Written Answers Nos. 673-692
673. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) will be given a Meitheal services appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34494/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that this request has been forwarded to Tusla for follow up and direct reply.
674. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will commit to fixing the anomaly in the legislation to ensure women and pregnant people can defer their maternity leave while undergoing cancer treatment or any other serious illness. [34593/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Maternity Protection Acts 1994-2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional three months of unpaid leave; alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks which I intend to extend to two years following the birth of the child through a Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill to be brought to Government shortly.
The Acts include provisions for the postponement of maternity leave in the event of the hospitalisation of the child and for the termination of additional unpaid maternity leave in the event of illness of the mother.
However, all forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure they are effective in supporting families and children. Therefore I have asked my officials to examine the issues raised by the Irish Cancer Society regarding the deferral of maternity leave where a mother falls ill during that period.
675. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action that his Department is taking to address the failure of many education and training boards to keep contracts of indefinite duration and pensions up-to-date of adult education tutors considering many have contracts of indefinite duration dating back to 2015; the action that is being taken to ensure that all tutors who are entitled to contracts of indefinite duration receive them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34383/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra676. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all adult education tutors receive the same salary with pension and sick pay entitlements no matter what area of the country they are working in; if the increase which is awarded to staff as set out in circular letter 0052/2021 will also apply to all of these employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34384/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra677. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action that will be taken to ensure that the rate of pay for adult educator tutors in the Cork Education and Training Board is in line with the rates paid in other education and training boards; if consideration will be given to include increments for qualifications or prior service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34385/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra678. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all adult education tutors will be entitled to receive holiday pay in the same way as all other employees of the education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34386/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 675, 676, 677 and 678 together.
The 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) employ Tutors to deliver various Adult, Community and Further Education programmes. Tutors are typically employed on a part-time basis and are generally paid at the unqualified teacher rates. These are €43.36 per hour for Pre-2011 Entrants plus 8% Holiday Pay (paid thrice yearly), giving an overall total of €46.83 per hour and €39.02 per hour for 2011 entrants plus 8% Holiday Pay (paid thrice yearly), giving an overall total of €42.14 per hour. While these rates are those generally paid to tutors across the sector, I understand that there are some differences in the pay arrangements across the ETBs. My officials are confirming the position regarding Cork ETB and I will advise the Deputy when this is confirmed.
A range of industrial relations issues pertaining to adult education tutors have been under discussion for several years under the aegis of the then Department of Education and Skills preceding the establishment of my Department. Significant progress has been made in resolving key elements, which include, the issuing in 2017, of a Circular in relation to an agreement to a consistent formula or method of awarding Contracts of Indefinite Duration (CIDs) across ETBs. Agreement was also reached in November 2019, in respect of access to leave schemes, paid leave and access to the appropriate public sector pension scheme. This agreement did not include self-financing tutors (who are ineligible for public service pension scheme membership) or those tutors who were employed prior to 2008 and who previously turned down the option of joining the pension scheme.
It is the responsibility of ETBs to ensure the circulars are implemented. My Department will liaise with the Department of Education to follow up with any ETB not abiding by the conditions of awarding CIDs and welcomes any information the Deputy can provide regarding this matter.
The Department of Education has regulatory responsibility for the ETB Sector and has advised that the application of pay increases to retired staff of the ETB Sector is a matter for the NSSO. Officials have advised that the application of increases in some instances are complex and were delayed due to restrictions imposed by the pandemic. The Department of Education has established a working group to work with the Sector and the NSSO and expects that all relevant increases will be paid by the end of the year.
The claim to align adult education tutors to a pay scale of an existing grade in ETBs remains unresolved. The Labour Court recommended in 2020 that the Department identify the scale of cost it was prepared or able to absorb and make an offer within those parameters given the constraints applying under FEMPI legislation and the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) in relation to cost-increasing claims.
My Department is liaising with the Department of Education and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with a view to finalising the official position at the earliest opportunity. An assessment of the costs involved in any alignment to a pay scale is being undertaken as part of this work. Officials met with TUI and SIPTU representatives recently and it was agreed that a Working Group would be established to assist in that work.
Arising from the work of the group, I expect that my Department will in a position make a proposal to staff representatives in the coming weeks with a view to resolving this issue.
679. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the refusal of her Department to allow University College Cork to sanction payments due to employees of Tyndall Institute, Cork (details supplied); and if she will allow University College, Cork to implement the 2009 Labour Court recommendation relating to these employees. [34479/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from my officials that there is ongoing engagement on this matter between University management and trade union representatives. I also understand that the parties are being supported in their endeavors by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) and therefore it would not be appropriate for me to become involved in the matter.
