Written Answers Nos. 80-110
85. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a full breakdown of the number of PhDs who are funded through State or State-funded bodies (details supplied) and an estimate of privately-funded PhDs registered at Irish universities. [51684/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HEA has reported a total of 10,013 full time PhD students in 2021/2022.
The most recent Higher Education Expenditure on Research and Development (HERD) Survey 2018/19 carried out by my Department, found that there were 10,044 research students (doctoral and masters by research) in 2018, of which 6,143 (61%) were in receipt of a stipend and 3,901 (39%) were fully self-funded. The majority of PhD students are in receipt of grants from their individual institutions and research funders such as the IRC and SFI.
Other research funders in the national system include, e.g., the Health Research Board and Teagasc. There are also typically a number of PhDs funded through European Programmes and individual Higher Education Institution (HEI) schemes. The Department allocates recurrent funding to the HEA for direct disbursement to HEA designated higher education institutions. The HEA allocates this funding as a block grant to the institutions and as autonomous bodies, the internal disbursement of this funding is a matter for the individual institution.
Of the bodies referred to in the question, my Department has responsibility for SFI and the IRC and can only provide detailed information relating to these bodies. In this regard, as at the 1st of September, there were 2,022 PhD Students directly attributed to active SFI awards and the Irish Research Council is currently supporting 1,143 PhD researchers across its range of funding programmes.
89. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who will benefit from the double payment of student grants per county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51092/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was very pleased to be in a position to provide an additional maintenance payment to SUSI maintenance grant holders through the cost-of-living measures. I can confirm that this additional maintenance grant payment will be paid on the 16th December to eligible students.
As part of Budget 2023, I have also increased the Maintenance Grant rates by 14% for those on the Special and Band 1 rate of grant and by 10% for all other Maintenance grant holders. Importantly, for students in the current academic year the change in rates will be effective from January 2023 so students in the current academic year will see their grant payments increase proportionately once this measure comes into effect in January.
To put this in context a SUSI maintenance grant holder in the 22/23 academic year who is a recipient of the Special Rate non-adjacent rate will benefit by over €1,000 from both the additional maintenance payment and increase of grant rates effective from January 2023.
As the deputy will appreciate the SUSI application process is still open and applications are still being processed. However, as of the 7th of October, SUSI data shows that 49,408 students are expected to benefit from the additional monthly maintenance payment. I will of course arrange for the full breakdown of this data on a County by County basis to be sent directly to the Deputy.
92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to extend the SUSI grant to part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been consistent in my position that we need to develop our student support system over time to ensure that it supports more flexible forms of learning.
At present, the student grant scheme is targeted at full-time students in approved institutions. Courses that are part-time, less than two years in duration or leading to a special purpose or minor award, rather than a major award, are not approved for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme. Online and Distance Learning Courses are regarded as part-time courses for student grant purposes and, as such, do not qualify for grant assistance.
I have recently published three significant policy documents which will shape the evolution of the student support scheme over the coming years.
The Review of the Student Grant Scheme contains a recommendation that the Government should consider extending supports to more flexible forms of learning including blended/online & part-time.
The National Access Plan, which I launched in August, contains five student centred goals, one of which is flexibility and a key objective in this regard is to better support priority group students who study on a flexible basis.
Finally Funding the Future sets out a multi-annual funding and reform framework for higher education, including the need to support more flexible forms of learning.
To take forward implementation of Funding the Future, I established a steering group which I chair alongside Professor Anne Looney and Professor Tom Collins. Two working groups have been established led by Professors Looney and Collins. The working group focused on skills, participation and cost is examining the potential to support students to avail of more flexible learning opportunities.
I will consider the product of this work, and also any engagement which will take place with the sector on managing delivery from an institutional perspective, in the context of future Estimates processes and alongside other priorities in the Funding the Future framework.
94. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional medical, nursing, midwifery, and health and social care undergraduate places across further and higher education courses which will be added across higher education institutes State-wide in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51639/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce and support a range of clinical teams in our health services.
In July, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, and I jointly announced an additional 60 places in medicine programmes for this academic year. The agreement reached with the medical schools will create additional places in medical programmes over five years, with the number of additional places per annum climbing to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026.
I also announced further permanent additional places on healthcare disciplines in July, including 135 places on nursing programmes commencing from September 2022. Significant engagement is ongoing between my Department and the Department of Health in relation to further substantial expansions in nursing places. We continue to work closely with the Chief Nursing Officer, the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland and the Higher Education institutions on the sustainable introduction of places on nursing programmes.
My officials are also actively engaging with the Department of Health, the HSE and other relevant Health and Social Care Profession stakeholders to ensure that we can continue to deliver graduates with the skills necessary to support our healthcare system and support the strategic workforce planning by the health sector. The availability of appropriate placements and placement supports is a key enabler of this expansion, and engagement across my Department, the Department of Health, HSE and Higher Education Sector is ongoing.
95. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeframe for when the double payment of student grants will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51358/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased that as part of the Government's cost of living measures, every SUSI maintenance grant recipient will receive an additional once-off extra maintenance payment. This includes PLC students, undergraduate students and Postgraduate Students who are in receipt of the Special Rate of Grant.
Students will receive an additional payment equivalent to one monthly maintenance grant payment. I can confirm that this additional once-off payment will be made on 16 December 2022.
In addition, I have also increased the Maintenance Grant rates by 14% for those on the Special and Band 1 rate of grant and by 10% for all other Maintenance grant holders. Importantly, for students in the current academic year the change in rates will be effective from January 2023 so students in the current academic year will see their grant payments increase proportionately once this measure comes into effect in January.
98. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the provision of health and social care places, and veterinary places to address the crisis in vacancies seen across these sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51728/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to ensuring that we develop an appropriate pipeline of qualified healthcare workers and vets within Ireland. This must of course be within the overall context of strategic workforce plans for the sectors concerned, the development of which are led by the relevant Departments.
Health and social care, and veterinary programmes, are by their nature complex in delivery. In particular, securing appropriate long-term placements and placement supports is a key element in unlocking additional provision. It is also crucial that any increases in places are introduced in a sustainable way, so that higher education institutions can build appropriate staffing capacity.
Working collaboratively with the Department of Health and the higher education sector, we have already made good progress in putting in place a multi-annual plan to deliver more medical places.
My Department is continuing to work closely with officials in the Department of Health on other emerging workforce requirements, and the placement issues. A workshop on placement issues will take place in the coming weeks, and will involve the HSE and higher education providers.
Officials from my Department have also been engaging extensively with the Higher Education Authority and the higher education sector to identify where additional places can and should be provided in the higher education system. The Higher Education Authority are currently developing a request for Expressions of Interest to issue to the sector targeted specifically at healthcare and veterinary provision.
99. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the development of Cavan Institute; the investment that his Department is allocating; and the works that will be carried out. [51141/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware it was agreed that the Cavan Institute project, which was previously part of the Department of Education school building programme, would be advanced as part of the new Further Education and Training (FET) capital funding programme under my Department.
We remain committed to advancing this project, subject to compliance with Public Spending Code requirements. I spoke to representatives from CMETB and Cavan Institute during my recent visit to Cavan Youthreach Centre and I am fully aware of the importance of this key development for the region.
As part of the agreed process for appraisal of major FET capital projects, a Strategic Assessment Report in relation to Cavan Institute was submitted by Cavan Monaghan ETB to SOLAS. This report is currently part of a SOLAS-led assessment process, together with other proposals from the sector. The outcome of this initial strategic assessment is expected to be communicated to CMETB shortly. The next stage will see proposals proceed to the development of a detailed business case. This in turn will inform the level of investment and the works to be carried out.
To address short and medium term accommodation needs for FET services in Cavan town, I have also granted approval for the purchase of a new modular unit for CMETB. This unit will be located at the FET campus at the former Dún Uí Neill Army barracks and will be fully operational for the start of the academic term in January 2023.
This development will enable the delivery of a range of further education programmes, including but not limited to music production, science, beauty, sports, animal care, sports therapy and general skills programmes. It will also provide canteen and sports facilities and office space.
100. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional investment in the South East Technological University Waterford campus which he will make available in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51640/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am strongly committed to the development of a high-quality multi-campus environment for the South East Technological University - SETU - including in Waterford.
Since 2013, over €90 million has been made available under the Higher Education Landscape and Transformation Funds, for the development of technological universities. This includes funding of €14.3 million for the development of SETU.
My Department and the Higher Education Authority are currently engaging with SETU to advance a number of capital projects in Waterford.
Two significant projects are scheduled to enter construction in 2023. This includes a planned Engineering, Computing and General Teaching building, which is progressing as part of Bundle II of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership – PPP - Programme. At over 13,000 square metres, this is the largest building project in the PPP programme.
Also, under the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme, a deep fabric retrofit to SETU Waterford Business School is now in design and is due to enter construction next year.
The Deputy will also be aware that engagement is ongoing with SETU in relation to expansion of the Waterford campus footprint, and my expectation is that significant progress will be made on this objective during 2023.
The specific level of investment in the Waterford campus in 2023 will be informed by the scope and pace of capital projects and will be decided within the context of my Department’s overall allocation under the National Development Plan.
In the case of the PPP project, it should be noted that, while it is planned that subject to procurement outcomes the project will enter construction next year, expenditure will mainly commence after construction by way of unitary charge payments to the private partner.
101. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the measures that he intends to take to make student accommodation affordable given that it is a major barrier to people taking up college places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51658/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment is acutely aware of the issues being faced by students trying to source affordable accommodation. It must be recognised, however, that fundamentally, the challenge is one of supply of housing more generally. That is why Government launched Housing for All, led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The plan is backed by the largest housing budget in the history of the State to transform our housing system, in excess of €20 billion.
