Written Answers Nos. 1243-1260
1243. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); if any funding schemes are available to this person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29435/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. To qualify for grant support, a student has to meet various criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression.
Approved undergraduate courses for the Student Grant Scheme 2022 are prescribed in the Student Support Regulations 2022 and in the Student Support Act 2011. SUSI grant funding for courses in the UK is limited to undergraduate courses only.
In general, students attending approved undergraduate courses in the UK can apply for a maintenance grant provided they meet the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme. The Regulations prescribe that an approved undergraduate course is a full-time course leading to a major higher education and training award which takes a minimum of two years to complete in an approved institution.
Details of the Student Grant Scheme can be found at www.susi.ie
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
1244. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of modern methods of construction apprentices hired in 2020 and 2021, in tabular form (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29694/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA key objective of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is to ensure the apprenticeship system will increase its contribution to meeting Ireland’s skills and human capital requirements by delivering a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum by 2025.
There are currently 65 apprenticeship programmes, 25 craft programmes and 40 programmes introduced since 2016. Construction related programmes include electrical, plumbing, carpentry and joinery, plastering, painting and decorating and the recently launched scaffolding apprenticeship. Apprenticeships are also in development in roofing and cladding (L5) and advanced quantity surveyor (L9).
Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is used to describe a range of offsite manufacturing and onsite techniques that provide alternatives to traditional house building. Typical MMC systems include timber frame, steel frame, and precast concrete. The Construction Industry Federation’s report on Modern Methods of Construction can be found here: cif.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/1271-CIF-Modern-Methods-of-Construction-Report-v4.pdf
To clarify, there is no MMC apprenticeship but rather several apprenticeships related to the construction sector. For these specific apprenticeships, a list of construction and green related apprenticeships and registrations for 2020 and 2021 has been attached.
1245. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of the changes to the student grant scheme in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29726/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI, provides grant assistance to students pursuing an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. It assists over 70,000 students annually to access third level education.
The eligibility criteria for student grants are reviewed annually by my Department and approved by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All proposals made in relation to education expenditure, including student grants, are considered in the context of the annual Budget.
As part of Budget 2022, I have secured an additional €15m to enhance the existing financial supports under the Student Grant Scheme.
For the academic year 2022/23 this will mean:-
- An increase to all student grant maintenance payments, including the special rate of grant, of €200 per year which will benefit all students entitled to receive a maintenance Grant.
- The income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant has been increased by €1,000.
- The qualifying distance criterion for students to qualify for the non-adjacent rate of grant has been reduced from 45km to 30km, effective from the start of the 2022/23 academic year.
I have prioritised these changes for the 2022/23 academic year and they will benefit thousands of students. As I look towards the next budgetary cycle, I will be examining all the levers I have to address the issue of education costs in a way that has impact for students and families.
1246. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10%; and the number of places that this would create for medicine. [29910/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1248. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10%; and the number of places that this would create for nursing and midwifery for each specialism. [29912/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1249. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10%; and the number of places that this would create for dentistry. [29913/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1250. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10%; and the number of places that this would create for speech and language therapy. [29914/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1251. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10%; and the number of places that this would create for physiotherapy. [29915/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1252. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10%; and the number of places that this would create for occupational therapy. [29916/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1253. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10% and the number of places that this would create for psychology. [29917/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1254. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10% and the number of places that this would create for pharmacy. [29918/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1255. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10% and the number of places that this would create for medical science. [29919/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1256. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10% and the number of places that this would create for paramedicine/paramedical studies. [29920/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1257. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10% and the number of places that this would create for clinical nutrition and dietetics. [29921/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1258. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10% and the number of places that this would create for counselling and psychotherapy. [29922/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1259. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing Irish and European Union undergraduate places by 10% and the number of places that this would create for social work. [29923/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1246, 1248, 1249, 1250, 1251, 1252, 1253, 1254, 1255, 1256, 1257, 1258 and 1259 together.
The costs incurred by a Higher Education Institution in increasing student places on a particular course can vary depending on a variety of factors including the type of course and the individual circumstances of the relevant Higher Education Institution. It is therefore not possible to definitively calculate the costs sought.
To provide the Deputy with an indication of the potential costs associated with increased places the Higher Education Authority (HEA) has provided the following estimate. Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), the estimated cost of a 10% increase in full-time undergraduate students (excluding Non-EU fee paying students) is c.156,000,000 – €188,000,000. This based on an average cost of €10,000 - €12,000 per student. Please note this estimate excludes any additional costings which may be met by other agencies or departments.
In terms of student numbers in the specific undergraduate courses queried the HEA provided the below estimates:
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments where Social Work (or equivalent) is included in the title of the programme (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), a 10% increase in enrolments would create c.34 additional social work student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time and part-time enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students) where counselling and psychotherapy is included in the title of the programmes, a 10% increase would create c.25 additional student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate programmes where nutrition and dietetics is included in the title of the programmes, a 10% increase in enrolments would create c.128 additional nutrition and dietetic student places.
- Based on 2020/21 all full-time programmes where paramedic is included in the title of the programme, a 10% increase in enrolments would create c.36 additional student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU enrolments) where medical science and biomedical science is included in the title of the programme, a 10% increase would create c.53 additional student places
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), a 10% increase would create c.70 additional pharmacy student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), a 10% increase would create c.195 additional psychology (undergraduate Level 8 honours degree programmes where psychology is included in the title of the programme) student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), a 10% increase in enrolments would create c.39 occupational therapy student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), a 10% increase in enrolments would create c.61 additional physiotherapy student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), a 10% increase in enrolments would create c.35 additional speech and language therapy student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), a 10% increase in enrolments would create c.28 additional dentistry student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), a 10% increase in enrolments would create c.714 additional nursing and midwifery student places.
- Based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), a 10% increase in enrolments would create c.347 additional undergraduate medicine student places.
1247. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of purchasing 50 additional places for Irish and European Union students on medicine courses. [29911/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe costs incurred by a Higher Education Institution in increasing student places on a particular course can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the individual circumstances of the relevant Higher Education Institution.
My Department acknowledges that the current funding levels are not sustainable for the provision of medical education. Extensive engagement is ongoing between my Officials, the Department of Health the HEA and the Medical Schools to formalise a sustainable approach to the provision of medical education including an expansion in the numbers of places. We expect to conclude this work shortly, and are committed to the provision of a significant number of additional places for September 2022.
1260. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing funded postgraduate places by 10% and the number of places that this would create for clinical psychology. [29924/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department allocates funding to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to designated HEIs. The HEA provides block grant funding to the Higher Education Sector, from within the allocation available, through the Recurrent Grant Allocation Model (RGAM) which is driven by overall student numbers. The grant is allocated as a block grant and the internal allocation is a matter for each institution.
In terms of clinical psychology places, my Department understands there is a longstanding arrangement in place under which the HSE recruit Trainee Clinical Psychologists and sponsor their training in order to encourage employment with the HSE of suitably qualified professionals. This arrangement is made by the HSE and is not the responsibility of my Department. The question of any costs associated with increasing the number of such funded places are matters for consideration by the appropriate recruiting bodies.
In terms of student numbers, I can advise that, based on 2020/21 full-time postgraduate clinical psychology enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students), the Higher Education Authority (HEA) estimate a 10% increase would create c.19 additional student places.