The WRC works to bring the relevant parties together in order to resolve industrial relations matters and to encourage the use of the industrial relations mechanisms available and I am supportive of this work.
Where disputes exist, Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) are encouraged to use these industrial relation mechanisms to find a resolution. HEIs are autonomous and it is important that I recognise that, and the industrial relations machinery in place.
680. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 140 of 15 June 2022, if the case of the person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33644/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom enquiries made by my officials with Kerry Education and Training Board, I understand that the person concerned is employed as a tutor under a contract of indefinite duration. The person is not employed as a teacher and does not have a contract of employment as a teacher with Kerry ETB. All teacher positions within Kerry ETB are publicly advertised.
If the Deputy wishes to provide further detail on what he wishes to be investigated, I can engage directly with him.
681. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the State boards that are under his remit; the details of each State board; the details of all the persons who are currently on each board in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33833/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation on the State boards of the aegis bodies under the remit of my Department, including details of the persons currently serving on each board, is set out in the attached document.
For the Deputy's information, details of the State Bodies that fall under the remit of my Department, are available on the gov.ie website at the following link; Boards under Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (per.gov.ie) The Deputy may note that the DIAS Council and Student Grants Appeal Board are noted on this site as Boards under the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science but not included in the attached document.
The document attached contains the details of the eight bodies known to us as “non commercial State Bodies” or "aegis bodies". Neither the DIAS Council nor the Student Grant Appeals Board are deemed to be an “aegis body”.
682. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he intends to increase domestic productivity of the research and innovation sector by 2.5% per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33873/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraImpact 2030 will intensify our commitment to Ireland’s knowledge-based economy, increasing and deepening enterprise research and innovation activity, which will be central to long-term economic and social sustainability at national and regional level.
My Department works closely with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, which will be leading on Impact 2030's commitment to ensuring that innovation drives enterprise success.
Increasing productivity will all add to the resilience of Irish businesses, preparing them to continue to succeed in an increasingly competitive global market. As such, increasing indigenous productivity by 2.5% per annum is a key target for Enterprise Ireland in its recently published strategy, Leading in a Changing World.
One of the core strategic objectives will be to boost the productivity of established businesses and connect enterprises with innovation opportunities at home and internationally, maximising their growth and job creation potential. Enterprise Ireland will deliver targeted initiatives to boost productivity and scale start-ups and established companies with high growth potential.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment through its agency Enterprise Ireland and working with the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) and others will prioritise the development of a strong pipeline of companies with the potential to internationalise and grow their productivity, providing a clear pathway for progression from the LEOs to Enterprise Ireland for small companies with the potential to export.
Key drivers for productivity growth in indigenous industries will include the creation and exploitation of intangible assets including intellectual property, technology, and managerial and specialist skills. It is also clear that leveraging digital technology to improve productivity and profitability will develop new market opportunities. Increased levels of investment in innovation, digital adoption and transformation are essential to strengthen the productivity and operational effectiveness of Irish enterprise, developing high value products and services and delivering competitiveness on international markets.
Enterprise Ireland will drive a major increase in digital adoption and transformation by Irish enterprise, helping to strengthen competitiveness and productivity across people, processes and technology.
Initiatives include:
- Working with the LEO Centre of Excellence to deliver digitalisation awareness, supports and content across EI and LEO client bases.
- Driving SME awareness of and connectivity to new European Digital Innovation Hubs, Digital Cluster, Tech Centres and wider infrastructure across SME base.
- Formally establish up to 4 European Digital Innovation Hubs to support the digital transformation of Irish SMEs, as part of wider programme of digitalisation support to Irish enterprise.
- Leverage strategic partnerships with key digital platforms, including extending HPSU partnership agreement with MNCs to include an SME digitalisation focus (MoU with Google across SMEs and LEOs).
- Enterprise Ireland will develop and launch new International Selling Programme, with a focus on digital marketing/ transformation, with new products/services.
- Delivery of short flexible Sales & Marketing programmes (virtual selling, Digital Lead Generation, Value Proposition, Market intelligence, channel management, etc) including targeted roll out to LEO clients.
- Adapting Enterprise Ireland leadership programmes (building in Digital transformation, Sustainability and ESG as required).
- Provision of Digital manufacturing course (with Solas).
- Capability building in Digitalisation and cybersecurity (with Skillsnet).
- Development of online portal/tools to support 1 to many digitalisation capability, skills building and provide access to information, exemplar case studies, external online training, signposting to supports, and MNC partner content for SME digitalisation.
- Launch awareness building campaign on digitalisation, to meet gaps identified around knowledge & awareness, skills, technology adoption and access to finance.
