Written Answers Nos. 521-541
521. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the analysis his Department carries out into drop-out rates among first year students in higher education; the details of drop-out rates among first year students in higher education in the academic years 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and 2020-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43614/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not yet available to my Department. The HEA publishes reports on progression rates of first year students in HEA-funded institutions. The most recent publication covers first year progression rates from 2015/16 into 2016/17, and 2016/17 into 2017/18. The analysis covering 2017/18 into 2018/2019 and 2018/2019 into 2019/2020 is currently being drafted and will be published in the coming months.
Therefore the latest available non-progression rates (from 1st year to 2nd year) are:
2015/16 FT undergraduate new entrants: 14%
2016/17 FT undergraduate new entrants: 13%
The full report is available on the HEA's website at the following link: https://hea.ie/assets/uploads/2020/10/Progression-Report-October-2020-Final-301020.pdf
My officials have spoken on a number of occasions with representatives from the higher education sector regarding any changes to the non-progression rate among students during the 2020/21 academic year. While precise figures on non-progression are not available at this time, the higher education institutions have indicated that during the course of the academic year there was no significant change either upwards or downwards in the non-progression rate compared to previous years.
522. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Bills prepared by his Department since 27 June 2020; the number and title of those Bills that included a Regulatory Impact Assessments; the title of the Regulatory Impact Assessments that have been published by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43708/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been one Bill prepared by my Department since June 27th 2020. Government approval was received for the General Scheme of a Bill to replace the Higher Education Authority Act 1971 on 4 May 2021. A Regulatory Impact Assessment was undertaken and submitted to Government with the Memorandum for Government seeking approval for the General Scheme. The General Scheme of the Bill is published on the D/FHERIS website.
The pre-legislative scrutiny process is ongoing and the report from this process is expected shortly. Once the report is received and the recommendations considered, work will continue on the drafting of the Higher Education Authority Bill 2021 by the Office of the Attorney General. When the Higher Education Authority Bill is complete it will be published, together with the Regulatory Impact Assessment.
There has been extensive consultation on the reform of the Higher Education Authority Act 1971 since 2018. The consultation publications and submissions received from stakeholders are published on the D/FHERIS and Department of Education websites.
523. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a HEAR application initially submitted with the incorrect year of income can be further reviewed following an unsuccessful application and appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43851/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the HEAR and DARE schemes are reduced points mechanisms for entry into higher education. Both schemes are managed and operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who are autonomous bodies. Admissions under the schemes are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the schemes, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.
Applications to the schemes are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions. As such, my Department has no role in determining the policy criteria or operation of the scheme.
I can however, advise the Deputy that there is a review and appeals process in place; to make sure that all HEAR applicants are treated fairly and that the assessment procedures have been applied consistently. Further information on the appeals process is available at: www.accesscollege.ie/hear/making-an-application/hear-review-and-appeals/
Applicants also have recourse to make an appeal to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s service is free, independent and impartial, and the applicant may wish to consider contacting the Ombudsman’s Office to see whether an appeals process is open to him/her.
Further information and contact details for the Ombudsman’s Office are available at: https://www.ombudsman.ie/publications/information-leaflets/The-Ombudsman-and-Education-services.pdf
524. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration will be given to funding for third-level education providers for the provision of courses aimed at students with intellectual disabilities, for example, the contemporary living course in UCC is no longer on the 2021-2022 prospectus due to lack of available funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43950/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInclusion is one of the core strategic goals for my Department, and my ambition is to ensure that we provide supports and opportunities for learning to all. This means recognising the needs of vulnerable learners, the most marginalised and those with special and additional needs, and assisting people in accessing and progressing through higher and further education and training.
There are some excellent models of provision in both further and higher education. I want to see options expanded across the third level system based upon best practice to provide learning pathways for people with intellectual disabilities to achieve their educational and training goals. My officials have been working on this and I intend to host a roundtable in due course.
The Deputy will be aware that provision for learners with intellectual disabilities is a complex policy area involving many key stakeholders in areas such as: education; health; equality and choice; employment; and transport. I have been clear with Ministerial colleagues that I want to work in a coherent way with their Departments and agencies to deliver on the ambitions of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and to ensure that the tertiary education system is playing a full role in supporting and building relevant education and training offerings which support learners with intellectual disabilities to develop to their full potential. I also see my Department’s role in co-ordinating the European Social Fund as a critical way to support initiatives in this area across the wider Government system.
525. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will respond to queries raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of their upcoming graduation ceremony; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43954/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra526. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the decision by a university (details supplied) to hold a graduation ceremony online despite the return of face-to-face lecturing and the planned easing of Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43959/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra528. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will work with Technological University Dublin and those due to graduate to help them provide, if possible, an in-person graduation ceremony within public health guidelines considering the graduation is due to be held in the week between 26 and 29 October 2021 after the date for lifting the final Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44053/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 525, 526 and 528 together.
Following Government approval, I published A Safe Return: Plan for a safe return to on-site Further and Higher Education and Research in 2021/22 on June 15th. The Safe Return Plan can be accessed at the following link: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcd91-a-safe-return-to-on-site-further-and-higher-education-and-research/
The plan, which emerged following extensive discussions between university representatives, public health and other relevant stakeholders, provided a framework for higher education institutions to proceed with planning for a return to onsite campus learning that would be in line with public health guidance.
In that context, institutions and providers are currently progressing with their own detailed planning and work for a comprehensive return to on-site activity. At a minimum, on-site activity next year will include laboratory teaching and learning, classroom based teaching and learning, tutorials, workshops, smaller lectures, research, return to work-spaces and access to libraries with appropriate protective measures in place. As part of the safe return to on-site learning, other on campus non-educational activities and facilities such as sports, bars, canteens, clubs and societies will operate in line with prevailing general public health advice for those activities.
However higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and the way in which the Plan will be implemented will vary from institution to institution. It is not for me to determine how individual institutions will carry out the return to on-site activity or to determine whether specific activities, such as graduation, will take place in person or on-line. I encourage students to to engage with TU Dublin directly on this matter, as the decision on how graduations will take place ultimately rests with them. However, I note other colleges have allowed in-person graduations to proceed in line with public health advice.
527. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount paid in late interest payments and penalty payments by his Department in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and to date in 2021 in respect of late payments being made to suppliers, service providers and contractors in tabular form; and the measures he has put in place and or is implementing to reduce late payment interest and penalty payments. [44005/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Prompt Payment Act 1997, Prompt Payment Interest (hereafter “PPI”) is applied to valid invoices which are not processed within 30 days of receipt. These regulations:
- Apply to commercial transactions in both the public and private sectors,
- Outline the statutory rate of interest applicable (currently 8% plus the applicable ECB rate), and
- Detail the compensation payable depending on the value of the invoice as follows:
- Invoice Amount not exceeding €1,000 - Compensation of €40.
- Invoice Amount exceeding €1,000 but not exceeding €10,000 - Compensation of €70.
- Invoice Amount exceeding €10,000 - Compensation of €100.
Since 2009, all Government Departments are committed to reducing the payment period to suppliers for commercial transactions from 30 to 15 calendar days.
The Department of Education provides the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with financial shared services including vendor payment processing. This shared service regularly monitors payments to ensure that suppliers are paid as promptly as possible to minimise, where possible, PPI & associated compensation payments.
From 2 August 2020 to 31 March 2021 due to a transition period on the Financial Management System, all prompt payment returns for both the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science and the Department for Education were recorded and reported by the Department of Education.
Following the successful updating of the Financial Management System, from April 2021 onwards, Prompt Payment returns are now reported separately.
Outlined below are PPI figures which relate to D/FHERIS from 1 April to 30 June 2021:
|
Year |
No. of Invoices where PPI was paid |
Value of Interest paid |
Value of Compensation Paid |
Total PPI Paid |
|
2021 |
7 |
€4.69 |
€280.00 |
€284.69 |
In line with Government Decision S29296 of 19 May 2009, all interest and penalty payment values are published each quarter on the Department's website including the Department's Aegis Bodies. This report is available in the link here.
529. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and value of overpayments made and recouped by SUSI in each of the years 2018 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44190/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe complex nature of the student grant scheme means that there is a risk that some students receive grant payments for which they are not eligible, including for reasons beyond the direct control of SUSI.
To mitigate the risk of overpayments, SUSI implements procedural and system-based controls within its application assessment and grant payment operations. A highly developed quality assurance programme is implemented within the assessment process and a focussed programme of independent post-assessment reviews are also performed across targeted risk areas.
The critical objective for SUSI is to identify and rectify errors on a timely basis before a grant is awarded and thus before any overpayment can arise. Issues identified from quality and post-assessment reviews are fed back into the assessment process through feedback and training on a current basis.
SUSI has a formal overpayments policy and implements repayment approaches that are sensitive to students’ means and circumstances.
