Written Answers Nos. 26-50
26. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the options being put in place by his Department to fund large-scale capital projects for education and training boards; if the eligibility for funding will include the construction of new headquarters buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36834/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrior to the current National Development Plan (NDP), there was no dedicated capital investment envelope for the further education and training (FET) sector. The most urgent issues were addressed as part of the Department of Education’s school building programme (plus a small equipment allocation) but there was little opportunity to take a strategic or long-term approach to investment.
The current NDP marked a turning point. For the first time a dedicated capital envelope was established for the FET sector. Available funding increased from €5.5m in 2018 to €16.7m in 2020 with planned investment of €32.5m in 2021.
At this time, funding is being largely directed to address the most immediate health and safety issues, and to support the expansion of apprenticeship provision. Also, a Devolved Capital Grant of just over €8m has been extended to the FET sector for 2021. This grant can be used by ETBs for a range of capital priorities, including preparatory work for larger investments, such as the commissioning of building condition surveys.
My Department is working with SOLAS and the ETB sector to build up the governance, strategic framework and delivery capability required for the implementation of a FET capital programme over the coming years. The National Development Plan is currently being reviewed and the outcome of this process will inform the level of resources available for the programme, including large-scale FET capital projects.
With regard to the provision of new headquarters buildings for Education and Training Boards, I wish to advise that this is a matter for the Department of Education.
27. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of the student contribution charge in 2022 for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36802/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe student contribution applies to all students on an annual basis, who are eligible under the 'free fees' scheme. The current rate is €3,000 per annum.
It is important to recognise that there has been no increase in the Student contribution since 2014/15 and currently 60,000 students have all or part of the student contribution paid on their behalf by the State via the Student Grant Scheme. I have no plans to increase the Student Contribution for the upcoming academic year 2021/22.
28. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the protocols in place which would allow third-level institutions to canvass for and secure funding from private companies for the development of their facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36761/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies established under statute and accordingly the sourcing of private funding and any protocols to govern the receipt of philanthropy is a matter to be managed appropriately at institutional level.
As the Deputy will be aware, HEIs are required to comply with all relevant Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) guidelines including as appropriate, the Public Spending Code. In addition the respective Codes of Governance for HEIs require that governing authorities should ensure that robust and effective systems and procedures are in place to oversee the use of resources.
From my Department's perspective, the key issues in relation to philanthropy is the desirability for transparency and accountability in respect of such activities but also conscious that this is managed in a manner aimed not to impact on the capacity of the HEI or its foundation to raise income to support the achievement of the strategic objectives of the institution in an appropriate manner.
It should also be noted that the DPER Public Spending Code applies to all public bodies and all bodies in receipt of Exchequer capital funding and is not just applicable to public funds. It is expected that HEIs would adhere to the principles of the Public Spending Code regardless of funding source from a best practice perspective. In addition, within the Code, and in subsequent guidance which has beendeveloped, there is requirement, in certain circumstances, for compliance with the Code in relation to HEI-funded projects.
29. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the SUSI deduction for holiday earnings earned outside of term time up to a maximum of €4,500 is being applied to students who received the pandemic unemployment payment instead as their employment was interrupted by the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36828/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. For the 2021/22 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the reference period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020.
The Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 establishes the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) as a social insurance benefit scheme separate from other social protection statutory schemes including the Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Jobseeker Allowance and Jobseeker Benefit schemes.
However, if a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or reassessed on current income and applicants may also be asked to provide evidence of same. This is a well-established procedure.
The PUP payment has been treated as reckonable income for the SUSI means assessment process since it was introduced in March 2020. This means that the Covid-19 payment is treated in a similar fashion to other Department of Social Protection payments such as Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, thus ensuring a consistency of approach and an equitable treatment of students and their families in the SUSI means assessment process.
As per Article 22(5)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021, income from an applicant’s employment which represents holiday earnings outside of term time but within the reference period, subject to a maximum of €4,500 can be deducted from the total reckonable income assessed. This holiday earnings disregard under the Student Grant Scheme can only be applied to income from employment earned by the student in the manner described.
30. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made to date under the National Adult Literacy Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36855/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra51. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to assess and address the literacy and numeracy levels in the adult population in this country. [36777/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 51 together.
Despite a generally well-educated workforce and technology-driven economy and society, there are many people in Ireland who lack the reading, writing, numeracy, communication and digital skills required to perform essential daily tasks to fully participate in society.
