Written Answers Nos. 830-849
830. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the extent to which he is satisfied regarding the availability of sufficient resources for his Department to meet challenges likely in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22668/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Revised Estimates for Public Services 2020, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, detail gross expenditure of just over €1.6 billion in respect of my Department for 2020. These Estimates will be presented to the Dáil shortly. As the Deputy will be aware, the functions of my Department will be expanded to include a number of important additional areas. Officials of my Department are currently working with officials in the Departments of Health and Justice to make appropriate arrangements for the transfer of agreed functions in the areas of Disability, Equality and Integration and related allocations.
I am aiming to ensure that as part of this process, sufficient resources will be made available to my Department to meet any challenges likely to arise.
831. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the progress to date in the establishment of a new service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22676/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla currently provides support, coordination and funding to some 60 organisations around the country that deliver front line services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). This includes Tearmann Domestic Violence Service, located in County Monaghan, which provides a range of community-based services for victims of domestic violence, including emotional and practical support, advocacy, and court accompaniment services. Tearmann also provides an outreach service in Cavan Town.
Tusla has been in contact with funded organisations, including those in the Cavan/Monaghan region, in relation to a Strategic Review of Domestic Violence Accommodation to inform Tusla's future commissioning of domestic violence emergency accommodation services, and to ensure that the evolving needs of service users are met. Tusla will carry out further engagements as the year progresses with a view to finalising the review. Future developments will be informed by the findings of the review and the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee of the National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
Tusla emphasises that its key priority at all times is to ensure that the needs of victims are met in the best way possible, with due attention to the quality, accessibility, and outcome of services.
832. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of special advisers that will be hired by his Department. [22785/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices.
It should be noted that the appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government. However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have identified two individuals to act as my Special Advisers who will be formally appointed by the Government in due course.
833. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if assistance will be provided in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra842. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place for students relying on grades received in previous years to access college courses in 2020 in view of the fact that access points for many CAO courses are likely to rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22301/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra843. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a matter raised by a person (details supplied) in correspondence in relation to the leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22439/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra844. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to ensure a level playing field for the estimated 20,000 entering third-level education in 2020 based on the leaving certificate results of 2018 and 2019 in the event the 2020 estimated grades over the whole cohort of students are higher than previous years’ results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22620/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 833, 842, 843 and 844 together.
The system whereby calculated grades are generated includes a process of national standardisation in which marks and rankings submitted by schools will be examined and may be adjusted using statistical methods to ensure a common national standard is applied. National profiles of achievement at Leaving Certificate level over the last three years will be used as part of this process and this will help ensure that the grades issued remain broadly in line with national performance standards over time.
As was announced by the Minister for Education on 1 September, the model for Calculated grades will give primacy to the estimated marks provided by teachers. National standardisation measures will still be applied in order to prevent excessive and uncontrolled grade inflation. However all measures taken to control grade inflation must be balanced with fairness to students affected by the exceptional circumstances of this year.
In order to help mitigate the impact of the changes to the grading system, I have announced the creation of an additional 1,250 places on high-demand courses in Higher Education Institutions. These places are provided in order to help ease anxiety and reduce uncertainty among students awaiting a CAO offer.
Nonetheless, there will be fluctuations in CAO points this year, as there are every year, which will depend on the volume of applications, the number of applicants who meet the entry requirements, the number of places available and the grades received by applicants. The CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. As such, neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and it is not with my remit to provide any guarantees as to CAO points in any year.
834. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the basis by which LMETB has agreed to use county council premises; if same has been approved by her Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21216/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLouth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB) have a licence agreement in place to use the former County Council premises in Navan Co. Meath for Further Education & Training (FET) services. The agreement was approved by LMETB board on 21st June 2018. LMETB requested and received approval from the Department of Education on 28th June 2018.
This premises is used solely as a FET centre and provides an important service to the people of Navan and the surrounding areas for their education and training needs through a range of programmes such as the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme, Back to Education Initiative and adult education programmes.
835. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of recruiting an additional psychologist for institutes of higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21409/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA allocates this funding as a block grant to the institutions. As autonomous bodies, the internal disbursement of this funding, including the funding of student services, is a matter for the individual institution.
All Institutions are required to have in place appropriate student services, which includes counselling services and health promotion. As part of their services to students, each institution considers what is most appropriate in the particular context of their own institution and their student’s needs, while also considering best practice models such as peer-led support programmes and seeking to liaise with external services to the fullest extent possible.
