Written Answers Nos. 543-562
543. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to take action to assist students and their families that are trying to receive refunds for rent paid for student accommodation that was not used from mid-March 2020 due to the lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23986/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI appreciate that this year has been a difficult one for students, and my Department has been working with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students. I understand based on the information available to me that students in university-owned accommodation have received pro-rata refunds if they have vacated their accommodation. I have indicated that I would wish to see this principle applied in the case of students who were residing in privately owned student accommodation however it is not within my remit to direct any accommodation provider to offer a refund.
Refund or cancellation policies in student accommodation should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. In the first instance students should engage with their accommodation provider to see if an arrangement can be reached in regard to a refund.
If this is not possible, under the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Act 2019 students have access to the Dispute Resolution Services of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB).
544. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a third level institution will further extend the date for submitting a driver licence for a student (details supplied) for a paramedic studies courses in which the delay in test dates is outside the control of the applicant and due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24000/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions (HEIs) are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, HEIs are autonomous with regard to the management of their academic affairs and as such retain the right to determine their own procedures and processes, including admissions. Neither the Minister nor the Department have any remit to intervene in such matters.
545. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will share the legal advice he has received that has led to him deciding not to ring-fence places for CAO applicants who sat the leaving certificate before 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23498/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Attorney General is the legal adviser to the Government and as such advice received by Government is legally privileged. Consequently, I am not in a position to share or release the advice concerned. However I have set out the substance of it in my media interviews and press conference last week.
546. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding for laptops will be extended to include a college (details supplied); if the college can avail of other Covid-19-related funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23501/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions (HEIs) have been undertaking detailed planning and contingencies for their re-opening and communicating these to students, moving from emergency remote learning towards a mode of blended learning, combining both online and onsite provision. The details of these arrangements are being finalised with all HEIs having published their academic calendars with information on the dates for orientation and the beginning of teaching for the autumn semester.
In July I announced €168 million in funding to support the sector and students including a €15 million fund for technology supports.
In the higher education sector, grants are made available to those institutions that receive support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) therefore as the college referred to by the Deputy does not receive funding under the SAF it did not come under the terms of the ICT grant.
The Department and HEA are finalising the distribution details for the rest of the funding package and a communication will issue to higher education institutions once this process has been completed.
547. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if earnings for 2020 will be taken into account when assessing eligibility for SUSI grants in view of the substantial reduction in income many persons have suffered as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23581/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the 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.
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.
For the 2020/21 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the period 1st January 2019 to 31st December 2019. However, if a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or reassessed on the current year (2020) and they may also be asked to provide evidence of the current year’s (2020) income. SUSI also requires confirmation that the change is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Following such a review, the applicant may fall within the thresholds to become eligible for grant assistance or be entitled to an increased rate of grant or the special rate of grant. The applicant can request a review by contacting the SUSI Support Desk at 0761 087 874 or emailing support@susi.ie.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, the Deputy will be aware of the recently announced €168m funding package for the return to education. This package includes a €10m access support package for higher education students. I have approved the allocation of €8.1m of this funding to top up the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie
548. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports and-or increased funding that has been made available to the further and higher education sectors to deal with the knock-on impact of Covid-19; the increased places in third level to help prospective students excluding planned investments that were already in place to improve or expand further and higher education to deal with demographic changes in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23592/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the onset of Covid-19 in March, the Department, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and SOLAS have collaborated with key stakeholders from the sector to identify, quantify and develop options to mitigate the financial impacts of Covid 19 on the sector, including costs associated with the safe commencement of the 2020/21 academic year in line with Public Health advice.
In July I announced a funding package of €168 million to support publically funded further and higher education providers and to support students. This package includes €150million in new funding and was developed following the detailed engagement and assessment process with key stakeholders.
Through this package we have identified significant supports for our students:
- additional funding in the amount of €10m is being provided for the student assistance fund
- €15m for the provision of devices and equipment to assist disadvantaged students in accessing education.
