Written Answers Nos. 295-314
295. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to the provision of a dedicated youth service for an area (details supplied) in County Dublin in view of the rapid population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36066/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently funds the youth services mentioned by the Deputy through the 'UBU Your Place Your Space' Scheme. This is a targeted youth funding scheme aimed at supporting young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are at risk of becoming disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable.
This scheme sets out the process by which new services may enter the scheme and how existing schemes may be augmented. In allocating funding under the scheme, each Education and Training Board (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. This assessment process leads to the development of a Service Requirement which is then used as the basis for the UBU application process. This 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.
The total value of the grant for the youth service concerned in 2020 is €367,970. As part of the application process, Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education Training Board (DDLETB) provided the youth service concerned with a Service Requirement document outlining the needs and target groups to be supported under the UBU scheme. DDLETB is there to support the Youth Service in implementing the Service Requirement of the area. The DDLETB Youth Officer meets regularly with the Youth Service to this end.
296. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the bursaries available to a student (details supplied). [35816/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to students is the statutory based SUSI grant scheme. Under 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.
As specified in Schedule 2 of the Student Support Regulations 2020, the following course is an approved course for student grant purposes for the 2020/21 academic year at the Honorable Society of Kings Inn:
- Barrister-at-Law Degree [1 year] [Postgraduate].
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.
Postgraduate students who meet all of the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible for a maintenance grant of up to €5,915; the income threshold for this grant for the 2020/21 academic year is €24,500. Qualifying postgraduate students may also be eligible to have their tuition fees paid up to a maximum fee limit of €6,270.
Alternatively a postgraduate student may qualify to have a €2,000 contribution made towards the cost of his/her fees. The income threshold for this payment is €31,500 for the 2020/21 academic year, increasing relative to the number of family dependents.
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 Department’s Third Level Bursary Scheme is open to students attending Kings Inn. This is a scheme of bursaries for students from DEIS schools based on Leaving Certificate examination results. Applications are not needed for these bursaries as they are awarded on a regional basis (Dublin, rest of Leinster, Munster and Connacht/Ulster) based on Leaving Certificate results.
Further information in relation to other third level Bursaries and Scholarships administered by the Department is available from: https://www.education.ie/en/Learners/Services/Scholarships/Scholarships-Bursaries.html
The student may also wish to contact Kings Inn directly to make enquiries as to whether any bursaries or student support funds operated by the college may be available.
In addition, 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. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
297. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has lease arrangements with co-working real estate companies; and, if so, the details of the leases, including the terms of the lease, location, price and duration. [35858/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe renting and leasing of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments. The number, terms and cost of the leases is a matter for the OPW.
298. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department leases additional office space that is outside its departmental building and the estates section of the OPW; and, if so, the details of the lease, including the terms of the lease, location, price and duration. [35876/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe renting and leasing of Government offices is the responsibilty of the Office of Public Works which acts as a property agent for all Government departments. The number, terms and costs of leases are a matter for the OPW. The Department does not lease any other office space.
299. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students enrolled in apprenticeships; the estimated cost to the Exchequer annually; the number of craft apprenticeships; the estimated cost to Exchequer of all craft apprenticeships annually; the number of students enrolled in new apprenticeships; the estimated cost to the Exchequer of new apprenticeships annually in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35953/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 18,800 apprentices registered across the 58 available apprenticeship programmes as at the end of October 2020. 2,234 (12%) of which are registered to consortia-led programmes. Apprenticeship is funded by the National Training Fund and there is therefore no direct cost to the exchequer.
Given the dual nature of apprenticeship within the current system, the July 2019 Spending Review of Apprenticeships published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform estimated the annual cost per apprentice in craft apprenticeships at €7,159. The average annual cost per additional apprentice for consortia-led programmes was €9,877 however this figure includes programme development costs and may overstate the true ongoing cost of providing apprenticeship places. Given the ongoing development of consortia-led apprenticeship (15 programmes rolled out in 2019-2020 with a further 20 in development) a reliable average cost has not yet been calculated, however this will be kept under review as greater numbers come on stream.
Expenditure on apprenticeship was €118m in 2018 (€6.65m for consortia-led apprenticeship and €111.73m for craft apprenticeship) this rose to €160m 2019 with €184m allocated for 2020.
A breakdown of expenditure between craft and consortia-led programmes for 2019 is being prepared and will be forwarded to the Deputy.
300. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department or an agency operating under his Department has encountered expenditure in respect of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that were subsequently subject to a recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2020; if so, the expenditure in respect of such products; if the expenditures will be recouped from the sellers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36005/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 22 October 2020 the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine notified the Department of Education that it had removed ViraPro hand sanitiser from the product register. On the same day that Department removed the supplier of Virapro and its entire product offering from the Education Sector PPE Procurement Agreement and advised all schools and other educational institutions to cease all use of these products. These products have been on general sale and not just available through the education sector framework. On Friday 23rd the Department of Agriculture further advised not to use any Virapro branded product and this was communicated, with the instruction to store the product pending collection by the supplier.
