Written Answers Nos. 640-656
640. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the way in which the audio recordings of oral evidence given by persons to the Confidential Committee of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes were destroyed; the reason these recordings cannot be retrieved or recovered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10367/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory Commission of Investigation is independent in the conduct of its inquiries and as such I had no role in, or knowledge of, the particulars of its approach to its investigation or how it managed the audio recording from the Confidential Committee module. I note that the final report states that witnesses were asked for permission to record their evidence on the clear understanding that the recordings would be used only as an aide-mémoire, and then be destroyed.
I have engaged intensively with the Commission to resolve the understandable concerns of survivors in relation to the audio recordings made by the Confidential Committee. The Commission notified me on Monday 22 February that it had retrieved the backup tapes containing the audio recordings from the Confidential Committee from its off-site storage. An IT expert has checked whether the audio recordings are retrievable by testing a random sample and verified that they are accessible and audible.
The Commission has agreed to deposit the audio recordings with my Department, a commitment that is in keeping with other actions it is taking to transfer the rest of the archive to me by 28 February.
641. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the details and copies of all correspondence between him and-or his Department and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner in relation to audio recordings of oral evidence given by persons to the confidential committee of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10368/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra642. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the details and copies of all correspondence between him and-or his Department and the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in relation to audio recordings of oral evidence given by persons to the confidential committee of the commission will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10369/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 641 and 642 together.
I have engaged in numerous correspondences with both the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, in relation to the audio recordings used by the Commission. I will consider the Deputy's request in the hope to assist in furthering public understanding of this issue.
643. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the current waiting lists for autism assistance dogs and the number of years children are left on the list; and his plans to address this issue. [10384/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is not a matter which has previously been brought to my attention. I am not in a position to comment on this matter as the provision of autism assistance dogs does not come within the remit of my Department.
645. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) who has requested a copy of the transcript of their evidence to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes on at least five occasions without acknowledgement will receive same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10387/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that there have been many individuals who gave evidence to the Commission of Investigation, and who appeared before the Confidential Committee to tell their stories, who are now seeking access to these records.
As the Deputy is aware, the Commission of Investigation is independent in the conduct of its investigation. Requests of this nature must be made directly to the Commission. I understand that some individuals have received documentation, however I am not in a position to comment on what has been provided by the Commission.
I am due to receive the archive of records from the Commission by 28th February 2021.
Once the archive of records transfers to my Department under section 4 of the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another matter, Act 2020, my Department will become the data controller in respect of the personal data contained in the records. I am cognisant that, on becoming a data controller later this month, my Department will assume particular responsibilities under GDPR. My Department is actively planning to prepare to receive these records.
A dedicated unit has been established to process applications by individuals to access their personal data which is contained in the archive. I fully intend to respond appropriately to each request in compliance with my obligations as a data controller under GDPR and Data Protection Acts.
646. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 277 and 278 of 3 December 2020 and 399 of 15 December 2020, when the requested data will be provided (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10404/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention, and wish to apologise for the inconvenience.
I have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, seeking clarification on why the requested response has not issued, and instructing that a reply issue to the Deputy as a matter of urgency.
647. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding the independent monitoring of direct provision centres that was due to commence in January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10517/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently engaged with HIQA with regard to undertaking the role of monitoring the services provided to those accommodated in our centres against National Standards that were published in 2019. The National Standards meet the requirements of the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive (Directive 2013/33/EU) which we voluntarily opted into in June 2018.
It is hoped that HIQA will begin this role shortly. A strong and transparent monitoring capacity is crucial to ensure that quality of service is maintained during the significant transformation process that will occur over the coming years.
648. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of CAO applications submitted in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9837/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State Examinations Commission (SEC) has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
649. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is an opportunity for students who sat the leaving certificate in November 2020 to undertake the HPAT assessment, which is needed for access to certain courses and without which a further loss of a year before enrolment would arise. [10098/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HPAT is independently administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) on behalf of the universities’ medical schools and RCSI. The selection criteria and process for admission to medical schools is a matter for those institutions in line with their statutory autonomy in relation to academic affairs. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the administration of the HPAT.
Students whose November Leaving Certificate results entitled them to a higher preference offer based on their 2020 CAO application will have received a deferred offer to start their course in the 2021/22 academic year. Such offers are part of the 2020 application cycle, and therefore will be based on the 2020 HPAT results where applicable.
If a student wishes to use their November Leaving Certificate results to make a new application for 2021 such an application will follow the same requirements that are in place for all 2021 applicants, including in relation to the HPAT. It is my understanding 2021 HPAT took place on the 20th and 21st February, and the next HPAT exam will take place in 2022 for the 2022 application cycle.
650. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the facilities available in his Department to facilitate breastfeeding breaks in accordance with WHO guidelines of two years for women in the workplace and as part of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9373/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that in line with Government policy my department has facilities available to enable breastfeeding breaks for staff in accordance with Circular 31/2006.
651. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made to advance the technological university for the south east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9510/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra653. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the location of the headquarters for the new technological university of the south east will be decided; the criteria that will be used in making a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9512/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra668. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the board of a technological university for the south east will be selected; the apportionment of appointments; the method for same; the representativeness of the board as it relates to constituent institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9791/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra669. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the structure of a technological university and locations for campuses will be determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9792/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra670. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process for selecting the courses on offer and the way in which such courses will be funded for a new technological university in order to have an expanded range of courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9793/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 651, 653 and 668 to 670, inclusive, together.