SUSI is obliged to attempt to recoup any grants issued to applicants who are not eligible for funding, as per section 24 of the SUSI Support Act 2011:
|
Academic Year |
No. of Overpayments Identified |
No. of Overpayments Recouped |
Total € Amount of Overpayments Identified |
Total € Amount of Overpayments Recouped |
|
2017 / 18 |
916 |
483 |
€932,460.18 |
€536,376.24 |
|
2018 / 19 |
779 |
348 |
€1,005,495.03 |
€485,933.71 |
|
2019 / 20 |
966 |
474 |
€844,696.49 |
€466,227.03 |
|
2020 / 21 |
1516 |
766 |
€827,621.96 |
€414,105.81 |
530. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice if short stay family visit visas are currently being issued to non-EU citizens; if not, when the service will resume; and if consideration will be given to granting short stay family visit visas to non-EU citizens who are fully vaccinated. [43199/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra531. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice when the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service will resume processing short stay exam visas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43201/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 530 and 531 together.
From the beginning of this week (13 September 2021), the restrictions that have been in place since 21 March 2020, regarding the processing of short stay visas are being lifted. This will benefit travellers from all countries which require a visa to enter Ireland. All remaining Covid-19 restrictions on entry visa and preclearance processing, which were brought in as a necessary interim measure to help reduce the spread of Covid-19, have now been lifted.
The decision to temporarily cease processing short stay visa applications, except for cases that fell under the Emergency/Priority criteria, was made as a necessary interim measure to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 and protect public health. As the pandemic situation continues to improve and international travel once again becomes a feature of our lives it is important that people are able to travel here for short term purposes including to visit family, to study or for business reasons.
The move to lift restrictions is in line with the next phase of the Government’s response to the pandemic, Covid-19: Reframing the Challenge, Continuing Our Recovery and Reconnecting.
My Department and I remain fully supportive of the current public health advice and all travellers arriving into Ireland must continue to comply fully with measures required by law including producing proof of vaccination, recovery from Covid-19 or a negative PCR test.
532. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if all aspects of the Parole Act 2019 have been enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43204/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of the Parole Board on a statutory footing is a priority action under Justice Plan 2021 and is a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
The Deputy will wish to note that the relevant legislation was enacted in July 2019 and last month I announced the commencement of the Parole Act and the establishment of the new Parole Board.
The purpose of the Act is to place the parole process on a statutory footing and establish an independent, statutory Parole Board to decide on parole applications. The Act sets out clear and transparent criteria for how the Board will reach its decisions, which will be independent of the Minister of the day.
The Act was commenced, in full, on the 30 July and 31 July was designated as the establishment day for the new Parole Board.
The commencement of the Act means that the time which must be served by a life-sentence prisoner before being considered for parole has increased from 7 to 12 years. It is worth noting however, that over the past 10 years the average sentence served by a life sentenced prisoner before being released on parole was 18 years and in 2019 it was 20 years.
533. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if her Department has utilised the services of organisations (details supplied) at any time from 1 January 2015 to date; if so, the expenditure costs related to same; the purpose of any such engagements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43243/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my Department has utilised the services of Common Purpose Ireland during the timeframe in question.
A number of senior leaders in my Department have been supported to take part in Common Purpose Ireland’s Meridian Programme. This Programme is aimed at established Senior Leaders in organisations across the public, private and not for profit sectors, and seeks to support them in how they lead, influence and affect change.
An overview of all training expenditure with Common Purpose Ireland is provided in the table below.
|
Year |
Cost |
Delegates |
|
2020 |
€5,500 |
1 x Principal Officer – Meridian Programme |
|
2018 |
€11,000 |
2 x Principal Officer – Meridian Programme |
|
2017 |
€16,500 |
3 x Principal Officer – Meridian Programme |
|
TOTAL COST |
€33,000 |
|
534. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice when she expects to publish a scheme for the regularisation of undocumented migrants; when she expects such a scheme to commence accepting applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43252/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government, to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents with due consideration of Ireland's European Union (EU) and Common Travel Area (CTA) commitments.
Proposals for the draft scheme and the criteria to apply are being developed by my Department in line with this commitment, and informed by research and consultation with key stakeholders and engagement with Government Departments as appropriate.
Following this engagement with stakeholders, my Department is now working to finalise the details for the scheme, including eligibility considerations and qualifying criteria, with a view to bringing a proposal to Government shortly to allow for the launch of the scheme before the end of this year.
535. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice if she will provide a brief outline of the changes consequent to the Parole Act 2019 and the particular way that this legislation impacts on eligibility for parole; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43260/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the establishment of the Parole Board on a statutory footing is a priority action under Justice Plan 2021 and is a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
The relevant legislation was enacted in July 2019 and last month I announced the commencement of the Parole Act and the establishment of the new Parole Board.
