb-23	Jan-23
110	187	184	157	115	115	97	116	91	133	135	143
2	17	7	3	7	9	6	2	3	6	2	2
53	83	82	84	53	52	47	46	40	51	56	64
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
1	2	2	3	2	0	1	1	0	1	3	1
1	3	7	2	2	4	1	1	4	0	3	2
53	79	85	64	48	47	40	63	44	73	71	72
0	3	1	1	3	2	2	2	0	2	0	2
0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0	0
218	368	375	285	200	173	161	205	211	263	256	296
208	338	361	273	191	160	155	186	204	248	236	277
10	30	14	12	9	13	6	19	7	15	20	19
17	24	49	73	32	20	15	25	19	27	25	26
0	0	0	7	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
0	0	4	22	6	3	0	0	0	0	0	0
0	0	0	5	6	0	0	5	1	0	0	0
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
12	24	42	35	15	15	12	20	17	22	22	23
5	0	3	4	3	2	3	0	1	5	3	3
345	579	608	515	347	308	273	346	321	423	416	465

Construction-Related Apprenticeship Registrations
	Total - Year to Date (Dec '23)
Auctioneering and Property Services	148
Auctioneering and Property Services	148
Construction	123
Cabinet Making	0
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing	123
Electrical	258
Electrical Instrumentation	143
Electronic Security Systems	63
Industrial Electrical Engineer	32
Instrumentation	20
Engineering	222
Industrial Insulation	12
Pipefitting	108
Polymer Processing Technology	15
Principal Engineer	15
Toolmaking	58
Wind Turbine Maintenance	14
Motor	97
Construction Plant Fitting	97
Grand Total	848

Registrations Each Month 2023
		Q4			Q3			Q2			Q1
Dec-23	Nov-23	Oct-23	Sep-23	Aug-23	Jul-23	Jun-23	May-23	Apr-23	Mar-23	Feb-23	Jan-23
1	11	12	25	21	14	29	16	3	9	6	1
1	11	12	25	21	14	29	16	3	9	6	1
8	13	17	9	7	8	11	6	9	11	8	16
0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
8	13	17	9	7	8	11	6	9	11	8	16
14	32	34	44	22	10	12	21	19	15	15	20
6	22	20	30	9	4	3	10	10	9	9	11
4	6	4	7	8	3	4	10	7	3	2	5
2	4	9	7	2	0	4	0	1	0	1	2
2	0	1	0	3	3	1	1	1	3	3	2
13	19	47	19	21	15	13	22	13	5	17	18
0	3	0	0	2	1	0	3	2	0	1	0
8	11	28	5	7	8	3	8	7	3	13	7
1	1	0	5	7	1	0	0	0	0	0	0
0	1	1	0	1	1	5	6	0	0	0	0
4	3	9	4	4	4	5	5	4	2	3	11
0	0	9	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
4	18	10	10	11	4	3	10	1	8	6	12
4	18	10	10	11	4	3	10	1	8	6	12
40	93	120	107	82	51	68	75	45	48	52	67

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (1853)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

1853. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of applicants to commis chef apprenticeship Level 6 Programme in 2023, in tabular form. [1127/24]

Written answers

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

In 2023, there was a total of 73 applications to the Level 6 Commis Chef Apprenticeship Programme. The information is set out in tabular form, by Educational Training Board, in the attached table.

Commis Chef Level 6 Registrations 2023
Region	Registrations
Cavan & Monaghan ETB	13
City of Dublin ETB	9
Cork ETB	12
Donegal ETB	1
Dublin & Dun Laoghiare ETB	5
Galway & Roscommon ETB	2
Kildare & Wicklow ETB	6
Kilkenny & Carlow ETB	6
Limerick & Clare ETB	1
Louth & Meath ETB	3
Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim ETB	4
Tipperary ETB	4
Waterford & Wexford ETB	7

Research and Development

Questions (1854)

Matt Carthy

Question:

1854. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he proposes to develop a research agreement with Taiwan, similar to that agreed by Lithuania; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1181/24]

Written answers

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

Ireland, along with our EU partners, adheres to the One China Policy. This means that we do not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan and that we recognise the People's Republic of China as the legal representative of Taiwan. This does not preclude the development of economic, cultural and people-to-people connections with Taiwan. From a research and innovation perspective, Ireland has very few bilateral agreements and has no plans to develop a research agreement with Taiwan. The most effective way for Ireland to engage in research and innovation cooperation with other countries is through the EU Framework Programmes for research and innovation.The current programme is Horizon Europe, which has a budget of €95.5 billion over the period 2021-2027. To date, the Irish research and innovation community has drawn down almost €630 million. There are currently very low levels of engagement between Ireland and Taiwan – our researchers are involved in six collaborative links under Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe projects also include participants from other countries.

