Written Answers Nos. 179-198
179. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his plans to engage with the National Youth Council of Ireland and Tusla in advance of budget 2021 in order to address inadequate funding in the sector. [29020/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department maintains close contact with the 30 national youth organisations we fund, including NYCI, and I, and officials from my Department, meet formally with these organisations twice a year to share knowledge and information on developments in the youth sector.
Officials from my Department also meet with youth organisations on an individual basis when the need arises. In recent months, my Department has also worked in close partnership with representatives of the youth sector to develop bespoke guidance for youth organisations, in line with the central public health guidance.
While acknowledging the very deep funding cuts over 2008-2014, in more recent years funding for the provision of youth services has increased on an annual basis. Between 2016 and 2020 the annual current youth funding available to my Department has increased from €51.9m to €61.79.
It is now more critical than ever that our young people are supported as they experience the social, economic, physical and mental health impacts of the pandemic. In recognition of the vital role played by youth work in providing such support to young people, funding levels have been maintained throughout the current challenging period. This has enabled the youth sector to continue to provide supports to young people, particularly to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.
With the invaluable assistance of Education and Training Boards and national organisations, the funding from my Department supports national and local youth programmes involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff, 1,500 youth clubs and 40,000 adult volunteers who work with and for young people in communities across the country.
I am committed to supporting the youth sector, which has enormous value both to the many young people involved and from a broader social and economic viewpoint.
I can also assure the Deputy that my Department has engaged with Tusla with regard to its resource requirements in advance of Budget 2021 and has reflected these appropriately in my Department’s pre-budget submission and further engagements with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform throughout the Estimates process towards Budget 2021.
180. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if clarity will be provided on the guidelines to playschools and crèches in relation to the prohibition of the use of plastic lunch boxes (details supplied); and if the reason for the issuing of such guidance will be provided. [29100/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpert guidance on the safe reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on 29 May, and updated on 31 July.
In addition to the expert guidance from the HPSC, my Department has provided a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents to prepare for the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, including childminders. The Guidance for Reopening webpage is available on the First 5 website:
https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/reopening .
The guidance provided by the HPSC does not include any advice on the use of plastic lunch boxes and my Department has not issued any guidance prohibiting the use of plastic lunch boxes.
Tusla Early Years Inspectorate, the independent statutory regulator, has also provided regulatory guidance for services operating during COVID-19, which is available on the First 5 website. This guidance does not include any advice on the use of plastic lunch boxes, and Tusla have advised that they have not issued any other guidance prohibiting the use of plastic lunch boxes.
181. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of children for whom the basic €20 per week is paid; and the number for whom enhanced payments are made. [29169/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme incorporates two kinds of subsidy towards the cost of quality of childcare.
The universal subsidy is available to all parents of children aged between 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later). The universal subsidy is set at a rate of €0.50 per hour and is available for up to 45 hours per week. The universal subsidy is based on the child’s age, and not on income. Parents do not have to undergo an assessment of income to avail of this subsidy, therefore data is not available on the income levels of parents availing of the universal subsidy. This is also true of sponsored children.
For income-assessed awards, the highest levels of subsidy will go to families at or below the minimum reckonable income threshold of €26,000, with the level of subsidy tapering down smoothly as income rises towards the maximum net income threshold of €60,000.
When a subsidy award is made under the National Childcare Scheme, a ‘CHICK’ number is generated for that award. Since the launch of the Scheme in November last year, over 65,600 CHICKs have been generated from completed or renewed applications. Of these, 44,047 relate to income assessed awards, and 20,864 relate to universal awards.
There are nearly 32,000 CHICKs which have submitted a NCS claim for the past week. Of these, 23,088 are income assessed awards, and 8,488 are universal awards.
These figures were provided on 5 October 2020.
182. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the distribution of payments under childcare schemes according to the age of the child and the hours claimed. [29170/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe level of subsidy available under the National Childcare Scheme is dependent on the age of the child in respect of whom the subsidy is paid. Children availing of a universal award receive a flat rate of €0.50 an hour. For income assessed awards, subsidies range from a maximum of €5.10 per hour for babies, €4.35 for 1 and 2 year olds, €3.95 for 3, 4 or 5 year olds prior to school entry, and €3.75 for school age children.
