Written Answers Nos. 479-501
479. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an inspection of a crèche (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47595/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to Tusla for a direct reply.
480. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made towards delivering on each of the specific nine actions outlined under Cultural Identity in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021; the amount of funding that has been allocated to or spent on each of those actions to date; and his plans to address the continued need for progress in the area following the completion of the current strategy. [47685/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government published the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) 2017 – 2021 in June 2017. The Strategy represents a whole of Government approach to bring about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma community in Ireland. It brings Government Departments and Agencies together along with representatives of both Traveller and Roma communities to bring a focus to the issues which affect them most in a structured way.
The NTRIS contains 149 actions, grouped under ten themes including Cultural Identity; Education; Employment; Health and Accommodation and aim to improve the lives of the Traveller and Roma Communities. Progress on these actions is monitored by a Steering Committee which includes both Traveller and Roma representatives and Civil Society organisations.
The Deputy will appreciate that while my Department has responsibility for coordinating the monitoring of the Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, each relevant Department has its own budget and is responsible for the implementation of its own commitments including cultural issues.
In 2021, my Department is providing €4.925 million in funding to support Traveller and Roma inclusion. This funding is being used to continue existing supports and to support new activities designed to counteract the impact of COVID-19 on the Traveller and Roma communities. In relation to DCEDIY cultural actions the position is as follows:
Review of Traveller Pride (TPW)
A Review of Traveller Pride Week and Traveller Pride Awards was completed in May of this year. As a follow on from that review and stemming from recommendations therein, my Department agreed to provide further resources for this year’s Traveller Pride events. This is also in line with the commitment under Action 1 of NTRIS to expand Traveller Pride Week. With that in mind, my Department provided a €100,000 to support these national and local events.
Traveller Pride Week national events began on 20 September and local events took place in the week commencing 27 September, 2021. These events provides the Traveller and Roma Communities with an opportunity to promote Traveller and Roma culture, achievements and talents at both local and national level and celebrate that culture with the whole of Irish society as one community. The theme of this year’s pride week was ‘Stronger Together’. In light of COVID-19 restrictions, a number of live events and celebrations went ahead online, including panel discussions, a video series which showcased 3 past Traveller Pride Award recipients, music and traditional storytelling.
Additional funding for cultural initiatives
I was delighted to be able to support the production of an audio book, Dr Rosaleen McDonagh's collection of essays "Unsettled" which was funded to the amount of €7,400.
Funds to the amount of €30,563 is being provided to run a workshop with Traveller writers and to put in place fully paid fellowships for two Traveller writers on the “Play It Forward Fellowship Programme”. This fellowship offers the emerging writers 18-month of support to develop, showcase and publish their work. The Fellows would receive structured support, including mentoring, editorial feedback, career consulting, participation in workshops, training, festivals and literary events, as well as opportunities to meet and build relationships with editors, agents, publishers and writers in order to significantly progress their writing practice.
Dormant account funding to the amount of €150,000 is being provided for the Development of an online portal to Traveller Culture collections. This programme will see the creation of an online portal of objects, archives, photographic, recordings and other collections held in the National Cultural Institutions and National Folklore Archive illustrative of or, pertaining to Traveller culture and history. The process of its creation will, in its first phase, see cooperation between the curators of national cultural heritage, Gaois Research Group/Fiontair, Dublin City University, and Government Departments (DCEDIY), Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Department of Education and Skills). A second phase could see the inclusion of material held in other public repositories such as the Local Authority Museum network.
DCEDIY provides funding to the amount of €5,000 to celebrate Roma Day which takes place 8th April.
It is also worth noting that funding is provided to the Traveller Mediation Service (TMS) to the amount of €241,260 and the Traveller Counselling Service (TCS) to the amount of €189,200 which delivers culturally appropriate services to the Traveller Community. One of TMS and TCS unique attributes is employing Travellers as mediators and counsellors which supports the increasing numbers of self-referrals coming from Travellers as Travellers feel those mediators and counsellors have a better understanding of the history or the underlying problems that non-Travellers might not consider relevant. This is especially relevant in the case of trained female Traveller mediators helping female Travellers in the community as they have a unique connection.
International Roma Day falls on 8 April each year marking the day of the first World Roma Congress in 1971. Given COVID-19 restrictions, 2020 celebrations were postponed in accordance with CMO advice. 2021 celebrations were also be postponed given the current COVID climate and restrictions. However, D/CEDIY remains committed to supporting International Roma Day by providing funding to groups in support of celebratory events when safe to do so.