I anticipate receiving an application from the TUSEI consortium, comprising WIT and IT Carlow, by 28 April 2021. A project plan has been in place by the consortium since October 2020 and my Department is being kept updated on its progress. To date €8.8 million has been provided in co-funding of the consortium’s proposals, the most recent tranche of €5.1 million was allocated under the Transformation Fund in October 2020.
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of academic affairs and course provision. My Department allocates recurrent funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA allocates this funding as a block grant to the institutions. The HEA funding model includes weightings for the relative costs of providing education in different disciplines and tuition fee payments for free fees eligible students. As autonomous bodies, the internal disbursement of this funding is a matter for the individual institution.
The legal requirements for the appointment of the first governing body of a technological university is prescribed under Section 55 of the Technological Universities Act 2018. An appointments process is not set in train until a TU has been designated following the prescribed legislative assessment and decision-making processes under the Act.
TU structures and campus related issues are matters in the first instance for a TU as an autonomous higher education institution. Further work is required to advance sectoral apposite career structures in accordance with the 2019 TURN report recommendations. In this context my Department is engaged with the HEA regarding the undertaking of an independent expert bench marking exercise relating to issues including organisation design and academic career structures. This would form part of a progressive, inclusive process with appropriate national inputs.
There is no such term in TU legislation as ‘headquarters’ and upon its establishment it is a matter for a TU, as embodied by the governing body which constitutes staff and student representatives and external members drawn from wider stakeholder groups, as to the functionality of any particular campus within an integrated multi-campus structure.
In my view the focus should continue to be on the benefits of establishing a TU for the entire South East and in supporting and assisting the finalisation and submission of an application for TU designation by the TUSEI consortium.
652. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the physical footprint of campuses in counties Waterford and Carlow as part of the technological university for the south east process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9511/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is a priority for my Department to support higher education institutions in their critical role as drivers of social and economic development in their regions. Within this overall context, the creation of Technological Universities represents a radical reconfiguration of the higher education landscape, which will deliver significant benefits for regional development. This will be achieved through a strong focus on industry linkages, higher education access, and research-informed teaching and learning excellence across the full range of the National Framework of Qualifications.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that there are two major Exchequer-funded projects in the pipeline which will significantly enhance higher education infrastructure in the South East and support the development of the new TU. An engineering, ICT and teaching building is planned for the WIT campus - the largest of all projects under the Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme and a science and health building is planned for IT Carlow under the same programme.
I have been clear in my commitment to expanding the imprint of higher education across the south east region. This includes achieving a long term ambition of securing a more suitable site for IT Carlow's higher education provision in Wexford town and a larger footprint for higher education in Waterford - a city which is targeted for a compact and sustainable population growth of 50% under Project Ireland 2040. Officials from my Department and the HEA continue to have regular engagement with Waterford IT and IT Carlow in relation to future campus development plans. This is key to the wider strategy for the future TU for the South East.
654. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students attending Waterford Institute of Technology, WIT, and IT Carlow in each of the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021, by institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9513/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe enrolment data for Institute of Technology Carlow and Waterford Institute of Technology for the 3 most recent academic years is outlined in the attached table. The information for the academic year 2020/21 will be available later this year.
655. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the capital funding provided to each institute of technology and technological university in each of the years 2010 to 2020; the allocation earmarked for 2021, by institute, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9514/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProject Ireland 2040 signals an envelope of €2.2 billion for investment in higher education infrastructure over the period 2018-2027.
This is in addition to infrastructure to be delivered by way of Public Private Partnership (PPP), including the Central and East Quads for TU Dublin at Grangegorman and the Higher Education PPP programme which is focused on Technological Universities/Institutes of Technology.
Attached below are details of the capital spend (including Devolved Grant funding) in respect of Institutes of Technology and TU Dublin for the period 2010 to 2020.
In respect of planned expenditure in 2021, it is not possible to be specific with regard to the level of funding to be provided to each institution. This is because the budget is managed at an overall level, with profiles regularly updated to take account of the rate of progress of individual projects through design, planning, procurement and construction. I can, however, advise that the overall 2021 higher education capital allocation is €98.4m.
It is important to note that there are projects approved or approved in principle which are moving through the pipeline and are therefore not captured in a review of past expenditure figures. I have attached details showing the progress of each approved project in the IoT and TU sector being funded by my Department.
656. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an application for the Connacht-Ulster Alliance of GMIT, LYIT and IT Sligo has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9537/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA joint application under Section 29 of the Technological Universities Act 2019 has not been received to date from the Institutes of Technology comprising the Connacht Ulster Alliance TU development consortium. The Department understands that significant progress has been made in relation to the finalisation of an application, including intensive discussions with staff and students of the respective Institutes and wider stakeholders and that in this context an application is in view for submission in Quarter 1 of 2021. However, ultimately the finalisation and submission of an application remains a matter for the Institutes themselves. To date this consortium has received a total of Euros 11.6 million in Exchequer funding to advance its proposals, of which Euros 5.9 million was allocated under the first tranche of the Transformation Fund in October 2020.
