Written Answers Nos. 1731-1750
1731. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the guidelines for SUSI grants in order that all mature students are treated as independent, even if they live with a parent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1945/25]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the objective of the statutory based student grant scheme is to provide additional assistance where parental income is below a certain threshold or, in the case of independent mature students, where the level of income of the student and his or her spouse warrants additional assistance by way of a grant.
For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian or as independent mature students.
A student’s status for grant purposes is defined at their first point of entry to an approved further or higher education course or at their point of re-entry to an approved course following a break in studies of at least three years and continues to apply for the duration of their studies.
A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if they have reached the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course and are not ordinarily resident with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) from the previous 1st October. The documentation required can be found here: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/applicant-class/independent-students/.
The Deputy will appreciate that the funding allocation for the Student Grant Scheme is determined in the context of the overall estimates and budgetary process undertaken by all Government Departments. All proposals made in relation to SUSI grant expenditure can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.
1732. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timescale for the introduction for the €25,000 stipend for SFI and IRC-funded PhD students; which PhD students qualify for the €25,000 stipend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1981/25]
View answerIn October 2022, an independent and comprehensive National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers was announced; the first time that this issue has been considered holistically in this manner. The first report of the Co-Chairs, Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney, was published in summer 2023. In it they recommended an increase towards an optimum PhD stipend level of €25,000, subject to funding availability.
In Budget 2024, funding was secured to increase the PhD stipend offered by this Department's competitive research funding agency (formerly Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council: now Research Ireland), from €19,000 to €22,000 annually. Furthermore, as part of Budget 2025, I announced an additional €9 million package to raise Research Ireland's PhD stipends from €22,000 to €25,000 per annum.? This was part of a major capital and funding package for tertiary education to reduce the cost of education and tackle cost-of-living pressures.? This builds on the previous increases, demonstrating my Department's clear and consistent commitment to this issue.
Regarding the timeline for this increase, Research Ireland has confirmed to all higher education institutions that funds are available to uplift students to €25,000 per annum. Research Ireland has directly engaged with the finance offices in the institutions, who will be commencing payment to PhD students at the €25,000 level from January this year.
1733. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of purpose-built student accommodation units available in Kerry in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1998/25]
View answerA new Student Accommodation Strategy is in development following Government approval of the long-term Policy in January 2024. The Strategy aims to increase supply of state supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy, while supporting balanced regional development through the Technological University (TU) Feasibility study.
The intention of the TU Feasibility Study is to develop a programmatic approach to facilitate future Technological University student accommodation proposals. The results of the TU Feasibility study will determine what opportunities are available to meet the future demand for student accommodation. MTU Kerry are actively participating in this study.
The Standardised Design Study will be key to establishing best practice and value for money for the State, ensuring affordability of additional supply for students. The TU Feasibility study is progressing in tandem with the Standardised Design Study for student accommodation, to enable a viable design model for state supported student accommodation based on regional needs and feasibility assessments.
Supply data from the Higher Education Authority indicates there to be 815 privately owned student accommodation beds in Kerry. These beds were available prior to 2019 with no new developments between 2019 to end 2024.
As of the 6th of January, the number of beds advertised in digs accommodation by Munster Technological University, Kerry is 102.
1734. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans his Department has to provide paid apprenticeships to those working in the culinary arts while being trained in a business setting. [2022/25]
View answerApprentices are primarily employees and all 77 apprenticeship programmes currently available are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer, with the employer paying the apprentice during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements.
The Government is seeking to boost the opportunities available to young people by focusing on apprenticeships and skills and is committed to supporting the growth of apprenticeship programmes.
Apprenticeship development is industry-led with the goal of aligning skills with workforce needs. New apprenticeship programmes are developed by the industry sector in question via a consortium of partners including an education provider. Proposals for such programmes progress through a 10-step process overseen by the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) in conjunction with the National Apprenticeship Alliance.
Currently, there are three culinary apprenticeship programmes available – Commis Chef, Chef de Partie and Sous Chef.
1735. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details of any public contracts in his Department provided to companies or individuals who do not pay tax in Ireland, including the names of the contractor, value of the contract and purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2036/25]
View answerThe information in relation to details of any public contracts in the Department provided to companies or individuals who do not pay tax in Ireland, including the names of the contractor, value of the contract and purpose of the contract, in tabular form is being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available. The Deputy's office has been contacted to confirm the timelines requested.