DCEDIY has committed €7,400 for the production of the audio book, Dr Rosaleen McDonagh's collection of essays "Unsettled".
Dormant account funding (€150,000 committed) is being provided for the Development of an online portal to Traveller Culture collections. This programme will see the creation of an online portal of objects, archives, photographic, recordings and other collections held in the National Cultural Institutions and National Folklore Archive illustrative of or, pertaining to Traveller culture and history. The process of its creation will, in its first phase, see cooperation between the curators of national cultural heritage, Gaois Research Group/ Fiontair, Dublin City University, and Government Departments (DCEDIY), Department of Culture, Heritage & the Gaeltacht, Department of Education and Skills). A second phase could see the inclusion of material held in other public repositories such as the Local Authority Museum network.
Funding to the amount of €61,164 is being provided in 2021 to Musicantia, a Roma Community led group of volunteer musicians and accredited music teachers who work in partnership with indigenous Irish and other migrant community development workers.
All of these initiatives are in line with my Department’s Cultural Actions under NTRIS.
Review of NTRIS
The Programme for Government commits to a review of the NTRIS. An RFT is currently being finalised to evaluate the effectiveness of its implementation. I am committed to working with stakeholders to examine what has been achieved and develop new approaches to ensure better, more focused and measurable outcomes. Actions in respect of cultural issues will of course be agreed with the Traveller and Roma Representative groups at the consultation stage in the development of the new Strategy.
481. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to increase funding for resources for young persons and youth services in line with proposals by an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47770/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe allocations under Budget 2022 are being considered by Government in the context of the annual Estimates process for 2022. As this process is ongoing, the Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate for me to comment at this stage.
In recent years, funding for the provision of youth services has increased on an annual basis. Between the years 2016 and 2021 the annual current youth funding available to my Department has increased from €51.9 million to €66.79 million.
It is now more critical than ever that our young people are supported as they experience the social, economic, physical and mental health impacts of the pandemic. In recognition of the vital role played by youthwork services in providing such support to young people, funding levels have been maintained throughout the current challenging period. This has enabled the youth sector to continue to provide supports to young people, particularly to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.
As we begin to move beyond the pandemic I am committed to supporting this important sector, which has enormous value to the many young people involved and from a broader social and economic viewpoint.
482. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to ensure that early years and childcare workers are receiving adequate benefits, such as sick leave, sick pay and maternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47782/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the need for significant improvement in pay and working conditions for practitioners in ELC and SAC services. The level of pay they receive does not reflect the value of the work they do for children, for families and for the wider society and economy.
As the State does not employ early learning and childcare practitioners, I cannot set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. My Department has, however, over a number of years provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages and working conditions.
I am committed to doing what is in my power to improve wages and working conditions. That is why last December I began a process to examine the possibility of regulating pay and conditions in the sector and the suitability of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC). In agreement with IBEC/Childhood Services Ireland, and SIPTU, I appointed Dr Kevin Duffy, former Chair of the Labour Court, to be the independent chair of this process.
On foot of Dr Duffy’s report, on 11 March I wrote to the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, recommending the establishment of a JLC for the sector.
In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the Labour Court recommended establishment of a JLC, and Minister English accepted the Labour Court’s recommendations. The Establishment Order came into effect at the beginning of July. The JLC will provide an opportunity for unions and employer representatives to work together to determine wages and working conditions for ELC and SAC. In addition, work on a Workforce Development Plan for ELC and SAC continues, with a final report expected by the end of the year.
Specifically on the question of sick pay, I believe, after a number of discussions with representative bodies in the sector, that sick pay for ELC and SAC practitioners should be addressed in the wider context of sick pay for all workers. On June 9th this year, the Tánaiste announced details of the Government’s plan to introduce legislation to give all workers the right to paid sick leave, initially starting with three days per year in 2022, rising to five days payable in 2023 and seven days payable in 2024.
483. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that can be taken to strengthen the role of an organisation (details supplied) and other organisations that are involved in enhancing the lives of young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47783/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth provides annual funding to this organisation and to a number of others to support them in their role to enhance the lives of children and young people. This organisation and other similar youth organisations play an extremely important role in providing children and young people with opportunities for developmental experiences and informal learning.
During 2021, grant funding of €438,904 has been provided to the Irish Girl Guides by the Department through the Youth Service Grant Scheme. An additional €43,890 of National Youth Organisations Capital was also provided for minor works.
In relation to youth funding more generally, the overall budget for the youth sector in 2021 is €66.79m in current funding. This represents an additional €5 million over 2020. The level of funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector. Youthwork programmes and services are delivered by volunteers in communities throughout the country.