To address this, and as provided for in the Programme for Government, I tasked SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority of Ireland, with the development of a new 10 year strategy for adult literacy, numeracy and digital literacy.
The Strategy will take a whole-of-government approach and provide a framework to support individuals to improve their literacy, numeracy and digital literacy. This new Strategy will provide a framework to build on and streamline the substantial work that is already being done across a range of Government departments, state agencies and wider stakeholder groups, to increase awareness of services for the public and to capture the contribution that can be made right across Government to deliver better literacy, numeracy and digital literacy in the adult population. The framework being provided through this new Strategy will also embed the use of literacy friendly provision and plain language to ensure the most accessible public, civil and business services throughout the country. The aim of this new Strategy will be to ensure that everyone has the literacy, numeracy and digital literacy to meet their needs and participate fully in society.
A detailed and extensive research and consultation process was carried out to guide and inform the preparation of the Strategy. The work completed during this process assembled a substantial evidence base that has shaped the content of this strategy. The process was fully inclusive, gathering the insight and expertise of over 2,000 individuals and organisations who contributed to the development process.
The Strategy was approved by Government on 6th July 2021, with a view to publication and launch by the end of this month.
31. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he is confident that adequate apprenticeships or retraining places remain available throughout 2021 and thereafter for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36764/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra278. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects the number of training and apprenticeship places to be sufficient to meet the demand in each of the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37115/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 278 together.
Reskilling and upskilling is essential to equipping workers whose jobs are unlikely to return in the ‘new normal’ with the skills and knowledge to shift into new roles / occupations in growth sectors of the economy. Continued investment in skills and human capital development delivered by the further and higher education system is critical to sustainable employment creation on a balanced regional basis.
As part of the Government’s response to the labour market and skills effects of the pandemic, a range of measures were introduced as a response to upskilling and reskilling needs of individuals and businesses through the July Jobs Stimulus and Budget 2021. These measures are providing 35,000 education and training places to help those who were displaced by the effects of the pandemic. A further 15,000 places were announced as part of the skills package in Budget 2021. Combined these measures include places on the Skills to Complete initiative, additional places through Skillnet supported programmes, funding of the Apprenticeship Incentivisation scheme, the roll-out of retrofit training across the country and the expansion of the range of short-duration, part-time and online upskilling and reskilling offerings available for recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
Education and Training Boards (ETBs) plan their further education and training provision every year with the submission of quantitative and qualitative data through the SOLAS funding allocation system, taking into account the needs of Learners, Enterprise and Communities in their area.
A key strength of the apprenticeship model, as highlighted in the recent Action Plan for Apprenticeship, is that it is a demand-led approach to meeting workforce and skill requirements in our economy. For example in the case of craft apprenticeship, the number of places is determined by employers, with off-the-job training provided to all registered apprentices. Apprenticeships established since 2016 have one or more intakes per annum with the take-up determined by employer engagement and available apprentice jobs provided by employers.
The detailed and comprehensive Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 launched on 19th April last sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship accessible to employers and learners. The actions set out in the plan seek to deliver on a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025.
Government is committed under the Action Plan to working with employers to promote, enable and support the recruitment of apprentices. Measures to support employer engagement in apprenticeship, particularly within the SME sector, will be integral to the delivery of the target of 10,000 new apprentice registrations per annum by 2025. These measures encompass both financial and non-financial and will include an annual grant for employers not benefiting from the existing mechanism of State-funded craft apprentice training allowances for off-the-job training. This employer grant will be administered by the new National Apprenticeship Office and the level of grant will be announced by year end.
In the meantime the Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme has been extended and the scheme will now include all apprentices registered to the end of this year to ensure that apprenticeship will play a key part in supporting economic recovery at the reopening of the economy following COVID-19. The Scheme comprises a €2,000 payment when employers register a new apprentice, followed by an additional €1,000 payment one year later where that apprentice is retained.
32. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his recent engagements in relation to a facility (details supplied); if he will provide clarity regarding the ongoing situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36774/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Ice Dome was purchased by Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) as part of a wider sports complex in 2014. The major part of this complex has been refurbished and is fully in use as DkIT Sports, providing an essential facility for the student body.
DkIT has briefed the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on its current plans with regard to the Ice Dome facility and the HEA is, in turn, keeping my Department updated on the situation.
It is the intention of DkIT to secure a lease arrangement for the Ice Dome building and I am advised that it is proactively pursuing that course of action. Such negotiations are a matter for DkIT directly, under the oversight of its Governing Body, and with the appropriate property and legal advice.
