Written Answers Nos. 171-175
171. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will extend the deadline for sectoral input responses to a report (details supplied), as the request to ETBI on 22 March, with a deadline of 25 March, is a timeline that appears wholly inadequate to facilitate valid sectoral feedback and input; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16764/24]
View answer172. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the timeline for completion of a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16798/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
The Youthreach Employee Wellbeing Report 2022: A review of employees experience of working in the Youthreach Sector was published by Maynooth University in January 2023. Based on a survey of 325 staff, or some 33% of the sector, it found significant challenges facing frontline Youthreach sector staff and workplace stress but nonetheless found higher levels of wellbeing by comparison to teaching staff at other levels of education. The report highlighted the dedication and commitment of Youthreach staff to their student cohort.
The key role of relationships with staff in re-engaging young people with learning was also highlighted in the ESRI’s Evaluation of the Youthreach Programme which also noted how coping with the needs of young people, especially in terms of psychological and mental health, is seen to require CPD and additional supports for staff.
The Youthreach programme is staffed by Co-ordinators, Resource Persons and teachers with nationally agreed terms and conditions of employment. They have specific, clearly defined job descriptions. which were designed very much with the programmes structure in mind. Template contracts of employment for Youthreach were negotiated and agreed by all stakeholders.
I understand that Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) issued a follow-up sectoral response survey last month to the 6 ETBs. ETBI are engaging with the ETBs to extend the time available for the ETBs to engage with the Youthreach staff by two weeks. ETBI will consider the individual ETB responses and prepare a report for SOLAS and my Department on the issues raised and measures taken in relation to Youthreach.
173. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the review of the status of PhD researchers, that is, their classification as either students or employees, will be published. [16843/24]
View answerIn November 2022, Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney were appointed to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This is the first time that State supports for PhD students have been considered holistically in this manner. During their exercise they met with over 35 stakeholder organisations, including an all-day workshop with student groups, and they received over 750 online submissions.
In their reporting, the Co-Chairs were asked to prioritise consideration of a number of issues, including stipend levels. Their first review report was published in June 2023 in which they recommended an increase toward an optimum stipend level of €25,000, subject to funding availability. Under Budget 2024, funding was secured to increase the competitive PhD stipend awards provided by Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council from €19,000 to €22,000 per annum, building on the additional funding that was secured under Budget 2023 and demonstrating my Department’s consistent commitment to this issue. My officials continue to engage with the budgetary processes in order to continue our progress on this.
The final report of the Co-Chairs will encompass their examination of the two outstanding elements of their terms of reference: PhD researcher status and issues particularly relevant to underrepresented groups. For each of these elements, the Co-Chairs will present their analysis and findings, based on their extensive consultation process and desk review. The report will be published on my Department's web site in due course.
174. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure all third-level educational institutions provide free period products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16892/24]
View answer175. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that higher education institutions are sufficiently resourced to be able to provide free on-campus sanitary products to their students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16948/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 174 and 175 together.
The provision of period products in publicly funded educational settings is a Programme for Government commitment.
My Department has been involved in a number of initiatives to ensure that no students are disadvantaged in their education by period indignity. These include the following:
• worked collaboratively with the Department of Health and the OGP on the development of a drawdown contract for the provision of period products in education establishments and other public institutions.
• in conjunction with the ETBs, development of a pilot called ‘Worryfree’ which was rolled out to nine further education and training colleges across six Education and Training Boards (ETBs). The pilot delivered free, sustainable period products and dispensers for students in participating ETBs.
• active participation on the Period Poverty Implementation Group chaired by the Department of Health
As the Deputy may be aware, Higher Education Institutions have also been working to ensure free period products are available on campus, such as ‘Code Red’ in MTU, ‘Any time of the month’ in University Limerick (UL), Brigit’s Basket in the National College of Ireland (NCI). The End Period Poverty campaign in UCD. DCU & Mary Immaculate College (MIC) also have similar initiatives currently running. DCU have also devised a postal service for students who are unable to access the products on campus.
I expect to be making an announcement on this matter shortly.
