Written Answers Nos. 147-166
147. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on whether childcare providers with staff with additional qualifications should receive additional funding to provide staff with increased wages on the basis of these increased qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18511/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families, recognises that the workforce is at the heart of high-quality early learning and care (ELC). The evidence suggests children achieve better outcomes when staff are well qualified. This is undisputed internationally. First 5 seeks to continue to build an appropriately skilled and sustainable professional workforce, and includes a commitment to achieve a graduate-led workforce by 2028.
In Budget 2022, I announced the introduction of a new Core Funding stream from September 2022. Core Funding has a number of objectives, including to support improved quality, affordability, sustainability and the achievement of the commitment to a graduate-led workforce. It will also support the introduction of an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) to determine minimum rates of pay for workers as well as conditions of employment.
Of the total of €221m in full year costs, €38m is allocated to contribute to support graduates to be Lead Educators across ELC and to support graduates as Managers in ELC or combined ELC and school-age childcare (SAC) services. This aspect of Core Funding will encourage employment of graduates as Lead Educators across all ELC.
A graduate premium is already in operation under the Higher Capitation scheme for the ECCE programme. This has been in place since the ECCE programme was first introduced in 2010. Under Core Funding, the availability of a graduate premium is extended beyond the ECCE programme to all funded provision of ELC.
The graduate premium is specifically for those who are graduates in positions of leadership, either as Manager of a service or as lead educator with a group of children, which may also include leadership or supervision of other staff in the room. It is expected to support the commitments to the strengthening of career pathways for those working in the sector set out in Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for ELC and SAC 2022-2028, which I launched last December.
Supported by the Higher Capitation payments in the ECCE programme, the proportion of staff in ELC services with a relevant degree has risen from 12% in 2012 to 34% in 2021, as reported in Nurturing Skills.
Nurturing Skills makes a number of commitments to support the move to a graduate-led workforce, including the commitment to remove the exclusive link between higher capitation payments and the ECCE programme through Core Funding.
148. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with childcare providers over concerns regarding the ability to pay sick and holiday pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18512/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraProviders of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) are private businesses and the State has no role in the employment of their staff, nor does my Department provide funding specifically to cover the costs of employing staff. However, providers receive income from a number of State funding schemes as well as from parental fees.
Currently, ELC and SAC providers offering the National Childcare Scheme and other Legacy Schemes are funded on the basis of attendance. These providers receive funding for public holidays occurring during the year. Providers offering the ECCE programme are required to deliver the Programme for 182 days a year, with capitation for the Programme paid for 190 days a year. This includes payment for 8 public holidays which fall within the period end August to end June (to include the new public holiday introduced this year).
The level of funding provided by my Department will rise significantly from this coming September with the implementation of the new Core Funding stream.
Holiday entitlements are set under the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which sets out minimum annual leave entitlements and an employee’s entitlement to public holidays. Payment for annual leave and public holidays is a requirement for all employers.
The Tánaiste is progressing the introduction of the Sick Leave Bill. It is proposed that statutory sick pay will initially be paid at 70% of regular earnings up to a cap of €110 per day, from the first day of illness for a maximum of three days per year. If the full 3 days' entitlement were used, this would equate, in percentage terms, to an additional cost for employers of around 0.8% of the annual wage of an employee receiving the average wage in the ELC and SAC sector and working full-time.
I am aware that employers in some sectors - including the ELC and SAC sector - also have to deal with the cost of replacing staff who are out sick, though this is not a new cost. The Tánaiste is setting a cap of €110 or 70% of regular earnings, to give employers certainty around the costs involved at the outset. It is also fair to employees and ensures that they receive an appropriate and predictable level of compensation if they are unable to work due to illness or injury.
The length of coverage is expected to increase over time, eventually providing for an entitlement to up to 10 working days or two weeks per year in the fourth year of the scheme’s operation.
