Written Answers Nos. 205-220
205. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will be prioritising a plan for the safe return to full capacity in childcare settings and for ECCE participants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10957/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment decided on 6 January that, in order to reduce movement in the population, the ECCE programme would not resume until 1 February and this was later extended to 5 March. Other Early Learning and Childcare and School-Age Childcare services (ELC/SAC services) have remained open on a restricted basis, to offer services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children only.
As part of a careful and cautious reopening of priority sectors of society and the economy, planning is currently underway for the phased reopening of ELC/SAC services.
From March 8, ELC/SAC services will begin a phased reopening to wider cohorts of children commencing with the full resumption of ECCE pre-school programme. This Programme significantly contributes to children’s early learning and development experiences and is particularly beneficial to children who have additional needs or experience disadvantage.
From 29 March, subject to public health advice, other restrictions on access to early learning and childcare will be lifted so that all other children can return to services.
The HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) has published sector specific guidance on infection prevention and control for ELC/SAC services. The HPSC guidance has been effective in helping to keep cases of Covid-19 in settings low over the last eight months. Services that are currently operating and those that will reopen in the coming weeks are advised that, by following the HPSC Guidance closely, they can significantly reduce their risk of transmission of infection within their setting.
More information can be found at https://first5.gov.ie/guidance.
206. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19-related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. [11188/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below lists the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by the Department ;
|
Number of contracts |
Value of contracts € (ex VAT) |
|
14 |
7,546,610 |
* One contract has an estimated value of below €25,000 (this is not reflected in the above figure)
207. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19-related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. [11204/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below lists the procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by the Department by goods and service type :https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-02-25_pq207-25-02-21_en.docx
208. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Safepass courses are still operating. [10657/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, craft and general construction workers, persons undertaking on-site security work and persons or classes of persons as may be prescribed by the Minister are required to hold a safety awareness registration card (Safe Pass card). In March 2020 the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation amended these regulations to extend the expiry dates of valid Safe Pass cards due to expire after the 1st March 2020 for the duration of the Covid-19 emergency period.
Provision of Safe Pass courses had been suspended for the second time in two years with the shutdown of the construction sector in January. Given the continuation of essential construction activity, SOLAS who administer the Safe Pass Programme have been advised that limited resumption of Safe Pass training may take place to meet the needs of new workers accessing critical projects. Training activity should be in accordance with the COVID safety arrangements developed by SOLAS and limited to the level absolutely necessary and time-critical. In addition the following requirements are to be met by SOLAS:-
1. ensure training is limited to workers engaged in essential construction work,
2. ensure training is limited to those not currently holding valid cards, and
3. approve the running of Safe Pass courses on a case by case basis based on 1 and 2 - training providers must inform SOLAS in advance of their plans to run a course and demonstrate the immediate requirement for the training.
SOLAS is continuing to work on the development of an alternative delivery model which is equitable with existing Safe Pass, CSCS and QSCS course delivery, in being accessible to all eligible workers, providing real time course participant supports and ensuring assessment integrity.
209. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the public expenditure on research and development and as a percentage in each year since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10604/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirect public expenditure on research, development and innovation is increasing and Government Budget Allocations on R&D (GBARD) amounted to €802m in 2019 (and an estimated €869.2m in 2020). This represents an increase of €83 million since 2016 and is the highest level of public expenditure on RDI since 2009.
While we have not yet restored investments to 2008 levels, we have made much progress in recent years. Our challenge is to narrow the gap between Ireland and the EU Innovation Leader countries. My new Department will drive this agenda and will ensure research and innovation is at the centre of Ireland’s social and economic development. Agencies now under DFHERIS account for over half of this funding (€409.6m in 2019 or 50% and an estimated €461.0m in 2020 or 54%); channelled through SFI, the HEA and the IRC.
Government Budget Allocations on Research and Development (GBARD): https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-02-25_pq209-25-02-21_en.docx
Further details on the Government’s public expenditure on research and development are published each year in the Research and Development Budget reports. The publication is compiled from a comprehensive survey of thirty Government Departments and Agencies. The most recent report was published by DETE in January 2021 and is available here: https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/The-RD-Budget-2019-2020.html.
Following a Government decision to transfer certain research and innovation functions, the Research and Development Budget survey will be undertaken by my Department from 2021 onwards.
210. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the categories and number of students by area of study and annual cohorts who undertake clinical or training placements in the health and social care services in each year, in tabular form; the number of placement hours in each year for each area of study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10641/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested by the Deputy is not held by my Department nor the agencies under its remit.
Placements are organised at the level of each individual Higher Education Institution (HEI), as part of their programme offerings to be delivered in conjunction with relevant placement providers. Where appropriate, each HEI will develop their programme offerings to meet the accreditation standards of relevant regulatory and professional recognition bodies including where placements are a requirement. In relation to health and social care programmes, the principal regulatory body is CORU which sets the standards of education and training required for the professions which fall within its remit.
211. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the return of third level students to campuses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10704/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs was announced on 23rd February, the Government has agreed that Level 5 as set out in the Plan for Living with COVID-19 will remain in place until midnight on 5 April 2021. Level 5 measures designate higher and further education as essential insofar as onsite presence is required and such education activities cannot be held remotely. On 6th January I confirmed that further and higher education will continue to operate primarily online with most activities delivered remotely. This will likely continue for the remainder of the 2020/2021 academic year but this remains subject to the overall public health situation and advice.
As with the previous operation of Level 5 restrictions up to early December, there are some priority activities which can continue onsite subject to the appropriate protective measures, guidelines and local assessment such as practical tuition, workshops and skills-based learning (including in relation to apprenticeships) and engagement with vulnerable learners. Institutions will use their existing discretion, taking account of the public health situation nationally and locally, to restrict onsite attendance further, only allowing the most essential work to take place onsite. Local assessment will focus on activities that are not capable of being delivered through alternative means, and are time-critical for students and learners during this period. Reflecting the scale and diversity of third-level provision, further and higher education institutions are best equipped to determine where onsite presence is required.
212. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the preparations being made by the CAO in advance of applications under a year of a non-traditional leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10767/21]
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 the management or administration of the CAO.
The Deputy will be aware that on 17th February Minister Foley confirmed that the written Leaving Certificate would be held this year, in conjunction with a corresponding process of Accredited Grades overseen by the State Examinations Commission (SEC). Student may choose to proceed with either or both of these options, and if they choose both they will receive the higher grade achieved in any given subject.
These grades will be transmitted to the CAO in the usual manner. 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 not anticipated that the different form of this year's Leaving Certificate will impact the way in which places are allocated. Places will be allocated in accordance with this points in the same manner that occurs in any year.
I am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and my officials are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places. Information will become available next month on the types of applicants in the current year, and the courses they are choosing which will assist us in planning for the current year.
Funding was provided in Budget 2021 to both sustain additional undergraduate places and address demographic growth pressures. These places are in addition to the 1,330 additional places commencing in 2021, funded through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 2, which will be on undergraduate courses in areas of identified skills needs.
I know how difficult a time it has been for students and parents, and my Department will continue to closely assess demand for higher education places and take action as necessary to ensure that this year's Leaving Certificate students have a range of pathways into further and higher education.
213. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when it is planned to commence and to conclude the review of the SUSI higher education grants; if consideration will be given to include the course for graduate entry medicine as a course eligible for the full undergraduate grant in view of the fact that this is an entry point to medicine for many persons and operates on the basis that applicants already have a primary degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10803/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains commitments to, among other things, review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports.
The review of the Student Grant Scheme has just commenced and is due to report in Summer 2021.
My Department is overseeing the implementation of the review through a steering group with student representation as well as representation from SUSI. Stakeholders in the student grant system will be invited to provide contributions via a formal submission process in the coming weeks. These submissions will be considered in the context of the parameters of the Programme for Government commitments, whilst recognising that the scheme operates in the context of competing educational priorities and limited public funding. At this point I cannot pre-empt the outcome of the review to indicate when any proposed changes will come into effect.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study undergraduate medicine. Students 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.
Students on graduate entry medicine courses may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund for financial support. The SAF guidelines provide that students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level, or who, in the past, attended higher education without ultimately obtaining a qualification, may be considered for support on a case-by-case basis and subject to available funding.
214. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of formal and informal Council of the European Union meetings that have been held since 27 June 2020 under the remit of his Department; and the number of formal and informal meetings, respectively held virtually. [10817/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducation policy issues are dealt with at EU level as part of the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport (EYCS) Council. Education policy issues can range from those related to Early Childhood Education and Care to Higher Education, and so representation at such meetings may be from either the Department of Education or the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Four such meetings took place since 27 June 2020:
- Informal Education Ministers Council, Osnabruck, Germany. 16/17 September 2020. Attended by Irish Ambassador to Germany (hybrid format)
- EU Education Ministers Council, 30 November 2020. Attended by Minister Harris (videoconference)
- Informal Education Ministers Council, 22 January 2021. Attended by officials (videoconference)
- EU Education Ministers Council, 19 February 2021. Attended by Minister Foley (videoconference)
In addition, there has been one formal Ministerial Council meeting and three Informal virtual meetings since 27 June on research and innovation issues.
Minister Harris attended two Informal videoconference meetings on 27th November 2020 and 3rd February 2021. The Deputy Permanent Representative to the EU attended one formal Competitiveness Council (Research and Innovation) meeting in Brussels (29 September 2020). Representatives from the then Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation attended an Informal videoconference in July 2020.
215. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and value of procurement contracts for Covid-19-related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication in his Department. [11181/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not incurred any COVID-19 related spend that is based on contracts awarded under a negotiated procedure without prior publication procedure in 2020 or to date in 2021.
216. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of procurement contracts for Covid-19 related spending in 2020 and 2021 that took place via negotiated procedure without prior publication by his Department, by goods and service type in tabular form. [11211/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not incurred any COVID-19 related spend that is based on contracts awarded under a negotiated procedure without prior publication procedure in 2020 or to date in 2021.
217. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding insurance reform; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10593/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra218. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding awards for personal injury claims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10636/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra219. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding insurance costs for business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10714/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 217 to 219, inclusive, together.
I would like to assure the Deputy that insurance reform is a key priority for this Government. That is reflected in the Programme for Government itself and in the Government’s Action Plan for Insurance Reform which was launched last December.
The Action Plan sets out 66 actions designed to bring down costs for consumers and business; introduce more competition into the market; prevent fraud and reduce the burden on business, community and voluntary organisations. The Action Plan includes actions to be taken by my Department, the Department of Finance and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The implementation of the Action Plan is being overseen by the Sub-Group on Insurance Reform within the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment.
With regard to the issue of personal injuries guidelines, the Deputy will be aware that the Judicial Council Act 2019 provides, inter alia, for the establishment of a Personal Injuries Guidelines Committee. Last October, the Government amended the Judicial Council Act 2019, to ensure that the personal injuries guidelines would be adopted and published by, at the latest, 31 July 2021, three months earlier than originally required under the Act. Draft Guidelines were furnished to the Board of the Judicial Council last December and I understand that they are currently under consideration. I should add that, under the Judicial Council Act 2019, the Council is independent in the performance of its functions and I do not have a role in its operation or that of its committees.
In addition to the adoption and publication of the personal injury guidelines, my Department is developing proposals in relation to:
- the Occupiers' Liability Act 2005,
- the discount rate applied to awards in cases of catastrophic injury, and
- the Law Reform Commission Report on the Capping Damages in Personal Injury Actions.
220. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to address the low interest in persons joining the Garda Reserve; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10605/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Garda Commissioner is responsible, by law, for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. As Minister, I have no direct role in such decisions.
The Deputy may wish to note that on 19 January 2021, 69 Garda Reserves attested on completion of their training along with 71 Garda members. Members of the Reserve already work full time jobs but willingly give their free time to An Garda Síochána in order to strengthen their local communities. The total number of serving Garda Reserves nationally is now 476.
The report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland concluded that the Garda Reserve programme is not utilised to its full potential. The Commission recommended that future recruitment to the Garda Reserve should be paused, pending the outcome of a comprehensive strategic review, in order to examine how best to structure the Garda Reserve to meet the needs of An Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the final draft of the Garda Reserve Strategy is currently being reviewed within the organisation.
The Deputy may wish to further note that in its latest report on policing during the COVID-19 pandemic, published on 23 February 2021, the Policing Authority noted that the Garda Commissioner is now seeking to use the Garda Reserve to leverage the maximum capacity of the organisation. The extended utilisation of the Garda Reserve is a positive step, which the Authority has welcomed.
