Written Answers Nos. 345-354
345. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has carried out an assessment of the potential of remote delivery in further education and if new initiatives are planned in this arena. [50444/23]
View answerThere are online and blended learning opportunities available across Further Education and Training. The Covid pandemic accelerated the digital transformation across the 16 Education and Training Boards, who all have virtual learning environments to digitally support learning, whether in classroom, blended or remote/fully online settings. The ETBs provide a wide range of blended and online programmes, based on the strategic skills priorities of their regions, which are searchable at www.fetchcourses.ie.
eCollege, the national online learning resource for the FET sector, is funded and co-ordinated by SOLAS. It provides flexible, certified, tutor-supported online learning opportunities for skills development, with a range of courses in digital skills, project management and business skills. Its online courses are entirely flexible and can be taken at a time to suit the learner. There are 40 programmes currently available with a further 20 new programmes planned. eCollege fees were removed in 2020 during the pandemic and courses remain free, attracting 21,153 learners in 2022. SOLAS carried out a Strategic Review of eCollege and Digital Learning Supports which recommended that eCollege be developed. SOLAS aims to enhance the reach, range and quality of the eCollege service in the future, to ensure a sustainable and expanded portfolio of learning opportunities are available to an increasing number of FET learners.
Additonally, SOLAS-funded agencies, including NALA and An Cosán, offer a number of online, remote and blended courses. NALA’s on-line platform ‘Learn with NALA’ offers both non-accredited and accredited courses on-line. In 2024 NALA expect to provide training to some 1,600 beneficiaries.
The recently launched 24 new short, stackable micro qualification programmes offered by the ETBs and developed collaboratively with industry, combine tutor support which can be in person, blended or online with self directed learning including the preparation of work related assignments.
346. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans he has in place to ensure that one-third of higher education teaching staff do not leave Ireland (details supplied). [1922/24]
View answerThe report as referenced from the Irish Federation of University Teachers does not seem to suggest that one-third of higher education teaching staff are planning to leave Ireland. This is not to say however that the report does not highlight some concerning issues and is a useful contribution to ongoing consideration of precarious employment.
The issue of academic career precarity is and will remain an important element of the work of my Department, and measures are being undertaken that will directly help to combat any undue reliance on precarious contracts. Some €100m in additional funding has been secured under the Funding the Future framework. This is a significant step forward in funding higher education on a sustainable basis and will enable institutions to recruit the staff they need while helping to remove the temptation to rely on more casual arrangements for budgetary reasons.
In addition, a considerable amount of work has been undertaken 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 in recruiting more permanent staff.
As part of the Department’s work on precarity, my officials engage with all stakeholders, including trade unions and Higher Education Institutions. At the same time, even as all stakeholders work to ensure that there is optimal security and stability for staff, there is a need to recognise the autonomy of universities and other institutions and their legitimate need for an appropriate staffing mix that supports a high-performing sector.
347. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the annual budget for Solas. [2237/24]
View answerMy Department allocates funding to SOLAS from the Exchequer and the National Training Fund to deliver Further Education and Training (FET) programmes and services throughout the country. As set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2024, the 2024 allocation is over €1.121 billion and will continue to build on the Government’s commitment to provide our citizens with various levels of skills through FET programmes to enable them to succeed in the labour market and fully participate in society. The allocation comprises €524,690,000 current expenditure (including pension provision); €65,500,000 capital expenditure and €531,270,000 National Training Fund expenditure. This allocation represents an increase of approximately 10% on SOLAS’ 2023 allocation. Over €245 million will be directed to learners already in the workforce including apprenticeships and Skills to Advance courses. Employees and employers will continue to benefit from upskilling and reskilling opportunities provided via a wide and diverse range of FET courses. Over €285 million will provide training courses to learners preparing to enter/re-enter the workforce including PLC courses and Skills to Compete. SOLAS allocates the bulk of this funding to the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). FET provision includes both labour market focused programmes and programmes with a strong social inclusion dimension. FET programmes are delivered in a wide range of settings including Post-Leaving Certificate and Further Education Colleges, Training Centres, Youthreach and adult education centres. FET is also provided through community and voluntary groups, commercial training providers and in workplaces.
348. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate if this jurisdiction is likely to experience any shortages of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce, his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2338/24]
View answer352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate the extent to which he continues to research future requirements in the education sector with a view to ensuring an adequate supply of graduates throughout in a variety of fields; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2342/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 352 together.
