Written Answers Nos. 188-214
188. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if additional security measures will be taken to impede and prevent the intrusion of hackers in her Department’s IT system and to ensure an early warning system is in place which will trigger an ultimate defence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28711/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor reasons of operational and national security it would not be appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s Cyber Security arrangements, or those of State Agencies under my remit. Any information in relation to cyber security tools and services could assist criminals in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose any such information or make comment which could in any way compromise my Department’s Cyber Security.
189. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Social Welfare Appeals Office expects to recommence oral hearings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28782/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen an appeal is assigned to an Appeals Officer, the Appeals Officer will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if determined as necessary, hold an oral hearing.Oral Hearings are currently being conducted online or by telephone and these types of hearings will continue. Due to the public health restrictions arising from the Covid-19 pandemic, in-person hearings were suspended in March 2020 and have remained suspended since then with the exception of a small number of weeks in August and September 2020. The matter of the resumption of in-person hearings is being kept under review.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
190. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the proposal by the Cancer Genetics Service, HOPE Directorate at St. James’s Hospital to offer genetic screening for more than 30 cancer survivors of mother and baby homes and those who were illegally adopted from such homes; if he will include this innovative service as part of the package of enhanced medical supports to such survivors who may not be able to access their family's medical histories as part of the State's restorative recognition scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28395/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the proposal to which the Deputy refers. While my officials continue to liaise closely with officials in the Department of Health in relation to health supports for survivors, the specific matters raised are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
The recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems.
191. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has communicated with soft play centres in relation to utilising the facilities as childcare facilities; and the regulations that would be involved in a soft play centre becoming a childcare facility. [28467/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC), the safety and protection of children remains the first priority of Government. This is done through the enforcement of Regulations which have children at the heart of their implementation.
All service providers are obliged to comply with the relevant legislation as set out in the Child Care Act 1991 as amended by the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018.
The Regulations include a requirement that all ELC and SAC services (including those childminders who are subject to regulation) register with the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate, the independent statutory regulator for the sector. It is an offence to operate an ELC or SAC service without being registered with Tusla.
The Regulations set out the statutory requirements to register and operate a service, which include minimum adult-child ratios, minimum space requirements, minimum qualification levels for employees working with children in ELC services, Garda vetting of staff, and provision of facilities for rest and play.
It is open to any prospective ELC or SAC provider who meets the regulatory requirements to apply to Tusla to register their service. An application for registration must be submitted to Tusla at least 3 months before operation of the new service commences. Further information on how to register is available at www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/new-providers/ (for ELC services) and
www.tusla.ie/services/family-community-support/school-age-services/ (for SAC services).
192. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the Tusla files that were affected by the cyberattack on the HSE; the current security of same; the number of files held by Tusla; if contact has been made with the data subjects in the case of breach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28469/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recent cyber-attack on HSE IT systems has impacted on the operational functioning of Tusla, Child and Family Agency. Many of Tusla's key systems operate on HSE-supported systems, including the National Child Care Information System (NCCIS), the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS) and some legacy and corporate systems.
As a security measure, Tusla actioned an immediate containment shutdown across all systems on the 14th May. This was supported by agency-wide communication that devices were to remain shut down until cleared by the Tusla ICT Directorate.
A crisis management team chaired by CEO continues to meet for all key management decisions required with this incident. A technical incident room chaired by Director of ICT has been established. Tusla has communications and engagement with the HSE, the National Cyber Security Office, An Garda Siochana and relevant statutory regulatory bodies including the Data Protection Commissioner in view of the sensitive nature of records and files held by Tusla .
It is not possible to be definitive as to whether any of the data held has been compromised. A number of investigations and processes are underway in the HSE and Tusla to determine the impact on all systems. Initial indications from the advices received and Tusla's own assessment are that records from NCCIS have not been the subject of theft. However, this remains under active review in the overall investigation and ongoing assessment processes. It is not possible to state how many files are held by Tusla at this time.
193. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a person (details supplied) will have to give up their current employment on a date; if not, if they will be given an extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28476/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the minimum qualification requirement for working in early learning and care was introduced in 2016, the so-called Grandfathering Declaration process allowed for unqualified staff who were planning to retire over the coming years to sign a declaration that enabled them to work without qualification for a 5-year period up to 31 August 2021.
On 19th May, in recognition of the exceptional circumstances and disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department announced a limited extension to the Grandfathering Declaration for practitioners who agree to undertake a relevant qualification during the period of the extension.
If a practitioner is interested in obtaining an extension to their Grandfathering Declaration, they should contact their local City / County Childcare Committee (CCC) at the earliest opportunity. The CCC will be the relevant contact point for approval of extensions and for providing supports and advice.
