Written Answers Nos. 276-291
276. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if assistance will be provided to a person (details supplied) who requires their college transcripts to obtain a United States teaching licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36824/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraQuality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the independent State agency responsible for the external quality assurance of further and higher education and training in Ireland.
In the past, QQI was the awarding body for the provider in question but this relationship concluded in 2018. Where the person in question would have completed a QQI award prior to that date, the person may engage with QQI directly to get a copy of their award information.
Unfortunately, where the person requires very specific or detailed programme information beyond the material that Quality and Qualifications has on record, this information can only be obtained from the provider in question.
277. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI eligibility will be extended to students studying part-time in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36898/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved full-time course at an approved institution. Part-time courses are not currently eligible for support under the 2022 Scheme. In 2021 I approved a review of the Student Grant Scheme to ensure that adequate student supports are in place, alongside the sustainable funding model for the sector. One of the recommendations from the DG Reform’s Structural Reform Support Programme is the need for a policy proposal for the re-design of the higher education funding system in Ireland that would provide equity in access, efficiency in the investment of public resources and sustainability in the face of strong demographic growth.
The Student Grant Scheme review raised the issue of flexible learning citing that many socio economically disadvantaged students would have considered part-time if the option had been available to them. This aligns with the findings of the consultation undertaken for the National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education which identified the need for the sector to provide flexible learning options for people disadvantaged by socio-economic barriers, mature students, students with a disability and members of the travelling community.
I officially launched both reports on May 4th and am committed to implementing the recommendations in a phased way, in the context of successive annual Estimates processes. This summer in advance of the Estimates process, I intend to publish a paper outlining potential options and impacts, to be considered in the Budgetary process, related to the Student Grant scheme and other programmes related to student supports and costs of higher education, including with respect to those priorities identified in the Student Grant Scheme Review.
The issue of potentially expanding part-time delivery of tertiary education in Ireland is a complex one and significant planning will need to be conducted at both national and institution level to manage the significant supply-side impacts on educational institutions. An internal working group has been established within my Department to support lifelong learning and explore the extension of financial supports to include part-time students.
Part-time students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending third level. Students can be assisted towards costs such as rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Students on full or part-time courses leading to a higher education award (NQF level 6-10) in the universities, institutes of technology and other approved colleges can apply for the SAF.
Also, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
278. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the recently announced Innovate for Ireland partnership will be open to applications from persons conducting PhD research in the arts and humanities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36965/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Taoiseach and I recently launched innovate for Ireland, this is a new partnership between industry and the Government to recruit and retain research talent to Ireland.
Innovate for Ireland will commence in 2023 and the initial phase will seek to attract up to 400 high calibre PhD students to undertake research in Ireland that tackles national and global grand challenges such as climate change and climate adaptation; global health and pandemics; water poverty; digital society; cyber-security.
The programme will embrace all relevant disciplines from Science, Technology and Engineering to Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. It will also support excellent curiosity-driven research.
The Irish Research Council and Health Research Board will also participate in the programme and this will be important in supporting the themes selected and the inter-disciplinary nature of the research.
This programme aligns with my Department's Strategy Statement 2021-2023 and also the strategic goals of the Government’s recently launched R&I strategy, Impact 2030.
The next step in implementing this proposal will be a competitive call for proposals from consortia of Higher Education Institutions, this is being developed and should be initiated later this year. Work has been undertaken by my Department, the Higher Education Authority, Irish Research Council, Science Foundation Ireland, Health Research Board and private sponsors on devising a possible call framework.
280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which adequate postgraduates are likely to be available to take up positions in the workplace in the current year and thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36994/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied at the extent to which third level graduates are set to increase in numbers over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36995/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to liaise with academia in order to ensure an adequacy of third or fourth level graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36997/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra286. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of technical places to be available in each of the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra287. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the continued competitive edge for graduates seeking employment in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 280 to 283, inclusive, 286 and 287 together.
One of my goals as Minister is to ensure that potential learners have access to the educational pathways that allow them reach their potential in a way that meets the very broad and rapidly changing needs of our labour force, the economy and society. It is therefore my objective to ensure that there is access into either further or higher education for each person who wishes to pursue educational options at third-level.
Our higher education system has expanded significantly over the past number of years, from 209,300 enrolments in 2014 to 245,700 enrolments in 2020. The most recent projections of full-time enrolment in higher education predict that enrolments will rise a further 13% over the next decade, and work is ongoing to build capacity within the system to accommodate this increase.