A universal subsidy is available for all children between the ages of 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later), for up to 45 hours per week. For income based subsidies, the maximum number of subsidised hours available is dependent on the work/study status of the parent. An enhanced award of up to 45 hours per week is available to parents who are engaged in work, training or study. A standard award of up to 20 hours is available to parents who are not engaged in work, training or study.
These hours are inclusive of time spent in pre-school or school. As such this distribution would substantially change if the sample was taken outside of pre-school or school term-time.
The distribution of NCS awards across ages and hours claimed over the course of one week (week ending September 28th) is detailed in the table contained in the link below. These values include claims relating to all application types – income assessed, universal, and sponsored.
183. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the distribution of payments under childcare schemes according to the reckonable earnings of the parents. [29171/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme incorporates two kinds of subsidy towards the cost of quality of childcare.
The universal subsidy is available to all parents of children aged between 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later). The universal subsidy is set at a rate of €0.50 per hour and is available for up to 45 hours per week. The universal subsidy is based on the child’s age, and not on income. Parents do not have to undergo an assessment of income to avail of this subsidy, therefore data is not available on the income levels of parents who apply for a universal subsidy.
For income-assessed awards, the highest levels of subsidy will go to families at or below the minimum reckonable income threshold of €26,000, with the level of subsidy tapering down smoothly as income rises towards the maximum net income threshold of €60,000.
The following table demonstrates the distribution of payments under the National Childcare Scheme according to the reckonable income of parents, up to the maximum reckonable income threshold of €60,000. Incomes have been grouped in bands of €5,000.
|
Reckonable income |
Total claims |
|
€60,000.00 |
356 |
|
€55,000.00 |
1,932 |
|
€50,000.00 |
2,417 |
|
€45,000.00 |
3,012 |
|
€40,000.00 |
2,854 |
|
€35,000.00 |
2,829 |
|
€30,000.00 |
2,735 |
|
€25,000.00 |
2,650 |
|
€20,000.00 |
2,260 |
|
€15,000.00 |
1,844 |
|
€10,000.00 |
1,313 |
|
€5,000.00 |
480 |
|
€0.00 |
764 |
184. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the distribution of payments under the AIM schemes according to the categories of supports made available. [29172/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which launched in June 2016, is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early years care and education.
AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school setting they are attending and therefore requiring no formal diagnosis. AIM is administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
Level 1: An Inclusive Culture: This level is the critical foundation for the model. It involves fostering and embedding a strong culture of inclusion, to support all children’s participation in the ECCE Programme. Supports include the national inclusion policy and guidelines for ECCE, the funding of a Level 6 award programme on inclusion (LINC), the establishment of Inclusion Co-Ordinators (INCOs) in each ECCE setting, funding provided for training in inclusion for INCOs and other early learning and care practitioners. Pre-school settings employing an Inclusion Coordinator (who has graduated from the LINC Programme and has agreed to take on the role of INCO in the pre-school setting) receive an increase of €2 per child per week in the rate of ECCE capitation payable to that setting. A once-off provision for the development of Universal Design Guidelines was also included in the 2017 and 2018 budget allocation outlined below.
Level 2: Information for Parents and Providers: This level recognises the requirement of parents and pre-school providers to have clear, consistent and up to date information accessible to them regarding ECCE services and supports and this is supported through the AIM.gov.ie website and information provided by County/City Childcare Committees.
Level 3: A Qualified and Confident Workforce: This level recognises the requirement to continue developing a qualified workforce that can confidently meet the needs of all children participating in the ECCE Programme. Supports include funding of Continuing Professional Development courses such as Hanen, Lámh and Sensory Processing E-Learning (SPEL).
Level 4: Expert Educational Advice and Support: This level addresses the needs of early learning and care practitioners across the country to have timely access to advice and support from experts in early learning and care (and disability in particular) to assist them meet each child’s needs. This service is provided by Early Years Specialists employed by Better Start.