For businesses who genuinely cannot afford to pay, included in the sick pay proposals is an ‘inability to pay’ provision. This would allow the Labour Court to grant an exemption to a business from their obligations under this legislation, for a period of not less than 3 months and not more than 12 months. There is a similar provision in the National Minimum Wage Act 2000. It would only be granted where there is a real risk to business sustainability.
149. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a situation in Youghal, County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18516/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe company in question provides therapeutic and individualised residential care to young people in the care of the State and to adults with intellectual disabilities.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, remain engaged in a tendering process with the provider and as such, the Deputy will appreciate that Tusla is not in a position to share detailed information.
I understand that Tusla communicated the initial results of the tender process to applicants on 24th March, following a careful evaluation against the specifications outlined in the pre-published tender criteria. Tusla has stated that it will no longer be processing any new residential placements with those applicants who were not successful in the recent tender application. I also understand that the provider subsequently informed Tusla of its decision to close 7 centres, commencing Monday 25th April. Currently there are 10 young people resident in these centres who will require a placement within residential services.
Both Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of alternative care. This is achieved through the application of Regulations and Standards that govern the placement of children, as well as Tusla’s operation of robust and independent procurement processes where care arrangements are commissioned from private organisations such as the provider in question.
Tusla has confirmed to my Department that it has engaged with the provider with the primary aim of minimising any disruption to the young people currently placed within these services. I understand Tusla will be urgently and carefully assessing each of those pre-existing placements and will take all necessary action in the best interest of the young person(s).
In all instances the best interests of those children in the care of the State must remain the paramount concern.
150. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be fully commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18532/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is an important piece of legislation that represents significant legal reform. It 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.
The Act 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.
Amendments are required to the 2015 Act before full commencement can take place. Work is underway on an Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill. The amendments will streamline processes, in the interests of those using its provisions. They will also strengthen the safeguards included in the 2015 Act.
The Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to commencing the 2015 Act, recognising the importance of the much needed reform that it represents. Government has committed to commencement of the amended 2015 Act by June 2022.
151. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that a company (details supplied) has been refused tender to accept young persons into their care by Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18578/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe company in question provides therapeutic and individualised residential care to young people in the care of the State and to adults with intellectual disabilities.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, remain engaged in a tendering process with the provider and as such, the Deputy will appreciate that Tusla is not in a position to share detailed information.
I understand that Tusla communicated the initial results of the tender process to applicants on 24th March, following a careful evaluation against the specifications outlined in the pre-published tender criteria. Tusla has stated that it will no longer be processing any new residential placements with those applicants who were not successful in the recent tender application. I also understand that the provider subsequently informed Tusla of its decision to close 7 centres, commencing Monday 25th April. Currently there are 10 young people resident in these centres who will require a placement within residential services.
Both Tusla and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of alternative care. This is achieved through the application of Regulations and Standards that govern the placement of children, as well as Tusla’s operation of robust and independent procurement processes where care arrangements are commissioned from private organisations such as the provider in question.
Tusla has confirmed to my Department that it has engaged with the provider with the primary aim of minimising any disruption to the young people currently placed within these services. I understand Tusla will be urgently and carefully assessing each of those pre-existing placements and will take all necessary action in the best interest of the young person(s).
In all instances the best interests of those children in the care of the State must remain the paramount concern.
152. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parental leave (details supplied) given the increase in leave in July 2022 needs to be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18621/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended), working parents are entitled to five weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, as defined in the legislation, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.Provision has been made in Budget 2022 to increase the number of weeks of Parent’s Leave and Benefit available to eligible parents from five weeks to seven weeks from July 2022. This will be introduced by way of Regulation as provided for under the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended).It has been decided that the additional two weeks' leave and benefit will apply to parents of children who are under the age of two in July 2022 (or adoptive children who have been with their parents for less than two years at that point).A date for the commencement of the extension is not yet available as the practical arrangements for the payment of Parent's Benefit are being finalised with the Department of Social Protection.
153. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be made available to assist ECCE providers with the rising running costs. [18675/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn December, I announced major reforms to the funding model for early learning and childcare services. These reforms are on foot of a report from an Expert Group established in 2019, which comprised national and international experts, and was independently chaired by Michael Scanlan. Its report, Partnership for the Public Good, proposes a new approach to State funding of the sector in future. Its recommendations include a new additional funding stream for the sector, Core Funding, to support quality of provision, improved pay and conditions for staff, management of parental fees and sustainability of services
Under the new funding stream, in return for a commitment that fees to parents will not increase, providers will be supported in meeting their operating costs, including increased costs related to improved quality measures which includes staff costs. Core Funding will also contribute to cost increases related to non-staff costs (for example, utilities, rent).
Core Funding is equivalent to an increase of at least 9.5% in funding for ECCE services not lead by a Graduate Lead Educator. At a minimum, for every ECCE child €78.75 per week will be available from ECCE and Core Funding, compared to €69 in ECCE standard capitation only. As Core Funding is paid in respect of places rather than children, effectively this could mean a greater ‘per child’ marginal increase if the service has unfilled capacity. For example, with an ECCE occupancy of 9 children per staff member, Core Funding and ECCE together will be equivalent to weekly per child capitation of €80.92.
Core Funding replaces the ECCE Higher Capitation payment which pays a higher capitation rate of €80.25 for all children attending ECCE classes with a graduate ECCE room lead. Core Funding includes a new a graduate premium which will be to be paid to services with graduate room leads for all early learning and care age groups.
The overwhelming majority of ECCE-services with graduate Lead Educators will benefit substantially. While the approach of providing funding for graduate Lead Educators is different, the increased base rate funding plus payment based on capacity rather than attendance means that most services currently in receipt of higher capitation will see significant benefits from Core Funding.
No service will lose out with Core Funding
Core funding is largely contingent on an employment regulation order, ERO, being agreed by the joint labour committee, JLC, for the sector. If agreed, an ERO will establish minimum rates of pay and conditions for all workers and it is a matter for the JLC to determine whether different rates should apply for different roles and qualification levels of staff. A JLC was established this year and has been meeting regularly in recent months.
In addition, my Department will shortly appoint a consultant to undertake a 12 month review of ECCE which will consider any enhancements that can be made based on international evidence and experience to date. The review will involve a wide consultation with providers, educators, parents, children and other stakeholder
154. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be made available to assist childcare providers with the cost of insurance. [18676/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarly Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) services are required to have insurance as part of their registration with Tulsa, the independent regulator of the sector. My Department provides funding to childcare providers under a number of programmes to provide fully or partly subsidised childcare services to families. Childcare providers are private businesses and my Department does not provide funding for specific operational costs such as insurance.
Notwithstanding this, insurance reform is a priority for this Government. The Action Plan for Insurance Reform, which was launched on 8 December 2020, has already resulted in reductions in car and house insurance costs.
With regard to insurance costs for childcare providers, I understand that there has been no universal increase in insurance costs in the last two years for the majority of providers, and that the average price of insurance for providers remains at €60 per child, per annum, for full-time childcare.
155. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all staff working in the education and training board sector have been informed by their relevant board that if they are working in the post leaving certificate sector that they are no longer being paid by his Department and have been moved to SOLAS; if their terms and conditions have changed; and the way this has affected teacher allocation and utilisation in dual provision schools. [18614/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all staff working in the education and training board sector have been informed by their relevant board that if they are working in the post leaving certificate sector that they are no longer being paid by his Department and have been moved to SOLAS; if their terms and conditions have changed; and the way this has affected teacher allocation and utilisation in dual provision schools. [18615/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 162 and 155 together.