In budget 2020 an additional annual allocation of €2m was provided to the higher education sector to assist institutions in supporting students with their mental health and wellbeing. This funding for 2020 and future years is in addition to existing spending by institutions and was made available to Higher Education Institutions as part of their grant allocations via the HEA.
On 22 July I announced a substantial package of supports for third level institutions and students to mitigate the impacts of Covid-19. This package includes an additional allocation of €3million for mental health and well-being to assist Higher Education Institutions in the provision of appropriate supports for learners. The distribution of the funds will be finalised over the coming days and weeks with key stakeholders. Further details will be made available as soon as this process has been completed.
Salaries of Educational Psychologists within the IoTs sector are based on HSE’s Educational Psychologist scale. As of 1 January 2020, the scale has 13 points including two long service increments, starting at €51,467 p.a. reaching €87,389 p.a. after the second LSI.
The Senior Educational Psychologist’s scale has 8 points including two long service increments, starting at €81,317 p.a. and reaching €95,127 p.a. after the second LSI.
Educational Psychologists in other higher education institutions are appointed following institution specific salary scales, with a varying degree of alignment with HSE’s scales. The mid-point of HSE’s Educational Psychologist scale, which is €67,326 p.a. could be used as approximate cost for the sector. Employer’s PRSI and pension contributions will form a part of recruitment costs as applicable.
The above referenced HSE’s scales can be consulted at www.hse.ie/eng/staff/resources/hr-circulars/1-january-2020-consolidated-payscales.pdf.
836. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the five-year waiting period will be waived or reduced in order for SUSI grants to be allowed for those that did not complete studies in previous years. [21601/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to 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.
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.
The objective of this policy is to assist as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study, given that the scheme operates in the context of limited public funding and competing educational priorities.
However, the Student Grant Scheme contains a “second chance” provision, whereby mature students who previously attended but did not successfully complete a course re-enter an approved course following a break in studies of at least five years may be assessed for grant assistance.
In 2017, this provision was amended so that a second chance student who attends a course below undergraduate level during the 5 year break does not incur any penalty under the five year rule. This allows second chance students an opportunity within the five years to prepare themselves to re-enter higher education by attending a course below undergraduate level. It also recognises that engagement at a further education level may serve a student’s learning needs and may prepare them more effectively for higher education. Articles 13(6) and 13(7) of the Student Grant Scheme 2020 refer. The normal rules of progression will still apply in that a student must be progressing to a higher level course when s/he returns to college after the five year break.
The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including student grants, will be considered in the context of Budget 2021.
Also, in the context of a person re-educating, Springboard is a specific initiative that strategically targets funding of free part-time higher education courses to enable unemployed people, returners (formerly referred to as homemakers) and those in employment to upskill or reskill in areas where there are identified labour market skills shortages or employment opportunities. The courses, which are at Level 6 (Higher Certificate) to Level 9 (Master's Degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications, are being delivered in public and private higher education providers around the country. Further information may be obtained from the website https://springboardcourses.ie/.
837. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the holiday threshold allowance for students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21874/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe assessment of means under the student grant scheme is based on gross income from all sources, with certain social welfare and health service executive payments being exempt.
In the assessment of means, a deduction can be made for holiday earnings made by the applicant from employment outside of term time but within the reference period.
Student grant applications for academic year 2020/21 will be assessed based on income earned in 2019. The 2020 Scheme allows students to disregard holiday earnings up to €4,500 from the assessment of reckonable income. The student must also have been in education when this income was earned. The value of this income disregard was increased from €3,809 to €4,500 in the 2016 scheme.
SUSI’s online application process for student grant applications for the 2020/21 academic year opened on 23rd April, 2020. Students are advised to submit their renewal student grant application as soon as possible. Further information in relation to student grant assistance is available from SUSI’s website, www.susi.ie. The telephone number for SUSI’s Helpdesk is 0761 087 874.
The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including student grants, will be considered in the context of Budget 2021.
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards the rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. The total allocation for the SAF is €9.1 million which includes an additional €1m added to the Fund in 2017 for part-time students who are lone-parents or members of the other access target groups. Prior to that the fund supported full-time students only. In December 2018 a further €1 million was added to the Fund for students attending Professional Masters of Education courses, who are experiencing financial difficulty. This funding continued into 2019 and 2020. The package of Covid 19 supports approved by Government in July includes a further €10m in access supports for students. A significant amount of this money will be used to double up the Student Assistance Fund, with remaining funding used to support students via the access services in the higher education institutions. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation.
838. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the venues used by community education providers that deliver courses and training, for example, community employment schemes can be regarded as education facilities in order that numbers in the classroom can be over six persons; and the maximum number of persons which some of the local community venues utilised to deliver the courses are insisting on being complied with. [21880/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity education provision is part of the broader Further Education and Training (FET) sector and the facilities that community education providers use should be regarded as education settings and not subject to the 6 person restriction. Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) and SOLAS, supported by my Department, have developed implementation guidelines for the FET sector. Community education providers must ensure that these guidelines are observed in relation to distancing arrangements and the implications for class group size having regard to the characteristics of the venue in use. Broader public health guidelines should also be adhered to at all times. My Department has asked SOLAS and ETBI to engage with the community education sector to clarify the application of guidelines in the context of reopening and to explore the support Education and Training Boards can offer to community education providers.
The funding and supervision of the Community Employment programme is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
839. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a protected disclosure (details supplied) given to his predecessor in May 2017; and if a series of matters in relation to the disclosure will be addressed. [22020/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe disclosure referred to by the Deputy was received in the Department in May 2017. Following consideration by the Department, it was considered appropriate that the disclosure be treated as a protected disclosure and in that regard, it was subsequently forwarded to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for examination. This is in line with the Department’s protocol in relation to the examination of protected disclosures in the higher education sector.
The HEA has examined the matters outlined in the disclosure and has engaged with both the discloser and the higher education institution referred to in the disclosure. The HEA has advised the Department that on foot of that engagement, it considers the matter to be fully examined and no further action was recommended.
The Department understands that the discloser has initiated legal proceedings relating to these matters against the institution in question and that those proceedings are ongoing. As the Deputy can appreciate, it would not be appropriate to make any further comment in relation to a matter currently before the Courts.
840. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the campaign of an organisation (details supplied) for a reduction in school fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22100/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra846. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to offer a concession in respect of third-level fees in view of the Covid-19 pandemic in which many third-level students will not be physically attending third-level Institutions as much as in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22678/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra852. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a €500 reduction to the student contribution charge to ease the financial pressure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. [21737/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 840, 846 and 852 together.
Under the Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate Higher Education students. Students pay a student contribution of €3,000 per annum which can be paid in instalments.
The state pays the contribution in full or part for an estimated 44 per cent of all students eligible for free fees funding through SUSI. The estimated cost was in the order of €180million for 2019/2020.
Student contribution funded by the state is in addition to over €340million paid for student tuition fees in 2019/20 through our free fees initiative.
The Programme for Government commits to develop a long-term sustainable funding model for higher level education. In addition I intend to specifically examine student supports to ensure all students have access to educational opportunities and supports that will help them to fulfil their potential.
While the balance of costs and benefits of Higher Education will be considered as part of the broader strategic reform of higher education funding, the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic on students and families has been the subject of immediate attention.
In July I announced €168 million in funding to support the sector and students including a €15million fund for technology supports, a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund and €5 million for mental health supports.
The pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on younger workers and those in lower paid occupations. In the July Stimulus Package we provided €100m in funding for the tertiary education and training sector to help support upskilling and reskilling, which will fund over 35,000 places in 2020.
Covid-19 requirements mean that the delivery of third level education costs more, not less. As a consequence the Government has provided a major increase in funding to meet those costs but also to significantly enhance the range of supports available to students particularly those with the least financial resources.
841. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the necessary regulation for adult learners in adult education settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22236/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdult education forms part of our further education and training system. Informed by the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, the HSA Return to Work Protocols and ongoing public health advice, my Department published Guidance for Further and Higher Education for Returning to On-site Activity in 2020, which will be updated on a regular basis. This framework guides the planning by further education and training and higher education providers for reopening for the new academic year for all learners.
To complement and underpin this guidance, ETBI and SOLAS have together issued their own specific implementation guidance for public health measures for further education and training institutions, which are supported by my Department.
The further education and training sector will continue to be agile and responsive to meet the challenges presented by Covid-19 and will adapt plans in the light of the evolving public health situation.
845. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of expanding eligibility for mature independents maintenance grants to include all mature applicants that have been forced to live with their parents for financial reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22674/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.Applicants who do not meet the criteria to be assessed as an independent student for grant purposes, or who cannot supply the necessary documentation to establish independent living for the required period, may still apply to SUSI to have their grant eligibility assessed as a dependent student. The relevant information, including details of parental income, would be required by SUSI to determine grant eligibility as a dependent student. It is important to note that each year a significant number of student grant applicants are assessed as 'independent' students and awarded student supports on that basis. While SUSI has statistics on those students who have applied for grant support, they do not capture - Information on why mature dependent applicants are living with their parents so the number of mature dependent applicants who are living with their parents for financial reasons is not available. - how the grant would change for such applicants if they were instead assessed as independent applicants. - the number of potential applicants who currently do not apply but might do so should the criteria changesAs such, it is not possible to accurately cost what impact changes to the criteria might have for mature independent students. However, SUSI based on 2019/20 academic year student applications data, have estimated it would cost an additional €9 million for students over 25 years of age and living with their parents.
847. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the Grand Canal innovation district; the status of the project; if he has had engagements with Trinity College Dublin with regard to the status of the district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21301/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July of 2018, the Innovation District Advisory Group was established to develop and agree a vision for the Grand Canal Innovation District. The group included representatives of business, the universities in Dublin, the local community and the public service. The report of the Innovation District Advisory Group was submitted to Government in December 2019 and was published in January 2020.
The report recommended that the Innovation District be developed and that consideration be given to what role Government support might play in its development. The report further recommended a new multi-institutional research centre be established as well as an internationally recognised start-up cluster; and that a community special interest group be developed to understand how the needs of the local community can best be considered. The report also recommended that the Advisory Group be reconstituted to oversee the next steps in the development of the Innovation District including development of charter, establishment of community special interest group and explore possible sources of funding.
I have not yet met with Trinity College Dublin or other stakeholders to discuss this project. However I look forward to learning more about the project and how it might contribute to national strategies and goals around driving innovation, enhancing further our ecosystem for start-ups and generating further impact from the excellent research that is being undertaken in our higher education system.
848. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the location in which his Department will be situated; his functions; the budget of his Department in tabular form; the areas his Department covers; his policy responsibilities as Minister; and the delegated functions of the Minister of State in his Department. [21732/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department will be situated in Dublin, Tullamore and Athlone.
My functions will encompass responsibility for policy, funding and governance of the Higher and Further Education and research sectors and for the oversight of the work of the state agencies and public institutions operating in those areas. My Department will cover each of these areas.
My policy responsibility as Minister will be to ensure that these sectors underpin and stimulate Ireland’s social and economic development and that the opportunities provided by public investment and policy in the sectors are made more available to everyone including the most vulnerable in our society.
Under section 6 of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act 1939, a Transfer of Functions Order is required to allow functions to be transferred to my Department. This work is currently being progressed in respect of both the Department of Education and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation from where functions will be sourced. Once this process is completed and orders made, the finance allocated in the 2020 Estimates and the National Training Fund will transfer with those functions. Separate to the Transfer of Functions Order, a 2020 Further Revised Estimates process is required for the movement of finances from one Department Vote to another.
The Government Decision in relation to the July Stimulus package committed additional financial resources to my Department. These finances will be additional to the movement of finances already included in the 2020 Further Revised Estimates as part of the transfer of functions. It is anticipated, that these additional finances will be allocated to this Department through a Supplementary Estimates process shortly after or in tandem with the Further Revised Estimates process.
849. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the qualifying criteria for technology assistance for students. [21733/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of a package of COVID-19 supports for the higher and further education sectors, my Department has allocated €15 million to higher and further education providers for a Once-Off COVID-19 Grant to support disadvantaged students in accessing ICT devices.
This initiative addresses concerns regarding the digital divide in the context of the shift to online and blended models of learning, which were identified by a range of stakeholders in the context of the COVID-19 structures put in place to co-ordinate responses among the further and higher education sectors.
Devices procured using the grant will be distributed by the relevant Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Education and Training Boards(ETBs) via appropriate lending schemes. The education institutions are best placed to determine which individual students should be prioritised to receive a device on a needs basis and within the terms and conditions of the scheme.
In determining distribution of the devices, HEIs are required to have regard to the target groups identified in the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education 2015-2021 i.e.:
- Students disadvantaged by socio-economic barriers
- First-time mature students
- Students with disabilities
- Part-time/flexible learning students
- Students who hold further education qualifications
- Students who are members of the Traveller and Roma communities
HEIs and ETBs must be satisfied that students who receive a device under this grant have demonstrated a verifiable need for such a device e.g. they or their family do not have the means to purchase such a device themselves.
