Written Answers Nos. 602-621
603. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the ring-fenced funding of €300,000 announced on 12 November 2020 will be allocated and spent to ensure supports are available for Travellers seeking to progress in higher and further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4259/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDormant accounts funding of €300,000 was approved in 2021 for targeted supports to address the Implications of COVID-19 for Traveller transfer to and progression within Higher Education.
Consultations have commenced between officials in my Department, the Higher Education Authority, Traveller representative groups and representatives from the Higher Education Institutions on the best approach to allocating the funding to ensure that the risks associated with COVID-19 do not serve to widen the existing and very significant gap in participation in higher education by Traveller.
Decisions on the roll out of funding will be made in the coming weeks.
604. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if partial refunds or reductions in placement hours are being considered for a cohort of students (details supplied) especially as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4278/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn considering the issue of fees, it is important to note that the State currently provides very substantial financial support to undergraduate students in higher education towards the cost of their studies. This support has played a very significant role in facilitating access to and growth in higher education. What was previously the preserve of a relatively small proportion of the school leaving population is now much more widely available, as reflected in the current transfer rate from second to third level.
This commitment is demonstrated through the Free Fees Schemes under which the Exchequer currently contributes €340m to meeting the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate students in higher education. In addition, the Exchequer pays the student contribution of €3,000 per annum in full or part, through SUSI, for approximately 44% of students at a cost of over €180m.
Under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID all further and higher education institutions will deliver the majority of their classes online with only essential activities held on site. While I appreciate that this is disappointing for students who had hoped to have as much time on campus as possible, these measures were necessary to support halting the spread of the Coronavirus.
I am of course very conscious of the immediate impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our students. In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 20/21 to all students who avail of SUSI grants and to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state.
Under this initiative students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive a €250 top-up in their grant and students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding student contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution.
Additionally Budget 2021 provides further funding to enhance SUSI grant supports for post-grads and increase support for the PATH access initiative. In July I announced a range of additional student supports including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, and a €15 million technology fund for devices for students.
The combined impact of these supports and initiatives highlight the strength of the Government's commitment to supporting students in meeting the costs of third level education.
In terms of student placements, following the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, significant work has been undertaken by a stakeholder group chaired by the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and including the representative bodies of education providers to address issues relating to the maintenance of the quality and standards of teaching and learning, assessment and qualifications. This group has focused on the implementation of alternative arrangements, where appropriate and necessary, to meet both these standards and, where applicable, the educational accreditation criteria established by Professional Recognition Bodies (PRBs).
In the case of Social Care, the awards standards in place reflect the accreditation criteria and placement requirements that have been set out by CORU, Ireland's multi-profession Health and Social Care Regulator and consequently the relevant PRB for this profession. QQI has facilitated engagement between members of the stakeholders group and CORU, in parallel to direct engagements between CORU and individual education providers, to ensure that necessary arrangements are in place to maintain standards of education and training in this area so that students can progress e.g. from second year into third year or, where relevant, graduate with the relevant professional competencies that have been set out by CORU. Students should engage directly with their education provider for further information on the arrangements being implemented for their particular year and course.
608. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he plans to publish the apprenticeship action plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4463/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra609. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the apprenticeship action plan will include concrete targets and measures to increase participation by under-represented groups in apprenticeships such as young women, persons with disabilities, young Travellers and young persons from minority ethnic groups; if the plan will include a national access to apprenticeship programme to support these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4464/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 609 together.
In accordance with the Programme for Government, a new Action Plan for Apprenticeship is in development to cover the period 2021-2025 with a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025. The plan will also set out how the apprentice population will more closely reflect the general population and further address the issue of barriers to participation in apprenticeship by under-represented groups by offering targeted supports.
SOLAS conducted a review on Pathways to Participation in Apprenticeship which was published in 2018. It highlighted 5 areas for action to overcome barriers to apprenticeship and facilitate the inclusion of women, people with disabilities and people from minority ethnic groups and the implementation of the report’s actions is ongoing.
A review of the current position of the Pathways to Participation in Apprenticeship findings and recommendations together with findings from stakeholders submissions is being used to inform the new Action Plan which will be finalised in the coming weeks.
Current initiatives underway include:
- A total of 300 learners availed of dedicated pre-apprenticeship training in 2019, growing to 580 places in 2020.
- Almost 1,000 employers have registered with www.apprenticejobs.ie which is designed to increase visibility of opportunities for all potential apprentices.