Level 5: Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations Capital Grant: This level recognises that some children require specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or that some early learning and care settings may require minor structural alterations to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE Programme. Supports include grants for equipment and some capital building works for a service. A once-off provision for AIM Inclusive Play packs was also included in the 2017 and 2018 budget allocation outlined below.
Level 6: Therapeutic Intervention : This level provides for access to therapeutic services where they are critical to enable the child fully participate in the ECCE programme. This support is funded from the Department of Health’s vote.
Level 7: Additional Assistance in the Pre-School Room: AIM Level 7 provides additional assistance in the pre-school room where this is critical to ensuring a child’s participation in the ECCE preschool programme. In line with emerging best practice to support the integration and independence of children with a disability, AIM does not fund Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). Rather, it provides financial support to the pre-school provider, which is used either to reduce the adult-to-child ratio in the pre-school room or to buy in additional assistance to the pre-school room. Accordingly, AIM Level 7 assistance is a shared resource for the pre-school setting.
The following table outlines the expenditure on each level of AIM since implementation began in 2016. The table does not include other administrative costs associated with AIM, such as the evaluation of AIM that is currently being commissioned.
|
Level of AIM |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 (YTD) |
|
Level 1 |
€ 623,421 |
€ 2,773,217 |
€ 4,200,014 |
€ 5,134,846 |
€ 2,444,585 |
|
Level 2 |
€ 625,437 |
€ 442,103 |
€ 292,881 |
€ 472,347 |
€ 450,000 |
|
Level 3 |
- |
€ 57,031 |
€ 14,514 |
€ 15,744 |
€ 5,340 |
|
Level 4 |
€ 4,230,822 |
€ 4,417,502 |
€ 7,084,590 |
€ 7,669,000 |
€ 1,917,250 |
|
Level 5 |
€ 120,250 |
€ 3,067,043 |
€ 2,044,191 |
€ 833,316 |
€ 368,722 |
|
Level 6 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Level 7 |
€ 924,773 |
€ 8,634,012 |
€ 16,038,295 |
€ 21,433,000 |
€ 12,444,063 |
185. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his plans to review the funding model for counselling services being run by family resource centres across County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29227/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme, and provides direct funding to counselling services that operate from certain FRCs around the country.
As the Deputy's question concerns an operational matter for Tusla, I have requested that Tusla respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
186. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he has met with the HSE in respect of increasing funding to the youth services in County Kildare. [29233/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for the provision of youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by the Education and Training Boards, which allocate funding via applications to the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. This scheme is aimed at young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are, or are at risk of becoming, disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable. Targeted annual youth funding of €38.7m is allocated under the scheme. The HSE has no role in administering this funding.
In allocating funding under the scheme, each ETB carries out an Area Profile, Needs Assessment and Service requirement process. This process draws upon quantitative and qualitative information to objectively identify the needs of young people within the ETB’s functional area. The approach ensures that we can target supports to the young people most in need of intervention and that funding is allocated on the basis of evidenced need. This assessment process leads to the development of a Service Requirement which is then used as the basis for discussion between ETBs and service providers to meet the needs of young people in the area.
There is no expectation that the youth services work beyond their available resources, but rather work with the young people identified by the ETB in order of priority, as set out in the Service Requirement.
Funded Youth Services based in Kildare are overseen by the Kildare Wicklow Education Training Board (KWETB) in respect of matters relating to grants and service provision.
187. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will assess the need for a dedicated youth worker for Killaloe, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29239/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for the provision of youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by the Education and Training Boards, which allocate funding via applications to the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. This scheme is aimed at young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are, or are at risk of becoming, disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable. Targeted annual youth funding of €38.7m is allocated under the scheme.
In allocating funding under the scheme, each ETB carries out an Area Profile, Needs Assessment and Service Requirement process. This process draws upon quantitative and qualitative information to objectively identify the needs of young people within the ETB’s functional area. The approach ensures that we can target supports to the young people most in need of intervention and that funding is allocated on the basis of evidenced need. This assessment process leads to the development of a Service Requirement which is then used as the basis for discussion between ETBs and service providers to meet the needs of young people in the area.