In the event that a long term lease is agreed in principle for the facility, this will be brought by DkIT to the HEA for review and approval in the first instance. The HEA will then make a recommendation to me, taking account of strategic, operational and financial issues relevant to the institution.
33. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it will be ensured that students who qualified for the pandemic unemployment payment can have €4,500 disregarded in line with the normal treatment of payments for holiday work or the employment wage subsidy scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36660/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal support provided by my Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. For the 2021/22 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the reference period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020.
The Social Welfare (Covid-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 establishes the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) as a social insurance benefit scheme separate from other social protection statutory schemes including the Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Jobseeker Allowance and Jobseeker Benefit schemes.
The PUP payment has been treated as reckonable income for the SUSI means assessment process since it was introduced in March 2020. This means that the Covid-19 payment is treated in a similar fashion to other Department of Social Protection payments such as Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, thus ensuring a consistency of approach and an equitable treatment of students and their families in the SUSI means assessment process.
However, if a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or reassessed on current income and applicants may also be asked to provide evidence of same. This is a well-established procedure.
As per Article 22(5)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021, income from an applicant’s employment which represents holiday earnings outside of term time but within the reference period, subject to a maximum of €4,500, can be deducted from the total reckonable income assessed. This holiday earnings disregard under the Student Grant Scheme can only be applied to income from employment earned by the student in the manner described.
The Deputy will be aware that restrictions were eased during the summer months and the Christmas period of 2020 which enabled many students to return to work. Those students, who engaged in work during non-term times when restrictions were eased in 2020, can avail of the holiday earnings provision and have that income excluded from their reckonable income up to the value of €4,500 for the 2021/22 grant scheme.
34. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the take-up of the Erasmus programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36857/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Higher Education Authority (HEA), acting as the National Agency for the Erasmus+ Higher Education programme in Ireland, has advised that it has received applications from 28 higher education institutions for funding of outbound Erasmus mobilities in Europe for the 2021/22 programme year. The total demand amounts to approximately 7,000 mobilities.
Léargas, the National Agency for Erasmus+ Adult Education, School Education, Vocational Education and Training, and Youth, has also advised that it has seen high levels of interest and applications from Irish organisations across these sectors. The first round of applications for the 2021-2027 programme cycle were submitted in May 2021, and amounted to 63 applications for mobility and 110 applications for Partnerships for Cooperation projects were received. Second deadlines will be held in October and November 2021 respectively.
These applications are currently being processed by the National Agencies.
35. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cén fáth nach bhfuil ról an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas i leith athchóiriú na Gaeilge mar theanga náisiúnta sonraithe in alt 4 den Acht Údarás um Ard-Oideachas, 1971, luaite sa scéim ghinearálta don Bhille nua Údarás um Ard-Oideachais; an bhfuil sé i gceist aige fáil réidh leis an dualgas reachtúil seo atá ag an Údarás um Ard-Oideachais, agus má tá, cén fáth. [36778/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraNíl Scéim Ghinearálta Bille maidir leis an Acht an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas a athchóiriú ag fáil réidh le ról an Údaráis um Ardoideachais (HEA) ó thaobh na Gaeilge.
Foráiltear in Alt 4 d’Acht an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas, 1971 - ag comhlíonadh a fheidhmeanna don Údarás coimeádfaidh sé i gcuimhne i gcónaí na haidhmeanna náisiúnta atá ann an Ghaeilge a aisiriú agus an tsaíocht náisiúnta a chaomhnú agus a fhorbairt agus féachfaidh sé le cabhrú leis na haidhmeanna sin a chur i gcrích.
Rinneadh é seo a nuashonrú i Scéim Ghinearálta Bille chun Acht an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas a athchóiriú agus é seo mar Chuspóir -
Beidh aird ag an Údarás ar na cuspóirí seo a leanas agus é ag tabhairt faoina fheidhmeanna -
(b) tacú le soláthraithe ardoideachais chun cur le forbairt agus inbhuanaitheacht shóisialta, eacnamaíoch, chultúrtha agus chomhshaoil ??trí cheannaireacht, nuálaíocht agus aclaíocht .
Tá sé i gceist go gcuimseodh an tagairt d’fhorbairt chultúrtha agus d’inbhuanaitheacht tacaíocht an Údaráis um Ard-Oideachas do sholáthraithe ardoideachais agus iad ag cur le forbairt agus inbhuanaitheacht na Gaeilge.
