Written Answers Nos. 645-654
645. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the employer-led national apprenticeship programme in respect of the local government sector. [9316/24]
View answerThe Public Service Apprenticeship Plan was launched in August 2023. It is a key commitment under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 and is called out as a public service transformation priority in the Public Service Agreement 2024-202, if ratified. The Plan outlines how to grow the number of annual apprenticeship registrations across the public service, including local authorities, to 750 by 2025.
The Plan creates a road-map to achieving that target while offering an alternative recruitment approach for public service organisations seeking solutions to skills gaps and also provides an entry route for job-seekers interested in a career in the public service. It also provides an opportunity to target and widen the recruitment pool for both generalist and specialist roles within the public service.
As of January 2024, there were 393 apprentices working in the civil service and public sector, of which 41 are in Local Authorities. A Public Service Apprenticeship Leadership Group (PSALG) has been established to drive forward greater use of apprenticeship as an upskilling and reskilling option for public service employers.
Interest in public service apprenticeship from the local government sector has been encouraging. A full list of local government employers and the wide range of apprenticeship programmes they are participating in can be found at the following link.
Apprenticeship provides all public service employers with an opportunity to position their workforces to meet current and future skills needs, in order to deliver on their objectives. The diversity of the public service provides a wide basis for involvement with the range of existing apprenticeships and those in development.
646. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current rates of pay for all craft apprentices, by the different phases; the dates on which the rates were last increased, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9332/24]
View answerFor the 25 Craft Apprenticeship programmes, the minimum rates of pay are determined by the industry sector to which the employer belongs. 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 Orders (SEOs) 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.
As requested by the Deputy, the current rates of pay for all craft apprentices, by the different phases, and the dates on which the rates were last increased, is provided in tabular form at the link.
647. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the pay scales for craft apprentice education tutors under the current Public Service Pay Agreement; the pay scales under the previous agreement, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9333/24]
View answerCraft apprenticeship instructors are staff under the Career Grade pay scale.
Set out at the link below is the Career Grade pay scale under the current Building Momentum public service pay agreement 2021-2023, and the previous Lansdowne Road public service pay agreement 2018-2020.
If ratified, the proposed Public Service Agreement providing for increases of 10.25% over 2.5 years will replace the Building Momentum pay agreement and cover the period from 1 January 2024 to 30 June 2026.
648. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied the number of places for students wishing to pursue courses of an academic or technical nature is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9354/24]
View answer654. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department has planned for the likely increased demand in fourth level education in the future, with particular reference to the need to stay the pace with or at least on par with international trends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9360/24]
View answer655. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expected number of fourth level graduates in both technical and academic sectors in the future in terms of the demand and the ability to meet that demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9361/24]
View answer658. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he sees the demand for innovation extending in the future in the field of job opportunities; whether he remains satisfied regarding the ability of the higher education system to meet the challenges in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9364/24]
View answer659. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places currently taken up by fourth level education students throughout the country; the extent to which these numbers incorporate the academic and technical sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9365/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648, 654, 655, 658 and 659 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.
In November last year I welcomed the publication of the 2023 National Skills Bulletin which showed that 2.55 million persons were employed in 2022 (annual average), an increase of 158,100 persons (or 6.6%) since 2021 and 9.9% (or 228,500 persons) above 2019 levels. In addition it showed that 119,400 persons were unemployed in 2022 (annual average), a fall of 38,400 persons (or 24.3%) since 2021, and the lowest levels observed since before the 2008 financial crisis.
Budget 2024 secured an additional €65.2million in core funding under Funding the Future. This funding when combined with the €40.5million secured in Budget 2023, will increase the core funding provided under Funding the Future to €105.7million.
This additional funding will lead to increased staffing levels and enhanced support services for students. It will also expand the capabilities of our higher education institutions to deliver on priority skills needs and the further development of tertiary programmes.
The additional funding secured in the last two budgets is aligned with the intention that over a number of years, further additional core funding will be prioritised through the Estimates process, while taking account of the Government’s budgetary and fiscal stance.
While DFHERIS has responsibility for skills policy, this broader skills ecosystem informs and drives responsive, flexible forecasting, planning, and provision. The National Skills Council (NSC) and nine Regional Skills Fora (RSF), created under the National Skills Strategy, foster engagement and collaboration between relevant Government Departments and agencies, the education and training system, and enterprise. The broader skills ecosystem also encompasses entities including the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit (SLMRU, hosted in SOLAS), the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN, Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment) and the National Training Fund Advisory Group (NTFAG, DFHERIS).
The role of innovation and research is also key to addressing these challenges. A whole of government approach to the implementation of Ireland’s National Research and Innovation strategy, Impact 2030, is being progressed 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. A key focus will be on ensuring and communicating the impact of research and innovation at every level - local, regional, national and international. Research and Innovation have long been recognised as being essential to improving productivity and competitiveness. Pillar Three of Impact 2030 in particular sets out how enterprise led Research & Innovation contributes and engages with the national Research & Innovation system.
My Department is also progressing a landmark Research Bill to amalgamate the functions of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council into a new Research Agency, to maximise the impact of the approximately €300 million of national competitive research funding which is currently being invested in this area; importantly, this represents almost 40% of Government expenditure on Research & Development. The Research and Innovation Bill 2024 completed Dáil Second Stage in January and is scheduled for Committee Stage on 28 February.