If a practitioner does not wish to avail of this extension opportunity, the original terms of the Grandfathering Declaration will continue to apply. In these instances, the County Childcare Committees will be in a position to provide some practical advice to services.
The minimum qualification requirement was introduced to raise the quality of provision for children and improve child outcomes. Building on this qualification requirement, and in line with First 5 (the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families), my Department is currently developing a Workforce Development Plan which will set out actions to support professionalisation of the workforce, including achieving a graduate-led workforce and raising the profile of careers in the sector by 2028.
194. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the spend by his Department on external professional legal services in 2014, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [28498/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and the response will issue as soon as possible.
195. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the policy of his Department to ensure artists with disabilities have full access to and participation in the funded arts and cultural life. [28517/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that this matter is more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media. For the Deputy's information, I understand that my colleague the Minister of State for Disability has engaged with a number of artists with disabilities about the issues being faced and has also discussed the matter with officials in the Department of Social Protection.
196. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding as part of the UBU scheme administered in 2019 and 2020 per county and per capita in terms of youth population in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28543/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 1 July 2020, and following a reform process, targeted youth funding is provided under the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. Before the launch of this scheme, targeted youth funding was provided under the Targeted Youth Funding Scheme (TYFS) and the Revised Youth Funding Scheme (RYFS).
Due to the cross-border and inter-county work of a number of youth services, it is not possible to provide data of youth funding per county. Funding for the provision of targeted youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). I have therefore provided details of targeted youth funding by my Department for 2019 and 2020 per ETB area below for the Deputy. I have also included funding provided for Youth Information Centres (YICs).
I secured an increase of €5 million in funding for youth services in 2021. €66.8 million is being provided to youth services nationwide this year. Funding during Covid-19 restrictions was fully maintained. The additional funding allocated to youth services in 2021 will support the delivery of universal and targeted youth services nationwide, with a particular view to the role played by youth services in fostering resilience and developing the social and personal competencies of young people.
2020
|
Education and Training Board |
TYFS |
RYFS |
UBU Your Place Your Space |
YIC |
Total Funding 2020 |
Youth Population aged 10-24 as per Census 2016 |
% |
Funding per person aged 10-24 as per Census 2016 |
|
Cavan Monaghan |
€24,722.00 |
€233,302.00 |
€258,024.00 |
€114,493.00 |
€630,541.00 |
25,690 |
2.87 |
€24.54 |
|
Cork |
€1,386,814.00 |
€146,891.00 |
€1,525,501.00 |
€127,176.00 |
€3,186,382.00 |
102,790 |
11.47 |
€31.00 |
|
City of Dublin |
€7,313,797.00 |
€0.00 |
€6,894,147.00 |
€99,675.00 |
€14,307,619.00 |
97,858 |
10.92 |
€146.21 |
|
Dublin Dun Laoghaire |
€3,656,734.00 |
€134,052.00 |
€3,790,117.00 |
€128,105.00 |
€7,709,008.00 |
150,995 |
16.85 |
€51.05 |
|
Donegal |
€182,617.00 |
€0.00 |
€182,618.00 |
€137,983.00 |
€503,218.00 |
30,228 |
3.37 |
€16.65 |
|
Galway Roscommon |
€766,582.00 |
€184,053.00 |
€980,203.00 |
€80,327.00 |
€2,011,165.00 |
61,561 |
6.87 |
€32.67 |
|
Kerry |
€213,979.00 |
€0.00 |
€213,979.00 |
€115,677.00 |
€543,635.00 |
25,439 |
2.84 |
€21.37 |
|
Kilkenny Carlow |
€306,201.00 |
€136,791.00 |
€442,991.00 |
€50,759.00 |
€936,742.00 |
29,409 |
3.28 |
€31.85 |
|
Kildare Wicklow |
€644,681.00 |
€177,448.00 |
€822,128.00 |
€101,518.00 |
€1,745,775.00 |
71,651 |
8 |
€24.36 |
|
Limerick Clare |