1736. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details of any public contracts issued to a company (details supplied) over the last 10 years, including the value of the contract and the purpose of the contract, in tabular form. [2054/25]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has had no contract with any of the aforementioned companies.
1737. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of civil servants in her Department, and in agencies under the aegis of her Department, who were on career break in 2023 or 2024, by month and grade, and by length of career break; the number of civil servants in her Department and in agencies under the aegis of her Department who were on career break for longer than five years or longer than six years in 2023 or 2024, by month, grade, and length of career break, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46197/24]
View answerMy Department has seven staff members who took a career break which included all or part of 2023 or 2024. The table below shows the grades, and the dates and duration of these career breaks.
|
Grade |
Career Break From |
Career Break To |
Length of Career Break |
|
Administrative Officer |
09.03.2022 |
11.03.2024 |
2 Years |
|
Administrative Officer |
02.09.2022 |
01.03.2025 |
Due to be 2 years 6 months |
|
Assistant Principal |
01.09.2021 |
03.03.2025 |
Due to be 3 years 6 months |
|
Assistant Principal |
12.10.2024 |
13.04.2025 |
Due to be 6 months |
|
Clerical Officer |
12.09.2023 |
08.09.2025 |
Due to be 2 years |
|
Clerical Officer |
22.03.2024 |
20.03.2026 |
Due to be 2 years |
|
Executive Officer |
15.06.2022 |
15.06.2025 |
Due to be 3 years |
No staff in my department have been on a career break lasting longer than five years. While the granting of career breaks is an operational matter for agencies under our aegis, I can confirm that they do not have any staff on career break as outlined.
1738. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of vacancies, by month and by grade, in her Department, and in agencies under the aegis of her Department, in 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46215/24]
View answerDRCD and it's agencies do not tend to carry many vacancies at any one time. This is as a result of the priority placed in the timely backfilling and recruitment of new posts as required. The Department's approach to recruitment follows best practice and guidance from the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA).
The number of vacancies, by month and by grade for 2023 and 2024 are shown in the tables below. These include the four agencies under the aegis of my Department - the Charities Regulatory Authority, Pobal, Water Safety Ireland and the Western Development Commission
2023
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
5 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Executive Officer |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
0 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Administrative Officer |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Principal Officer |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Service Officer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2024
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
June |
July |
Aug |
Sept |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Executive Officer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Administrative Officer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Service Officer |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1739. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide an assurance that no civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years where there is a suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency; to provide an assurance that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond five years on account of there being no suitable vacancy in their home Department or agency, that they have been placed on a redeployment panel; to provide an assurance that, where a civil servant has had their career break extended beyond six years, that consideration has been given to facilitating them on a supernumerary basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46233/24]
View answerMy Department currently has six staff members on career breaks. However, no staff in my department have been on a career break lasting 5 years or longer, therefore no requests for extensions have been received.
In line with Civil Service Circular 04/2013, all staff nearing the end of a career break are required to give two months' notice of their intention to return to work. This gives my Department suitable notice to find an appropriate vacancy at the same grade for them to return to. Due to the low number of staff on career break, and the relatively short duration of the breaks, I do not envisage the use of redeployment panels in this context.
1740. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the empowering communities programme project is intended to continue and expand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46317/24]
View answer1742. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on the Empowering Communities Programme; if the programme is being extended; if funding for the programme is being increased; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46379/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1740 and 1742 together.
The Empowering Communities Programme (ECP) is funded by my Department. It commenced in 2022, providing funding for 14 projects. At present there are 17 projects supported under the programme, with annual funding of €2.3 million.
The areas selected for funding under the ECP are ones that are experiencing significant disadvantage identified using the Pobal HP deprivation index. The programme, with the support of the relevant Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), aims to enhance community access to key services and empower local communities to develop their own response to area-based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences.
Community Engagement Workers funded under the ECP engage with the supported community and reinforce community development values and principles. They assist the community to take ownership of, and address the issues that are most important to them and facilitate and create positive change. They have organised events with the community that include, inter alia, targeted outreach and drop-ins, well-being days, intercultural activities and celebrations, English language classes, community Clean-up and Planting activities.