In addition to UBU Your Place Your Space, my Department funds the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme. This is operated by ETBs across the country and qualifying clubs or groups may apply for up to €3,000 in a given year.
Youth services looking to access additional funding should contact their ETB in the first instance.
484. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to introduce additional entry points during the year for parents availing of the ECCE scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47870/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal free two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range.
The minimum eligibility age of 2 years and 8 months for the ECCE programme was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years education and care in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios.
Prior to September 2018 there were three entry points to ECCE. This lead to a situation where there was variation in the number of ECCE weeks a child could qualify for, ranging from between 61 and 88 weeks depending on the date of birth of the child. The introduction of a single entry point a aligned to the start of the primary school year ensured that all children could receive 2 full years of ECCE, or 76 weeks. This also ensures that all children can experience the full pre-school curriculum.
A single entry point has also streamlined the administration process for providers, making it easier for them to operate and budget for the programme year. In addition it has made it easier parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children.
485. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to ratify the optional protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography; and if so, if he will supply a timeline for same. [47873/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI remain strongly committed to the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
My Department made a comprehensive submission to the Attorney General’s Office in 2019 seeking confirmation as to whether Ireland was in a position to ratify the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The advice received from the AGO stated that while Ireland is largely compliant with the terms of the Protocol, there are some outstanding issues that need to be resolved before the State can proceed to ratification. My Department has been liaising closely with the Department of Justice as the outstanding issues identified by the AGO fall within their remit.
The main outstanding issues relate to determining what if any legislative measures may need to be put in place to ensure that the full range of offences covered by the Protocol can be prosecuted on an organised and transnational basis in line with Article 3.1 of the Protocol.
There is close engagement between the Department of Justice and my Department while we await their determination on the legislative requirements. Once the Department of Justice has concluded this process, the next step will involve the development of measures that might be necessary to enable ratification. At that point I should be in a position to provide an approximate timeline for ratification.
486. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of programme for Government commitments (details supplied); if they have been completed; if not, the timeline on their progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48007/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently compiling the information requested by the Deputy and a response will be issued directly as soon as possible.
487. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a settlement between a State agency (details supplied) and the Revenue Commissioners; if there are any agencies under his Department’s remit that have had a similar issue or have made a settlement with the Revenue Commissioners in relation to any issue in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48018/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to provide the following information to the Deputy regarding settlements between State agencies (under the remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth) and the Revenue Commissioners in the past five years.
The National Disability Authority, Adoption Authority of Ireland, Oberstown Children Detention Campus and Gaisce have all responded stating that they have not made any settlements with the Revenue Commissioners in the last 5 years.
Insofar as the Deputy's question also relates to the Agencies listed below, I have referred the question to them for direct reply to the Deputy.
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
Ombudsman for Children's Office
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
488. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied minors that have gone missing while in State care in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021; the number found or accounted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48035/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
489. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown by section, including a precise timeline for the commencement and the reason for the delay in commencement, of the remaining sections of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48147/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is a very important piece of legislation that changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis. It will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over 3 years from the date of commencement.
The Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to commencing the 2015 Act, recognising the importance of the much needed reform it represents. We are working towards a date of June 2022 for full commencement of all remaining sections of the 2015 Act and establishment of the Decision Support Service immediately thereafter. An inter-departmental steering group is meeting regularly to prepare for commencement of the Act.
The delays in commencement of the 2015 Act arise from two principal factors. The Decision Support Service (DSS), which is the organisation that will operate the progressive provisions of the 2015 Act, has to become fully operational and be able to respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. The DSS has made considerable progress in putting in place the administrative and IT systems needed to operate the 2015 Act. To this end a budget of €5.8 million was secured for the DSS for 2021, a significant increase on its €3.5 million 2020 budget.
Amendments are also required to the 2015 Act before full commencement can take place. Work is actively taking place on an Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which will address a number of issues required to streamline processes and improve safeguards for those who will rely on the provisions of the Act. I expect to be in a position to publish a Bill by year-end, and to see it enacted next year.
