Mark Ward
Ceist:162. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address the case of a person (details supplied). [27050/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (162)
Freagraí scríofa
The person concerned submitted an application for One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) with effect from 29/10/2021. This application was disallowed on 24/02/2021 as the person concerned failed to provide the requested documentation necessary for her means to be established.
The person concerned made an application for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment on 20/01/2021 which was disallowed on 22/03/2021 as she failed to provide the necessary documentation for her means to be established.
An appeal has been received and a Deciding Officer is preparing a response file which will be sent to the Social Welfare Appeals Office this week.
If the circumstances of the person concerned have changed since her last OFP application it is open to her to submit a new application with all the supporting documentation required to process an application.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (163)
David Cullinane
Ceist:163. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Social Protection the treatments available historically that are no longer available and currently available, respectively under the treatment benefit scheme across each of the categories of care in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27064/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The treatments previously available under the Treatment Benefit schemes prior to 2010 and those currently available are detailed below.
|
Dental Benefit |
Optical Benefit |
Medical Appliances |
|||
|
Pre 2010 |
Currently |
Pre 2010 |
Currently |
Pre 2010 |
Currently |
|
Dental exam |
Yes |
Exam, (incl dilation if required). |
Yes |
Hearing aids |
Yes |
|
Prophylaxis |
Yes |
Medical eye exam |
yes |
Repairs |
Yes |
|
Protracted Periodontal Treatment |
Yes |
Repeat eye exam |
yes |
Contact lenses |
Yes |
|
Fillings |
No |
Spectacles Complete |
Yes |
||
|
Extractions |
No |
Bi-focal lenses |
Yes |
||
|
Root canal |
No |
Misc lens upgrades |
No |
||
|
x rays |
No |
Replacement lenses |
Yes |
||
|
Dentures |
No |
Replacement frames |
yes |
||
|
Misc Treatments |
No |
Contact lenses |
Yes |
||
|
Domiciliary visit |
Yes |
||||
|
Uncollected |
No |
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (164)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:164. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of workers who have been transferred without their knowledge from a section 39 status organisation to a section 56 status which has had consequences for those workers earnings and conditions; when and the way in which this change was made; if it is intended to ensure sufficient funding and resources are available for Tusla and section 56 workers to allow for the reversal of FEMPI era cuts that have applied to public sector and section 38 and 39 employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26739/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I take it that the Deputy is referring to section 39 of the Health Act 2004 which relates to funding of bodies by the HSE and section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 which relates to funding by Tusla.
Section 56 organisations provide services funded by Tusla under section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Tusla funds over 700 bodies, mostly in the community and voluntary sector, to deliver services on its behalf under sections 56-59 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. These commissioned services fulfil Tusla's statutory responsibilities and deliver on the Agency's strategic objectives. It is likely that some of these organisations were funded by the HSE under section 39 of the Health Act 2004 prior to the establishment of Tusla in 2014.
Section 56 organisations operate independently of Tusla. These organisations are responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed. Their remuneration is a matter for their own employers to determine. Tusla's funding of an organisation under section 56 does not give rise to an employment relationship between Tusla and these staff.
I highly value the work of the community and voluntary sector across the country that provide services funded by Tusla under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. I am extremely conscious and appreciative of the impact these organisations have on improving outcomes for children, young people and families all over Ireland. I am committed to collaborating with my colleagues across government, Tusla and our service delivery partners to address the sustainability of voluntary organisation.
Child and Family Agency
Ceisteanna (165)
Mark Ward
Ceist:165. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Tusla counselling grant awarded to a school (details supplied) can be substantially increased to facilitate the number of students seeking counselling within the school. [26806/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
Third Level Education
Ceisteanna (166)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:166. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider liaising with Irish third-level institutions on contingency plans for study abroad programmes that are due to begin in September 2021 in view of the fact that visa appointments at the relevant embassies are delayed (details supplied). [26679/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issue raised by the Deputy refers to the visa processing arrangements of another State. This is a matter for the Embassy of the country concerned, who should be able to advise on the appropriate action to take in these circumstances. I have, however, drawn the attention of the Department of Foreign Affairs to the general issue.