- A €3million Increase in focussed Mental Health and wellbeing funding
It is intended that the greater funding package will pave the way in addressing the detrimental financial impact of Covid19 pandemic on, in particular, the financial stability and sustainability of Higher Education providers by:
- providing appropriate financial support to underpin the sector in meeting student and learner requirements by enabling institutions to prepare for a safe return to education in September 2020 through online and some physical attendance on campus in line with public health guidance; and
- ensuring that the sector can continue to perform its essential role in providing quality teaching and learning delivering high-quality research over the 2020/21 academic year consistent with the principles included in the published Roadmap for re-opening agreed with all key stakeholders.
Additionally, I am aware that this pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on younger workers and those in lower paid occupations with lower level of educational qualifications.
Through the Government's July Stimulus package a programme of immediate investment in upskilling, reskilling and refreshing of skills will commence.
This funding for higher and further education and training to address this situation amounts to €100m and will fund over 35,000 additional places in the current year.
In order to help mitigate the impact of the changes to the Leaving Certificate system, I announced the creation of an additional 2,225 places on high-demand courses in Higher Education Institutions. These places have resulted in the highest ever number of applicants receiving a CAO offers, with 53,815 CAO applicants receiving round one offers on Friday 11th September.
A summary of these places by subject area is in the table below:
|
Subject Area |
Additional Places |
|
Architecture |
23 |
|
Arts & Humanities |
476 |
|
Business |
430 |
|
Creative Arts |
41 |
|
Dentistry |
18 |
|
Education |
170 |
|
Engineering |
313 |
|
Law |
142 |
|
Music |
9 |
|
Science |
220 |
|
Information Technology |
31 |
|
Nursing |
134 |
|
Medicine, Health & Physical |
218 |
|
Total |
2225 |
549. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter regarding accusations of serious misconduct alleged against students and staff at Maynooth University (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23603/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department was not previously aware of the matter referred to by the Deputy. The details supplied by the Deputy are currently being considered with a view to establishing an appropriate response.
Without pre-empting the outcome of that consideration, I should advise the Deputy that the Department takes very seriously any concerns raised relating to specific allegations of impropriety and/or misconduct by a higher education institution.
550. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe diversity and flexibility of the Higher Education sector has been key in driving responsive and adaptable approaches to the challenges created by the pandemic. However this very diversity means that the development of one single plan for return to learning would not have been possible.
Higher Education Institutions have been undertaking detailed planning and contingencies for re-opening against a backdrop of Government, Departmental and sectoral guidance.
To support the return to college in 2020, on July 22nd the Department published its three-pillar series of guides for returning to on-site learning in 2021, which consisted of a high-level roadmap, a COVID-19 adaptation framework, and practical guidance for returning to on-site activity.
These have since been supplemented by Implementation Guidelines developed by experts within the higher education sector, published in August 5th. All can be further updated and modified and additional guidance on managing outbreaks can be developed to follow the publication of the next iteration of Government guidance.
A robust model of outbreak management is being put in place, as a priority, by the higher education system across all universities and institutes of technology. This aims to safeguard students and staff and the communities in which they are located.
For international students, the higher education sector has developed a protocol of assurance, to support the protection of public health, to safely manage the process of their arrival in Ireland. A managed arrival process is in place at Dublin airport to minimise risk during the period of arrival of international students into the country and transfer to their accommodation for the restricted movement period.
551. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the criteria used in accessing the laptop grant scheme; and the reason certain colleges are not included in the scheme although some of their students are receiving grants from SUSI and BTEA. [23703/20]
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 as a result of COVID-19 and the importance of supporting disadvantaged students to adapt to these new models.
Devices procured using the grant will be distributed by Higher Education Institutions and Education and Training Boards to disadvantaged students via appropriate lending schemes. Over 16,700 laptops have already been procured as part of a bulk order organised by HEAnet, while additional devices are being procured by some providers directly.
The higher and further education providers will determine which individual students should be prioritised to receive a device on a needs basis and within the terms and conditions of the grant. Students who wish to apply for a device should contact the relevant higher education institution or ETB for further information.
In the higher education sector, grants are made available to those institutions that receive support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) therefore any college that does not receive funding under the SAF did not come under the terms of the ICT grant.
552. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a decision not to award an eligible student (details supplied) a place on the HEAR CAO programme will reviewed based on the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23705/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HEAR scheme is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) www.iua.ie who set the policy criteria for the scheme.
Admissions under the HEAR scheme are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the scheme, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.
Applications to the scheme are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions.
As such, The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science as no role in the policy criteria or operation of the scheme.
All enquiries should be directed to the CAO, www.cao.ie through the ‘contact us’ facility where the HEAR co-ordinator will respond directly and advise appropriately.
553. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships that have been furloughed; the number that have been made redundant as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23717/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSOLAS has been engaging with the apprenticeship collaborating providers throughout the COIVD-19 emergency, a key focus of which was to ensure, as much as possible, continuity of learning and assessment and preparations for the return of apprenticeship training this month, in line with public health advice.
Part of this work involved gathering up-to-date information on the status of apprentices in terms of their employment, and any impact from COVID-19. To this end SOLAS have been engaging with staff in Education and Training Boards to provide an update to the national apprenticeship database, whereby they would engage with apprentices and employers and update the system if there was a change in an apprentices employment status.
These updates continue and the latest information available is that 134 apprentices were placed in temporary layoff and 48 were made redundant. In addition the updates show that 117 apprentices have their employment supported through their employer accessing the temporary wages subsidy scheme.
554. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the exclusion of students of Carlow College, the second oldest higher education institution in Ireland, from his Department’s recently announced laptop scheme and additional mental health services; and his views on same. [23726/20]
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.
In the higher education sector, grants are made available to those institutions that receive support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) therefore as Carlow College does not receive funding under the SAF it did not come under the terms of the ICT grant.
Additional funding of €3m for mental wellbeing and health services was reprioritised by the HEA for their designated institutions. Carlow College is not included in this package of funding as it is not a HEA designated institution.
555. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request that the universities provide a fee waiver or other financial support for the students in the doctorate in clinical psychology programme who were unable to complete their required clinical placements due to HSE Covid-19 redeployments and as a result may be liable for an additional year of doctorate fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23794/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions are governed by the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technologies Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018. Within the meaning of these Acts, HEIs are autonomous with regard to the management of their academic affairs and as such retain the right to determine their own procedures, criteria and processes including in relation to the delivery of postgraduate academic programmes.
As such, my Department does not have a role in tuition fee arrangements or clinical placements of students enrolled in the doctorate in clinical psychology programmes. Arrangements relating to the provision and supervision of clinical placements of trainee clinical psychologists are a matter for the relevant Universities and the HSE.
556. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of third level students who receive each level of SUSI support such as full maintenance grants, full fees, 50% fees and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23842/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data provided in the table attached is the a breakdown of all Higher Education students who were in receipt of a grant for the 2019/20 academic year.
|
PAID Students 2019/20 Academic Year |
|
|
- Undergraduate & Post Graduate NAdj Special Rate |
9,439 |
|
- Undergraduate NAdj Full Maint 100% |
15,644 |
|
- Undergraduate NAdj Part Maint 75% |
777 |
|
- Undergraduate NAdj Part Maint 50% |
1,496 |
|
- Undergraduate & Post Graduate NAdj Part Maint 25% |
1,338 |
|
- Undergraduate Adj Special Rate |
7,881 |
|
- Undergraduate Adj Full Maint 100% |
11,949 |
|
- Undergraduate Adj Part Maint 75% |
603 |
|
- Undergraduate Adj Part Maint 50% |
1,134 |
|
- Undergraduate Adj Part Maint 25% |
1,157 |
|
- POST GRADUATE FEES ONLY |
87 |
|
- POSTGRADUATE FEE CONTRIBUTION |
978 |
|
- UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT CONTRIBUTION 100%/or FEES ONLY |
8,077 |
|
- UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT CONTRIBUTION 50% |
3,385 |
|
63,945 |
Please note that all Undergraduate students in receipt of any element of Maintenance Grant also qualify for the 100% student contribution.
Further Education students not included in the above data.