The current status of the 2015 Act, outlining the sections already commenced and those that will be commenced in June 2022 following the passage of the required amending legislation, are summarised in the following table.
|
Section |
Commencement status |
Commencement Date |
Relevant instrument |
|
1-2 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
3-4 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
5-6 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
7(1) |
Commenced |
1 Feb 2021 |
S.I. No. 24 of 2021 |
|
7(2) |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
8-81 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
82 insofar as it relates to definition of “Minister” |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
83-90 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
91(1) insofar as it relates to the definition of “Code of Practice” and “Working Group” |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
91(1) other than insofar as it relates to the above. |
Commenced |
17 December 2018 |
S.I. No. 527 of 2018. |
|
91(2) |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
91(3) – (14) |
Commenced |
17 December 2018 |
S.I. No. 527 of 2018. |
|
92-93 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
94-95 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
96 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
97-98 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
99-102 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
103 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
104-146 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
490. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he plans to sign the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with a Disability to meet Ireland’s obligations under the convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48148/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international treaty that establishes two procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. The first is an individual communications procedure allowing individuals to bring petitions to the Committee claiming breaches of their rights; the second is an inquiry procedure giving the Committee authority to undertake inquiries of grave or systematic violations of the Convention.
The Programme for Government reiterates the commitment to ratify the Optional Protocol after the first reporting cycle. At a recent sitting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters the Secretary General of my Department advised members that both I and my colleague, Minister of State for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, T.D, are open to an earlier ratification of the Optional Protocol.
Our intention is to begin the work required to prepare for ratification of the Optional Protocol once the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 has been commenced and the Decision Support Service is operational. This is scheduled to take place in June and July of next year.
491. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that are in place to meet the 6% employment target for 2024 under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48149/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Strategic Priority 6 (Engage Employers) of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (2014-2024), the Government committed to increasing the statutory target for employment of people with disabilities in the public sector from 3%, which is the present target, towards 6% by 2024.
The legislative proposals to make this change were contained in the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016, which lapsed with the dissolution of the last Dáil.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill is being used to advance a number of legislative provisions required by the UNCRPD that were previously included in the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016, including the 6% employment target.
Work is actively taking place on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which is expected to be published by year-end. The aim is that it will be enacted next year.
492. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will review the refusal of ECCE for a child (details supplied) considering the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48224/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar.
A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year.
Children born in 2016 were eligible for ECCE from September 2019 and again from September 2020.
It is not possible to offer an additional year of ECCE as these children are of primary school age.
While the ECCE is a two year programme available to all children, it is not mandatory and some parents chose to avail of one year only or not at all.
493. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications for declarations of eligibility and suitability to adopt from abroad that were made by individuals and couples in 2020; and the number that were assessed as suitable. [48232/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
494. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider establishing a commission or a cross-party working group on ableism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48253/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI share the Deputy's view that ableism, as with other forms of discrimination, must be challenged.
The Equal Status Acts 2000 - 2018 prohibit discrimination against people with disabilities in accessing goods and services. In addition, the Employment Equality Acts 1998 - 2015, prohibit discrimination on the grounds of disability in employment, including vocational training and work experience. The National Disability Inclusion Strategy provides a comprehensive framework for action to address the barriers faced by people with disabilities, including the importance of challenging attitudes to disability. The Strategy is monitored by a Strategy Committee which includes representatives of disability organisations and of a wide range of Government Departments and key public bodies such as the HSE.
In light of the existing statutory position and the wider work of my Department in addressing the barriers and challenges faced by people with disabilities, I have no plans to establish a commission or working group on the lines suggested by the Deputy.
495. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will take on board the recommendation in the review by an organisation (details supplied) of the youth work sector response to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48288/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is now more critical than ever that our young people are supported as they experience the social, economic, physical and mental health impacts of the pandemic. In recognition of the vital role played by youth work in providing such support to young people, funding levels have been maintained throughout the current challenging period. This has enabled the youth sector to continue to provide supports to young people, particularly to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.
As we begin to move beyond the pandemic I am committed to supporting this important sector, which has enormous value to the many young people involved and from a broader social and economic viewpoint.
In recent years, funding for the provision of youth services has increased on an annual basis. Between the years 2016 and 2021, the annual youth funding available to my Department has increased from €51.9 million to €66.79 million.
496. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the initiatives that have been taken by Government to encourage women to take up construction skills training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48326/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducation and training relevant to skills needs in the construction sector is delivered across the full remit of further education and training and higher education. Learning opportunities are open to all backgrounds and levels of experience through apprenticeship, non-apprenticeship further education and training (FET) and Higher Education (HE) as well as through specific programmes such as Springboard, the Human Capital Initiative and Skillnet Ireland.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 promotes access, diversity and inclusion in apprenticeship. Over the coming period, targeted supports will be identified to encourage participation from under-represented groups such as women, those with disabilities and those from ethnic minority backgrounds in apprenticeship.