The Bill will establish a new funding agency Taighde Éireann or Research Ireland with the capacity to address the issues we as a society are facing, in particular with regard to climate change and the digital transition; and to enable us to better engage and compete at an international level, in terms of the opportunities ahead of us.
My Department does not currently produce specific projections for the number of higher education graduates. However, under the assumptions of the most recent projections of full-time enrolment in higher education, enrolments are expected to rise a further 13% over the next decade, and work is ongoing to build capacity within the system to accommodate this increase. The underlying assumptions of these projections are decided upon via an expert group and are regularly reviewed. A review of the latest projections of enrolments in higher education is scheduled to begin before year end, with work on updating the projections likely to follow.
649. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects the number of training/apprenticeship places to be sufficient to meet the demand in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9355/24]
View answerIt is my Department’s priority to ensure the apprenticeship system is right-sized to deliver future demand for skilled tradespeople.
Successful delivery of priority Government strategies such as the National Development Plan, Housing for All and the Climate Action Plan will require significant growth in our apprenticeship training capacity.
Being demand-led in nature, there are no restrictions on the number of apprentices that can be registered.
There is now also a strong and growing recognition of apprenticeship as a valuable employment and skills opportunity reflected in a 25% increase in craft apprenticeship registrations from 5,271 in 2019 to 6,588 in 2023.
Registrations remain strong in 2024 with 733 registrations to the end of January. This compares to 694 for the same time last year, an increase of 6%.
Increased funding of €67 million allocated to apprenticeship secured through the Estimates this year brings total investment to €300 million in 2024, and is a vital step in building the capacity required to meet future training requirements.
Education and Training Boards have been mandated to deliver 3 intakes of apprentices a year increasing training capacity from over 5,500 places in 2023 to over 8,900 in 2024, a 60% increase.
A targeted national recruitment campaign for over 100 craft apprenticeship instructors is underway.
The National Apprenticeship Office is consulting stakeholders on the development of an integrated system for apprenticeship which will enable continued growth and expansion of this important work-based learning route, a key priority under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025.
650. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department is upgrading the research sector with a view to maximisation of benefit for Irish students and ultimately the economy in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9356/24]
View answer653. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects the sciences to play a major part in meeting the standards required in the workplace in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9359/24]
View answer656. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he sees research playing a major role in competitiveness in the future; the likelihood of meeting the demand in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9362/24]
View answer657. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to set out the future ambitions of his Department in expanding the role of the sciences in the future; in particular the ability to meet opportunities likely to arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9363/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 650, 653, 656 and 657 together.
The sciences and the broader research sector have a pivotal role to play in securing societal and economic benefits for all. My Department is providing leadership in this regard, in particular through the implementation of Ireland’s research and innovation strategy, Impact 2030 and through our engagement with the Civil Service Research Network. These benefits occur across all sectors, encompassing issues like the workplace of the future that fall within the remit of other Ministers. However, I can give the Deputy an overview of the actions being taken by my Department in pursuit of our national ambition to put science and research at the heart of national development.
My Department is progressing a landmark Research Bill to amalgamate the functions of Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council into a new Research Agency, to maximise the impact of the approximately €300 million of national competitive research funding which is currently being invested in this area; importantly, this represents almost 40% of Government expenditure on Research & Development. The Research and Innovation Bill 2024 completed Dáil Second Stage in January and is scheduled for Committee Stage on 28 February.
The Bill will establish a new funding agency Taighde Éireann or Research Ireland with the capacity to address the issues we as a society are facing, in particular with regard to climate change and the digital transition; and to enable us to better engage and compete at an international level, in terms of the opportunities ahead of us.
A whole of government approach to the implementation of Ireland’s National Research and Innovation strategy, Impact 2030, is also being progressed 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. A key focus will be on ensuring and communicating the impact of research and innovation at every level - local, regional, national and international. Research and Innovation have long been recognised as being essential to improving productivity and competitiveness. Pillar Three of Impact 2030 in particular sets out how enterprise led Research & Innovation contributes and engages with the national Research &Innovation system.
As part of the Talent Pillar of Impact 2030 a review of National Supports for PhD researchers has been undertaken. Work is continuing with enterprise co-funders on a new internationally prestigious Innovate for Ireland PhD scholarship programme focused on national challenges.
In addition to these core priorities, my Department is actively engaged in the Shared Island initiative and the EU Peaceplus programme for Northern Ireland. Projects underway include all-island research centres managed by SFI, North/South research programmes managed by the HEA, student mobility and education and skills initiatives.
I am also committed to ensuring Ireland maximises participation in relevant international and European education, research and innovation fora including the European Research Area, Horizon Europe, Erasmus+ and the European Universities initiative. I am pleased to confirm that our application to join CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, is progressing. Membership has been long awaited and will be transformative for the research community.
Finally, a new international education and research strategy Global Citizens 2030 has now been launched. The Strategy sets out Ireland’s ambitions to embed excellence in talent and innovation into Ireland’s global footprint and is the first international strategy to encompass the breadth of tertiary education, and research and innovation systems. It emphasises Shared Island, European and Global Ireland engagements across the spectrum of further education, higher education, skills, research and innovation.
Underpinning all of these initiatives is a major programme of capital investment, focused on meeting the needs of the sector as a whole, including the further development of our Student Accommodation provision, which must also be delivered in such a way as to meet the challenges of Climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions.