- Broader approaches to widening access to apprenticeships also include developing links between Youthreach and Community Training Centre (CTC) provision.
- There are now 1,000 female apprentices compared to 25 in 2015
- The roll out of the 2020 Generation Apprenticeship competition at second level reached 156 second level schools, Youthreach Centres and Community Training Centres
- A new user-friendly and interactive website to provide information on, and increase awareness of, apprenticeship was launched in October 2020 (www.apprenticeship.ie )
In addition, Technological University Dublin has developed an Access to Apprenticeship programme. This innovative pilot programme supports the transition of young people (16-24 years old) from areas of socio-economic disadvantage into craft apprenticeships. To date over 118 young men and women have progressed into apprenticeships through this program.
612. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the budgetary analysis being carried out to plan for long Covid-19 impacts in his Department and each State agency under the remit of his Department in tabular form. [4488/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is closely monitoring the budgetary impacts of Covid-19, in close engagement with my Department’s agencies and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Government has already implemented a range of supports for students and for the further and higher education sector in recognition of the impacts of Covid-19. In July 2020 approved a comprehensive package of supports in the amount of €168m, including funding for the student assistance fund, mental health supports, digital devices for students and targeted support funding for the sector. A range of additional measures were included in Budget 2021 including €48m for a once-off Covid student assistance fund, enhanced funding for SUSI to meet additional demand in 2021 and a fund for ETBs and community education providers to mitigate educational disadvantage in 2020.
In addition to the voted allocations summarised above the July Jobs Stimulus package provided €100 million from the National Training Fund (NTF) to fund 35,000 places through a variety of measures in higher and further education and training. The investment is aimed at those that require it the most, whether that is to assist with seeking employment or to upskill in their current jobs.
Building on the July Jobs Stimulus, Budget 2021 will see a total investment of €118.5 million from the NTF to upskill and reskill people who have been affected by the impacts of the current pandemic and in areas of key skills priorities, particularly the climate agenda.
613. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the discrepancy between the treatment of trainee educational psychologists and trainee clinical psychologist with the latter receiving a substantial payment of college fees by HSE and paid work throughout their programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4515/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have a role in tuition fee arrangements or the placement of students enrolled on these courses. During the course of the programme, students are required to undertake placement in different services, including the National Educational Psychological Service and the Health Service Executive. The placement arrangements and conditions are a matter between the higher education institution and the relevant body. The Department expects institutions to manage these matters appropriately and fairly.
614. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the absolute and relative number of persons with disabilities employed by his Department in each of the years 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2020; if these persons are in full-time or part-time roles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4528/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPart V of the Disability Act 2005 requires that public bodies promote and support the employment of people with disabilities and ensure that 3% of staff employed by them are people with disabilities. The requirement applies to the Department of Further and Higher Education, Resource, Innovation and Science and certain of its aegis bodies.
My Department which was established on 23 July 2020, currently has a total of 136 staff and as at 31 December 2020 five staff members, representing 3.68% of all staff, have declared a disability.
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities for 2015 – 2024, commits the Government to progressively increasing the statutory target for the employment of people with disabilities from 3% to a minimum of 6% in the public sector by 2024.
While the assistance of the Public Appointments Service is sought for the majority of recruitments in my Department, my Department is committed to supporting staff members with disabilities by providing reasonable accommodation where required.
615. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of State and semi-State board appointments that fall under the aegis of his Department made since this Government took office including the name of the board or agency and the remuneration level associated with the board position in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4554/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra616. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of all State and semi-State boards that fall under the aegis of his Department; the level of remuneration being paid to each board member including chairpersons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4567/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 615 and 616 together.
The details sought by the Deputy are available in the attached tables.
As the Deputy will be aware Board appointments while made by me as Minister, are not in all cases made at my discretion. Individuals may be nominated for appointment by various organisations arising from the terms in the relevant legislation regarding the Body concerned.
The Deputy should note that arising from the transfer of Departmental administration and Ministerial functions the oversight of the national foundation for the investment and promotion of scientific and engineering research, the Science Foundation Ireland, has transferred to my Department with effect from 1 January 2021. To date, I have made no appointments to the Board of the Science Foundation Ireland.
617. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider reducing the frequency of presentations required by those facing deportation to immigration services on a monthly or bimonthly basis in view of the decision by the Taoiseach not to deport persons during Covid-19 other than for national security issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3541/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe enforcement of a deportation order is an operational matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB). For the purpose of enforcing the Order, the person is required to present at the offices of the GNIB, either at the Burgh Quay office in Dublin, or at their local Immigration Office. They may be directed to attend at specified times on specific dates until such time as the deportation process has been completed.