Tá foráil sa reachtaíocht freisin don Aire chun Straitéis a ullmhú a chuimseoidh soláthar ardoideachais sa Stát, lena n-áirítear teagasc, foghlaim agus taighde idir 5 agus 7 mbliana. Cuimsíonn an fhoráil seo an riachtanas go dtabharfaidh an tAire aird ar aon pholasaithe náisiúnta ábhartha nuair a bhíonn an Straitéis seo á ullmhú. Áirítear leis seo aon pholasaithe náisiúnta atá i bhfeidhm maidir leis an nGaeilge. Dá réir sin, léireoidh an Straitéis fhadtéarmach don chóras ardoideachais an polasaí náisiúnta ar an nGaeilge.
Tá foráil sa reachtaíocht freisin go mbeidh athbhreithniú á dhéanamh go leanúnach ag an HEA ar an éileamh ar ardoideachas agus go ndéanfar moltaí maidir leis an soláthar foriomlán ar áiteanna do mhic léinn laistigh den chóras ardoideachais. Cuirfidh an t-athbhreithniú agus na moltaí seo riachtanais shóisialta, eacnamaíocha agus chultúrtha san áireamh. Cuimsíonn na riachtanais chultúrtha riachtanais na Gaeilge.
Tarlóidh an próiseas um ghrinnscrúdú réamhreachtaíochta ar an Scéim Ghinearálta i mí Iúil agus déanfaidh mé aon mholtaí ón bpróiseas seo a mheas, lena n-airítear iad siúd a bhaineann leis an nGaeilge.
Táim tiomanta go bhfanfaidh an Ghaeilge mar chuid dhílis dár gcultúr agus dár gcóras ardoideachais.
36. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he has taken to raise the thresholds of eligibility and the grants for higher education grants under the SUSI scheme in view of the rapidly increasing cost of accommodation for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35626/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the many challenges faced by students this year, including in relation to student accommodation.The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by the Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to higher education expenditure, including student grants, are considered in the context of the annual budgetary process.
Budget 2021 provided for enhanced postgraduate supports from next year including the fee grant amount rising from €2,000 to €3,500 and the income threshold for eligibility for these grants to increase from €31,500, now €54,240. This is an initial step in meeting part of the Government’s commitments regarding SUSI grant support.
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. It is anticipated that the review will be completed later this year and will inform future considerations regarding the development of student grant policy.
The Student Grant Scheme 2021 contains a number of qualifying thresholds for various grant values. These gradations allow students just over a threshold margin, to remain in receipt of a grant, albeit at a reduced rate that reflects their relative income vis-à-vis other applicants.
The scheme provides for different levels of income thresholds where families have (i) less than 4 dependent children (ii) between 4 and 7 dependent children and (iii) 8 or more dependent children. In recognition of the additional cost to families where more than one person is attending college, income thresholds may also be increased by up to €4,830 for each additional family member attending college at the same time. In this way, the Student Grant Scheme is responsive to the individual circumstances of particular families.
Grants are also provided at adjacent and non-adjacent rates. The higher non-adjacent rates are intended to provide additional support to those students who may be living away from home. There are also provisions for a number of income disregards which are not counted as reckonable income for the student grant means test.
Particular priority is afforded to those on the lowest incomes and social welfare dependents through the special rate of grant, which is payable at the higher non-adjacent rate of €5,915 or the adjacent rate of €2,375, depending on the distance travelled to the college attended.
Separately, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their higher education studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the higher education institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
37. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of SUSI and graduate entry medicine given students who currently wish to study graduate entry medicine face immense financial barriers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36829/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.
Students pursuing graduate entry medicine (GEM) programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants. However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes, and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
Institutions participating in the graduate medical programme have been requested to provide accompanying services and supports to facilitate the participation of disadvantaged students in the programme.
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 approval was given to commence a review of the Student Grant Scheme. The review is being conducted by external consultants. 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.
Students on graduate entry medicine courses may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. The SAF guidelines provide that students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level, or who, in the past, attended higher education without ultimately obtaining a qualification, may be considered for support on a case-by-case basis and subject to available funding.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie
38. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of the SUSI review and if consideration is being given to extending the scheme to part-time and postgraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36826/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra43. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the communication of the final report on the review of the student grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36825/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra54. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the advancement of the reforms of the SUSI grant; the expected date for any changes to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36846/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38, 43 and 54 together.
The principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
SUSI opened its application process for the 2021/22 academic year on March 31 and to date has received almost 74,000 applications.
This year’s scheme includes enhanced supports for postgraduate students which I secured in Budget 2021. This is an initial step in meeting part of the Government’s commitments regarding SUSI grant support. I also secured an additional €20m in Budget 2021 to meet anticipated demands on the scheme as a consequence of the Covid pandemic.
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.
My Department is overseeing the implementation of the review. 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.
A public consultation process closed in April with over 280 submissions received. The views of students were sought via an online survey process in May and over 9,000 survey responses were received. The consultants appointed to conduct the review, are carrying out their analysis of the data captured in the surveys. The findings will inform policy priorities for the next Estimates process and future considerations regarding the development of student grant policy.
Further details on the public consultation process for the review can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/bb832-public-consultation-on-review-of-student-grant-scheme-susi-student-universal-support-ireland/
39. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 182 of 23 June 2021, the amount of financial support provided by his Department and or the HEA to Dundalk Institute of Technology to assist in the purchase of the sports campus in 2014 which includes a building (details supplied); if conditions were attached to the provision of funds in terms of a requirement to return monies to the State in the event that the building would be sold by the institute in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36692/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe JJB sports complex, including the Ice Dome, was purchased by Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) in 2014. The major part of the complex has been refurbished and is fully in use as DkIT Sports, providing an essential facility for the student body.
No specific Exchequer capital grant was provided by my Department or the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for the acquisition.
Under legislation, the HEA has responsibility for approving property acquisitions by Institutes of Technology. The approval for the purchase of the sports complex including the Ice Dome was provided by the HEA in 2012.
My Department has been advised by the HEA that the intention of DkIT is to secure a lease arrangement for the Ice Dome and that they are proactively pursuing that course of action.
40. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions being made by his Department to introduce a sustainable funding model to address the funding deficit of the higher education sector in Ireland identified in the landmark Cassells report published in 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36822/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Statement of Strategy, which I published on 8 March last, contains a commitment to put in place a sustainable funding model for the higher education. This is essential in ensuring that our higher education institutions can effectively meet high standards of quality and performance, and achieve critical outcomes for our economy and society.
The report referred to in the Deputy's question was commissioned under the European Commission's Structural Reform Support Programme in November 2019. The independent consultants appointed by the Commission - Indecon and LE Europe - were required under the terms of reference to undertake a detailed review of the three specific funding options contained in the report of the Expert Group on Future Funding of Higher Education.
The consultants were also tasked by the Commission with examining the steps necessary to adapt higher education and further education and training provision in Ireland to ensure an alignment between graduate output and qualifications and the current and expected future skills need of the Irish labour market, to provide the country with the right set of skills to ensure inclusive, smart and sustainable growth.
The terms of reference agreed by the Commission also required the consultants to identify options for putting in place a new funding system for higher education in Ireland that would provide equity in access, efficiency in the investment of public resources and sustainability in the face of strong demographic growth.
The final deliverable arising from the project was submitted to the European Commission recently. Following its completion my Department has commenced its examination of the report's analysis, findings, conclusions and recommendations in order to develop proposals for Government to seek to meet the commitment contained in its Statement of Strategy. Once this examination is concluded the report will be submitted to Government for consideration in advance of its publication.
It is, of course, important to acknowledge that in the five years from 2015 a very significant programme of re-investment in higher education has been implemented. Over that period current public expenditure allocated to the higher education sector has increased by in excess of half a billion euros or almost 40 per cent. In 2021 total planned current expenditure funding of the higher education sector exclusive of research provision is in the order of €1.98 billion.
This huge allocation of public resources is a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to meeting the funding needs of the higher education sector in order to more fully realise its potential in contributing to economic and societal priorities which are central to this country's long-term sustainability.
I am committed to ensuring that we grasp the opportunity provided by the comprehensive and detailed work which has now been completed in relation to this crucial issue and take the actions necessary to increase the sustainability of higher and further education provision in Ireland. This will require a commitment to change and transformation across both higher education and the whole of the tertiary education system. I am confident that all stakeholders are ready to step up to this vital challenge.
41. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions his Department is making to provide additional third-level capacity for the expert professions needed to provide the proper healthcare services throughout the health system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36824/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, the HEA and the higher education institutions are committed to supporting the provision of graduates for the health service through undergraduate and postgraduate provision. In this regard, my Department continues to engage with the Department of Health in relation to health workforce planning to ensure the effective delivery of skilled personnel into the future.
