Departmental Staff

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 October 2022

Wednesday, 12 October 2022

Ceisteanna (129)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

129. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of the number of staff by grade who are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise and provide support to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfil its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union; and if he will provide a schedule of the services that his Department provides to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in that regard. [50451/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

In addition to support from a number of policy units in my Department, the response to the needs of those seeking temporary protection is led by a Principal Officer (part-time), Assistant Principal Officer (full-time) and a Higher Executive Officer (full-time). While they have been mainly focussed on the matters associated with access to further and higher education, they also acted as a contact point with the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth primarily on the question of the use of accommodation on the campuses on higher education institutions.

The position regarding International Protection is that access to supports for students in further and higher education in Ireland is the responsibility of DFHERIS. The team whose responsibilities include policy relating to the student grant scheme and the International Protection Student Scheme comprises a Principal Officer (full-time), Assistant Principal Officer (full-time), a Higher Executive Officer (full-time) and two executive officers (one full time, one part time). SUSI administer the schemes, assess applications and pay awards on behalf of the department.