With the establishment of my Department in October 2020, the Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (Transfer of Departmental Administration and Ministerial Functions) Order 2020 (S.I. No. 451/2020) transferred functions vested in the Minister for Education to me. These functions included those under the Further Education and Training Act, 2013. Accordingly the grants paid to SOLAS, which may be advanced to the ETBs for further education and training programmes, are paid from my Department’s Vote or the National Training Fund. The transfer of budget lines between the two Departments, including for the PLC programme, has been reflected in the Estimates for the current year. These changes have no impact on the payments to ETB employees or their terms and conditions or to the situation in dual provision schools.
As the Deputy may be aware, the Education Shared Business Services (ESBS), which is a section of the Department of Education, was established to host a range of shared services, including the payroll (including travel & subsistence) shared service for the ETB sector. The ESBS acts as an agent on behalf of the ETB for the purposes of processing salary payments, however the individual ETB remains the employer and there are no changes to any ETB employees’ terms and conditions of employment as a result of the transition to the shared service. ETB employees access their payslips and other pay related documents via an Employee Self Service (ESS) with queries being handled by the ESBS Payroll Helpdesk via email, post or telephone. The migration of ETB Payrolls (and T&S functions) to ESBS went live in June 2019 and 11 of the 16 ETBs have migrated to date.
156. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of extending SUSI fee cover to part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18522/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the 2020/2021 academic year, statistics from the Higher Education Authority show that there were 49,658 students studying at all levels in our publicly funded institutions on a part time basis.
The costs of extending the SUSI grant scheme to these part time students would depend on an assessment to see if they meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those which relate to course mode, nationality, residency, previous academic attainment (progression) and means. As they have not been assessed under the SUSI scheme, we do not know how many of these students would be eligible to receive SUSI grant funding if they were eligible to apply.
However the following will give you an indication of estimated costs of extending the SUSI scheme to these part time students taking into consideration the average fee paid by Susi to educational institutions only:
- If 10,000 of these students were deemed eligible, we would estimate a cost of €30m
- If 20,000 of these students were deemed eligible, we would estimate a cost of €60m
- If 30,000 of these students were deemed eligible, we would estimate a cost of €90m
- If all 49,658 of these students were deemed eligible for funding, we would estimate the cost to be €147m
These estimates are based on the average fee paid by SUSI to educational institutions on behalf of eligible full time students under the SUSI grant scheme. The estimates do not take into account the cost of maintenance to these students and do not include an estimation of extending funding to part time students under the free fees initiative which would be an additional cost to the exchequer.
157. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that a large number of students have lost out on securing on-site campus accommodation in the University of Limerick for the next academic year (details supplied); if accommodation is being held back to house Ukrainians who are entering Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18575/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the difficulties faced by students across the country including at the University of Limerick in relation to obtaining affordable accommodation and my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are working closely together to address relevant issues where possible.
The final allocation of accommodation by each higher education institution is a matter for that institution. While I can confirm that student accommodation is being offered to displaced Ukrainian people for the summer period generally, this is solely a temporary solution to situation at a time when students are not present on campus, and that this will not impact on the supply for students for the forthcoming academic year.
Fundamentally the underlying issue is one of the supply of housing generally and that there is a need to increase the supply of all types of accommodation including student accommodation. That is why Government launched Housing for All led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage which sets out a series of actions which will be delivered to address the housing crisis backed by a transformative budget of €20 billion.
My Department understands that there were 970 new higher education institution-owned purpose built student accommodation bed spaces completed in the past two years, with work underway on site on a further 929. As of December 2021, there were approximately 14,500 PBSA bed-spaces owned by higher education institutions. The Irish University Association reports a further 3,500 beds either under construction or in planning.
I have also written recently to all universities, technological universities and institutes of technology asking them to identify any potential local solutions, including the repurposing of existing buildings, which could contribute to increased supply ahead of the next academic year.
158. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a status update will be provided on the Next National Research and Innovation Strategy 2021-2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18585/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra159. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the budget that is available to the Next National Research and Innovation Strategy 2021-2027 to support postgraduate researchers; and the way it is being allocated. [18586/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra160. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the allocation of the Next National Research and Innovation Strategy 2021-202 budget that is available to support gender equality for postgraduate researchers. [18587/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the funding from Next National Research and Innovation Strategy 2021-2027 will directly impact postgraduate researchers. [18588/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 158, 159, 160 and 161 together.
The development of a new National Strategy for Research and Innovation is a key commitment in the Government’s Economic Recovery Plan 2021, which sets out the “dual ambition of placing research, development and innovation at the heart of addressing Ireland’s economic and societal challenges, and building capacity and capability across the research and innovation system to move R&I up the value chain.”
My Department has led the development of this new national strategy, in consultation with key Government Departments, agencies and stakeholders. This new Department has been established with a clear mandate to work with all stakeholders to strengthen Ireland’s R&I ecosystem, drive reform and collaboration, and enhance outcomes which contribute to meeting societal, economic and global challenges.
The new strategy will set a vision and ambition for Ireland’s research and innovation system that all relevant actors will identify with and contribute to, with ambitious yet achievable national strategic goals and objectives out to 2030. Action-led Work Programmes will map out specific deliverables over shorter timescales. This will enable agility and responsiveness over the full period of the strategy and a strong focus on delivery and reform.
I expect to bring the new strategy to Cabinet this month with publication thereafter.The strategy will be executed within the parameters of the recently revised National Development Plan to 2025 and the annual Estimates processes for all Government Departments.
Talent will form a priority pillar within the Strategy and students will be an important area of explicit focus within that. The work of the National Advisory Forum for the National Framework on Doctoral Education will be advanced during the course of the Strategy, including progressing the imperative for a consistent research student experience.
Significant progress has been made in gender equality in the public research system in recent years. The 2016 HEA National Review of Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education Institutions and the Gender Action Plan 2018-2020 have been developed by the Higher Education Authority to inform the implementation of a gender equality framework in Irish higher education.
As part of this framework, the HEA Centre of Excellence for Gender Equality was established in June 2019, evolving into the HEA Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion in August 2020. In addition to the work in the broad area of EDI, the Centre oversees a number of initiatives in relation to gender equality in higher education, including the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative to award 45 professorships to address gender-underrepresentation, Gender Equality Enhancement Fund, the annual publication of staff data by gender, and the roll out of the Athena SWAN Charter. Certification under the latter Charter is now a funding requirement of the major research funders in Ireland.
I have recently announced a review of gender equality in Irish higher education institutions. This Review will assess the progress made since the first review in 2016. The final report will include an overview of gender equality in Irish Higher Education, focusing on what has worked well, what has not, and what the next steps should be. It is expected to be published in late 2022.
The new Research and Innovation Strategy will continue this progress and we will expand its remit to reflect the wider inclusion agenda, as articulated in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science’s 2021-2023 Statement of Strategy. My ambition is that over the course of the period covered by the strategy, we will bear witness to a more diverse research community that better reflects the society in which we live, in addition to greater integration of equality, diversity and inclusion issues into research activity itself.
163. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated increase in Exchequer spending that would be required to bring Ireland in line with the OECD average for spending on higher education as a share of GDP; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18686/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no officially published statistics for 2022 which provide the full information covering expenditure on higher education as a proportion of national income of the type requested by the Deputy. It is therefore not possible to definitively calculate the costs sought.
For International comparisons I can advise that the OECD, as part of its Education at a Glance publication, provides an assessment of expenditure on tertiary education as a proportion of GDP. In Ireland this includes further and higher education. Expenditure covers not just government expenditure but also expenditure by households; and expenditure from international and private sources. For Ireland, the most recent OECD report based on financial data for 2018 suggests tertiary education expenditure represented 0.9% of GDP, compared to an OECD average of 1.4%. However, in reality this data does not provide a meaningful comparative analysis, given that GDP is not regarded as a good measure of the size of the domestic economy in Ireland. This is borne out by the fact that average figures for expenditure per student at tertiary level were slightly above the OECD average.
