Written Answers Nos. 131-151
139. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current funding allocations and financial supports that are available for professional development and training for island communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23479/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for Further Education and Training (FET) allocated by SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, is channelled through the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and other FET providers. Provision for FET programmes and supports to island communities would form part of annual funding provided to the ETBs with island communities within their functional area.
The FET programmes and supports, including through the medium of Irish, provided by these ETB on islands are heavily subsidised or free of charge, with training allowances available to learners on specific programmes.
I would advise any potential learners living in island communities to get in touch with the Adult Guidance Service in their local ETB to arrange an appointment to explore programmes and supports that may be available to them. This service is available to anyone over the age of 18 and is free of charge, and contact details are available on the Right Course website via the following link https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/0da49-career-guidance-and-information/.
There is a variety of FET provision available to island communities, exemplified by initiatives set out below:
- Galway Roscommon ETB have rolled out a number of boat repair and maintenance, navigation, net mending and seaweed harvesting courses in the Connemara Gaeltacht and the Aran Islands.
- Galway Roscommon ETB are providing First Aid Responder and HACCP Training through the medium of Irish in Connemara and on the offshore Irish speaking Islands, and are providing these courses online in 2021.
- Comharchumann Chléire and Comharchumann Forbartha Mhúscraí were supported by Cork ETB staff to successfully access Mitigating Against Educational Disadvantage Fund (MAEDF) which facilitated the purchase of devices and technology to enable recommencement/ continuation of education and training activities in the Gaeltacht and West Cork islands.
- Cork ETB are collaborating with Comhar Na nOileán (based on the Gaeltacht Island of Cape Clear) on a learning initiative to take place on some of the West Cork Islands (Cape, Heir, Sherkin, Long and Whiddy)
140. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will work in consultation with the relevant institutions to ensure that educational psychology and counselling doctorates are brought in line with their equivalents, that is, clinical psychology and so on in terms of stipends and funding. [23309/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have a role in these 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.
141. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the situation in which an apprentice student (details supplied) is being delayed in progressing to the next phase due to a backlog in the processing of examinations and assessments. [23349/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCOVID-19 related suspension of face to face training in Training Centres (Phase 2), Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities (Phases 4 and 6) has had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to access off-the-job training. When permissible, face to face training is operating at approximately 50% normal capacity to ensure adherence to public health guidance. This has exacerbated the increasing pressure on craft apprentice off-the-job training facilities which was growing as a result of the 90% increase in apprentice population over the past 6 years, a situation which has impacted on waiting lists for electrical, plumbing and carpentry and joinery in particular.
€20M in capital expenditure has been allocated to SOLAS and the HEA to facilitate an additional 4,000 craft apprenticeship places across the system in the coming period in addition to €12M already allocated to support additional classes and teaching capacity to ameliorate COVID-19 measures. SOLAS and the HEA are working with the education and training providers to tackle waiting lists for off-the-job elements of programmes to ensure that apprentices complete their training as quickly as possible once COVID-19 restrictions allow.
In the interim, education and training providers have front-loaded remote training on theoretical aspects of apprenticeship for craft apprentices to ensure that apprentices are facilitated to continue with their programme. A phased return to face to face training has commenced for those apprentices who had been undertaking remote teaching and learning or who were close to completion of phase 2, 4 or 6 when training was suspended in January 2021.
SOLAS and further and higher education providers are providing regular updates for apprentices and employers of apprentices who are assigned to off-the-job training phases. Scheduling dates for individual apprentices are not available at the current time, with the system focused on supporting craft apprentices to complete their phases.
142. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to instances in which a person has made a protected disclosure to CIT or MTU and that CIT or MTU have since engaged in mediation with that person and as part of that have asked as a condition of settlement to withdraw the disclosure. [23374/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra143. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all personnel within third-level institutions who have made protected disclosures that have not been fully investigated or concluded are receiving their salaries as per the Protected Disclosures Act 2014. [23375/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
Higher education institutions are independent corporate entities established under statute and on that basis are autonomous with regard to their human resource management function. However, all public sector organisations are required to comply with employment legislation and the provisions set out in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014.
In the context of the legislative autonomy of higher education institutions, including Munster Technological University (and formerly Cork Institute of Technology), it would be inappropriate for me as Minister to comment on an ongoing mediation process. However, my Department has brought the Deputy’s two questions to the attention of the President of the Munster Technological University and asked her to consider the matters raised.
144. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places for home and EU students on graduate entry medicine programmes in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23411/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe current quota for EU entrants (including Irish entrants) to medicine stands at 708, divided between undergraduate entry (468) and graduate entry (240). This quota was established as a recommendation of the Report of the Working Group on Undergraduate Medical Education and Training, also known as the Fottrell Report. Irish students typically comprise 90% of EU entrants into medicine courses.
145. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the contribution currently made by the Higher Education Authority towards graduate entry medicine per student; the cost of increasing the HEA contribution towards graduate entry medicine tuition fees by €5,000 and €10,000 per student, respectively based on the latest available student numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23412/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education. Entry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes.
Under the Department's Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible first time undergraduate students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses (including medicine courses). In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including previous education attainment.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study undergraduate medicine. One of the recommendations of the Fottrell report (2006) was the introduction of a new graduate entry medicine programme (GEM). 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 HEA. In academic year 20/21 the state contribution is €11,524 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
The HEA is currently collecting details of student numbers for GEM for the academic year 2020/21 – and therefore the final numbers for GEM students for 2020/21 are not readily available.
Based on the 2019/20 GEM student numbers:
- The estimated cost of increasing the HEA contribution towards GEM (grant per student) by €5,000 per student is an additional c.€4.7m
- The estimated cost of increasing the HEA contribution towards GEM (grant per student) by €10,000 per student is an additional c.€9.5m
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. They retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures. The total 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.
146. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the access to apprenticeship course run through Technological University Dublin (details supplied) which enables students to experience different trades in order to find their preferred trade, has a maximum income ceiling for the parents of applicants; if this will be removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23414/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe TU Dublin Access to Apprenticeship programme is an innovative close-to-the-labour market employability programme which is specifically set up to support young men and women aged 16 to 24 from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to secure craft apprenticeship positions. As such, in addition to standard academic requirements for entry to an apprenticeship, eligibility criteria are in place to ensure that the programme reaches its target population. Applicants must therefore meet a minimum of three of the following criteria:
- Family income under €45,790.
- Parents in receipt of a means tested social welfare payment.
- Parents or applicant in receipt of a medical card.
- Attended a DEIS School.
- Come from an area of designated disadvantage.
- Parents have not attended higher education.
- Have been in the care of the State.
An interim review of the programme by Quality Matters, which was published in September 2020 did not recommend any changes to the eligibility criteria. The final evaluation report, which will cover the period from January 2019 to April 2021, will examine opportunities and challenges for the programme in greater detail.
The Further Education sector provides a range of pre-apprenticeship programmes for learners who wish to undertake a short course in subject areas relevant to apprenticeship to assess their interest and aptitude for apprenticeship careers. These may be accessed at www.fetchcourses.ie.
Under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, the impacts of and outcomes from the TU Dublin Access to Apprenticeship programme, pre apprenticeship programmes and other interventions across the sector such as apprentice bursaries will be examined to provide an evidence base for best practice and future interventions.
147. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional places will be sanctioned for Irish and EU students to study medicine as a result of the calculated grades process; the number of additional places on top of the 708 quota; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23458/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the high number of CAO applications this year, and officials from my Department are engaging regularly with representatives from the higher education sector in relation to the 2021/22 academic year and demand for places. The CAO process applications for undergraduate courses on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions. Decisions on admissions are made by the HEIs who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. As such, neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and it is not with our remit to provide any guarantees as to the number of places offered in any higher education course.
However, my Department is monitoring the situation as it develops and my officials are working with the HEA and the Higher Education Institutions to identify where there is scope for additional places to be provided. All bodies involved will continue to work to ensure the availability of a full range of further and higher education options for applicants in 2021 and in future years.
148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average cost of safe passes; the percentage increase in the average price since January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23459/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSafe Pass training is delivered by private training organisations which have been approved by SOLAS. Course fees are determined by these Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and SOLAS has no role in the setting of fees for Safe Pass courses or in influencing pricing structure within the market place. There is a €32 fee payable to SOLAS for the processing, manufacturing and distribution of Safe Pass cards which is unchanged and is generally included in the overall price for attending a course.
The maximum number of participants that can attend a Safe Pass course was reduced from twenty to ten participants in line with SOLAS’ Guidelines to allow for the re-opening of the sector. ATOs and Safe Pass tutors are required to adhere to public health requirements, in line with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation’s Return to Work Safely Protocols, relevant HSE advice and as set out in the SOLAS’ Standard Operational Pandemic Containment Guidelines.
149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice her plans to regulate for the purchase of buying a property with particular reference to the role of an estate agent given that it is currently normal procedure for a buyer to be unrepresented by an agent resulting in an inequality of arms in the process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23509/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011, established the Property Services Regulatory Authority (PSRA), a statutory regulatory body specifically tasked with responsibility for licensing and regulating property services providers (auctioneers, estate agents, letting agents and property management agents) with a view to ensuring high standards in the provision of property services.
Under the Act, any business or individual who provides a property service (other than those who are subject to a similar licence or authentication scheme in another EU Member State) must hold a valid licence from the PSRA. The licensing of property services providers ensures that licensees comply with certain standards aimed at ensuring protection for their clients and users of their services. For example, licensees must possess specified minimum qualifications, have available to them professional indemnity insurance, pay an annual contribution to the Compensation Fund, and keep records of all offers received in respect of land which is offered for sale.
The purpose of the Compensation Fund is to provide compensation to clients of licensees who have sustained a loss as a result of the dishonesty of a licensee as well as individuals to whom a refund of a deposit is due from the licensee.
Professional indemnity insurance provides cover in respect of any description of civil liability on the part of a licensee arising from any provision of property services.
The PSRA is empowered to investigate complaints of improper conduct made against licensed property services providers (including complaints made by purchasers or potential purchasers of property), and to carry out investigations on its own initiative for the purpose of ensuring compliance by property services providers with their statutory obligations. Improper conduct is defined in the Act as the commission by a licensee of an act which renders him or her no longer a fit and proper person to provide property services, the commission of a contravention of a specified provision of the Act or of a provision of regulations made under the Act, or the giving by the licensee of a statement of advised market value or advised letting value of land (including buildings) which is clearly unreasonable.
It is open to a purchaser or potential purchaser of property to engage any professional assistance that he or she considers necessary.
While my Department keeps the operation of the Property Services (Regulation) Act 2011 under review, I have no plans at present to amend the Act in the manner suggested by the Deputy.
150. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a copy of the final independent external review of complaints of penalisation by a company (details supplied) to a person. [23320/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Protected Disclosures Act was enacted in 2014 to allow employees to bring alleged wrongdoing to the attention of the appropriate authorities.
The Act also affords very important protections to persons making protected disclosures. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate therefore that it would not be appropriate for me to comment on, nor confirm the existence of any specific protected disclosure. The protection of those wishing to make a protected disclosure rightly prioritises the confidentiality of the process, which is central to the efficacy of that process.
151. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Justice the number of average speed cameras nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23368/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested a report on the information sought by the Deputy from An Garda Síochána, unfortunately the report was not to hand in time. I will write to the Deputy on receipt of the requested information.