- Delivery of new Digital Transition Fund (NRRF), in 2022 to support digital adoption across Irish enterprise through one-to-many online supports (for EI and LEO clients) and one-to-one funding supports (including RD&I).
- Enabling clients to avail of EU Digital Funding (European Enterprise Network; EIC).
- Expanding training grants (beyond LEAN) to allow firms engage 3rd party providers to boost management skills across core functional and transformational (digital, sustainability) areas.
- Grad Start and enhanced key manager grants focusing on new areas (Digital, Climate).
- Build out digital sales and marketing hub/expertise to develop new products/services to embed digital marketing capability across the client base (e.g., digitalisation voucher).
- Introduce New Exporter Scorecard and supports to increase number of digital exporters micro/SME.
- Mapping the exporter journey and fully develop the engagement model maximising digital by default delivery.
Additionally, Housing for All is the government’s housing plan to 2030. Under this plan, Enterprise Ireland, along with other agencies, will undertake initiatives to drive an increase in the levels of innovation and productivity in the construction sector. In line with the objectives under Housing for All, Enterprise Ireland will provide targeted advisory and technology assistance to the construction sector to deliver an increase in innovation and productivity.
Enterprise Ireland will support the construction sector to deliver an increase in innovation and productivity through the launch of a new Construction Technology Innovation Centre.
683. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out a timeline for the undertaking of a comprehensive review of the impact of research and innovation in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33874/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraImpact 2030 includes plans for a comprehensive impact review. Given its relevance and importance to both existing investment and the nature of any future investment in research and innovation, it will be progressed as part of the Strategy's first Work Programme, i.e. during the 2022 to 2024 period.
684. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he intends to establish a new research and innovation policy advisory forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33875/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra685. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the mechanism by which the new research and innovation policy advisory forum will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33876/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra686. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he intends to establish the Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy steering group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33877/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 684, 685 and 686 together.
Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy sets out a whole of Government ambition for research and innovation in Ireland out to 2030. The overarching purpose of Impact 2030 is to maximise the impact of research and innovation on multiple national priorities. Grounded in extensive consultation and analysis, it will progress objectives that are shared across the Irish research and innovation system.
Key to ensuring successful implementation of Impact 2030 is the establishment of strong governance and oversight structures. Strong R&I strategy advisory, governance and oversight structures will ensure that R&I plays a central role in delivering on Government policies, articulating the impact of R&I on our economy and society and advocating for increased public and private investment in R&I.
As announced in the strategy, I will be chairing a new national R&I Advisory Forum. The Forum will provide an agreed structure for engagement between members of the research and innovation community and policy decision makers. The composition of the Forum is currently being developed by officials in my department. It is intended that the first meeting will take place in early 2023.
We will strengthen policy direction and collaboration on R&I and ensure implementation of the strategy with the establishment of an Impact 2030 Steering Group and an Impact 2030 Implementation Forum. These structures will underpin the whole-of-Government nature of this strategy. It is planned that the first meeting of each of these two groups will take place in July.
687. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of persons who are employed by his Department; the number who are currently working remotely; and the estimated number of persons in his Department who ordinarily worked from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33976/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 223 (213.37 FTE[1]) people currently employed by my Department. A phased return to a physical attendance in the workplace commenced for staff members in the Department following the easing of Government restrictions on 21 January and most staff are currently attending the office for at least two days per week and working remotely for the remaining days. Following the publication of the Blended Working Policy Framework for the Civil Service by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, TD, a blended working policy for my Department is being developed based on the overarching framework and tailored for our business requirements. It is planned to roll this out to staff in quarter 3 of this year. As my Department was established in August 2020, after the onset of COVID-19, there were no staff members ordinarily working from home prior to the pandemic.
[1] Fulltime equivalent
688. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Cabinet decision on increasing the amount that a SUSI applicant can earn will apply to applications already in process. [34147/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraReckonable income under the Student Grant Scheme is household income from all sources including income from a student’s employment.
When assessing reckonable income under the Student Grant scheme it is the previous year’s income that is assessed. Therefore applications to SUSI for the academic year 2022/2023 are assessed based on household income earned in 2021. The increase of the deduction to €6,552 as agreed by Cabinet on 21/06/22 will be reflected in the Student Grant Scheme for 2023 as it is only at that stage that SUSI would consider student’s income that is earned in non-term time for 2022.
While the 2023 Scheme will not be finalised until 2023 I secured Government approval at this point so that students could be informed of the proposed change and make them aware that they can earn up to €6,552 during non-term time in 2022 without being concerned that it will affect their eligibility for a student grant.
Income from an applicant’s employment which represents holiday earnings outside of term time but within the reference period up to a maximum of €4,500 for the 2022/23 scheme may be deducted from the total reckonable income assessed.
689. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI attempts to recoup payments in instances in which further and higher institutions have received fee grants by SUSI from overpayments; if so, the amount of overpayment in fee grants identified by SUSI in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and the amount recouped for these years. [34592/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe complex nature of the student grant scheme means that there is a risk that some students receive grant payments for which they are not eligible, including for reasons beyond the direct control of SUSI. This can also result in some instances in fee grants being paid to institutions on behalf of students.
To mitigate the risk of over payments, SUSI implements procedural and system-based controls within its application assessment and grant payment operations. A highly developed quality assurance programme is implemented within the assessment process and a focused programme of independent post-assessment reviews are also performed across targeted risk areas.
The critical objective for SUSI is to identify and rectify errors on a timely basis before a grant is awarded and thus before any over payment can arise. Issues identified from quality and post-assessment reviews are fed back into the assessment process through feedback and training on a current basis.
The following table illustrates the amount of over payments in fee grants identified by SUSI in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022.
|
Academic Year |
Instances |
Fees Overpaid |
Fees Recouped (from colleges) |
|
2018/19 |
198 |
€336,853.89 |
€315,694.54 |
|
2019/20 |
141 |
€261,579.89 |
€258,579.89 |
|
2020/21 |
204 |
€310,418.51 |
€310,418.51 |
|
2021/22 |
1* |
€3,000.00* |
€3,000.00* |
*Data for current academic year (2021/22) may change as processing is ongoing.
690. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice the most appropriate visa for a non-EEA national over 18 years of age and who is also a dependant family member of a stamp 4 visa holder, who wishes to pursue an apprenticeship rather than enrol in full-time education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33612/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe nationality of the person referred to by the Deputy is not specified. If the person concerned is unsure as to whether they require a visa or preclearance to enter Ireland they can check their nationality on the list at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Immigration-Service-Delivery-Visa-and-Non-Visa-Required-Countries.pdf.
In order to work in Ireland, a non-EEA national, unless they are exempted, must hold a valid employment permit from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE). Full details of the various types of employment permits available can be found on that Department's website at:
enterprise.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Workplace-and-Skills/Employment-Permits/.
After being granted an employment permit from DETE, the person must, if they are a visa required national, then apply for a long stay employment visa, also called a 'D' visa, from my Department.
Further details on long stay employment visas may be found at the following link:
www.irishimmigration.ie/coming-to-work-in-ireland/.
Anyone that wishes to make a visa application must do so online at:
www.visas.inis.gov.ie/avats/OnlineHome.aspx.
691. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions from arrest for anti-social behaviour from the Ballincollig Garda station in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. [33655/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra692. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions from arrest from the Ballincollig Garda station in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. [33656/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 691 and 692 together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the Courts Service is responsible for the administration of the Courts system. I have been advised by the Courts Service that it is not possible to provide the data requested by the Deputy as the Courts Service does not record convictions against the Garda station in which a convicted person was arrested.
For the Deputy's information, the Central Statistics Office (CSO) is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. The CSO produces these statistics using data recorded on An Garda Síochána’s PULSE system and makes regular releases under reservation in relation to various crime statistics, including recorded and detected crime. The CSO continues to work with An Garda Síochána to address quality issues in the underlying sources used to compile the statistics.
The table below, from the publicly available data on the CSO's website, shows the number of recorded crime offences in the Ballincollig Garda Station for the years requested.
|
Type of Offence |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Attempts/threats to murder, assaults, harassments and related offences |
65 |
63 |
63 |
65 |
|
Dangerous or negligent acts |
33 |
23 |
20 |
25 |
|
Kidnapping and related offences |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Robbery, extortion and hijacking offences |
4 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Burglary and related offences |
36 |
25 |
16 |
5 |
|
Theft and related offences |
162 |
143 |
128 |
97 |
|
Fraud, deception and related offences |
14 |
31 |
31 |
68 |
|
Controlled drug offences |
31 |
35 |
32 |
43 |
|
Weapons and Explosives Offences |
3 |
4 |
6 |
6 |
|
Damage to property and to the environment |
63 |
78 |
70 |
94 |
|
Public order and other social code offences |
72 |
107 |
145 |
104 |
|
Offences against government, justice procedures and organisation of crime |
10 |
18 |
20 |
11 |
|
TOTAL |
493 |
529 |
532 |
520 |
The table below shows the total number of public order and other social code offences recorded in Ballincollig Garda Station for the years requested.
|
Year |
Type of Offence |
Number |
|
2018 |
Public order and other social code offences |
72 |
|
2019 |
Public order and other social code offences |
107 |
|
2020 |
Public order and other social code offences |
145 |
|
2021 |
Public order and other social code offences |
104 |
|
TOTAL |
428 |