In terms of a more meaningful and recent comparison it is possible to give a general approximation of GDP, GNI and modified GNI proportions for the publicly funded Higher Education system, comprising funding investment by my Department towards grant funding and student support expenditure. Based on the Central Statistics Office's assessment of the size of the economy in 2020 and expenditure on higher education via my Department for that year, the proportion of national income on higher education and student support was in the order of:
- Around 0.6% as a proportion of GDP;
- Around 0.8% as a proportion of GNI.
- Around 1.1% as a proportion of modified GNI, which is the measure which most accurately represents the size of the Irish economy.
It is also important to say that public investment in higher education through my Departments allocation is on an upward trend, and now stands at €2.4 billion. Annual current expenditure has increased by 40% since 2015. I am committed to continuing the process of investing in our higher education system and to the development and implementation of a sustainable funding, reform and performance model for the sector
164. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated amount it would cost to reduce the student contribution charge by €1,000; the estimated amount it would cost to abolish the student contribution charge completely; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the outset it is important to highlight the very substantial financial support, currently well in excess of half a billion euros, provided by the taxpayer towards tuition fees and the student contribution for students in higher education. This comprises State funding of tuition costs amounting to over €357m for more than 146,000 eligible higher education students in 2020/2021. It also includes €190m paid by the Exchequer under the Student Grant Scheme in respect of all or some of the €3,000 student contribution which benefits over 65,000 or 45% of free fees eligible students.
The student contribution replaced the student registration fees levied by Higher Education Institutions and while the student contribution now stands at €3,000, it is important to recognise that there has been no increase in the student contribution charge since 2014/15.
The estimated costs of providing for a reduced student contribution, after an associated reduction in the student grant support budget, in 2022/2023 are set out below:
- €1,000 [reduce to €2,000]: would cost the Department an estimated €85.3million per annum
- €3,000 reduction and removal would cost the Department an estimated €256million per annum
The above estimates are based on the number of students that qualified for free fees funding in the academic year 2020/21; taking into account overall projected increase in student numbers and net of the associated reduction in the student grant scheme budget which is paid by the exchequer on behalf of eligible students.
165. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to form a new consortium in relation to forming an additional technological university with DKIT and or another higher education institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18688/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the establishment of South East Technological University on 01 May 2022, there will be just two stand alone Institutes of Technology remaining on the higher education landscape. Both these Institutes are pursuing separate trajectories to achieve technological university (TU) status and both are receiving Transformation Fund assistance. In addition, Dundalk Institute of Technology is receiving support from a special advisor from the Higher Education Authority (HEA), Dr. Ruaidhri Neavyn, in relation to its proposals to achieve TU status.
Given the need to demonstrate the ability to achieve the TU eligibility criteria metrics in order to achieve their ambitions, and given the network of TUs now established and in view, it is more likely the Institutes' ambition to become part of a multi-campus TU will de facto require to be considered under the legislative approach prescribed in section 38 of the Technological Universities Act 2018 which provides for the merger of an Institute of Technology with an existing TU.
However, it is a matter for the governing body of each Institute to decide where that Institute positions itself on the higher education landscape. My Department is not aware of any proposals by the relevant Institutes to form a new TU development consortium at this time.
The Department and the HEA will continue to support as appropriate both Institutes in seeking to achieve TU status as desired.
166. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total annual student contribution charge to each consortia-led apprenticeship for each phase in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18864/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMost apprentices complete part of their off-the-job training in a higher education institution, for which they are required to pay a student contribution.
The amount payable is a proportion of the annual student contribution for students attending a full-time course in higher education.
Please find attached the annual student contribution charge for each consortia-led apprenticeship calculated for the duration of the programme. There is no annual student contribution charge required for the programmes marked €0.