€1,287,612.00 |
€123,793.00 |
€1,396,611.00 |
€104,614.00 |
€2,912,630.00 |
60,616 |
6.77 |
€48.05 |
|
Louth Meath |
€254,134.00 |
€50,965.00 |
€305,099.00 |
€0.00 |
€610,198.00 |
63,112 |
7.04 |
€9.67 |
|
Laois Offaly |
€113,976.00 |
€0.00 |
€113,977.00 |
€0.00 |
€227,953.00 |
31,235 |
3.49 |
€7.30 |
|
Longford Westmeath |
€150,259.00 |
€141,791.00 |
€292,051.00 |
€50,759.00 |
€634,860.00 |
24,987 |
2.8 |
€25.41 |
|
Mayo Sligo Leitrim |
€183,549.00 |
€70,584.00 |
€250,032.00 |
€66,921.00 |
€571,086.00 |
40,932 |
4.57 |
€13.95 |
|
Tipperary |
€188,856.00 |
€220,843.00 |
€409,700.00 |
€59,363.00 |
€878,762.00 |
29,516 |
3.29 |
€29.77 |
|
Waterford Wexford |
€1,224,331.00 |
€0.00 |
€1,224,332.00 |
€110,122.00 |
€2,558,785.00 |
49,909 |
5.57 |
€51.27 |
|
TOTAL |
€17,898,844.00 |
€1,620,513.00 |
€19,101,510.00 |
€1,347,492.00 |
€39,968,359.00 |
895,928 |
100 |
€44.61 |
2019
|
Education and Training Board |
TYFS |
RYFS |
UBU Your Place Your Space |
YIC |
Total Funding 2019 |
Youth Population aged 10-24 as per Census 2016 |
% |
Funding per person aged 10-24 as per Census 2016 |
|
Cavan Monaghan |
€48,955.00 |
€481,036.00 |
€0.00 |
€114,493.00 |
€644,484.00 |
25,690 |
2.87 |
€25.09 |
|
Cork |
€2,655,970.00 |
€193,182.00 |
€0.00 |
€127,176.00 |
€2,976,328.00 |
102,790 |
11.47 |
€28.96 |
|
City of Dublin |
€14,211,874.40 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€99,575.25 |
€14,311,449.65 |
97,858 |
10.92 |
€146.25 |
|
Dublin Dun Laoghaire |
€7,241,158.00 |
€279,815.00 |
€0.00 |
€128,104.00 |
€7,649,077.00 |
150,995 |
16.85 |
€50.66 |
|
Donegal |
€361,593.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€137,983.00 |
€499,576.00 |
30,228 |
3.37 |
€16.53 |
|
Galway Roscommon |
€1,517,984.11 |
€362,043.50 |
€0.00 |
€109,894.50 |
€1,989,922.11 |
61,561 |
6.87 |
€32.32 |
|
Kerry |
€423,721.50 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€115,676.00 |
€539,397.50 |
25,439 |
2.84 |
€21.20 |
|
Kilkenny Carlow |
€606,339.39 |
€270,068.78 |
€0.00 |
€50,758.25 |
€927,166.42 |
29,409 |
3.28 |
€31.53 |
|
Kildare Wicklow |
€1,276,596.64 |
€351,382.00 |
€0.00 |
€101,517.50 |
€1,729,496.14 |
71,651 |
8 |
€24.14 |
|
Limerick Clare |
€2,549,727.00 |
€245,136.00 |
€0.00 |
€104,614.00 |
€2,899,477.00 |
60,616 |
6.77 |
€47.83 |
|
Louth Meath |
€503,235.50 |
€100,920.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€604,155.50 |
63,112 |
7.04 |
€9.57 |
|
Laois Offaly |
€225,695.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€225,695.00 |
31,235 |
3.49 |
€7.23 |
|
Longford Westmeath |
€297,542.16 |
€212,827.00 |
€0.00 |
€50,759.00 |
€561,128.16 |
24,987 |
2.8 |
€22.46 |
|
Mayo Sligo Leitrim |
€363,465.34 |
€139,770.00 |
€0.00 |
€66,920.75 |
€570,156.09 |
40,932 |
4.57 |
€13.93 |
|
Tipperary |
€373,973.00 |
€437,315.00 |
€0.00 |
€57,212.50 |
€868,500.50 |
29,516 |
3.29 |
€29.42 |
|
Waterford Wexford |
€2,424,422.71 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€112,272.75 |
€2,536,695.46 |
49,909 |
5.57 |
€50.83 |
|
TOTAL |
€35,082,252.75 |
€3,073,495.28 |
€0.00 |
€1,376,956.50 |
€39,532,704.53 |
895,928 |
100 |
€44.12 |
My Department also provides significant funding to 30 national youth organisations who operate across the country.
197. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there will be an increase in spending on childcare in 2022 in order to move Ireland towards a quality, affordable and sustainable childcare sector for all children. [28678/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provider runs a number of schemes which are available to Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services. The schemes are administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
In 2021, some €638m has been allocated to such schemes. Since 2017 my department has secured additional €172m in funding for the early learning and care and school age childcare sector, representing an increase of 137%.
First 5: A whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families was published in 2018 and covers the ten years between 2019-2028. The strategy makes a commitment to increase public investment in high-quality early learning and care and school age childcare for all babies and young children to raise the quality and address the affordability of provision for families, particularly families on low income. By 2028 the level of public investment in early learning and care and school age childcare will be at least double that of the 2018 allocation (€484.8m).