The tertiary education system plays a central role in ensuring that our graduates from higher education, further education and training and from apprenticeship are equipped with the cognitive skills, the essential transversal skills, and the vocational and professional skills and competencies which will equip them for success in work and society.
Against the backdrop of the accelerating and intensifying digital and green transitions, it is essential that our skills ecosystem has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills and workforce development landscape. In this context, one of the key themes of the OECD Review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy published last May was the need to secure a balance in skills through a responsive, diversified supply of skills in Ireland.
The agility and flexibility of the tertiary system is underscored by responsiveness to priority industry and enterprise workforce needs under key policy initiatives such as, for example; the Action Plan for Apprenticeship; Funding the Future; the Green Skills for FET Roadmap; and the National Digital Strategy Harnessing Digital.
Ireland's success in ensuring that those with qualifications from the tertiary system are meeting the economy's skills needs are evidenced by the results of the Higher Education Authority's national Graduate Outcomes Survey which shows that overall, 81.9% of graduates in 2021 were in employment nine months after graduation. It will be a priority to ensure a continued high level of responsiveness by the tertiary education system to the rapid pace of technological change, including the expected substantial impact of AI on the workforce
349. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate the total number of apprentices currently available; the extent to which this is sufficient to meet requirements; the progress in introducing new apprenticeship programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2339/24]
View answerIncreasing the number of apprentices and apprenticeships is crucial in meeting the targets this Government has set under Housing for All and the Climate Action Plan. A key target in our Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is of 10,000 new apprentice registrations every year and we are very close to reaching that target with close to 9,000 last year.
We expect to increase apprenticeship capacity across the country this year to meet demand, with particular emphasis on craft programmes. Phase 2 training capacity in 2023 was 5,613 places. Close to 10,000 training places for phase 2 craft apprentices are planned for 2024, almost doubling the capacity. The objective in 2024 is to eliminate the delays in full, working closely month-on-month with ETB, TU and IoT training providers, and with the support of industry.
The population of apprentices and the number of registrations for the period to end of December 2023 is shown below:
|
Registrations 2023 |
8,712 |
plus 5% on 2022 |
Population 2023 |
27,470 |
plus 4.3% on 2022 |
We want to make apprenticeships as accessible and available as possible and encourage the development of new apprenticeship programmes across all areas of the economy.
There were seven new apprenticeship programmes introduced in 2023, in areas as diverse as farming, engineering, and quantity surveying. There are now 73 programmes available in Ireland. For 2024, 17 new apprenticeship programmes are proposed, including four in the area of construction. A further five programmes are to be confirmed or planned to begin in 2025.
Details of these programmes are shown in the tables below:
|
Apprenticeships commenced 2023 |
|
|
Farming Technician Level 6 |
|
|
Farming Manager Level 7 |
|
|
Horticulture L6 |
|
|
Sports Turf Management Level 6 |
|
|
Civil Engineering Technician Level 6 |
|
|
Civil Engineering Level 7 |
|
|
Quantity Surveying Level 9 |
|
|
|
|
Apprenticeship in development |
Estimated start |
|
Executive Chef L9 |
2024 |
|
Precision Machinist and Quality Control L6 |
2024 |
|
Digital Marketing L6 |
2024 |
|
Civil engineering L8 |
2024 |
|
Civil engineering L9 |
2024 |
|
Stud Farm Management L7 |
2024 |
|
Robotics and Automation L6 |
2024 |
|
Immersive Technology L6 |
2024 |
|
Barbering L6 |
2024 |
|
Beauty Therapy L6 |
2024 |
|
Advanced Manufacturing Engineer L8 |
2024 |
|
Roofing and Cladding L6 |
2024 |
|
Accounting Technologist L8 |
2024 |
|
Software Solutions Architect L9 |
2024 |
|
Social Work L9 |
2024 |
|
Firefighter-EMS Practitioner L8 |
2024 |
|
Paramedic L8 |
2024 |
|
Customs Compliance Associate L7 |
TBC |
|
Data Analytics L6 |
TBC |
|
Geospatial Survey Technician L6 |
TBC |
|
Professional Procurement and Purchasing Associate L7 |
TBC |
|
Social and Affordable Housing and Housing Services L6 |
2025 |
350. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate to what extent he continues to liaise with the technical sector with a view to ensuring adequate provision in respect of graduates in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2340/24]
View answer351. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate to what extent he continues to liaise with the academic sector with a view to ensuring adequate provision in respect of graduates in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2341/24]
View answer353. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate arising from his discussions with the academic and technical sectors, the extent to which he satisfied that adequate provision continues to be made in both areas with a view to meeting demand and job specifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2343/24]
View answer357. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate if he and his Department have identified any specific obstacles which may impede improvement and achievement in the further and higher educational sectors and impact our ability to continue to establish Ireland's reputation as equal to the best globally in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2347/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 350, 351, 353 and 357 together.