GNIB issue what are referred to as presentation letters on a regular basis to people who are subject to a Deportation Order, to ensure continued engagement and to keep them up to date on their requirements to present in person, as enshrined in legislation. The issuance of presentation letters is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and in which I have no direct role.
However, I can assure the Deputy that both my own Department and the GNIB are taking a pragmatic approach in relation to the enforcement of Deportation Orders during the current COVID-19 pandemic. This is evidenced by the low number of deportations actually carried out during this time.
It should also be noted that, in line with the clear commitments both I and the Taoiseach have given, no Deportation Orders are being enforced during the pandemic at present, except in circumstances where there are national security or serious public policy concerns.
618. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the reason visa applications were refused in the case of persons (details supplied); if applications can be reviewed at an early date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3553/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe visa applications for the persons referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin. Letters issued to the applicants on 2 December 2020, outlining the reasons for the refusals. It is open to the applicants to appeal these decisions, in writing, within two months of the date of the refusals. Appeals must be in written form and sent to the Visa Appeals Officer in the relevant Visa Office. Faxed or emailed appeals will not be considered.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Immigration Service website. When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh.
Full consideration will be given to any appeals received on behalf of the applicants, however the onus is on applicants to satisfy the Visa Officer that visas should be granted.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
619. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the current grades of staff employed at GSOC; and the number of staff employed within each grade in tabular form. [3586/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has a hugely important role to play in ensuring that public confidence in An Garda Síochána is safeguarded and, as such, it has extensive powers under the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
The Government is committed to ensuring that GSOC has the necessary supports and resources in order to fulfil its statutory functions and mandate. A provision of €11.27 million has been made for GSOC in 2021.
I am informed that the table below provides an outline of the current grades of staff within GSOC.
|
Commissioner |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary/ Director |
2 |
|
Principal Officer |
3 |
|
Assistant Principal |
19 |
|
PTP – Professional & Technical – Senior Researcher |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer * |
51 |
|
Executive Officer |
27 |
|
Clerical Officer |
23 |
|
Total |
127 |
It should be noted that the above figure provided for Higher Executive Officers Includes 2 Officers with the Disclosures Tribunal.
I am further informed that, of the staffing complement outlined above, the following breakdown of staff are assigned to the GSOC Investigations Directorate.
|
Role |
Grade |
No. Of Staff |
|
Investigations Officers |
HEO |
25 |
|
Intelligence Analysts |
HEO |
4 |
|
Investigator, Protected Disclosures Unit |
HEO |
8 |
|
Assistant Investigations Officers |
EO |
8 |
620. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the number of investigations which had to be referred back to An Garda Síochána from GSOC in order to be completed in each of the years 2015 to 2020, in tabular form. [3587/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission has a very important role to play in ensuring public confidence in An Garda Síochána and it has extensive powers under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended).
The Government is committed to ensuring that GSOC has the necessary supports and resources in order to fulfil its statutory functions and mandate. I can inform the Deputy that Budget 2021 made provision of €11.27 million for the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.
As the Deputy may be aware, GSOC investigations do not have to be referred back to An Garda Síochána in order to be completed. They are referred back either under statutory provisions under sections 94(1) and 94(5) of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) or when a judgement is made by GSOC that the matters under scrutiny fall more at the lower end of the discipline-only spectrum and so are more appropriately dealt with by An Garda Síochána.
Unsupervised disciplinary investigations are conducted under section 94 (1) of the Act by Garda superintendents in line with the Garda Discipline Regulations. The Protocols between GSOC and An Garda Síochána say that unsupervised investigations must be completed and a final report issued to GSOC within 16 weeks. An example of the kind of case that is investigated in this way is an allegation that there was abuse of authority in the manner in which an arrest was conducted.
In addition, supervised disciplinary investigations are conducted under section 94(5) of the Act, by Garda superintendents also but are supervised by GSOC investigators who meet with the Garda superintendents to agree an investigation plan. The GSOC investigator can direct and partake in the investigative actions, and must receive interim reports. The Protocols say that supervised disciplinary investigations must be completed and an investigation report provided within 20 weeks. Supervised investigations are appropriate in more serious allegations of neglect of duty.