In 2020, in response to the extraordinary circumstances faced by Leaving Certificate students, and in order to offset the particular pressures faced by these students, I ensured that more than 2,225 additional places on high-demand higher education courses were made available in the higher education system. These included additional places in nursing, medicine, pharmacy and a number of other health-related courses.
In light of high number of CAO applications this year, and the pressures faced by the Leaving Certificate students of 2021, my officials are working with the HEA and the higher education institutions to identify where there is scope for additional places to be provided for the 2021/2022 academic year. However there are real, material limits on the number of places in healthcare courses that can be provided due to the need to facilitate clinical placements for these students. My officials are engaging with the Department of Health on this in order to determine where there is capacity for additional placements for healthcare students within the health services.
The Programme for Government commits the Department of Health to working with the education sectors, regulators, and professional bodies to improve the availability of health professionals and reform their training to support integrated care across the entire health service. My Department and I will continue to engage to ensure that we can continue to deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector.
42. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the position of students who qualified for the pandemic unemployment payment and who now face cuts to their SUSI grant as a result of the additional reckonable income will be reviewed in view of the extraordinary difficulties faced by this cohort over the previous year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36661/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. For the 2021/22 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020.
The Social Welfare (COVID-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 establishes the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment as a social insurance benefit scheme separate from other social protection statutory schemes including the Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Jobseeker Allowance and Jobseeker Benefit schemes.
For student grant purposes the COVID-19 payment has been treated as reckonable income for the SUSI means assessment process since it was introduced in March 2020. This means that the COVID-19 payment is treated in a similar fashion to other Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payments such as Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, thus ensuring a consistency of approach and an equitable treatment of students and their families in the SUSI means assessment process.
All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant student grant scheme. The terms and conditions of funding are applied impartially to all applicants.
However, if a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or reassessed on current income and applicants may also be asked to provide evidence of same. This is a well-established procedure.
Any student who believes his/her student grant application has been assessed incorrectly may also avail of the opportunities to appeal to SUSI and subsequently to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
44. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the implementation of the recommendations of a recently published report (details supplied) and in particular those recommendations related to making third-level education more affordable for mature students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36792/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe “Progress Review of the National Access Plan and Priorities to 2021” was published in December 2018. The Progress Review noted rates of participation by mature students had declined since the commencement of National Plan for Equity of Access 2015-2021. Participation rates for mature students fell from 13% to 9% for full-time students, and by 3% for full and part-time students. This coincided with a period of economic recovery and labour market reactivation unforeseen when the targets for the NAP were being set; this may have been a factor in the declining number of mature students.
The 2018 Progress Review recommended that research into participation by mature students be commissioned to examine factors, including challenges and barriers. The HEA commissioned Indecon International Research Economists to provide an independent study on mature student participation in higher education.
The report was recently published and can be accessed on the HEA’s website at: hea.ie/resource-category/access/publications/
The report provides a crucial insight into the challenges faced by the mature student population (current, former and prospective) in accessing and participating in higher education. Among its recommendations, the report calls for access targets and supports to be focused on disadvantaged communities as well as expanding opportunities for part-time learning. It calls for strong national provision of guidance and support for mature students as well as increasing provision for foundation/provision of bridging courses in partnership with further education, and the development of seamless pathways between further education and training and higher education.
The publication of this report in June is timely as it coincides with the consultation process on the next National Access Plan (NAP) which will cover the 2022-2026 period. Its findings and recommendations will input into the development of the next NAP and provide an evidence base for more effective targeting and tailoring of actions to support disadvantaged communities to enter higher education as mature students. The report also complements the work regarding the review of the Student Grant Scheme.
45. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to coordinate opportunities to emphasise the sciences, innovation and research with a view to ensuring the maximum level of preparedness to graduates through such channels having particular regard to the needs in an ever increasingly competitive market place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36765/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe development of a country’s talent entails lifelong investment and commitment on the part of both the individual and the State. From pre-primary through to further and higher education and throughout an individual’s career, skills and knowledge need to be continuously enhanced if individuals, employers and countries are to realise their potential. The centrality of the higher education and research systems in the innovation ecosystem and the availability of high-quality talent from the tertiary education system are core to Ireland’s competitive position.