The tertiary education system plays a central role in ensuring that our graduates from higher education, further education and training and from apprenticeship are equipped with the essential skills, vocational, professional and transversal skills and competencies that will equip them for success in work. These skills enhance their employability and ensure graduates have skills to adapt to diverse tasks and contribute meaningfully to the workplace and the society. 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.
The agility and flexibility of the tertiary system is underscored by responsiveness to priority industry and enterprise workforce needs under key policy initiatives that require whole-of-government efforts and collaboration such as, for example; the Action Plan for Apprenticeship; Funding the Future; the Green Skills for FET Roadmap; and the National Digital Strategy Harnessing Digital. Those concerted efforts aim to improve balance between skills demand and supply.
My Department is dynamically progressing the reform of the National Skills Council (NCS) that is underpinned by the recommendations arising from the OECD review. This reform is two pronged and involves changes to the NSC’s mandate and membership to act as a platform for strategic engagement with Irish industry, enterprise and the main non-governmental stakeholders with a strong interest in skills and workforce development policy to take a high-level and broad perspective to skills challenges, policies and priorities. This reform also involves the establishment of the High Level Skills Implementation Group (HLSIG) to support the work of the reformed NSC and ensure coordinated progress in implementing high priority OECD recommendations, including those relating to improving lifelong learning participation in and outside the workplace, across the whole-of- tertiary skills eco- system.
My Department has made significant progress in removing obstacles to student success and participation in third level education. One of the ways we are doing this is though the National Access Plan where €3 million in funding under Path 4 Phase 1 has been provided for Universal Design measures. Projects are currently ongoing to improve accessibility for all students.
September 2023 marked the commencement of the new Joint Tertiary Degrees. These programmes see students begin their third level experience in further education, and then progress seamlessly to a higher education institution to complete their fully accredited Level 7 or 8 degree. The programmes have been met with great interest, with students all over the country now enrolled on tertiary programmes in areas like Nursing, Software Development and Business. These programmes will expand further in 2024 both in terms of the number of places available and the range of courses offered. Details of the programmes to be offered in 2024 will be announced early this year.
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. My Department will continue to engage with the sector to improve the student experience, and provide a talent pipeline for future skills needs in Ireland.
354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate the extent to which his Department is focused on the health sector in terms of ensuring a steady supply of graduates with a view to ensuring the filling of the maximum number of posts in the health services here as possible in the coming years, if he could outline progress made in this area in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2344/24]
View answerMy officials are actively engaging with the Department of Health, the HSE and other relevant Health and Social Care Profession stakeholders to ensure that we can continue to deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.
The availability of appropriate placements and placement supports is a key enabler of this expansion, and engagement between my Department, the Department of Health, the HSE and across Higher Education Sector is ongoing.
As the Deputy may be aware a large number of additional places have been introduced in the last few years, including an agreement with medical schools which will provide 200 additional medical places by 2026. Last year over 460 additional places were introduced in healthcare programmes across disciplines in the State, including 60 places in medicine programmes.
My Department is a key member of the Steering Group for Disability Workforce chaired by Minister Rabbitte and works closely with colleagues in the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, as well as the Department of Health and HSE on expanding the workforce across therapy disciplines.
In July 2023, Minister Donnelly and I announced additional places in nursing and allied health professions in higher education institutions in Northern Ireland. 140 nursing places are being provided in Ulster University and Queens University Belfast and are being funded by the Department of Health. The 80 therapy places are in Ulster University only and are to be funded by both Departments. These places have been secured on a one-year basis.
My Department will continue to work with the higher education and health sector to provide skilled graduates to meet the need of our healthcare system.