Work is also ongoing on an updated set of enrolment projections for higher education, which will further assist in this capacity-building programme of work. My Department does not currently produce specific projections for the number of higher education graduates, as a number of variables can impact graduate output in any one year.
On 28th June, I announced the creation of more than 1,000 places across a range of disciplines. These places were created following extensive engagements between my officials, the HEA and the higher education sector. The places are in areas of key skills needs, as identified by the national skills architecture, and will be permanent additions in the system. Some of the areas in which these places are being created include ICT, Architecture and Construction, Nursing and other healthcare, Engineering and Environment.
There are a number of key strategies in place at all levels to ensure we meet existing and future skills demands. These include policies designed to ensure a pipeline of suitably qualified science and technical graduates, and initiatives to equip young people and the working population more generally with the skills and capacity to meet these demands. Central to shaping these strategies is the partnership approach between the Further and Higher Education system and Government, Industry, the National Skills Council, the National Training Fund Advisory Group, the Regional Skills Fora and the Apprenticeship Council.
The National Skills Council (NSC) within its remit advises on the prioritisation of identified skills needs and on how to secure delivery of these needs. Key high level trends identified at recent NSC meetings include automation and digitisation, digital literacy and transversal skills. Information on these trends is then used to formulate our skills strategies and initiatives such as the National Skills Strategy 2025; Technology Skills 2022; Springboard+ and the Human Capital Initiative.
My Department will continue to advance efforts to ensure that Ireland offers learning opportunities to all who wish to pursue then, and produces the graduates the workforce needs with the skills that our economy and society require.
282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent that his Department continues to liaise with industry to ensure an adequate supply of technical graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36996/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has a highly developed national skills system across further and higher education and apprenticeship, lifelong learning and human capital development, under the framework of the National Skills Strategy, and underpinned by strong partnership with key stakeholders. It is firmly focused on responding in an agile and flexible way to priority skill needs, and to changes in the world of work driven by technology, to ensure Ireland has a skilled and productive workforce.
The National Skills Council and Regional Skills Fora operating under the National Skills Strategy, foster engagement, dialogue, and collaboration between relevant Government Departments and agencies, the education and training system, the enterprise agencies, and enterprise representatives in relation to skills priorities.
The skills ecosystem also encompasses the labour market information entities including the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit in SOLAS and the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs. This skills infrastructure informs and drives responsive and flexible forecasting, planning, and provision to meet skills requirements across all sectors of the economy. It has an important role to play in identifying skills provision shortfalls to be addressed by the education and training system and concerns relating to labour shortages in particular sectors that relate to other factors.
Through 2022, Ireland, in partnership with the OECD, is reviewing Ireland’s skills strategies, policies and approaches. This will be central to our economic and social sustainability against the backdrop of major trends impacting on the workforce and society including digitalisation and climate transition. The work of the OECD is firmly grounded in extensive stakeholder consultation, including specific engagements focused on the needs of regional enterprises and SMEs.
284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of women who now hold positions of seniority in all third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Higher Education Authority collects gender disaggregated staff data from Irish higher education institutions (HEIs) that are in receipt of annual core-grant funding. This data is collated in the Higher Education Institutional Staff Profiles by Gender, which provide information on key indicators which contribute to the assessment of gender equality in Irish HEIs and offer a valuable baseline from which progress can be measured. There is a continued increase in the representation of females in HEI leadership (which now stands at 50%), in governance and management structures and at senior academic levels. In the University sector the percentage of female professors has risen from 19% in 2016 when the Staff Profiles were first published to 30% at the end of 2021. The profiles are published annually and can be accessed on HEA website. I also draw the Deputy's attention to Athena Swan and the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative (SALI) which support the advancement of women in third level academia.
285. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent, if any, to which third level status is being sought by any further institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is not aware of any education providers or other institutions that are seeking to become higher education providers at this time.
Further Education and Training providers can apply for QQI validation if they wish to offer HE awards, we are currently unaware of any applications for QQI validation.
The strategic positioning on the higher education landscape of existing providers is a matter for the governing bodies of each institution.
In recent years we have seen significant development in the technological higher education sector, with the establishment of 5 technological universities. The strategic positioning of the remaining two Institutes of Technology, Dundalk Institute of Technology and Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, remains a matter for their governing bodies with Dundalk in particular expressing interest in pursuing a trajectory to achieve technological university (TU) status while IADT is understood to be embarking on a strategic review in the near future.
288. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice the research that has been conducted or the representations from her Department that have been made on finding a mechanism to streamline the Garda vetting process for artists working on projects with children in order to create a clear process which protects children but eliminates necessity for multiple Garda vetting applications of up to 20 times per annum as reported by practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36804/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, vetting applications are an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department have any role in the processing of individual vetting applications.
The Deputy will be aware that the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. It is carried out by An Garda Síochána in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate the importance of this task and the need for it to be carried out thoroughly and correctly.
The Deputy may be aware that Garda Vetting Review Group was established in April 2021 and meets regularly to discuss proposals regarding potential amendments to vetting legislation. This Group includes members of the National Vetting Bureau in An Garda Síochána and officials from my Department, Tusla and other relevant parties. The primary focus of the Group is to deliberate on and formulate recommendations to strengthen the vetting legislation in an effective manner. The Group is due to report by the end of this year. Issues to be considered by the Group include any changes which may be possible around the matter of re-vetting.
289. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for citizenship (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36784/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the information provided by the Deputy, it is not possible for my Department to confirm if an application for naturalisation has been received. However, all applications for naturalisation and general queries received in respect of same are dealt with in chronological order by date received.
When applications for a certificate of naturalisation are received by the Citizenship Division of my Department, they are subject to an initial check/examination. The Citizenship Division is currently completing initial checks on applications received in December 2021.
On completion of the initial checks, my Department will contact the applicant to assign them an application number and issue an acknowledgment to the address given at the time of making the application.
I can confirm that the person concerned has permission to remain in the State on stamp 4 conditions until 20 March 2023.
I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department has continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions.
However, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case, the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, and my Department's response to the Ukraine crisis has regrettably resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
290. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications received, granted, refused and still under consideration and refusals appealed under the scheme for regularisation of undocumented persons by month since the scheme opened in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36789/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department opened the once-in-a generation scheme for the Regularisation of Long Term Undocumented Migrants in the State on 31 January 2022 for a six month period. The scheme is designed, following detailed engagement with the people affected, to give long-term undocumented people without a current immigration permission the chance to regularise their status, access the labour market and begin their path to citizenship.
The scheme genuinely is a once-off, life-changing opportunity to obtain status in the State. I encourage everyone eligible for the scheme, who has not yet made an application, to do so before the closing date. I can assure people that we are examining applications pragmatically and humanely and we are considering all viable proofs of residence.
If the Deputy is aware of someone who might be eligible for the scheme please encourage them to come forward. Applicants will be supported in a positive way and if they are not eligible for the scheme, other immigration options can be explored.
Applications can be made online at: inisonline.jahs.ie. Full details regarding the qualifying criteria, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document and the required documentation for the Scheme is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/regularisation-of-long-term-undocumented-migrant-scheme/.
The figures requested by the Deputy are set out in the table below.
|
Regularisation Scheme |
Applications Received |
No of Persons |
Granted applications to date* |
Unsuccessful/ineligible applications |
Appeals received |
|
January |
341 |
364 |
- |
0 |
0 |
|
February |
2508 |
3206 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
March |
987 |
1285 |
148 |
0 |
0 |
|
April |
528 |
669 |
248 |
0 |
0 |
|
May |
457 |
628 |
539 |
0 |
0 |
|
June |
512 |
588 |
308 |
0 |
0 |
|
July – up to 4th |
19 |
12 |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
5352 |
6752 |
1250 |
0 |
0 |
*Refers to the month in which the application was granted, not necessarily the month in which the application was received.
Details in relation to the separate international protection strand of the scheme are set out in the table below.
|
IPO strand of the Regularisation Scheme |
Applications Received |
No of Persons |
Granted applications to date |
Withdrawn/ineligible applications |
Appeals received |
|
From 07/02 to 01/07 |
2138 |
2138 |
438* |
250 |
0 |
*An additional 444 applicants received an equivalent permission granted by another International Protection Office (IPO) Unit before their application under the scheme was finalised.
291. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application to regularise undocumented status (details supplied); if this application has been acknowledged and is being processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36790/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 20 February 2022 and continues to be processed. Applications to the scheme are submitted online and once the appropriate fee is paid the online system acknowledges the application.
Due to the large number of applications on hand it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for a decision to issue.
In order to be fair to all applicants, applications are processed in order of the date on which they are received. Processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the application, whether it is a single or family application, the supporting documentation and the vetting process with An Garda Síochána. Applications where there is an existing deportation order in place will also require additional processing.
Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Undocumented-Policy-Scheme-January-2022.pdf.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