There is no expectation that the youth services work beyond their available resources, but rather work with the young people identified by the ETB in order of priority, as set out in the Service Requirement.
Funded Youth Services based in Clare are overseen by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) in respect of matters relating to grants and service provision.
188. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare will qualify for a SUSI grant; if there is an appeal for a student in their situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28968/20]
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.
However, Section 14(1) of the Student Support Act 2011 states: In this Act “student” means a person who is ordinarily resident in the State, who has been accepted to pursue, or is pursuing, an approved course at an approved institution and Section 14(4) states For the purposes of subsection (1), a person shall be ordinarily resident in the State if the person (a) has been resident in the State for at least 3 years out of the period of 5 years ending on the day before the relevant date.
As the student in question and her family emigrated to Australia when she was 12 and she has not been resident in the state for 3 of the last 5 years she would not be eligible to be considered for grant assistance under the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme 2020.
189. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person (details supplied) who sat the leaving certificate in 2019 and has marginally missed out on their preferred college offer due to the 2020 leaving certificate anomaly will be considered for the course of their choice. [29007/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous with regard to management of their academic affairs including admissions procedures. The CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the HEIs 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.
The CAO system is a system that works on the assumption that grades obtained in the Leaving Certificate by candidates determine their points. It is on this basis that the CAO system allocates places to applicants including those from different years. To ensure impartiality, the automatic CAO points systems have been created in a way that does not allow for different treatment to be applied to different sub-groups.
In order to help mitigate the impact of the changes to the grading system I announced the creation of an additional 2,225 places on high-demand courses in Higher Education Institutions. These places were provided in order ensure that as many students as possible could be accommodated on a course of their choice, given the unprecedented circumstances they are facing. These additional places meant that as of Round Two 63,338 applicants have received a CAO offer, more than in any previous year.
Nonetheless, there were fluctuations in CAO points this year, as there are every year. The changes in points depend not only on the grades received by applicants but also on the number of applicants, and the number of places available. As we are in the midst of a global pandemic and economic flux, there is more volatility than usual this year due to factors such as reduced opportunities in the economy, students seeking to defer or re-apply in subsequent years and uncertainty around students travelling internationally both to and from Ireland.
I appreciate how difficult a time it has been for students and parents, but I would like to stress the range of options available both in further education and training and apprenticeships, but also in pathways in higher education. For those whose route into higher education may not be what they originally planned, once they have a place there may be a pathway back to their preferred option.
190. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if supports will be made available in budget 2021 to families of college going students that have paid full accommodation and college fees but are advised to reside at home resulting in a significant loss for families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29008/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level e.g. progressing to postgraduate study. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for the relevant grant awarding authority.
SUSI’s online application process for student grant applications for the 2020/21 academic year opened on 23rd April, 2020. Further information in elation to student grant assistance is available from SUSI’s website, www.susi.ie. The telephone number for SUSI’s Helpdesk is 0761 087 874.
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
I am conscious of the challenges faced by students regarding student accommodation this year due to financial pressures and the blended learning format of the 2020/21 academic year. Throughout the last number of months my Department has been engaging with representatives from the higher education sector to address the challenges faced by students in this difficult time. My Department, in consultation with these key stakeholders will continue to monitor the situation relating to student accommodation closely.
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).
I have asked our higher education institutions, where they have accommodation, to try to show flexibility in terms of its use for the coming academic year, as well as flexibility with regard to cancellations and refunds. I would hope that private providers will show the same flexibility, however it is not within the my remit to issue instruction in relation to the private rental market.
191. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration will be given to the extension of the student assistance fund to all agricultural college students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29051/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraRequests for funding for agriculture college students is a matter for the Department of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.
I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Agriculture on this matter and I will refer your query to him for direct response.
192. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider the implications arising from the use of calculated grades in the leaving certificate 2020 for the CAO and college entry for students sitting the leaving certificate in 2021; the actions he plans to take to deal with the issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29093/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is closely monitoring any potential impact that the results of Leaving Certificate 2020 may have on entry to further and higher education in 2021.