Education and Training Provision
Ceisteanna (167)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:167. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the development of Cavan Institute as a hub for further education and training. [26700/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Cavan ETB has identified the development of the site of the former Army Barracks in Cavan as an opportunity to centralise further education and training provision and eliminate the need for various rented accommodation arrangements around Cavan town. Plans are currently being advanced for interim temporary accommodation for Cavan Institute on the Barracks site. The ETB have submitted a capital works application for this accommodation to SOLAS for review in the first instance and my Department expects a recommendation on this proposal from SOLAS shortly.
Higher Education Institutions
Ceisteanna (168)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:168. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the implementation of a model (details supplied) for student well-being has been explored for Irish higher education institutions; if so, the estimated cost of the implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26720/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The support and wellbeing of our students is a priority for my Department.
In November 2020, I launched a new National Framework to address the issues of student mental health and suicide prevention. This Framework is Ireland’s first ever national approach to address student mental health and suicide prevention.
The Framework was developed in collaboration with students, mental health and suicide prevention specialists, academics, researchers and institutional staff. The Framework delivers on a commitment to develop national guidelines for the higher education institutions (HEIs) in relation to suicide risk and critical incident response, thereby helping to address any gaps which might exist in the prevention of suicide in higher education. The Framework additionally recognises the many challenges students face, and sets out ways in which institutions can support and respond through working proactively to maximise mental health and wellbeing.
In 2020, I also secured a comprehensive package of financial supports which included additional funding of €3m to underpin wellbeing and mental health and student services in our HEIs, and is in addition to the €2m that was allocated in Budget 2020. This funding enabled institutions to enhance their student facing services, such as by employing additional student Counsellors, Assistant Psychologists etc.
I'm very encouraged that the Framework and the additional funding has had immediate impact: many institutions reported no students on a waiting list to access counselling coming into the Christmas break. Recruitment and on boarding of new staff continues and the increased capacity has created a lot of activity in outreach to students.
I will ask the HEA to bring the information the Deputy has supplied to the attention of the Steering Group the HEA convenes to guide and advise on the ongoing implementation of Ireland’s National Framework.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Ceisteanna (169)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:169. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentice electricians at GMIT are being requested to do their final exams in an exam hall in person; if this is in line with best practice to stop the spread of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26724/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
COVID-19 related suspension of practical training in Training Centres, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities has had a significant impact on the ability of craft apprentices to access off-the-job training leading to an increase in waiting times for completion of practical training and assessment and an effective extension of the duration of some craft apprenticeship programmes.
To ensure that apprentices are facilitated in progressing in their programmes insofar as possible, the theory aspects of off-the-job training for craft apprenticeship has been delivered remotely since early January. Given the nature of craft apprenticeship practical training and assessment forms a substantial and essential component of the programmes.
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. When permissible, practical training is operating at approximately 50% normal capacity to ensure adherence to public health guidance.
Since 6th April, phase 4 and phase 6 apprentices have been able to return onsite in Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and Technological Universities (TUs) to complete essential practical training and assessment. Completion of practical training and assessment is required to allow apprentices to progress to their next phase of training and to complete their apprenticeship in a timely manner. All institutions with learners (including apprentices) onsite are operating on the basis of current public health guidance.
Domestic Violence
Ceisteanna (170)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:170. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) regarding the launch of a domestic violence leave policy; and when it can expect a reply. [26734/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recently received correspondence from the organisation in question regarding the launch of their domestic violence leave policy. I have been in contact with the organisation in this regard.
Third Level Fees
Ceisteanna (171)
John Lahart
Ceist:171. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the fees that a person (details supplied) will be expected to pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26752/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The 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. The assessment of a students application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended. It is therefore necessary for students to contact the institution they are interested in attending for guidance on the fees applicable to a course of study.
Under the Department's Free Fees Initiative, the Exchequer pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the criteria of the scheme including the separate residency and nationality/citizenship requirements. In order to meet the residency criteria a student must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss/UK state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. All students are required to meet the residency criteria of the scheme.
Where students do not qualify for free fees funding, they pay the appropriate fee, either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution. These institutions are autonomous bodies and the level of fee payable by students who do not meet the requirements of the free fees scheme is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in accordance with their own criteria.
My Department responded previously to concerns about the impact of the Free Fees Initiative eligibility criteria on Irish nationals who had, for occupational or economic reasons, to move abroad. To this end, the department advised that, with effect from the academic year 2014/15 onwards, higher education institutions should charge the more moderate rate of EU fee for students that commence their first undergraduate course of study in an approved institution here and:
= Hold EU/EEA/Swiss/UK nationality but do not meet the residency clause of the Free Fees Initiative; and
- have completed five academic years of study (at either primary or post-primary level) in an EU/EEA/Swiss/UK State.