On foot of these notifications arrangements were also made to bring to the attention of the wider sector and aegis bodies on the product recall, and on the follow-on decision to remove from the approved list of products under the Education Sector PPE Procurement Agreement 52 other products which were not subject to the product recall but whose registration status could not be confirmed.
Based on data supplied by Maxxcare, the supplier of Virapro, it is estimated that 10% of schools have been supplied with Virapro. The total value of the product supplied is estimated to be between €200,000 to €300,000. Just one Higher Education Institution and a small number of other colleges were involved in the total recall. The value of the product involved is incorporated in the estimate referred to. This estimated value is based on sales data and therefore it is expected that the value of the product to be recalled is lower given some product would have been used since purchased. It should be noted that most Institutes of Higher Education have very limited staff and students on premises currently. The Department of Education has committed to continue to monitor the situation and update data as it becomes available.
301. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the arrangements that have been made to ensure that students from Northern Ireland will continue to be treated as previously in Irish universities post Brexit as far as fees and so on are concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36064/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn keeping with the Memorandum of Understanding on the Common Travel Area which was signed by the Irish and UK Governments in July 2019, students from Northern Ireland attending higher education institutions here will continue to be treated on the same basis as Irish students for the purposes of fees and access to SUSI grants.
Arrangements are being put in place to support this position after the conclusion of the Transition Period on 31st December 2020, including processing an amendment to the Student Support Act 2011 as part of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (consequential Provisions) Bill, 2020.
302. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Irish students will be able to avail of SUSI grants post Brexit to study at universities in Northern Ireland and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36065/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraGrant assistance for students participating in further and higher education is provided for under the Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations which are published under powers contained in the Student Support Act 2011. The student grant scheme administered by SUSI, provides grants to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. A number of provisions contained within the 2011 Act and associated secondary legislation, will be affected by Brexit and need to be amended before 1 January 2021 when the current transition period ends.
Part 7 of the ‘Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2020’ , will make amendments to the Student Support Act 2011. The key amendments proposed are in respect of definitions regarding approved institutions, approved courses and student interpretation. Under the current legislation, eligibility regarding approved courses and institutions is limited to courses and institutions located in Member States. The proposed changes will widen these definitions post-Brexit to encompass the UK as a third country.
Each year, circa 1,500 students studying in the UK and circa 200 UK nationals studying in the State, qualify for SUSI grant support. Without the proposed amendments, these students will not meet the current statutory based eligibility criteria. The provisions in Part 7 will address this problem by amending the Student Support Act 2011 to enable these students to continue to qualify for grant support post-Brexit.
303. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the campaign by UCD graduate medical students in seeking clarity on the 2% to 4% annual increase in tuition fees for both EU and non-EU students; his views on and response to this campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36077/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraStudents pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants. However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA). Currently, the subsidy is €11,200 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies as set out in legislation and are responsible for the day-to-day management and operational affairs of the institution including dealing with the issues that you have raised. They retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures. The level of fees to be charged in the case of GEM fees are therefore solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.
304. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a person (details supplied) could not have their accommodation fees refunded from DCU in line with best practice in terms of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36103/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of the challenges faced by students in relation to 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 am aware that DCU has adopted a flexible model where students can book and pay for accommodation for a number of days and nights, rather than the full semester. I also understand that where a student in DCU accommodation paid a deposit but chose not to take up the accommodation they will have the deposit refunded in full. I will continue to liaise with the sector through the Irish Universities Association to encourage the availability of fair solutions to students in university-owned student accommodation.
Ultimately universities are autonomous under the Universities Act 1997, and it is not within my remit to direct them in relation to the management of their student accommodation, which they have financed from their own resources. Students should engage directly with their institution to see if an arrangement can be reached.
I am very conscious of the impact of the pandemic has had on our students. To ensure the safety of our students and staff in further and higher education, the majority of college will be online for this semester and we will provide financial assistance through a once off €50 million fund. My officials and I are developing the process on how this once-off fund will operate for submission to Government prior to commencement. Further details will be available for students shortly.
305. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the work carried out by the family justice oversight group to implement the report on reform of the family law system by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality with reference to parental alienation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35836/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, there is no specific legislative provision regarding parental alienation in Irish family law. Section 246 of the Children Act 2001 provides for an offence of frightening, bullying or threatening a child in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child's physical, mental or emotional health or wellbeing. There are also legislative provisions in place to deal with child welfare particularly regarding the relationship between a child and his/her parents or guardians, providing the framework for a legal response to a wide spectrum of child welfare issues. However, I am very much aware that parental alienation is a complex issue and that further analysis may be desirable.