This year more students than ever before were offered a place in higher education, with 52% of these students being offered their first preference Level 8 course in Round 1. As of the end of Round 2, more than 49,000 students have accepted a place. There is no indication that a higher proportion of student than usual are opting to defer their place to the 2021 academic year, and given the large numbers of students who have been accommodated in higher education this year it is very possible that the proportion of students reapplying to the CAO will be lower next year than in previous years.
As the Deputy is aware, students who are not satisfied with their Calculated Grades have the option of sitting the Leaving Certificate exams in November, and those who achieve higher grades and receive a higher CAO offer on foot of those grades will be offered a place in their course for the 2021 academic year. The number of students who will receive such an offer remains to be seen, and my Department will monitor the situation as it develops and take action as necessary to ensure the availability of sufficient higher education places for the class of 2021.
193. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of laptops delivered and allocated to each further education institution in tabular form. [29096/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraA fund for student devices worth €15 million was part of a €168 million package for further and higher education sectors to deal with the impacts of Covid-19. Funding of €10 million has been provided to the higher education sector and €5m to the Further Education and Training sector.
The funding is being provided to eligible Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in accordance with allocation models agreed with the HEA and SOLAS.
In the case of further education and training, grant funding is being provided to ETBs rather than individual institutions. Under the terms of the grant, devices must remain the property of the ETB, be offered to students under appropriate lending schemes, and also comply with certain conditions of sanction set down by the Office of Government Chief Information Officer in relation to security and appropriate usage.
The table below shows the final number of laptops that each ETB has ordered under the scheme. Precise information on the number of deliveries is not available but I understand that approximately half of the orders have been fulfilled to date.
|
ETB Name |
ETB Confirmed Orders |
|
Cavan Monaghan ETB |
320 |
|
City of Dublin ETB |
1290 |
|
Cork ETB |
647 |
|
Dublin Dun Laoighaire ETB |
693 |
|
Donegal ETB |
550 |
|
Galway Roscommon ETB |
499 |
|
Kerry ETB |
282 |
|
Kilkenny Carlow ETB |
343 |
|
Kildare Wicklow ETB |
356 |
|
Laois Offaly ETB |
300 |
|
Limerick Clare ETB |
900 |
|
Longford Westmeath ETB |
120 |
|
Louth Meath ETB |
423 |
|
Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB |
400 |
|
Tipperary ETB |
200 |
|
Waterford Wexford ETB |
430 |
|
Total |
7753 |
194. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [29244/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous and determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf.
Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore neither I nor my Department have a function in relation to such matters and information on errors in CAO applications or offers are not held in my Department.
Where an error comes to the attention of the CAO after Round One offers have issued, they then update the account information and consequently the offers issued. A number of these adjustments are made each year due to applicant omissions or errors, or administrative errors caused by the higher education institutions or CAO.
If an applicant has an issue with their CAO application that is not resolved the applicant’s satisfaction, the option to appeal is available. The CAO has an Independent Appeals Commission, to which recourse may be had by applicants who believe that they have been treated unfairly by CAO, and whose complaints have not been resolved by CAO. The function of the Appeals Commission is to ensure that the rules are applied fairly.
Appeals should be addressed to: The Secretary, CAO Independent Appeals Commission, c/o Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway, Ireland.
195. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there will be consideration given to the errors in the calculated grades, in the case that a student with HEAR or DARE status has a grade increase that an increase in points for these students could have led to offers for courses in participating colleges at reduced levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29245/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HEAR and DARE schemes are operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) who set the policy criteria for the schemes. Admissions under the schemes are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the schemes, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.
Applications to both schemes are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions. As such, my Department has no role in the policy criteria of the schemes.
However, my officials have made some enquiries to the IUA and have been advised that offers to those who were affected by the errors in the Leaving Certificate 2020 Calculated Grades process will be made through CAO in Round 4. Some of these students were deemed eligible through the DARE and HEAR schemes. These students will also be included in this round of CAO offers.
196. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the take-up to date of the subsidy to employers for enrolling apprentices; the breakdown by sector; and if consideration will be given to extending the closing date of the scheme. [29254/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra197. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the take-up to date of the subsidy to employers for enrolling apprentices; the break down by sector; and if he will consider extending the closing date of the scheme. [29255/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.
As of the 5 October, 483 companies had applied for grants under the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme, in respect of 891 apprentices. The attached tabular statement provides a breakdown of these applications by company sector, and also by apprenticeship programme.
|
APPRENTICESHIP |
COUNT |
|
Wood Manufacturing and Finishing |
13 |
|
Vehicle Body Repairs |
5 |
|
Toolmaking |
7 |
|
Software Developer Associate |
1 |
|
Sheet Metalworking |
2 |
|
Sales |
5 |
|
Retail Supervision |
1 |
|
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
14 |
|
Recruitment Executive |
1 |
|
Polymer Processing Technology |
1 |
|
Plumbing |
107 |
|
Plastering |
6 |
|
Pipefitting |
8 |
|
Painting and Decorating |
6 |
|
OEM Engineer |
4 |
|
Motor Mechanics |
38 |
|
Metal Fabrication |
40 |
|
Manufacturing Technology (Level 6) |
2 |
|
Manufacturing Engineering (Level 7) |
8 |
|
M.A.M.F. |
22 |
|
Logistics Associate |
1 |
|
Lean Sigma Manager |
1 |
|
Insurance Practitioner |
28 |
|
Instrumentation |
17 |
|
Industrial Insulation |
3 |
|
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics |
11 |
|
Electronic Security Systems |
16 |
|
Electrical Instrumentation |
6 |
|
Electrical |
380 |
|
Cybersecurity |
4 |
|
Construction Plant Fitting |
6 |
|
Commis Chef |
2 |
|
Carpentry and Joinery |
79 |
|
Brick and Stonelaying |
8 |
|
Auctioneering and Property Services |
28 |
|
Agricultural Mechanics |
2 |
|
Accounting Technician |
8 |
|
891 |
|
SECTOR |
COUNT |
|
Accounting |
5 |
|
Auctioneering And Property Services |
25 |
|
Construction |
332 |
|
Equipment Manufacturing |
5 |
|
Financial Services |
1 |
|
Food |
3 |
|
Food And Beverage Service Activities |
3 |
|
Information Service Activities |
2 |
|
Insurance |
9 |
|
Logistics |
1 |
|
Mechanical/electrical |
43 |
|
Motor |
47 |
|
Plastics And Rubber |
3 |
|
Recruitment |
1 |
|
Sales |
3 |
|
483 |
There has been strong interest in this scheme since it launched in mid-August which is reflected in the level of applications to-date. Apprenticeship registrations on a monthly basis are increasing, reaching 753 in September which is approaching pre-Covid levels (There were 812 registrations in the same time period in 2019).
An advertising campaign to further promote this initiative is planned shortly and it is also being promoted through a series of engagements with the Regional Skills Fora with Minister Harris, Minister Humphreys and myself.
Any extension to the scheme will be considered in the context of available funding and overall funding priorities in the 2021 estimates.
198. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the changes in the eligibility criteria for Springboard opportunities for support for postgraduate participation. [29256/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpringboard+ complements the core State-funded education and training system and provides recent graduates with either free or 90% funded upskilling and reskilling higher education opportunities in areas of identified skills need.
One-year full-time and two-year part-time ICT Skills Conversion courses, which are funded through Springboard+, are open to the unemployed, returners to the workforce, the unemployed and recent graduates.
HCI Pillar 1, Graduate Conversion Programmes extends the approach currently in place for ICT under Springboard+, offering full time, one year incentivised places for graduates to reskill in areas of skills shortage and emerging technologies.
Places are available on courses in a wide range of skills areas, including artificial intelligence, smart factory technology, sustainable energy, medical device technology and cybersecurity.
The July Stimulus will also provide funding for Postgraduate Skills Provision and Modular Skills Provision. Details of programmes will be released in the coming weeks.
Further information on Springboard+ 2020 and HCI including entry requirements and detailed eligibility criteria are available on the dedicated information and applications website: www.springboardcourses.ie
