Written Answers Nos. 355-361
355. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate to which his Department continues to monitor incidents of professional bullying throughout the higher education system; the extent to which bullying is evident in colleges throughout the country; the action taken or being taken to counter this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2345/24]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that there are a number of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments aimed at addressing bullying, including a commitment to commission surveys of staff and students in the areas of harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying in higher education. These surveys have now taken place and the findings published.
Our higher education institutions have a duty of to ensure that staff and students have a safe environment to study and work; free from bullying, harassment or other forms of unwanted behaviour. Data from all institutions implementing Speak Out was published recently. The report presents highlights from an initial analysis of the aggregated data collected across 18 participating Higher Educations Institutions from October 2021 to October 2022. It provides insight into the key findings of 'Speak Out'- Evaluation of Speak Out Anonymous Reporting Tool pilot JULY 2023 (hea.ie)
In August 2022, I launched the findings of a Report on the National Survey of Staff Experiences of Bullying in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) conducted by the specialist DCU Anti-Bullying Centre. This report presents the findings of an anonymous online survey, commissioned by my Department, examining the prevalence and impact of workplace bullying among staff in 20 publicly-funded HEIs in Ireland. The survey of staff experiences of bullying in higher education was conducted in late 2021. A total of 3,835 HEI staff responses were analysed. The survey report includes a number of recommendations, which will inform future policy decisions to tackle workplace bullying within higher education institutions.
My Department in conjunction with DCU’s National Anti-Bullying Centre recently published the results of a national survey on student experiences of bullying in the higher education sector. The survey, commissioned by my Department, was conducted by researchers at the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre, and it was sent to higher education students in Ireland by their institutions. The online survey asked about the experiences of bullying among higher education students across Ireland. Respondents were asked to reflect on their experiences of interacting with other students within higher education institutions. The primary goal of the project was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of bullying among higher education students across Ireland. Insights from this study will be used to implement new or updated policies, processes, training and resources to support higher education institutions in addressing these issues.
I will continue to lead the way on institutional change, championing the changes required, listening to survivors and working in collaboration to achieve justice for victims and a cultural norm where bullying is not tolerated.
356. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate his plans to ensure continued access to third-level education for all students seeking to avail of education at this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2346/24]
View answerFollowing on from improvements made to the Student Grant Scheme in Budget 2023, a range of further measures were announced as part of Budget 2024 to enhance the scheme and other supports. I am investing €31 million for improvements in Student Supports which will see students benefit from an increase in maintenance rates, the restoration of maintenance for eligible postgraduate students at all levels and an increase to certain income thresholds.
For two years in a row, the student contribution charge has been reduced for free fees eligible undergraduates by €1,000 and by a further €500 this year for eligible households with an income under €100,000.
This has helped over 100,000 families with the cost of college, which can be significant for many.
A number of other once off cost-of-living measures benefiting students in the 2023/24 academic year include:
• An increase to the Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant from €4,000 to €5,000
• 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.
In addition Budget 2024 also provided for:
• An increase to all non-adjacent maintenance rates by €615 and adjacent maintenance rates by 10% from September 2024. Eligible PLC and undergraduate students will see 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 the income thresholds to avail of the Band 4 maintenance grant and 100% Student Contribution grant will increase.
From September 2024, a pilot part-time fee grant will be available to provide support for students who are undertaking eligible undergraduate part-time programmes leading to a major award, both in-person, blended and online. This is a significant new initiative which will open the doors of higher education to many groups who could not participate in full-time programmes.
Noting the ongoing cost of living I have increased the funding for the Student Assistance fund for the 2023/2024 academic year to over €19 million. Further details of the fund is available from the Access Office in the higher education institution attended or at www.studentfinance.ie
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also 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.
As we have done for the previous two years, I will publish an options paper on the cost of higher education which will outline various potential measures to address the cost of education across the further and higher education sectors to inform policy considerations in advance of the Budget.
358. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to extend teacher training in the Technological University of the Shannon, Athlone. [2685/24]
View answerHigher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018. As such they are autonomous in relation to their administrative and academic affairs, and the courses and numbers of places offered by any institution are a matter for the individual institutions to determine.
The Department of Education oversees teacher education policy. My Department engages with the Department of Education on workforce planning needs. Any new programmes of teacher education are subject to accreditation by the Teaching Council and Higher Education Institutions engage directly with the Teaching Council in this regard.
359. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the RRDF project associated with (see details supplied) its current status, the next project steps and estimated project completion timeline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2168/24]
View answer360. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the RRDF project associated with ( details supplied) its current status, the next project steps and estimated project completion timeline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2169/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.
The Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
The fifth call for Category 1 applications is now open. The closing date is 8 February 2024.
The Ballintubber Abbey Culture and Heritage Visitor Centre project was allocated RRDF funding of €2,677,352 from the second call for Category 1 applications in 2019. Since the project was approved for funding in principle, the cost has increased significantly and a shortfall in the match funding required for the project has arisen.
My officials have engaged extensively with Mayo County Council in relation to this project. Our shared objective is to ensure the delivery of a high quality and value for money project for the local community. With this in mind, and given the fundamental and substantial changes to the costing of this project, my officials have advised Mayo County Council that consideration should be given to reapplying for funding for the revised scope of the project under the Category 1 call for RRDF applications that is currently open.
The Ballyhaunis Community Vision project was allocated funding of €105,850.75 from the second call for Category 2 applications in 2020. The funding was to develop plans to regenerate the town, including the redevelopment of a former convent school to provide a new community hub and the creation of a new public plaza adjoining the hub. The project is now complete and an application for the capital project may be submitted to the fifth call for Category 1 applications.
361. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she is aware of recent media reports that an organisation (details supplied) which receives significant funding from her Department through Pobal, has been linked through its affiliate in Belgium to the extremist Islamic organisation known as the "Muslim Brotherhood"; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2251/24]
View answerThe Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary Sector (SSNO) plays a significant role in Government’s support to our national community and voluntary organisations, through the provision of multi-annual funding towards their day to day operations.
Those organisations supported by the SSNO operate at the very heart of our communities, providing much needed supports for our most disadvantaged and vulnerable citizens
All applications for the 2022-2025 programme were independently appraised by Pobal to ensure transparency, fairness and due process.
This funding allocated through SSNO contributes towards the core costs of national, community and voluntary organisations in Ireland only, and therefore does not contribute to the operation of any affiliated organisations in other countries.
My department is not in a position to comment on the funding of organisations in other jurisdictions.