The purpose of the Act is to place the parole process on a statutory footing and establish an independent, statutory Parole Board to decide on parole applications.
The new Parole Board will make its decisions to grant or refuse parole independently from the Minister for Justice and will replace the old Parole Board which has been in place since 2001.
The Act sets out clear and transparent criteria for how the Board will reach its decisions, which will be independent of the Minister of the day. In terms of the changes to the Parole system, the time which must be served by a life-sentence prisoner before being considered for parole has increased from 7 to 12 years. It is worth noting however, that over the past 10 years the average sentence served by a life sentenced prisoner before being released on parole was 18 years and in 2019 it was 20 years. In addition, only life sentenced prisoners are currently eligible to apply for parole under the Act.
Parole applicants and victims can make submissions to the new Parole Board and may avail of legal representation during the submission process.
An information guide in respect of the changes to the Parole process since the commencement of the Act is available to all of those who are in the custody of the Irish Prison Service and who are impacted by the new process. In addition prison Governors are available to answer any questions prisoners may have in regards to their sentence management.
536. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice the current strength of the Garda Reserve by rank; the establishment of the Garda Reserve by rank; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43306/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), for the management of An Garda Síochána as well as the allocation and distribution of resources. This includes responsibility for the recruitment, training and deployment of Garda members and members of the Garda Reserve. As Minister, I have no responsibility in these matters. I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review, in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
As the Deputy is aware the Garda Reserve is a voluntary, unpaid body drawn from the community to assist the existing Service at times when extra personnel are required. I am informed by the Garda authorities that there is no rank structure within the Garda Reserve, each Reserve Garda is assigned to either a regular, events or community policing unit in their assigned Garda station. I am further advised that there are currently 447 Garda Reserves.
The Deputy may wish to note that the report of the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland concluded that the Garda Reserve programme is not utilised to its full potential. The Commission recommended that future recruitment to the Garda Reserve should be paused, pending the outcome of a comprehensive strategic review, in order to examine how best to structure the Garda Reserve to meet the needs of An Garda Síochána. I am advised that this review has been concluded, and will be engaging with the Commissioner in respect of its implementation and the further development of this important resource.
537. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to request an inquiry into the treatment of persons (details supplied) in police custody; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43321/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that this case relates to an offence that was committed over 45 years ago. The events in question culminated in the overturning of the convictions of two persons in 1980 and a pardon for a particular individual in 1992. I am not aware of any matter of public interest which would warrant reopening the matter, especially given that the Courts have adjudicated on them in 1980.
538. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice the reason a person (details supplied) has experienced a delay in receiving a renewed GNIB card; the course of action the person can take to ensure they have no issues re-entering the State if they leave; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43337/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to by the Deputy is covered by the automatic extension of immigration permissions provided until 20 September 2021. The Immigration Service of my Department will be in contact with the person concerned shortly.
However it should be noted that any person is free to travel from the State regardless of whether their Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card is in date or expired. However, if the person’s IRP has expired and they are a visa-required national, they will require a re-entry visa to return to the State. They can apply to their local Visa Office/Embassy for that re-entry visa.
Non visa-required nationals trying to re-enter the State will be required to provide proof of their permission to reside in the State, such as a letter from my Department’s Immigration Service.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
539. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay a person (details supplied) has experienced in renewing a GNIB card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43338/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, registrations for people living outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.
I have sought the information requested from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
540. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if all documentation for an application for citizenship has been received in the case of a person (details supplied); if any documentation remains outstanding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43350/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 30 June 2021. Once the application is initially assessed, the person concerned will receive their application reference number and if further documentation is required, the Citizenship Division of my Department will contact the applicant in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
541. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda cars and motorcycles attached to Garda north Dublin roads policing unit as of 7 September 2021, in tabular form. [43404/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management of An Garda Síochána and deployment of resources. This includes responsibility for personnel matters and the distribution of personnel across the various Garda Divisions, including Roads Policing Units. As Minister, I have no role in these matters.
I am assured however that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use. I am advised that the responsibility for the efficient deployment of all official Garda vehicles in each Division is assigned to the Divisional Officer, who may allocate vehicles between Stations as required by operational circumstances.
The table below, furnished to me by the Garda authorities, shows the breakdown of vehicles attached to the Roads Policing Unit in the DMR North Roads Policing Unit as of 8 September 2021.
|
DMR North Division |
Cars |
Motorcycles |
Total |
|
Balbriggan District |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Ballymun District |
4 |
0 |
4 |
|
Total |
5 |
0 |
5 |