Third Level Fees

Questions (1855)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

1855. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) will be afforded the reduction in fees given to other students. [1274/24]

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.The reduction will apply to full time undergraduate students who are eligible for the FFI in 2023/24. Where students are not eligible for free fees 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 FFI 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. This means that the once off student contribution support of €1,000 does not apply to students undertaking a repeat period of study if that period of study is not eligible for the FFI, as determined by the institution attended. The assessment of eligibility under the FFI in individual cases is a matter for each higher education institution to determine within the terms of the scheme. In this regard it is not possible for my Department to offer guidance on the free fees eligibility of individual students, such as the case raised by the Deputy. Students should contact the institution attended for guidance appropriate to their individual circumstances. The Deputy may also wish to note that I have recently announced details of an additional €1.476m for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF), bringing the total amount available for the 2023/24 up to €19m. This Fund assists both full-time and part-time 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 institution attended.

Departmental Data

Questions (1856)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

1856. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the chairpersons of HEA-funded Irish higher education institutions; the terms of office of each; the number of terms served by each; and the method of appointment, annual remuneration and expenses for each of the past three years. [1290/24]

Written answers

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

The chairpersons of higher education institutions are appointed by the governing body of those institutions, in accordance with the relevant sectoral legislation. 

The information requested by the Deputy is available in the attached spreadsheet. The data provides details of the chairpersons of HEA-funded Irish higher education institutions; the terms of office of each; the number of terms served by each; and the method of appointment, annual remuneration and expenses for each of the past three years, as requested.

[<a ref="https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2024-01-17_pq1856-17-01-24_en.xlsx" >Fees</a>]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Questions (1857)

John McGuinness

Question:

1857. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action he is taking to provide the same level of financial support to apprentices undertaking construction metal fabrication and engineering metal fabrication courses as both courses are similar but currently apprentices on one course are being paid €745 per week and the other is paid €545; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1369/24]

Written answers

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

For craft programmes, the minimum rates of pay are determined by the industry sector to which the employer belongs. They are not based on the specific skill or trade that the apprentice is undertaking. This ensures that all craft apprentices with a single employer are subject to a common set of gross wage norms. Gross wage norms are either agreed within the relevant sector, or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Order (SEO)s recommended by the Labour Court. Any review of those rates currently payable is a matter for negotiation and agreement under the appropriate industrial relations structures in place. The deliverables of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 include the development of a single apprenticeship system. This will see greater alignment of the development, review, governance and funding arrangements for all apprenticeship programmes. I am happy to inform the Deputy that work is progressing in this regard, through the National Apprenticeship Alliance (NAA). The NAA represents the broad range of stakeholders in the overall apprenticeship system. It is intended to bring a Memorandum to Government in Q2 this year, setting out the pathway to achieving the single system. I am confident that the partnership approach upon which this will be based will help ensure the successful delivery of this outcome.In the context of the current cost-of-living pressures, I am aware that some issues have been raised in relation to the pay of some apprentices. In that regard, I am engaging with partners to hear their views, including those of worker representative and employers. Officials in my Department are working with colleagues in DETE on the matter and have commissioned independent research to assess the landscape of apprentice pay overall and possible impacts of including apprentices in minimum wage legislation. 

Budget 2024

Questions (1858)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

1858. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the achievements to date with respect to making third level easier for medical graduates to succeed in Ireland following Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1463/24]

Written answers

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

Budget 2024 has introduced a significant number of supports for students to assist with the cost of education. These include post graduate student grants, and additional funding for the student assistance fund (SAF) and increased funding for medical places. As the Deputy is aware, on 12th July 2022 the Minister for Health and I announced an agreement with the Irish medical schools to increase the number of places available for EU students by 200 over the next five years. The agreement reached with the medical schools will began with an additional 60 EU students in September 2022, climbing to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026. This marks a significant expansion in the number of places available to students applying through the CAO system. It increases the opportunities for students to progress to study medicine in Ireland and to help us build our talent pipeline.In additional to this, an extra 10 graduate entry places, 5 in 2022 and another 5 in 2023, have been created, with further additional places planned up to 2026. This marks a significant expansion in the number of places available to students.Overall Budget 2023 and Budget 2024 saw a significant increase in the amount the State pays for medicine places. The State contribution towards graduate entry places will be increased in phases so that by 2026 all graduate entry places will be funded by the state at €14,500, which is an increase on the academic year 2021/22, when the state contribution was €11,950.The establishment of mechanisms allowing for consistent engagement in relation to workforce planning needs for the public sector has been one of my priorities and I will continue to engage with my colleague, Minister Donnelly on the needs of the health sector for graduates in these key areas.

Third Level Education

Questions (1859)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

1859. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will engage with an institute on behalf of a person (details supplied); and if he will clarify whether he and or his Department have authority in respect of persons that provide tuition in a private capacity in delivering courses and or tuition in this State on behalf of an institute that is registered in another jurisdiction. [1479/24]

Written answers

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

The Institute in question is a private body operating from another jurisdiction offering programmes in a private capacity in Ireland. It does not fall under the remit of this Department and I have no role in the matter outlined. Education providers should have relevant policies and procedures in place to enable a learner pursue a complaint surrounding the programme upon which they are enrolled. In such cases where complaints arise, learners should seek to pursue and exhaust such processes to see if a resolution can be found.