The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice and Equality published a report last year on Reform of the Family Law System which includes parental alienation among a broad range of issues in the area of family law.
My department has recently established the Family Justice Oversight Group which will agree a high-level vision and key medium and longer-term objectives for the development of a national family justice system in parallel with the establishment of a dedicated Family Court structure as envisaged by the forthcoming Family Court Bill. As part of its work, the oversight group will consider the various recommendations, including the recommendation on parent alienation, contained in the Report of the Joint Committee.
The oversight group includes representation from the judiciary, the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as well as officials from my Department.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to enact a Family Court Bill. In the preparation of the General Scheme of that Bill, account has been taken of the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality on the Reform of the Family Law System.
The Family Court Bill will be a key element of the development of a more efficient and user-friendly family court system that puts families at the centre of its activities, provides access to specialist supports and encourages the use of alternative dispute resolution in family law proceedings. The development of sensible, comprehensive and sensitive family law procedures, particularly for vulnerable families, will be central to the new system.
306. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has lease arrangements with co-working real estate companies; and, if so, the details of the leases, including the terms of the lease, location, price and duration. [35861/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of properties occupied by my Department are owned or leased on its behalf by the Office of Public Works (OPW). Any short term accommodation leased by my Department directly is for private office space only. I can confirm that my Department does not currently have any lease arrangements for co-working accommodation.
307. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her Department leases additional office space that is outside its departmental building and the estates section of the OPW; and, if so, the details of the lease, including the terms of the lease, location, price and duration. [35879/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe majority of properties occupied by my Department are owned or leased on its behalf by the Office of Public Works (OPW). A small number of leases outside of their estate are leased for Department staff and are listed in tabular form below.
|
Unit |
Location |
Lease Commencement Date |
Duration |
Cost |
Terms |
|
Hickson Commission |
Upr Mount Street (Pembroke Hall) |
14 September 2020 |
6 months |
€17,061 including VAT per month |
|
|
Irish Passenger Information Unit |
Skybridge House Dublin Airport (Regus) |
1 July 2019 |
17 months |
€21,510 including VAT per month |
60 days notice of termination |
|
Inspector of Prisons* |
Harcourt House (Regus) |
17 December 2018 |
12 months (renewed for further 12 months) |
€11,262 including VAT per month |
60 days notice of termination |
|
Coroner's (Stardust) |
Harcourt House (Regus) |
1 February 2020 |
12 months |
€62,608 including VAT per quarter |
60 days notice of termination |
|
**Montague Court (Part 2nd Floor) |
1 November 2016 |
8 years, 7 months |
€185,200 per annum |
||
|
**Montague Court 2nd & 3rd Floor) |
31 May 2020 |
25 years |
513,000 per annum |
*Cost inclusive of car parking.
**Office accommodation in Montague Court was leased and used by staff from this Department prior to the transfer of certain functions to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in October of this year. Rent for this year had been paid in full by my Department.
Please note that accommodation listed for the Inspector of Prisons and the Irish Passenger Unit with Regus are short term arrangements pending the provision of permanent office space by the OPW. It should also be noted that accommodation for the Hickson Commission and Stardust Inquest is leased by the OPW who are reimbursed for these leases. My Department does not hold either of these leases.
308. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons who have been fined for breaching Covid-19 level 5 restrictions. [35906/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, responsibility for policing the current Public Health regulations rests with the Garda Commissioner. Further, responsibility for the legislation underpinning the Public Health response lies with my colleague, the Minister for Health.
However, to be of assistance, I have contacted the Garda Commissioner and have been advised that since the Government's decision to place the country on Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19 from midnight on 21 October last, An Garda Síochána have recommenced Operation Fanacht nationwide as well as redeploying resources from the Garda College to support high visibility policing efforts.
An Garda Síochána continue to use the 'Four E's' approach in line with their strong tradition of community policing and policing by consent. This sees Garda members Engage with, Encourage and Educate members of the public on public health advice and regulations with Enforcement used only as a last resort.
Both the Policing Authority and the Gardaí provide regular reports and updates of An Garda Síochána's efforts during this difficult time and I am pleased to note that both the Authority and the Commissioner have noted high levels of compliance by the public and positive interaction between Gardaí and communities.
I am further advised that a new system of fines under the Health (Amendment) Act 2020, which was signed into law by the President on 25th of October, is not yet operational pending availability of the final regulations and accompanying offence wording and codes. As stated, this legislation rests with the Minister for Health. Once the Regulations have been made, An Garda Síochána will begin to implement changes to the fixed charge penalty computer system (FCPS) and make any necessary operational changes required to roll out the new system of fines.