A related commitment in First 5 was to develop and introduce a new funding model for early learning and care and school age childcare that will support improved quality of provision without compromising sustainability for providers or affordability for parents. The recommendations for this funding model are currently being developed.
My Department has made considerable investment in the sector in recent years and I want to preserve the fruits of this investment by ensuring ELC and SAC places are still there for parents after these difficult times.
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to upgrade the IT system in his Department and bodies under his aegis with a view to maximising the protection against hackers. [28680/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraICT services are provided to my Department by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). The provision of ICT security is part of that service.
My ICT Staff are engaging closely with the OGCIO on this issue, who in turn are engaging with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that best practice is followed as it relates to all aspects of Cybersecurity.
For operational and security reasons, the NCSC has advised not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services and my Department does not comment on operational security matters.
The agencies under the remit of my Department are responsible for their own ICT security. I have asked each one to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if additional security measures will be taken to impede and prevent the intrusion of hackers in his Department’s IT system and to ensure an early warning system is in place which will trigger an ultimate defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28698/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraICT services are provided to my Department by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). The provision of ICT security is part of that service. My ICT Staff are engaging closely with the OGCIO on this issue, who in turn are engaging with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that best practice is followed as it relates to all aspects of Cybersecurity.For operational and security reasons, the NCSC has advised not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services and my Department does not comment on operational security matters.
200. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether the current AIM model in childcare is sufficient to attract enough qualified childcare workers to care for children with ASD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28170/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of quality early learning and care.
Under Level 7 of AIM, pre-school providers, in partnership with parents, can apply for additional capitation to fund extra support in the pre-school room or to enable a reduction in the adult-to-child ratio. Where additional capitation is given to fund extra support in the pre-school room, the pre-school manager is responsible for recruiting a member of staff to take on this role or extending the hours of other staff in the service.
As staff who are supported under AIM Level 7 work alongside other staff in the pre-school room to provide early learning and care on an inclusive basis for all children in the room, the minimum qualification requirement of a Level 5 award in early childhood care and education applies to all staff, including those recruited under AIM Level 7.
Of the 1,439 pre-school providers currently in receipt of AIM level 7 funding, only 42 have reported to Pobal that they are impacted by recruitment difficulties under AIM level 7. While I acknowledge the challenges arising for children and services in those cases where recruitment difficulties have caused delays, I do not believe the data suggests there is a need to change the current AIM model.
More broadly, actions under way to develop a Workforce Development Plan for the sector and to look at possible establishment of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) are intended to support providers to recruit and retain qualified staff.
The Workforce Development Plan will set out plans for moving to a graduate-led workforce by 2028 and establishing a career framework for staff in early learning and care and school-age childcare, including role profiles, qualifications requirements and career pathways. A report on phase one of the work can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/26122f-workforce-development-plan-for-the-elcsac-sector/ . The final Workforce Development Plan report is due for publication by the end of 2021.
In December 2020, I began a short process to examine the possibility of regulating the pay and conditions of employment of practitioners in early learning and care and school-age childcare, and to examine the suitability of establishing a JLC for the sector. On foot of this process, the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail has written to the Labour Court, who are currently examining whether to establish a JLC. If established, a JLC could lead to an Employment Regulation Order, which would establish binding rates of pay and conditions for the sector, thus supporting recruitment and retention of staff.
201. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to ensure there are sufficient childcare places for children with ASD in Dublin city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28171/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access Inclusion Model (AIM), which is an inter-agency initiative led by my Department, supports the participation of pre-school children with disabilities in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme. The key objective of AIM is to support early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that children with a disability can fully participate in the ECCE Programme, thereby reaping the benefits of quality pre-school education. AIM is based on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school setting. It does not require any diagnosis, recognising that many children do not have a diagnosis of a disability when starting pre-school.
As AIM responds to the needs of the child in the pre-school context, it is not limited to a specific number of places in any region of the country.
AIM has seven levels of progressive support, moving from universal supports (levels 1-3) to targeted supports (levels 4-7), based on the needs of the child and the pre-school setting they are attending.
Universal supports under AIM include:
- An Inclusion Charter for the Early Years Sector and updated Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Guidelines, a national training programme on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
- A higher education programme in Leadership for Inclusion in Early Years Settings (LINC), the graduates from which may be employed as Inclusion Coordinators in a mainstream pre-school setting.
Targeted supports under AIM include:
- Expert early years educational advice and support from a team of dedicated Early Years Specialists. To avail of this support, pre-school providers and parents are requested to complete an online Access and Inclusion Profile. This looks at the strengths, abilities and needs of the child, as well as the strengths and needs of the preschool setting.
- A programme of capital grants for specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or minor alterations for pre-school settings to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE programme.
