Denise Mitchell
Question:634. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of professional added years for a person (details supplied). [8678/24]
View answerQualifications Recognition
Questions (634)
Written answers
From enquiries made by my officials with City of Dublin ETB, I understand that the person concerned retired on ill-health grounds in late December 2023 and applied for the award of professional added years in early January. City of Dublin ETB submitted the application to the pensions section in the Department of Education, which retains regulatory responsibility for the ETB Sector, in mid January and a decision is awaited.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (635)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:635. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 581 of 7 February 2024, the breakdown, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8834/24]
View answerWritten answers
The information requested by Deputy Farrell is presently being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Third Level Education
Questions (636)
Paul Donnelly
Question:636. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposal to increase the number of places on first year veterinary medicine and dentistry for Irish students for the 2024-2025 academic year. [8875/24]
View answerWritten answers
It is one of my key priorities that we deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector, and to ensure a supply of qualified vets to meet the demands of Ireland's agri-food sector. My officials are actively engaging with the Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture on determining the longer term skills needs of the healthcare and veterinary services, and the role which the further and higher education sector can play in meeting those skills needs.
There is no quota placed on dental or veterinary courses by my Department, and therefore the places offered are a matter for the higher education institutions, in line with their autonomy. However due to the high level of practical work involved there can be material constraints on the number of students that can be accepted onto dentistry and veterinary courses.
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 places in healthcare, including dentistry, as well as veterinary medicine provision. A number of the proposals could be regionally impactful, increasing the supply of graduates in dentistry and veterinary.
There is a substantial capital cost associated with the provision of any expansion or new school. 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.
My Department is engaging with other relevant Departments about the capital costs for the provision of any new school and I am continuing to work with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the next steps.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (637)
Paul Donnelly
Question:637. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the capital works projects that received EU funding in each of the years of 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the amount of EU funding that was received for each of the capital works projects in each of the years in question, in tabular form. [8876/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm to the Deputy that no EU funding was dispersed via my Department in respect of infrastructural capital projects in the period in question.
Education and Training Boards
Questions (638)
Alan Dillon
Question:638. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if grants are available for students who attend modern foreign language courses through ETB's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8887/24]
View answerWritten answers
SOLAS has advised that modern foreign languages courses (French, German, Spanish, Italian) are offered as part of some Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) and other programmes such as the Back to Education Initiative and Community Education. Students pursuing PLC courses may qualify for maintenance grants under the SUSI PLC Grant Scheme if they satisfy the scheme conditions. The €200 PLC levy was removed with effect from September 2022 and Budget 2024 has provided for PLC fees to be removed with effect from next September.
Alternatively, students may, depending on the course of study and their individual circumstances qualify for the Back to Education Allowance administered by the Department of Social Protection or an ETB Training Allowance.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (639)
Alan Dillon
Question:639. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) can transfer their college course from Letterkenny to Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8979/24]
View answerWritten answers
Firstly I would like to offer my sympathies to this student and their family following this tragic life changing accident.
It is one of the utmost priorities for me and my Department that we support and promote greater inclusion, equity of access and successful participation in third level education, and provide each student with a physical or intellectual disability, and those from other marginalised groups, with the support and assistance they need on their academic journeys.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous under legislation and have control of their academic affairs. From the information provided it is unclear if this student has applied to the higher education institution in relation to a transfer of their programme, or any form of assistance.
I would advise the student contact the Access Officer in ATU for guidance as to what supports are available, in the first instance. There are an array of supports available to students with a disability. Further information and contact information is available on the ATU website and ahead.ie.
Since the launch of The National Access Plan in 2022, I have taken a number of measures to support access to Higher Education for target groups, including increasing the annual allocation for the Fund for Students with a Disability for 2024 by 5% to over €8 million. The Department is committed to ensuring all students can actively participate in third level education.
An Teanga Gaeilge
Questions (640)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:640. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta an ndéanfaidh sé cur síos ar na hathruithe reachtúla atá tarlaithe maidir le stádas na Gaeilge nó riachtanais a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge in Ollscoil na Gaillimhe ó bunaíodh an Stát, agus cén cur chuige atá ag an Roinn maidir le ról na hOllscoile i gcur chun cinn na Gaeilge ag an ardleibhéal faoi láthair. [9050/24]
View answerWritten answers
Déanann Acht an Choláiste Ollscoile (Leasú) 2006 forálacha áirithe maidir leis an nGaeilge d’Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Leasaítear leis an Acht seo Acht an Choláiste Ollscoile Gaillimh 1929.