The main financial support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme.
Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. With regard to the residency criterion, in order to be eligible for a grant, a "student", as defined in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011, must demonstrate that he/she has been resident in the State for at least three years out of the five year period ending on the day before the start of his/her approved course of study. The three out of five year rule takes cognisance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. It is possible for students, who did not meet the residency requirement at the commencement of their studies, to have their eligibility reviewed if they meet the residency requirement during the course of their studies.
Information in relation to student grant assistance is available from SUSI’s website, www.susi.ie. Students may contact SUSI’s Helpdesk with any queries in relation to their grant application or the appeals process by telephone 0761 087 874 or email support@susi.ie.
Research Funding
Ceisteanna (172)
Gerald Nash
Ceist:172. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding that has been allocated for spending on grants and supports and structural funding for blue sky research in higher education institutions in each of the years 2019 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26818/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Government investment in R&D includes funding for programmes that encompass all disciplines and all types of research. It should be noted that public funding for research is awarded according to the criteria set out in the various funding programmes operated by research funders irrespective of whether the research is basic or applied.
My Department and its agencies are significant funders of research, accounting for over half of the €869.2 million Government investment in research, development and innovation in 2019.
Public funding for blue skies research, also referred to as basic research comes from many sources, including significant funding through the block grant from my Department through the Higher Education Authority, but also through programmes operated by the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), and through the grant awarded to the Dublin Institute of Advanced Studies (DIAS). Other Government departments also fund basic research through their agencies and programmes.
The most recent survey of Higher Education Expenditure on R&D, published in January 2021, showed that basic research accounted for 40% or the research spend in the higher education sector, or €350 million in 2018. Figures for 2019-2021 are not yet available as the survey is carried out biennially.
IRC
The Irish Research Council’s mandate supports excellent blue-skies research across all disciplines and career stages. A key action of Innovation 2020 was the establishment of the Council’s Laureate Awards, designed to address the lack of funding for frontier basic research across all disciplines. There has been a 22.5% increase in the Council’s budget for 2021, including increased investment for the Laureate Awards.
Providing opportunities for early-career researchers to conduct blue-skies research in our research and higher education institutions is key to the development of future research leaders. The Council makes in the region of 300 awards to exceptional postgraduate scholars and postdoctoral fellows each year, with each round of awards annually representing an investment in the region of €21 million. Additional awards are made in association with strategic funding partners, including the Environmental Protection agency. A new Laureate Awards call for early-mid career stages will open in 2021 leading to a further investment of €20 million. This will be followed by a Laureate call for senior career stage researchers in 2022. The investments made by the Council were are follows:
2019: €40,500,00
2020: €41,470,000
2021 (allocation): €47,246,000
SFI
SFI funds research that makes a real difference to the society and economy now and into the future. Undertaking scientific research is not a linear process, beginning with basic or “blue skies” research that moves along through various stages to end up as applied research. The process of discovery is non-linear, with researchers often involved in both basic and applied research as projects progress. In fact, the process is iterative and cyclical. SFI offers a range of funding schemes which support scientists and engineers to deliver both research excellence and economic and societal impact. A full list of SFI programmes and their allocations is published in the R&D Budget report each year (https://enterprise.gov.ie/en/Publications/The-RD-Budget-2019-2020.html).
SFIs has recently published its new strategy - Shaping Our Future, which seeks to support the our objective to be an Innovation Leader in research and innovation as set out in Our Shared Future, the programme for Government.
SFI’s new strategy focuses on Delivering Today while Preparing for Tomorrow. Delivering Today enables the excellent research and top talent required to deliver tangible benefits to Ireland today. This is aligned to this Government’s commitment to ensure all of Ireland’s people benefit from public investment. The strategy also commits to Preparing for Tomorrow: providing opportunities for everyone by fostering the talent and skills that will prepare Ireland to take first mover advantage of emerging technologies for our economy and society as well as ensuring a robust research ecosystem that is embedded in and delivering for our people. There is an emphasis within the strategy on a balanced portfolio of research, from early-stage researchers and frontiers research, attracting and supporting talent, to deepening partnerships with enterprise, increased collaboration at a national and international level, and further development of the network SFI Research Centres.