In essence, the ECP supports disadvantaged communities to develop bespoke responses to existing and emerging needs that impact on the quality of life of the people in the ECP areas. Feedback to date from beneficiaries in ECP supported communities has been positive.
Under Budget 2025, additional funding of €1 million has been secured for the ECP with a view to further expanding the Programme. Consideration is currently being given to how this additional funding can be utilised to maximum effect for communities that are experiencing significant disadvantage.
My Department plans to commission research in 2025 to evaluate the impact of the ECP in the communities supported by the programme.
1741. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if invitations remain open for local authorities to seek capital funding for libraries under the Libraries Capital Programme 2023-2027. [46334/24]
View answerThe provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities, in their capacity as library authorities, under the Local Government Act 2001.
Notwithstanding this, in April 2024, I announced the new Libraries Capital Programme for the period 2023-2027, which will invest €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art infrastructure projects and a further €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles. As a result, the Libraries Capital Programme is now fully committed and, therefore, there is no call open under the programme for local authorities to seek funding at this time.
1743. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of vacancies, by grade, currently within her Department; and the estimated timeframe for filling each of the vacancies, in tabular form. [46387/24]
View answerMy Department maintains a focus on filling vacancies quickly using a range of recruitment approaches, both internal and external. There are currently three vacancies in my Department, shown in the table below.
|
Vacancy |
Estimated Timeframe for filling the Vacancy |
|
1 x Service Officer |
January / February 2025 |
|
1 x Higher Executive Officer |
January 2025 |
|
1 x Clerical Officer |
January 2025 |
1744. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will allocate a major increase in local improvement scheme funding to County Kerry and indeed all other Local Authorities who operate local improvement schemes to address issues (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46647/24]
View answerThe Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not usually maintained by local authorities. Since its establishment in 2017, almost €170 million has been provided by Government to local authorities for LIS. This funding has so far resulted in improvement works on almost 4,500 roads, benefitting over 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.
Since 2017, Kerry has been allocated a total of €10.35 million in LIS funding. This figure includes the 2024/2025 allocation of €2.57 million. Furthermore, Kerry County Council has advised that it has completed repair works on a total of 225 rural roads and laneways and has indicated that a further 28 roads will be completed in 2025.
While the Department provides funding for the Scheme, it is administered by each local authority, who retain responsibility for the selection and prioritisation of roads and management of waiting lists. It should be noted that the ability of local authorities to meet demand under the scheme is not purely a function of available funding, as other factors such as weather conditions and the availability of contractors and labour are also relevant.
In April of 2024, funding of over €40 million nationally was announced in for the 2024 and 2025 Schemes. This included additional once-off funding in respect of 2024 in order to help local authorities better plan their work programmes, thus supporting ongoing efforts to meet high demand at local level.
In response to feedback received from local representatives, the LIS criteria were amended to ensure that more families can qualify for the scheme. Previously, two landowners were required to be directly involved in agricultural activities - now this is the case for just one landowner.
Department officials continue to liaise closely with local authorities to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of the scheme.
1745. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided for a long-awaited library project (details supplied). [46868/24]
View answerThe provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities, in their capacity as library authorities, under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Mahon Blackrock is primarily a matter for Cork City Council.
In April 2023, my Department invited proposals for funding under a new Libraries Capital Programme. I am advised that no proposal in relation to Mahon Blackrock Library was received from Cork City Council.
In April of this year, I announced the new Libraries Capital Programme for the period 2023-2027, which will invest €22.6m in 11 state-of-the-art infrastructure projects and a further €2.6m in 12 next generation mobile library vehicles. As the Libraries Capital Programme is now fully committed, there is no scope to allocate funding to additional projects.
1746. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a list will be provided of all persons appointed to State or semi-State boards under her remit since 1 November 2024. [46934/24]
View answerThere are four agencies under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development. These are the Charities Regulatory Authority, Pobal, Water Safety Ireland and the Western Development Commission. There has been no new appointments to the boards of any of these four agencies since 01 November 2024.
The start date of all appointments and re-appointments to boards are available on the State Boards Membership website.
membership.stateboards.ie/en/department/Department%20of%20Rural%20and%20Community%20Development/.
1747. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a full detailed update on the current status of the Ardee Castle project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1010/25]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.