A number of incidents involving suspected breaches of regulations under existing legislation have been referred to the DPP for decisions on whether or not to charge. The number of cases where the DPP has directed a charge or summons are summarised on the Garda website at the URLs below:
https://www.garda.ie/!1PVWD0
https://www.garda.ie/en/about-us/our-departments/office-of-corporate-communications/news-media/coronavirus-covid-19-.html (under COVID statistics)
309. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice if responsibility for the national LGBTI+ inclusion strategy and wider measures and provisions to promote LGBTI equality in society here (details supplied) will be transferred to another Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35982/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that all responsibility for the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, including wider measures and provisions to promote LGBTI equality in society, has transferred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
310. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice if her Department or an agency operating under her Department has encountered expenditure in respect of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that were subsequently subject to a recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine in 2020; if so, the expenditure in respect of such products; if the expenditures will be recouped from the sellers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36008/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has not encountered expenditure in respect of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that were subsequently subject to a recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine this year.
Of the agencies operating under the remit of my Department, I can confirm that one agency, the Probation Service, did encounter expenditure this year in respect of hand sanitisation products or other PPE products that were subsequently subject to a recall by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I am informed by my officials in the Probation Service that the expenditure was related to the Community Service Supervisors work on sites across the country. I understand that costs in Dublin were in the amount of €2,128.53 excluding VAT and that the supplier has agreed to swap out these products. In relation to Community Service nationwide, I am informed that it is expected that costs will be minimal overall and that products are being replaced by the supplier.
311. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has issued permissions to reside and work in the State since 1 January 2020 to non-EEA, Swiss nationals on stamp 1 conditions subject to the general requirement that the person in question be in employment rather than the usual requirement that they be employed by a named employer; if so, the number of such permissions issued; her plans to grant such permissions in future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36055/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnfortunately, the statistics requested by the Deputy are not maintained by the Immigration Service of my Department in this manner.
These permissions are classified on the Immigration Service databases as Stamp 1. There is no way of identifying those specifically granted a Stamp 1 without the requirement for an employment permit.
The retrieval of this data would require a case by case examination of applications received during the timeframe specified and would represent a significant diversion of resources from day to day processing.
312. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice the number of letters of notification sent in 2019 and to date in 2020 by her Department to participants in the atypical working scheme to non-EEA, Swiss crew in the fishing fleet here notifying them that their contract of employment has ceased and that they should furnish details of their new contract of employment under the scheme within 28 days of the issue of the letter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36056/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Atypical Scheme for non-EEA Crew in the Irish Fishing Fleet was established as a cross Departmental response to address the matter of non-EEA workers on certain categories of vessels in the Irish fishing fleet. A number of Departments are involved in the scheme and it is monitored by an Oversight Committee, chaired by the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine with members from relevant Departments and State Agencies, including my own.
The application process includes the drawing up of a contract which includes, for example, payment of wages in line with the minimum wage, that the medical needs of the employee must be provided for by the employer, and when an employment is terminated the employer must repatriate the employee to their home country.
This contract, prepared by a solicitor practising in the State on behalf of the employer, is submitted in the first instance to the Central Depository administered by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and thereafter an application is made to the Immigration Service of my Department for an immigration permission.
I understand that each contract is certified by a solicitor as follows:
1. That the terms of the scheme are met;
2. That the conditions of employment are in accordance with the relevant legislation and that annual wages are not less than the National Minimum Wage – currently €10.10 per hour; and
3. That there is a statement from the vessel owner that they will enroll the crew member in a Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) Safety Training Scheme prior to commencement of employment.
The terms of the Scheme require that the contract of employment must be of 12 months duration.
The table below sets out the number of letters regarding ceased contracts that have issued in 2019 and to date in 2020.
|
Year |
|
|
2019 |
7 |
|
2020 |
10 |
|
Total |
17 |
This represents a very small number of the permissions granted in either of these years as can be seen in the table below.
|
2019 |
7 |
|
2020 |
10 |
|
Total |
17 |
Any abuses or otherwise of the employment conditions of any non-EEA National in the Irish fishing industry is a matter for the Workplace Relations Commission, the Marine Survey Office, the Gardaí and other appropriate authorities of the State.
313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding residency and eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36110/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy made an application for a Certificate of Naturalisation on 22 July 2013. They were successful in their application and received their Certificate of Naturalisation at a ceremony held in the Convention Centre, Dublin on 31 March 2014.
314. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of nursing homes and long-term care facilities that have availed of the assistance scheme for all private and voluntary nursing homes and the enhanced outbreak assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36021/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