- Access to therapeutic services where they are critical to enable a child to be enrolled and to meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme, provided with the HSE.
- Additional assistance in the preschool room to ensure a child’s participation in the ECCE Programme. AIM provides financial support to the pre-school provider where needed, which can be used either to reduce the adult to child ratio in the pre-school room or to buy in additional assistance. Level 7 assistance is a shared resource for the pres-chool setting.
First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families, commits to continue to roll out AIM, and subject to an evaluation of AIM, to consider further enhancements or extensions to this initiative. This evaluation is currently underway and is expected to be completed by end 2021.
The report of the Inter-Departmental Group in 2016 recommended that other specialist pre-school supports provided by the Department of Education and the Department of Health/HSE should remain in place at least during the initial years of AIM roll-out. This includes autism-specific pre-school services provided by the Department of Education which include:
- 135 Autism Early Intervention Classes attached to primary schools for autistic children aged three and over.
- A Home Tuition Scheme which provides funding towards 10 hours tuition for children under 3 years of age and 20 hours per week for children over 3 years of who cannot secure a placement in an early intervention class. Subject to conditions, Parents are free to use the grant to engage tutors to deliver tuition in their home or pre-school providers to deliver tuition in a group/pre-school setting. Such arrangements are essentially between the parents and the relevant provider.
202. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will liaise with other Departments to uphold and guarantee the best interest of the child principle in their provision and operation of essential services to children such as in housing, health, education and special education. [25944/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to address Covid-19-related issues affecting children including children with special needs with particular reference to the need to address any issues arising in the short to medium term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5973/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as responsibility for disability services has not yet transferred to my Department. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleagues, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Education.
Unfortunately, the recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems so I would ask for the Deputy's forbearance in terms of any delay responding on their part.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he will apply special emphasis on integration to youth organisations or otherwise; if the need for such action has become more obvious in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5974/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country. This includes the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme which provides out-of-school supports in local communities to marginalised, disadvantaged or vulnerable young people between the age of 10 and 24. Within youth organisations supported under this scheme, young people are free to participate in a wide range of quality non-formal and informal educational activities, which address inequality, celebrate diversity, and promote inclusion. Among the key objectives of the scheme is the improvement of outcomes for young people in a range of policy areas including health, education and inclusion, and to improve access for young people to informal and non-formal educational, developmental, recreational and cultural opportunities.
The UBU Your Place Your Space scheme is governed by the UBU Policy and Operating Rules, which pays cognisance to a number of different policy areas. In this regard, the scheme draws on both the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017–2021 and the Migrant Integration Strategy, as well as other inclusion and participation strategies aimed at young people. In this regard, there is a strong emphasis on integration within the scheme and the needs led approach allows for the ongoing identification of young people for entry into the scheme.
As the Deputy may be aware, all 16 Education and Training Boards across the country play a lead role is assisting my Department in the youth services area and they each employ a Youth Officer. The UBU scheme is underpinned by the Area Profile, Needs Assessment and Service Requirement (APNASR) process. The APNASR Tool, which is utilised by every ETB, supports them to gather available demographic data and local knowledge to produce an area profile of their functional area. The ETB then carries out an analysis of the data to identify the needs of young people in that area. This results in a Service Requirement for new or existing projects that will be funded by the Department under UBU. The approach ensures that we can target supports to the young people most in need of intervention and that funding is allocated on the basis of evidence-informed need.
The UBU scheme recognises that many young people are marginalised in today’s society, including those from migrant, Roma and traveller backgrounds who are targeted for inclusion in the scheme. We very much appreciate the challenges Covid-19 has posed and is posing for young people from these communities, and my officials are in regular contact with youth sector representatives in relation to the impact of the pandemic and associated health restrictions.
My Department also provides funding to 30 National Youth Organisations under a Youth Services Grant Scheme and many of these organisations have shown leadership and commitment to the integration agenda.
My Department has continued to provide funding to organisations throughout Covid-19 to ensure that these young people continue to be engaged within the parameters of public health guidance. It is in recognition of the importance of supporting young people at this time that I have secured an additional €5 million investment in youth services for 2021. This funding will support the delivery of universal and targeted youth services nationwide. This includes an increase for all UBU youth services and national organisations working with marginalised, vulnerable and disadvantaged young people. My officials will continue to work closely with youth organisations and will actively monitor the situation.
205. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process by which the workers of a company (details supplied) can request access to the retraining fund. [28468/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI welcome the decision made on 20th May 2021 by former Debenham workers to accept a €3 million fund that will provide individual supports to redundant Debenhams employees. The fund, overseen by SOLAS, will provide a range of supports to assist with retraining or returning to education.