The expansion of higher education has been a key enabling factor in the growth of the Irish economy over the past four decades. The availability and quality of graduates is essential if we are to maintain our attractiveness as a location for investment and grow our reputation as a destination for a successful research career. The higher and further education sectors are critical sources of knowledge creation, innovation, skills and human capital development and critical to our ability to deal with current and future crises is ensuring we have a pipeline of talent coming through our higher education system that is fully equipped to make a valuable contribution to our economy and society.
I and my department are determined to be the driver of a vibrant sector which produces individuals who are equipped with the skills that they need to progress in the way that they want to, and in a way that meets the needs of our evolving economy and contributes to an inclusive society. Not only will these individuals be equipped with expertise in research and innovation but I am also determined that the sector will continue to embrace and embed innovation in how it delivers and operates.
As international competition for talent, investment and innovation grows more intense as nations strive to improve their standing as knowledge based economies, the establishment of a new Department focused on talent and knowledge is an indication of the Government’s intent to position human capital and research as key enablers for our future economy and society.
46. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the situation in 2020 whereby many students who sat the leaving certificate in previous years were pushed out of their CAO course preference due to grade inflation; and the steps he has taken to ensure that these students are not disadvantaged in accessing third-level in 2021. [36690/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous and determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf.
Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore neither I nor my Department have a function in relation to such matters and it is not within my remit to determine admissions criteria or direct HEIs to give preference to certain students.
The CAO system is a system that works on the assumption that grades obtained in the Leaving Certificate by candidates determine their points. It is on this basis that the CAO system allocates places to applicants including those from different years. To ensure impartiality, the automatic CAO points systems have been created in a way that does not allow for different treatment to be applied to different sub-groups, or students with results from different years.
Last year more than 2,250 additional places were provided in order to offset the particular pressures faced by the system. My Department is monitoring the situation this year 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 options for applicants in 2021.
€18 million has been provided in Budget 2021 which will build additional capacity in the system and address demographic growth pressures. This is in addition to additional places commencing in 2021, funded through the Human Capital Initiative Pillar 2, which will be on undergraduate courses in areas of identified skills needs.
Nonetheless, there will be fluctuations in CAO points this year, as there are every year, which will depend on the volume of applications, the number of applicants who meet the entry requirements, the number of places available and the grades received by applicants.
In addition to higher education, there is a range of options available in further education and training and apprenticeships. These options can serve both as an alternate pathway to a chosen career or an alternate pathway into higher education. For students who are not successful in gaining an offer for their course of choice in the first instance, there are alternate routes available to them to reach their preferred option.
47. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the guarantee that can issue to third-level students that a decision on the return to face-to-face third-level teaching will issue before students have to financially commit to accommodation in order to avoid the uncertainty experienced at the beginning of the 2020-2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36799/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra56. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of plans for third-level students to return to on-campus learning in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36372/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra78. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions in place to ensure third-level students will return to on-campus in-person activities in September 2021 in view of the potential spread of the Covid-19 Delta strain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36823/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 47, 56 and 78 together.
The Government has committed to planning for a significant increase in onsite attendance in the tertiary education sector in the next academic year. Last month I published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-further-and-higher-education-and-research/
The Plan reflects the essential nature of higher and further education and training, and research activities, and in that context provides for comprehensive on-site activity for the next academic year, with almost full scale on-site activities. Institutions and providers in the sector have committed to ensuring that all learners across all areas have significant scheduled on-site learning in the forthcoming year.
Under the Plan, larger scale lectures may take place on-site depending on the public health situation but some restriction in numbers may still be required. The safety measures which will be in place such as social distancing, face masks, and ventilation will be in accordance with prevailing public health advice taking into account the essential nature of further and higher education and research. Institutions and providers will continue to put in place plans to ensure that the overall number of people on campus at a given time continues to be moderated.
Contingency planning, in the event of a more restrictive public health environment, is also being prepared by the sector. However even in a more restrictive public health environment, it is envisaged that there will still be significant on-site activities. At a very minimum, workshops, tutorials, classroom based activities and smaller lectures will be allowed and libraries, research facilities and labs will be opened.
While vaccination rollout continues to accelerate across age cohorts, the challenges associated with the unpredictability of the virus remain, particularly in light of the emergence of new variants of the virus. Nevertheless, the sector is committed to maximising onsite provision for students and learners for September 2021 and on that basis and in line with the Safe Return Plan, institutions and providers are currently progressing their own detailed planning and work for a comprehensive return to on-site activity.