Foráiltear leis an Acht leasaithe seo:
· Cinnteoidh údarás ceannais Choláiste na hOllscoile, Gaillimh gurb é ceann de na príomhaidhmeanna le haghaidh oibriú agus fhorbairt an Choláiste atá leagtha amach i ngach plean forbartha straitéisí a ullmhófar ná oideachas a chur ar fáil sa Choláiste trí mheán na Gaeilge.
· Comhlíonfaidh an t-údarás ceannais agus Uachtarán an Choláiste a bhfeidhmeanna faoi seach agus feidhmeoidh siad a gcumhachtaí faoi seach i leith an Choláiste chun a áirithiú go gcuirfear an aidhm sin chun feidhme.
Mar is eol don Teachta, is comhlachtaí uathrialacha de réir bhrí Acht na nOllscoileanna 1997, Achtanna na nInstitiúidí Teicneolaíochta 1992 go 2006, agus Acht na nOllscoileanna Teicneolaíochta 2018 iad na Forais Ardoideachais (Institiúidí Ardoideachais). Mar sin, tá siad neamhspleách i ndáil lena ngnóthaí riaracháin agus acadúla. I gcomhréir leis an neamhspleáchas sin, tá gach Institiúid Ardoideachais freagrach as a straitéis don Ghaeilge.
Áirítear in Acht an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas (2022) forálacha sonracha maidir leis an nGaeilge, lena n-áirítear:
· Ceanglaítear ar an HEA aird a thabhairt ar an gcuspóir tacú le hinstitiúidí ardoideachais ainmnithe (lena n-áirítear Ollscoil na Gaillimhe) chun cur le forbairt agus inbhuanaitheacht shóisialta, eacnamaíoch, chultúrtha agus chomhshaoil trí cheannaireacht, nuálaíocht agus lúfaireacht agus áireofar ar an tacaíocht sin cur chun cinn agus úsáid na Gaeilge ag na hinstitiúidí sin.
· Tá an HEA ag teastáil chun tacú le raon clár ardoideachais agus oiliúna atá dírithe ar riachtanais oideachais agus scileanna daoine aonair, gnó, fiontraíochta, na ngairmeacha, an phobail, leasanna áitiúla agus páirtithe leasmhara eile a chomhlíonadh go háitiúil, go réigiúnach agus go náisiúnta, lena n-áirítear riachtanais oideachais agus scileanna daoine i gceantair Ghaeltachta agus líonraí Gaeilge maidir le cur chun cinn agus úsáid na Gaeilge.
· Daoine a bhfuil taithí agus saineolas leordhóthanach acu maidir le cur chun cinn agus úsáid na Gaeilge a áireamh i measc Bhord an HEA.
Tá foráil in Acht na nOllscoileanna 1997 freisin go gceanglaítear ar ollscoileanna aird a thabhairt ar an gcuspóir go léireoidh comhaltas an údaráis ceannais comhdhéanamh shochaí na hÉireann go ginearálta, lena n-áirítear daoine atá inniúil sa Ghaeilge.
Maidir le forbairt Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge, cuirtear tacaíocht ar leith ar fáil d’Ollscoil na Gaillimhe. Tá sé seo á mhaoiniú ag an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán tríd an HEA.
Sa bhliain féilire 2021, leithdháil an HEA €1,766,000 ar Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. Tá sé seo á chómhaoiniú ag an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán. Chuir an Roinn €900,000 ar fáil don bhliain acadúil 2020/21. D’íoc an ÚAO é seo i dtráthchodanna le hOllscoil na Gaillimhe.
Leithdháil an HEA €1,766,000 ar Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge sa bhliain féilire 2022. Chomhaontaigh an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2021 leithdháileadh de €1,000,000 a chur ar fáil do gach bliain acadúil 2021/22-2023/24. Chuir an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán €1,000,000 ar fáil don bhliain acadúil 2021/22. D’íoc an ÚAO é seo i dtráthchodanna le hOllscoil na Gaillimhe.
Sa bhliain féilire 2023, leithdháil an HEA €1,766,000 ar Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. D’aontaigh an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán €1,000,000 a chur ar fáil don bhliain acadúil 2022/23. Chuir an Roinn Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán tráthchuid €900,000 i leith an lucht acadúil 2022/23 ar fáil i mí na Nollag 2022.
Third Level Education
Questions (641)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:641. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the newly released scheme to support children leaving State care with free accommodation when going into third level education; the procedure for applying; and the rules of the scheme. [9069/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am committed to addressing the supply of more affordable student accommodation for priority group students, in line with policy commitments set out in the National Access Plan (NAP). The NAP aims to support inclusion and diversity in the student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress. It recognises the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with special and additional needs.
The plan targets and supports students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged, students with disabilities and students from the Irish Traveller community. The NAP has, for the first time, recognised children in care/care leavers, as a target sub-group within the overall policy.