The Ardee Castle project was allocated RRDF funding of €2,147,000 in 2019. This a significant historical tourism project linked to the heritage-led regeneration of Ardee, which will also contribute to the further development of Louth as a tourist destination.
Louth County Council is the lead partner for the project. The works include the refurbishment of Ardee Castle project and the conservation of a four-story tower house built in the 1600’s and its adjacent associated buildings. The projects includes refurbishment works to the Castle itself as well as some stripping away of modern materials to reveal more of the medieval structure. A major part of the works is the creation of a new extension to the rear of the tower house. The extension will include new fully compliant lift, staircase and toilets which will serve all areas of the building complex.
The County Council has confirmed that the tower house is a registered National Monument, and as such, Ministerial consent for the planned works was required. This consent was secured last year and the required Part 8 planning is also in place.
Having secured the required consents, the County Council has also advised that a process to appoint a main contractor for the works is currently ongoing, having been advertised an open tender in October 2024. Tenders received are currently being assessed and, once this process is complete, the Final Business Case will be submitted by the County Council to my Department for approval to proceed to construction stage. The County Council has indicated that the works will take a minimum of eighteen months to complete following appointment and mobilisation of the contractor. My officials continue to engage with the County Council as to progress on the project.
1748. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when she expects to announce the awards for the community centres investment fund 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1175/25]
View answerIn June last year, I was delighted to announce a new round of funding to support community groups to upgrade and refurbish the community facilities in their areas. The Community Centre Investment Fund 2024 will provide funding of between €10,000 and €100,000 towards capital costs for the refurbishment of existing community centres.
The window for applying for the scheme closed in early September 2024. I approved in excess of €7.6 million for almost 400 community centres under category 1 of the fund in November last. These are projects seeking funding of up to €25,000.
All applications in respect of category 2 projects, which are applications seeking funding of up to €100,000, are currently being assessed and it is expected that successful projects will be announced in the coming weeks.
1749. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development for an update on the senior's alert scheme; when a decision will be made on the inclusion for new technology for the next iteration scheme being considered by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1328/25]
View answerThe Senior Alert Scheme encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of a personal alarm or pendant. The Dormant Accounts Fund helps to support this scheme given the level of demand for it.
Since the scheme was launched in 2015, in excess of 140,000 participants have been approved for the alarms, including over 18,200 during 2024.
The current scheme came into effect in September 2021 and, along with the provision of free monitoring for the first year and a revision of the living alone requirements, introduced a new key feature in the additional option of a digital alarm, for use with web-based connections.
Officials in my Department will continue to consider the potential role of the SAS as part of the increased use of assistive technologies aimed at supporting people to continue to live independently within their communities. Consideration of new and developing technologies to be incorporated into the scheme is ongoing, with a view to a new iteration of the scheme being launched towards the end of 2025.
1750. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total funding made available to a project (details supplied); the amount of funding drawn down to date; the current status of the project; the works conducted to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1345/25]
View answerThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) is a strategic capital investment fund that is key to the delivery of Ireland's rural development policy, Our Rural Future 2021-2025. RRDF provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns and villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to Local Authorities and other State-funded bodies, who take the lead role in individual projects.
Cork County Council is the lead partner for the Youghal Public Library project. It was awarded funding of c. €4.05m under the third Call for Category 1 proposals to the RRDF in 2021. The amount of RRDF funding drawn down to date is c. €250,000. Works will see the renovation and extension of derelict buildings and a site on Youghal's North Main Street to provide a new library and revitalised streetscape.
As was highlighted in a previous response (July 2024) Cork County Council has advised my Department that, since the funding was approved in 2021, the condition of the building has deteriorated further and some fundamental structural issues relating to internal floors have emerged. Most recently, the Council has confirmed that demolition and other works commenced in Q3 2024 with an approximate 20 week schedule. These works were originally due to be completed by end of January 2025 but delays due to recent adverse weather will push this completion date until the end of February 2025.
The Council has indicated that the substantive tender to deliver the project will be advertised following completion of these works and that the project is estimated to be completed in Q4 2026.
Given the benefits that this project can deliver to the community in Youghal, I have instructed my officials to remain in ongoing contact with Cork County to support the delivery of this important project.