Issues relating to eligibility for, and access to, the fund are a matter to be considered by the group to be established to oversee the development of the fund. This group will include representatives of Mandate, along with a number of the former employees, and will be focussed on ensuring that the fund achieves the shared objective of value and relevance to all former workers.
There are many upskilling and reskilling opportunities within further education and training (FET) and beyond, and SOLAS will work with the former Debenhams workers individually to find the right option, and right support, which will meet their needs, with an invitation from SOLAS to attend a briefing session to issue shortly.
206. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost associated with widening access to student assistance fund support for migrant, asylum seeker and undocumented students. [28557/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards costs such as rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Students on full or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (NQF level 6-10) in the universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges can apply for the SAF. The core allocation for the SAF is €9.1 million per annum which supports circa 14,000 students. This includes €1 million which was added to the fund in 2017 for part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups. Prior to that the fund supported full-time students only. As part of the package of COVID supports provided by Government last year, €10 million was allocated to an Access Funding package of which €8.1 million was allocated to the Student Assistance Fund. This brought the 2020 SAF allocation to €18.2 million. It is difficult to estimate the cost associated with widening access to student assistance fund support for migrant, asylum seekers and undocumented students as data on the numbers involved is not collected by the HEA. If however an additional 1000 students were to receive the SAF at an average cost of €657 per student the additional estimated cost would be €657,000 per annum.
My Department operates a student support scheme for persons in the protection process or at the leave to remain stage. The scheme provides supports to qualifying students which are similar to those available in the statutory based Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI.
The scheme was introduced in 2015 and provides supports along similar lines to the current Student Grant Scheme (the SUSI scheme) to eligible applicants who are in the protection system and who are either:
- asylum applicants
- subsidiary protection applicants
- leave to remain applicants
In August 2020, I announced a change to the scheme in which the rules of the scheme were relaxed and the scheme placed on a long term footing. The requirement for prospective applications to have attended three academic years in the Irish school system and to have obtained the Leaving Certificate in the State, is no longer required. Prospective applicants still have to meet the requirement to have been in the protection or leave to remain process for three years.
To qualify for the Student Support Scheme for Asylum Seekers, prospective students have to meet a number of criteria, including a requirement to:
- Meet the definition of a protection applicant or a person at leave to remain stage (other than those at the deportation order stage);
- Have been accepted on an approved Post Leaving Certificate course or an approved undergraduate course; and
- Have been part of an application for protection or leave to remain for a combined period of 3 years prior to the 31st of August of the first year of their course.
- Have been resident in the State for a combined period of 3 years as at 31st August of their course.
From the start of the 2021/22 academic year, international protection applicants who have permission to work and are seeking to access Post Leaving, will no longer have to pay international fees of €3,600.
207. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of widening access to student assistance fund supports for non-EU international students. [28563/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards costs such as rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Students on full or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (NQF level 6-10) in the universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges can apply for the SAF. The core allocation for the SAF is €9.1 million per annum which supports circa 14,000 students. This includes €1 million which was added to the fund in 2017 for part-time students who are lone parents or members of the other access target groups. As part of the package of COVID supports provided by Government last year, €10 million was allocated to an Access Funding package of which €8.1 million was allocated to the Student Assistance Fund. This brought the 2020 SAF allocation to €18.2 million.
In all cases, HEIs are responsible for targeting the available resources at those students most in need. International/non-EU fee paying students are not eligible for funding. HEIs are however advised to ring-fence a small fund from non-EU fee income to provide for any emergency financial requirements arising for these students.
Students who are non-EU nationals, but who are eligible for free or reduced fees in line with the criteria for the free fees initiative may be considered for the SAF subject to meeting the criteria outlined above.
As a measure of the type of costs involved If an additional 1000 students were to receive the SAF at an average cost of €657 per student the estimated additional cost would be €657,000 per annum.
208. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the University of Limerick charged a premium and substantial fee to students for an international trip as part of their master's degree programme which was subsequently cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and replaced with an online alternative and that the college has not returned the cost to the more than 100 postgraduate students affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28608/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the deputy will be aware, higher education institutions are autonomous bodies as set out in legislation and are responsible for the day-to-day management and operational affairs of the institution including the determination of postgraduate tuition fees and refund policies. The matters raised are an internal matter for the University of Limerick (UL) and my Department is therefore not in a position to intervene in the related policies of the University.
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. In accordance with Public Health advice, in the majority of circumstances it has also not been possible for students to undertake planned international travel as part of their chosen programme. While I appreciate that this is disappointing for students, these measures were necessary to support halting the spread of the Coronavirus.
I am very aware of the difficulties facing students during this pandemic. In general there is a real requirement in these exceptional times to have a responsive approach to student needs wherever possible and it is important to acknowledge that HEIs have to date shown enormous willingness to be responsive in numerous ways. I would encourage all institutions to engage with students in relation to any issues, including fees.