The Department's application for Dormant Accounts Funding to provide assistance to students from the Traveller and Roma Communities, and Care Leavers; with the cost of college accommodation was approved in November 2023.
The specifics of the scheme are at an early stage of development and once finalised the Department will publish details of the scheme including the procedures for applying; and the rules of the scheme etc. These details will be available in the coming weeks.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (642, 651, 652)
Bernard Durkan
Question:642. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which efforts continue to be made to ensure the availability of adequate qualified staffing levels to meet the requirements of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5676/24]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:651. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects the level of Irish technical and academic graduates to be sufficient to meet any demand arising from accelerated economic growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9357/24]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:652. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he foresees the use of innovation as a means of perfecting this country’s education system as well as meeting the market-based challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9358/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 642, 651 and 652 together.
The Deputy's questions reflect the need to understand innovation as central to the continued success of our economy, and to allow Ireland's workforce to continue to thrive amid rapid and widespread change.
This is a central theme of the OECD Review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy which I launched last May. Against the backdrop of rapidly changing skill needs and mega-trends such as digitisation and AI, decarbonisation and demographic change, the OECD emphasize it will be essential that Ireland's skills system:-
• helps secure a balance between skills demand and and supply;
• is flexible and responsive in planning for future skill needs; and
• builds adaptability and resilience in the face of societal and economic change.
One of the main priorities for my Department for 2024 consistent with its recent Statement of Strategy is to respond to the challenges identified by the OECD, and to use their review as a blueprint for these responses.
The reform of the National Skills Council, the details of which I plan to announce shortly, will underpin o a national partnership across all key stakeholders to drive a stronger shared response to the challenges before us.
The work of the new Council will be critical to overseeing how the future evolution of our tertiary education system generates the workforce and skills that sustain our economic model and help secure social cohesion.
My recent joint publication with Minister Foley of a Strategic Framework for Lifelong Guidance marks a milestone achievement that gives a policy framework to the continuum of guidance services throughout the lifecycle with the aim to help adults at all stages of their career and life to successfully navigate a labour market characterised by rapidly evolving skills needs. The Framework includes placing a focus on clarity of information provided about the rich offering of learning opportunities 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.
Third Level Costs
Questions (643)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:643. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what financial supports are available for undergraduate students who study in Britain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9235/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
In general, Irish students who choose to study in the UK can apply to SUSI for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme. The Regulations prescribe that an approved undergraduate course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of two years to complete in an approved institution.
Details of eligibility for the Student Grant Scheme can be found at: www.susi
Funding under the Free Fees Initiative is only available in respect of approved courses within the State. The Student Grant Scheme does not and never has, extended to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than the exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in four publically funded approved institutions in Northern Ireland:
• Queen’s University, Belfast,
• University of Ulster,
• St. Mary’s College of Education, Belfast and
• Stranmillis College, Belfast.
This provision is consistent with the principles of the Good Friday agreement and is intended to promote greater tolerance and understanding between both jurisdictions.
Students seeking to pursue their studies in the UK are advised to contact the Student Finance agency in each of the Devolved Administrations in the UK, as each jurisdiction may have variations in eligibility criteria. Students may also wish to contact the relevant Further or Higher Education Institution in the UK for advice on the type and range of supports that may be available in any specific college.
Third Level Education
Questions (644)
Alan Kelly
Question:644. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing the number of undergraduate new entrants in pharmacy by 20%, broken down by the number of additional new entrants a 20% increase would achieve. [9258/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not place a cap on the number of Pharmacy places and therefore higher education institutions (HEIs) are in a position to increase places in line with their autonomy without Departmental consent.
Currently, three higher education institutes have accredited programmes providing professional qualifications in Pharmacy. The most recent student data from the HEA indicates that these Pharmacy courses collectively had 195 new entrants in 2022/23. In September 2023 15 additional places were introduced in the Pharmacy programme in RCSI.
The costs incurred by HEIs in increasing student places on a particular course can vary depending on a variety factors including physical capacity, equipment and the individual circumstances of the relevant provider.
When higher education institutions provision doesn't adequately meet national need, a specific engagement with the sector and external stakeholders is very often required to determine the feasibility of securing the provision of additional places.
The HEA conducted an Expressions of Interest process that sought submissions regarding possible expansion of places in five disciplines including Pharmacy. In June 2023 the Minister for Health and I announced details of the potential options identified under this process. A number of these options require substantial capital investment. I continue to engage closely on this matter with Government colleagues to advance the process, with investment to be considered in the context of the ongoing review of Departmental National Development Plan allocations.