DIAS
DIAS is a statutory corporation established in 1940 under the Institute for Advanced Studies Act, 1940. The Institute has three constituent schools – the School of Celtic Studies, the School of Theoretical Physics and the School of Cosmic Physics, each with an independent governing board. The Institute, through the constituent schools, pursues fundamental research and trains students in advanced methods of original research. The exchequer grant to DIAS, including supplementary COVID allocations, were as follows:
2019: €6,882,000
2020: €7,091,000
2021 (allocation): €7,185,000
Education and Training Boards
Ceisteanna (173)
Alan Dillon
Ceist:173. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the future capital funding being provided to education and training board building and facility programmes with specific reference to the Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board and the Mayo College of Further Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27078/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The current NDP provided for the first time a dedicated capital envelope for the further education and training (FET) sector. Expenditure increased from €5.5m in 2018 to €16.7m in 2020 with planned investment of €32.5m in 2021.
Expenditure of €16.7m in 2020, of which just over €1m was allocated to Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB), provided an opportunity to support a range of programmes including training and apprenticeship equipment to support new and modernised apprenticeship syllabi, a Devolved/Minor Works Grant to provide funding for minor capital projects and equipment renewal, the progression of 15 capital projects in the FET sector (two in MSLETB region), and an ICT grant to support disadvantaged students in the move to online and blended learning as a result of COVID-19. The two projects supported in the MSLETB region included a roof project at Achill Outdoor Education Centre and electrical upgrade works at Sligo Training Centre.
For 2021, approval has been conveyed to SOLAS in respect of the 2021 Devolved Grant (€8m) for the FET sector. In addition, approval issued in respect of the 2021 Apprenticeship Funding allocation (€10m). Other funding streams in 2021 will be allocated to priorities including emergency health and safety works, projects in the pipeline from 2020 and strategic opportunities.
MSLETB announced the development of Mayo College of Further Education and Training (CFET) on 23 March. Mayo CFET took effect from Monday 12 April 2021 and will facilitate 450 fulltime and 500 part-time learners across the two campuses in Castlebar and Westport. MSLETB informed my Department and SOLAS of these plans but there is no formal approval role for either body in relation to the institutional change.
EU Data
Ceisteanna (174)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:174. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1493 of 21 April 2021, the relevant legislation that has been changed; the changes to relevant legislation in Irish national law that have been enacted that has necessitated changes to information on the eJustice portal; the way in which the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union is relevant to this matter; the reason for the removal of the information given that two different reasons have now been given for the removal of information from the eJustice portal (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26768/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As previously indicated to the Deputy, the procedural time-limits factsheet to which the Deputy refers, was removed from the e:Justice Portal for updating on foot of changes to the relevant legislation. That relevant legislation concerns the calculation of procedural time limits. This includes an outdated reference to the Interpretation Act 1937, which, although correct at the time the factsheet was drawn up and placed on the Portal, was subsequently overtaken by the repeal of the 1937 Act by the Interpretation Act 2005.
This issue is not in any way connected with the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union. The notice posted on the Portal by the European Commission to the effect that Member States were in the process of updating some of the content on this website, i.e., the Portal, in the light of the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union, should be read as applying to the entirety of the content of the Portal and to all Member States, not Ireland specifically.
Immigration Status
Ceisteanna (175)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:175. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if the permanent relationship between persons (details supplied) will be recognised as a basis for naturalisation in the case of one of the persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26790/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has no record of the person referred to by the Deputy or of having received an immigration application on their behalf.
If a person is in the State without an immigration permission they must engage with the authorities if they wish to be permitted to remain here legally. Therefore, I would encourage them to contact the Immigration Service of my Department or their local immigration office and to take all appropriate steps to regularise their status.
In order to allow for a full examination of the person's circumstances, they should write directly to Unit 2, Residence Division, Immigration Service, 13-14 Burgh Quay, Dublin 2, DO2 XK70. They should outline if they have had a previous permission to reside in the State, their current circumstances and future intentions in the State and provide any documentation they feel will support their case.
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 (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), 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.
Citizenship Applications
Ceisteanna (176)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if required documentation in the case of a person (details supplied) has now been received in her Department which was sent by tracked international post; the steps now being taken to progress the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26795/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Citizenship Division of the Immigration Service of my Department has received the requested documents from the person referred to by the Deputy. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether they meet the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision when processing is complete.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
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 at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.