The data in relation to the number of third level full-time students enrolled in colleges for the 2019/20 academic year is currently not available from the Higher Education Authority.
557. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI will alter the process of classifying students at their first point of entry to an approved post-leaving certificate course or an approved higher education course in view of the fact it disadvantages students that move out of the family home that is become independent unless they take a break from pursuing their education for five years; his views on the solution required for students negatively affected in 2020 as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23856/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the 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.
The decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland).
The scheme operates in the context of competing educational priorities and limited public funding. The aim of the scheme is to make a contribution to the cost of going to college; covering the full cost has never been a feasible option.
For 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.
A student may be assessed as an independent student (i.e. assessed without reference to parental income and address) if he/she has attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course, and is not ordinarily resident with his/her parents from the previous 1st October. Otherwise, he/she would be assessed as a dependent student, i.e. assessed with reference to parental income and address. 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.
However, there are points at which a student may reclassify from a dependent student to an independent student. These are where he/she:
- Progresses from further education to higher education.
- Is returning following a 3 year break in studies.
- Is returning as a "second chance" student after a five year break in studies.
For students seeking entry to the 2020/21 scheme as independent, 1 October 2019 would be the relevant date for determining their status. This obviously predates and exceptional circumstances arising from the response to Covid-19 earlier in the current year.
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.
Further information regarding class of applicant (independent or dependent) and the types of documentation accepted as evidence of living independently from parents is available from SUSI’s website: https://susi.ie/eligibility/applicant-class/
558. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are special allocations or preferences given to persons with specific or special needs such as autism in the application for on-campus student accommodation in University of Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23921/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Universities Act 1997, universities are autonomous with regard to their administrative and academic affairs. This includes in relation to their on-campus student accommodation.
While UL does have student accommodation available for student with special needs, the eligibility criteria for this accommodation and how it is allocated are a matter for the university itself. UL authorities are in the best position to provide further information on this.
559. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the public health advice and justification for students living on campus to not be allowed visitors in their residence for the duration of the 2020-21 academic year; his views on whether it is fair to expect students to pay the full amount for accommodation in view of the fact they are being asked to live under such restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24013/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe advice the Deputy refers to regarding visitor and student accommodation is from the "Implementation Guidelines for Public Health Measures in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)" published on August 5th. This document was produced by public health exerts within the HEI sector and the recommendations in it were endorsed by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre of the HSE.
The guidelines on student accommodation, including those in relation to visitors, are designed to reduce the risk of spread in student accommodation given the fact that it's a relatively dense-congregated setting with common areas shared between a number of students. The aim is to reduce to the pathways for the virus to enter a student accommodation setting, and help protect all those sharing the accommodation.
Student accommodation license terms including cost, duration, refund and cancellation policies should be set out in the license agreement signed at the beginning of the academic year. While I would hope that accommodation providers would show flexibility to students in the current times, agreements between students and accommodation providers are a private matter, and neither I nor my Department have any remit to issue instructions in relation to the rental market.
561. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding a report (details supplied) that stated that 17,000 students would be able to avail of free laptops; when they can apply; the process for applying; and when the first student will receive a laptop. [24065/20]
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 as a result of COVID-19 and the importance of supporting disadvantaged students to adapt to these new models.
Devices procured using the grant will be distributed by higher education institutions and Education and Training Boards to disadvantaged students via appropriate lending schemes. Over 16,700 laptops have already been ordered as part of a bulk purchase organised by HEAnet, while additional devices are being procured by some providers directly.
The higher and further education providers will determine which individual students should be prioritised to receive a device on a needs basis and within the terms and conditions of the grant. Students who wish to apply for a device should contact the student access office of the higher education institution in which they are enrolled or the relevant ETB for further information.
562. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that students from Northern Ireland will not be requested to pay non-EU fees to study here regardless of ongoing Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24117/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the Memorandum of Understanding on the Common Travel Area, which was signed by the Irish and UK Governments in 2019, I am committed to ensuring that students from Northern Ireland will continue to be treated on the same terms as an Irish student for fees purposes. The Common Travel Area will apply, notwithstanding of the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.