An employer bursary of €2,667 is currently available to eligible employers who register female apprentices in a craft apprenticeship. Under the plan, the female craft apprentice bursary will be extended to all apprenticeship programmes with greater than 80% representation of a single gender during 2022. By Aug 2021, there were a total of 1,327 women apprentices, up from 60 in 2016.
Work in the area of access to apprenticeships for under-represented groups is ongoing and initiatives underway to boost diversity in apprenticeship across further and higher education include:
- There has been a specific focus on female participation as part of the Generation Apprenticeship national promotional campaign
- Technological University Dublin has developed an Access to Apprenticeship programme. This innovative pilot programme supports the transition of young people (16-24 years old) from areas of socio-economic disadvantage into craft apprenticeships. To date over 118 young men and women have progressed into apprenticeships through this program.
497. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that are being taken to address the current student accommodation crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48339/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraHousing For All was published in September this year setting out the series of actions to be undertaken to address issues facing the housing system. It has the largest ever housing budget in the history of the State to transform our housing system, with in excess of €20bn in funding through the Exchequer, the Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Housing Finance Agency over the next five years to support these actions. The student accommodation sector is a subset of the broader housing market, and as such is impacted by many of the same factors affecting other parts of the housing market.
The National Student Accommodation Strategy is designed to ensure that there is an increased level of supply of purpose built student accommodation to reduce the demand for accommodation in the private rental sector by both domestic and international students attending our Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Several of the actions in this strategy centre around ensuring that HEIs have access to low-cost financing in order to support their building of student accommodation.
One of these actions involved the introduction of legislation to empower the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) to lend directly to HEIs for the development of student accommodation. This legislation was commenced in 2017, and so far three universities - TCD, UCC and UCD have had a total of €157 million in loans approved by the HFA, which will provide more than 1,400 new student bed spaces.
In June I, along with my colleagues the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, announced that €75 million of financing had been successfully sourced for the Council of Europe Bank for the building of student accommodation in universities.
Housing For All contains a commitment to support technological universities to develop purpose-built student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing, and a specific action in relation to legislating to allow for Technological Universities to borrow from the Housing Finance Agency. My officials and I will continue to work with colleagues in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to advance this.
My Department, together with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, is also engaging with all the universities, including the technological universities, to explore further options which may be available to increase the availability of student accommodation.
498. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of the breakdown between online and in-person learning that each of the higher education institutions are providing; the rationale for same; if he is providing guidelines for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47491/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing 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: 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 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.
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and the way in which the Plan will be implemented will vary from institution to institution. However, I do hope students can be accommodated by institutions for in person graduations in line with public health advice.
All returning students have resumed onsite activity and first year students will commence next week. In line with their arrival, the Department has worked with the HSE to establish a number of pop-up vaccination centres across 11 different institutions to maximise uptake of vaccinations. In addition, free face masks will be provided.
499. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the terms on which post-graduate study can receive support towards fees and maintenance; and if there are plans to extend these schemes. [47532/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to assist postgraduate students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. In line with the Programme for Government commitment to address the gap in postgraduate grants, from September 2021 the postgraduate fee grant increased from €2,000 to €3,500. This increase will allay some of the costs for postgraduate study and will give greater certainty for students in terms of supports. In addition, the fee grant income threshold increased from €31,500 to €54,240 from September 2021.
Postgraduate students who meet all of the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant under the Student Grant Scheme are eligible for a maintenance grant of up to €5,915; the income threshold for this grant for the 2021/22 academic year is €24,500. Qualifying postgraduate students may also be eligible to have their tuition fees paid up to a maximum fee limit of €6,270.
Under the Student Grant Scheme 2020, a student in receipt of a postgraduate research award where the stipend portion of the award did not exceed €16,000 could apply to the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) for financial assistance. The stipend portion to be disregarded increased to €18,500 under the Student Grant Scheme 2021.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. To take forward this commitment I established a review of the Student Grant Scheme. This review is currently underway, and being conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants, under the direction of a steering group chaired by my Department and comprising a number of stakeholders.