The tables below, furnished to me by GSOC, set out the number of investigations opened under section 94(1), i.e. unsupervised investigation by An Garda Síochána, and section 94(5), i.e. investigation by An Garda Síochána supervised by GSOC, in the years 2015 – 2020, making a total of 3,890 cases.
|
Year |
s.94 (1)(unsupervised investigation by An Garda Síochána) |
s.94 (5)(investigation by An Garda Síochána supervised by GSOC) |
|
2015 |
468 |
127 |
|
2016 |
503 |
184 |
|
2017 |
590 |
191 |
|
2018 |
579 |
146 |
|
2019 |
449 |
113 |
|
2020 |
434 |
106 |
|
Totals |
3023 |
867 |
The following chart shows the cases that were referred back to An Garda Síochána for investigation under section 94(1) or 94(5) following a determination made by GSOC that the matters under scrutiny fall more at the lower end of the discipline-only spectrum and so are more appropriately dealt with by An Garda Síochána.
|
Year |
s.94 (1) |
s.94 (5) |
|
2015 |
0 |
11 |
|
2016 |
0 |
9 |
|
2017 |
0 |
8 |
|
2018 |
0 |
0 |
|
2019 |
0 |
1 |
|
2020 |
0 |
0 |
|
Totals |
0 |
29 |
Additionally, since the start of 2018, GSOC has referred cases to An Garda Síochána for Local Intervention . This is a process whereby complaints made by members of the public to GSOC about service they have received from An Garda Síochána may be resolved at a local level. Such complaints are referred to nominated Garda inspectors who will attempt to resolve matters to the complainant’s satisfaction. This is on the basis that cases which involve a service level complaint, of a minor nature, may be resolved quickly and satisfactorily in this manner, thus freeing up investigative resources to deal with more serious disciplinary and criminal complaints.
The table below sets out the number of cases referred to An Garda Síochána for Local Intervention.
|
Year |
Local Interventions |
|
2015 |
0 |
|
2016 |
0 |
|
2017 |
0 |
|
2018 |
43 |
|
2019 |
239 |
|
2020 |
263 |
|
Totals |
545 |
It is also worth noting that the system utilised by GSOC to manage the Local Intervention process is not automated and dependent on manual data entry. Similarly, the analytical tools which exist in relation to other areas of GSOC’s Case Handling System do not apply to the Local Intervention process.
Of the 545 cases referred for Local Intervention, 145 cases were referred back to GSOC for admissibility. The following table counts those cases which were determined as admissible and sets out whether they were investigated under section 94(1) or section 94(5).
|
Year |
s.94 (1)(unsupervised investigation by An Garda Síochána) |
s.94 (5)(investigation by An Garda Síochána supervised by GSOC) |
|
2015 |
0 |
0 |
|
2016 |
0 |
0 |
|
2017 |
1 |
0 |
|
2018 |
6 |
0 |
|
2019 |
27 |
2 |
|
2020 |
64 |
2 |
|
Totals |
98 |
4 |
NOTE: the case from 2017 was admitted in November 2017 but then identified as suitable for Local Intervention at the start of the pilot in early January 2018.
621. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Justice the status of the work within her Department on legislative reforms to GSOC (details supplied); the length of time this work has been ongoing; and when the proposals from GSOC were first received by her Department. [3588/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that in May 2017, the Government established the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland (CoFPI). The remit of CoFPI included the review of the police oversight architecture including how complaints against members of An Garda Síochána are dealt with. Parallel with CoFPI’s review, in December 2017 the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) sent proposals to the then Minister for Justice, Charlie Flanagan TD, for fundamental legislative reform, including in relation to GSOC’s independence.
Given CoFPI's remit, the Minister referred these proposals to CoFPI as an input to their work. The Deputy will be aware that CoFPI engaged extensively with GSOC in its own right as reflected in the final CoFPI Report, which was published in September 2018.
The new Programme for Government, Our Shared Future , commits to the rapid implementation of the recommendations of the Report of CoFPI and to the introduction of the Policing and Community Safety Bill to redefine the functions of An Garda Síochána and to provide a new governance and oversight framework.
Work on the General Scheme of the Policing and Community Safety Bill is at an advanced stage. It will, as recommended by CoFPI, include proposals for the reform of the processes for the handling of complaints and the conduct of investigations by GSOC in order to streamline them and ensure timely resolution while safeguarding due process for all concerned.
Extensive consultations have taken place with key stakeholders, including with GSOC and the Garda Síochána in the course of this work. I hope to be in a position to seek the approval of the Government to publish the General Scheme and to draft the Bill early this year.