In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 2020/21 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. This builds on the additional supports announced in July including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education and an additional €3m provided for investment in supports for mental health services and well-being initiatives.
Higher education institutions report that the actual cost of delivering such programmes has not reduced as a consequence of the pandemic and have experienced a range of additional costs in continuing to deliver programmes during the unique circumstances of the pandemic. In 2020 the Government has provided funding in the amount of €168m to support the return of students to further and higher education for the academic year 20/21. This included €150million in new funding and a re-prioritisation of €18million. For the Education providers under the remit of my Department, the allocation includes funding towards Support to Front line response; Immediate ICT costs relating to online provision; Health and Safety Costs; Research costs and funds towards assisting the enrolment of International Students
Notwithstanding the above position, I sought additional information from University of Limerick which has advised that “ Changes in university teaching delivery has had a significant impact on the costs and benefits of higher and adult education. First, it changes the nature of a university’s costs, reducing operational expenditure on utilities and services, but increasing the cost of IT services, staff training in new technologies and the provision of additional counselling and support services for students. On balance, the costs of higher education are higher in a blended model, and this has been reflected in additional government grants to universities.
The budgeting process and Masters programme pricing is completed by the Postgraduate Studies office in consultation with the faculty Deans. The eventual price of the Masters programme depends on a range of factors including the cost of delivery and the support structures including everything from administrative support to estate maintenance. The total fee after scholarships is approximately split 50/50 with central administration and the faculty. As an aside, scholarships for all programmes increased this year as a tacit acknowledgement of the impact of the pandemic. Within the Kemmy Business School, the fees received do not have a list of sub accounts where the monies are allocated to various costs.
The cost of the virtual workshop this year was significant and the time and effort put into the delivery of that workshop was equivalent or greater to the organisational effort for an international trip. For the KBS, the key task was to ensure that students achieved the learning outcomes as per our mandate from Higher Education Authority (HEA) and audited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). We are confident that these outcomes were achieved.
The cost of delivery between the international trip and virtual workshop or other alternatives cannot be distinguished. While it is true to say that some operational costs such as heat, light, etc. have decreased other costs have increased. These increased costs include considerable human and technological resources into pivoting to online delivery at very short notice. These costs are spread across the campus and it is not possible to allocate them to particular programmes.
Overall, responding to the pandemic has changed the way that we provide education, but it does not mean that either the cost of provision or the value of the student learning is diminished. Despite the very real challenges, we have continued to adapt our education delivery in order to teach, assess and graduate students with the same high qualifications and skills”.
209. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the review of the SUSI scheme; the timeline for the completion of the review; the timeline for the implementation of recommendations of the review; if changes to the SUSI scheme on foot of the review will take place in advance of the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28627/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains commitments to, among other things, review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. On foot of these commitments I gave approval to commence a review of the Student Grant Scheme.
A Steering Committee has been established to provide direction for the external consultants undertaking the review. Its membership includes: the Union of Students of Ireland; Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), SOLAS, the HEA; Irish University Association (IUA); Technological Higher Education Association (THEA); Technological University Dublin (TUD), the Department of Social Protection and officials from my Department.
The public consultation process closed a few weeks ago with over 250 submissions received. The views of students were sought via an online survey process. Over 9,000 survey responses were received. The survey process closed on May 19th and the consultants will now commence their analysis of the rich data captured in the surveys.
It is anticipated that the SUSI review will be completed later this year and will inform policy priorities for the next Estimates process and future considerations regarding the development of student grant policy.
Separately, SUSI opened its application process for the 2021/22 academic year on March 31 and to date has received over 50,000 applications. This year’s scheme includes enhanced supports for postgraduate students which were announced in Budget 2021. I also secured an additional €20m in Budget 2021 to meet anticipated demands on the scheme as a consequence of the Covid pandemic.
210. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to reverse the Budget 2011 decision to increase the SUSI non-adjacent distance criterion from 24km to 45km; the analysis his Department has carried out or commissioned into the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28628/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Student Grant Scheme, administered by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI), provides grant assistance to eligible students attending an approved course at an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
Student maintenance grants are payable at either the adjacent or non-adjacent rate. The distance to be measured is the shortest non-tolled most direct route from the student’s residence to the institution attended. The adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in the case of a student whose normal residence is 45km or less from the approved institution which he or she is attending. The non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is payable in all other cases.
The current qualifying distance threshold of more than 45km for the higher non-adjacent rate of student grant, takes into account a reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains commitments to, among other things, review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. On foot of these commitments I gave approval to commence a review of the Student Grant Scheme. The review, which commenced earlier this year, will examine eligibility criteria such as: income thresholds; postgraduate supports; grant values and adjacency rates. It anticipated that the review will be completed later this year and will inform future considerations regarding the development of student grant policy.
211. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to upgrade the IT system in his Department and bodies under his aegis with a view to maximising the protection against hackers. [28687/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor operational and security reasons, it is not appropriate to disclose details, including any budgetary matters, of my Department’s Cyber Security arrangements, or those of State Agencies under my remit. Any disclosure of information in relation to cyber security matters could assist malicious actors in identifying potential vulnerabilities and potentially compromise my Department’s information security posture.
212. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional security measures will be taken to impede and prevent the intrusion of hackers in his Department’s IT system and to ensure an early warning system is in place which will trigger an ultimate defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28705/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor operational and security reasons, it is not appropriate to disclose details of my Department’s cyber security arrangements. Any disclosure of information in relation to cyber security matters could assist malicious actors in identifying potential vulnerabilities and potentially compromise my Department’s information security posture.
213. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that postgraduate business students at the University of Limerick will not receive a refund for the cost of the international study module which was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including flights and accommodation covered by the fees of their course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28756/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra214. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to students (details supplied) on the MSc international management and global business course in the University of Limerick being refused reimbursement from the college for a cancelled international trip due to the pandemic; if he will request the college to return the funds to the students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28785/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 213 and 214 together.
As the deputy will be aware, higher education institutions are autonomous bodies as set out in legislation and are responsible for the day-to-day management and operational affairs of the institution including the determination of postgraduate tuition fees and refund policies. The matters raised are an internal matter for the University of Limerick (UL) and my Department is therefore not in a position to intervene in the related policies of the University.
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. In accordance with Public Health advice, in the majority of circumstances it has also not been possible for students to undertake planned international travel as part of their chosen programme. While I appreciate that this is disappointing for students, these measures were necessary to support halting the spread of the Coronavirus.
I am very aware of the difficulties facing students during this pandemic. In general there is a real requirement in these exceptional times to have a responsive approach to student needs wherever possible and it is important to acknowledge that HEIs have to date shown enormous willingness to be responsive in numerous ways. I would encourage all institutions to engage with students in relation to any issues, including fees.
In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 2020/21 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. This builds on the additional supports announced in July including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education and an additional €3m provided for investment in supports for mental health services and well-being initiatives.
Higher education institutions report that the actual cost of delivering such programmes has not reduced as a consequence of the pandemic and have experienced a range of additional costs in continuing to deliver programmes during the unique circumstances of the pandemic. In 2020 the Government has provided funding in the amount of €168m to support the return of students to further and higher education for the academic year 20/21. This included €150million in new funding and a re-prioritisation of €18million. For the Education providers under the remit of my Department, the allocation includes funding towards Support to Front line response; Immediate ICT costs relating to online provision; Health and Safety Costs; Research costs and funds towards assisting the enrolment of International Students
Notwithstanding the above position, I sought additional information from University of Limerick which has advised that “ Changes in university teaching delivery has had a significant impact on the costs and benefits of higher and adult education. First, it changes the nature of a university’s costs, reducing operational expenditure on utilities and services, but increasing the cost of IT services, staff training in new technologies and the provision of additional counselling and support services for students. On balance, the costs of higher education are higher in a blended model, and this has been reflected in additional government grants to universities.
The budgeting process and Masters programme pricing is completed by the Postgraduate Studies office in consultation with the faculty Deans. The eventual price of the Masters programme depends on a range of factors including the cost of delivery and the support structures including everything from administrative support to estate maintenance. The total fee after scholarships is approximately split 50/50 with central administration and the faculty. As an aside, scholarships for all programmes increased this year as a tacit acknowledgement of the impact of the pandemic. Within the Kemmy Business School, the fees received do not have a list of sub accounts where the monies are allocated to various costs.
The cost of the virtual workshop this year was significant and the time and effort put into the delivery of that workshop was equivalent or greater to the organisational effort for an international trip. For the KBS, the key task was to ensure that students achieved the learning outcomes as per our mandate from Higher Education Authority (HEA) and audited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). We are confident that these outcomes were achieved.
The cost of delivery between the international trip and virtual workshop or other alternatives cannot be distinguished. While it is true to say that some operational costs such as heat, light, etc. have decreased other costs have increased. These increased costs include considerable human and technological resources into pivoting to online delivery at very short notice. These costs are spread across the campus and it is not possible to allocate them to particular programmes.
Overall, responding to the pandemic has changed the way that we provide education, but it does not mean that either the cost of provision or the value of the student learning is diminished. Despite the very real challenges, we have continued to adapt our education delivery in order to teach, assess and graduate students with the same high qualifications and skills”.