It is anticipated that the review will be completed later this year and will inform future priorities regarding the development of student grant policy, including in the context of forthcoming Estimates process for 2022.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, in July 2020 I announced a funding package of €168m for the return to education which included a €10m access support package for higher education students. I approved the allocation of €8.1m of this funding to top up the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Institutions have the autonomy to maximise the flexibility in the Student Assistance Fund to enable HEIs to support students during the COVID-19 situation. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
I also announced enhanced funding of €3.2 million for the Irish Research Council to better support postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers in Ireland across all disciplines. This will directly benefit close to 1,300 early-career researchers across our higher education and research system. The additional investment will fulfil the long-standing priority attached by the Council to improving the support for its funded postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers at the earliest opportunity. The Irish Research Council’s postgraduate stipend will increase from €16,000 to €18,500 per annum and funding for its postdoctoral researchers is also increasing. The changes will benefit both existing and new Council awardees in 2021, effective from the beginning of January.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
500. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the special maintenance rate is confined to students whose parents are in receipt of the working family payment or long-term social welfare payments; and if there a gross income test also effective under which students from low-income families can qualify. [47533/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter for SUSI to determine. In assessing an application for the 2021/22 academic year, SUSI will have regard to the following qualifying criteria for the special rate of maintenance grant: 1. The student must qualify for the standard rate of grant;
2. Total reckonable income, after income disregards and Child Dependant Increase(s) are excluded, must not exceed €24,500;3. As at 31st of December 2020, the reckonable income must include one of the eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in Schedule 2 of the Student Grant Scheme 2021.
There are over 40 eligible long-term social welfare payments prescribed in the Student Grant Scheme that include such payments as the One Parent Family Payment, Carer's Allowance, Disability Allowance, Farm Assist and Jobseekers Allowance and Benefit where held for a specified period of time. A student may qualify for the special rate of grant provided that a party to the student grant application (which in the case of a dependent student it includes his/her parents and the student themselves) is in receipt of one of the prescribed payments and the applicant meets the other conditions of the special rate of grant.
The student grant scheme contains a number of qualifying thresholds for various grant values. Therefore, students who do not qualify for the special rate of grant may qualify for a different rate based on gross reckonable income.
The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to review SUSI eligibility criteria, adjacency rates and postgraduate grant supports. To take forward this commitment I established a review of the Student Grant Scheme. This review is currently underway, and being conducted by Indecon Economic Consultants, under the direction of a steering group chaired by my Department and comprising a number of stakeholders.
It is anticipated that the review will be completed later this year and will inform future priorities regarding the development of student grant policy, including in the context of forthcoming Estimates process for 2022.
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. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
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
501. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of the members of the Student Grants Appeals Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47625/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra502. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rationale for reducing the number of members of the Student Grants Appeals Board from 11 to seven; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47626/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra503. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the years for which annual reports were prepared by the Student Grants Appeals Board for the relevant Department since its formation in 2011; the specific years in which the relevant Department requested an annual report from the Student Grant Appeals Board since its formation in 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47627/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra504. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if in accordance with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies 2016, an oversight agreement has been put in place between his Department and the Student Grants Appeals Board; if not, if any exemption has been sought from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47628/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra505. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he or another Minister or Minister of State from the Department of Education last met with the Student Grants Appeals Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47629/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 501 to 505, inclusive, together.
The Student Grants Appeals Board (the Board) was established under Section 25 of the Student Support Act 2011 and under Section 21(4)(a) is independent in the performance of its functions. Appointments to the Board are in compliance with The Public Appointments Service (PAS) process.
Under Section 25 (4) of the Student Support Act, the Appeals Board shall consist of a Chairperson and such number of ordinary members as shall by determined by the Minister but which in any case shall not exceed 11 persons.
The term of office of the Appeals Board is for 5 years and the current Board commenced in September 2021.
The current Board comprises of a Chairperson and 6 ordinary members.
Mr. John Horan, Chairperson
Mr. Kevin Donoghue
Mr. James Doorley
Ms. Lorna Fitzpatrick
Ms. Laura Harmon
Ms. Mary Jane Meegan
Mr. Liam O’Callaghan
Under Section 27 of the Student Support Act, the Appeals Board shall submit a report of its activities to the Minister at such intervals and in such manner and form as the Minister directs.
A report was submitted by the Student Grant Appeals Board for the 2011/2012 year and is available on the gov.ie website. It is my intention to seek reports from the new Student Grant Appeals Board during the course of their term.
As the Deputy will appreciate the new Board has just been appointed under Section 25 of the Student Support Act. All governance requirements will be considered by the Board in consultation with the Department.
I did not have the opportunity to meet the Board since my appointment in July 2020. However, under Section 25(14) the Minister may furnish such support of an administrative nature to the Appeals Board as in the opinion of the Minister is necessary in order that the Board may properly perform its functions. Officials from my Department attend all Board meetings and are in regular contact with the Board.