I have undertaken to provide an update to Government in mid-July on this planning and the associated expected level of on-site activity in further and higher education and research in the Autumn. This will ensure that there is ongoing support for planning in this sector and that planning proceeds in a manner that is aligned to prevailing public health advice.
Following the update to Cabinet in July and taking account of public health guidelines, it is envisaged that institutions and providers will be in a position to communicate their plans for a return to on-site activity to students, learners and staff.
48. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students who have been in receipt of the pandemic unemployment payment will still be eligible for SUSI grants. [36790/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principal support provided by the Department in financial terms is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine. For the 2021/22 academic year, student grant applications will be assessed based on gross income from all sources for the period 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020.
The Social Welfare (COVID-19) (Amendment) Act 2020 establishes the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment as a social insurance benefit scheme separate from other social protection statutory schemes including the Supplementary Welfare Allowance and Jobseeker Allowance and Jobseeker Benefit schemes.
For student grant purposes the COVID-19 payment has been treated as reckonable income for the SUSI means assessment process since it was introduced in March 2020. This means that the COVID-19 payment is treated in a similar fashion to other Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payments such as Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance, thus ensuring a consistency of approach and an equitable treatment of students and their families in the SUSI means assessment process.
All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant student grant scheme. The terms and conditions of funding are applied impartially to all applicants.
However, if a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or reassessed on current income and applicants may also be asked to provide evidence of same. This is a well-established procedure.
Any student who believes his/her student grant application has been assessed incorrectly may also avail of the opportunities to appeal to SUSI and subsequently to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
49. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of medicine and nursing places that have already been filled by those that deferred and or who sat their leaving certificate in November 2020; the number of additional nursing and medicine places that will be added for Irish and EU students in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36805/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUniversities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous and determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf.
Decisions on admissions, including in relation to deferrals, are made by the higher education institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore information on deferrals is held by the HEIs and the CAO, not my Department and I do not have access to the information requested. Typically the number of deferrals on any course is limited by the HEI in question.
It is my understanding that a total of 632 CAO offers, 595 of which are for Level 8 courses, have been made to students whose results in the 2020 written Leaving Certificate examinations brought them into consideration for a higher preference offer, based on their 2020 CAO application. These students will have the option to take up these offers for the 2021 academic year. While the offers have already been confirmed to students, they will be formally made as part of CAO Round A, which takes place in July. These offers represent a very small proportion of the offers to be made in 2021. In 2020 a total of 96,426 CAO offers were made overall, of which 58,895 were for Level 8 courses.
My officials have been working with the HEA and the Higher Education Institutions to identify where there is scope for additional places to be provided. In addition to higher education, I would like to highlight the range of options available in further education and training and apprenticeships. These options can serve both as an alternate pathway to a chosen career or an alternate pathway into higher education. For students who are not successful in gaining an offer for their course of choice in the first instance, there are alternate routes available to them to reach their preferred option.
50. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the substantial increase in on-campus accommodation costs for higher education institutes for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36801/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLegislation was brought in in 2019 to ensure that students would have the same affordability measures as tenants within Rent Pressure Zones. I am aware of the increases in accommodation fees in some Higher Education Institutions for the 2021 academic year and I am disappointed that they have sought to increase prices for students during the midst of a public health and an economic crisis.
Affordability must be a key pillar in the student accommodation sector and my Department has been working with the Department of Housing, Heritage and Local Government on measures to ensure greater affordability of student accommodation. Legislation is being progressed which will restrict the up-front payments required to secure accommodation, including student accommodation, to no more than the equivalent of two months’ rent, and limit payments thereafter to on month’s rent at a time. At present this legislation is passing through the Oireachtas, and it is intended for it to be enacted in time for the beginning of the new academic year.
This legislation was discussed with stakeholders in the sector at most recent meeting of the Working Group on Student Accommodation, and affordability will continue to be one of the key topics of discussion in future meetings.
The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien TD, has also recently received Government approval for the reform and extension of the Rent Pressure Zone (RPZ) model. Key provisions are set to be inserted into the Residential Tenancies (No. 2) Bill 2021, published on 17 June, to reform the rent increase restrictions in RPZs. As soon as possible after the enactment of the Residential Tenancies (No.2) Bill 2021, changes to the method of calculating permissible rent increases (if any) in RPZs, will be brought into effect. These changes will also apply to student specific accommodation in RPZs.