This summer I met with the presidents and chairs of all the traditional universities and technological universities (TUs) to discuss any immediate proposals they may have identified for additional student accommodation.
In a welcome development, the sector indicates that hundreds of additional bed spaces have been made available by higher education institutions for the start of this academic year and University of Galway is to deliver some 674 new bed spaces later next year.
I also brought a proposal on student accommodation to the Cabinet Committee on Housing and received support to progress a new policy that supports the delivery of additional purpose-built student accommodation.
This would involve the State for the first time assisting higher education institutions with the cost of building student accommodation so as to ensure increased availability and promote greater access in particular for priority student groups in line with the national access plan. To advance this work I have recently established a dedicated Student Accommodation Unit to draft an updated policy for Student Housing and Accommodation as a matter of urgency. This unit will lead the examination and development of a range of policy options to increase supply in the context of Government's overall Housing for All policy.
Government has also implemented restrictions to limit the amount that students can be required to pay up-front for their accommodation. The total amount that anyone is required to pay to a landlord by way of a deposit is now no more than the equivalent of 2 months’ rent – that is one month’s rent, and one month’s deposit. In addition, student accommodation is subject to rent pressure zone caps and students now have recourse to the Residential Tenancies Board for dispute resolution where appropriate.
It is also open to homeowners to rent a room to students and homeowners can rent a room, retain their social welfare entitlements where applicable, and earn up to €14,000 in rental income before having to pay tax. All higher education institutions continue to support their students to find accommodation in the private rental sector. Institutions are actively promoting this option in their localities. This is an approach Government fully supports and encourages.
102. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Solas painting and decorating apprentices have to travel to Dublin to complete their classroom-based training due to nowhere else in the country being able to facilitate this (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51719/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeships are employer led demand-driven educational and training programmes that aim to develop the skills of an apprentice in order to meet the needs of industry and the labour market. As apprentices are employees the demand for and number of apprentices is primarily dictated by the employer base in a sector.
Apprenticeships are offered by employers throughout the country. Off-the-job training for the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes is held in Training Centres and Institutes of Technology/Technological Universities, with certain locations specialising in specific apprenticeship programmes due to the need for specific workshop equipment and trainer expertise.
While efforts are made to offer training within reasonable distances of an apprentice’s geographical location, for some off the job training programmes this is not always possible.
The number of new apprenticeship registrations for the so-called "wet trades" including painting and decorating dropped during the last economic downturn and has not recovered at the same rate as other construction trades. As of September 2022, within an overall population of craft apprentices of 21,190, there is a total of 106 apprentices undertaking an apprenticeship in painting and decorating, with only 12 apprentices newly registered to date this year.
Given the relatively small numbers of annual registrations for the painter and decorating apprenticeship it is not currently feasible or cost-effective to offer off-the-job training phase in multiple locations.
It should be noted that where apprentices are required to move from their current place of residence in order to take up a training place they can apply for an accommodation allowance amounting to a maximum of €69.90 per week, in addition to their weekly training allowance, for the duration of the training phase.
103. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on any meetings with student unions in relation to the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51657/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBoth I and my officials meet regularly with unions that represent students when I visit campuses across Ireland, through formal bilateral meetings and also as part of Departmental structures including the Funding the Future steering group.
At these meetings we discuss many issues including how the cost of living and the cost of education is impacting on students and their families.
These meetings were valuable in framing my approach to the significant package of supports for students which was introduced as part of Budget 2023.
Having listened to Students in Budget 2023, I gave priority to providing students and their families with financial support through a number of measures:
- All higher education students who are eligible for the fees initiative will benefit from a once off reduction in the Student Contribution rate of €1,000 for the 2022/2023 academic year.
- A once-off additional maintenance payment for SUSI maintenance recipients will be paid on the 16th December 2022.
- PhD students funded by the SFI and the IRC will benefit from a once off payment of €500 in the current academic year.
- Post Graduate Students who meet the eligibility criteria for a SUSI Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant will benefit from a once off increase in their grant of €1,000 from €3,500 to €4,500.
- In addition, all maintenance grants are increasing effective from January 2023. The special rate and Band 1 rate of maintenance will increase by 14% and all other maintenance grant rates will increase by 10%. Students in the current academic year will see their grant payments increase proportionately once this measure comes into effect from January 2023.
- I have also secured a further €8 million of funding for the Student Assistance Fund for the current academic year. This will mean that for the 2022/23 Academic Year, there will be €17.1m available through this fund.
My officials are also developing policy proposals to activate supply for student accommodation and it is my intention to bring these proposals to Government. In addition, I have established a dedicated Unit in the Department to lead on this work in consultation with the HEA and with the sector.
Other measures that will offer relief to students for the 2023/2024 academic year include:
- A reduction of €500 in the student contribution fee for eligible grant applicants earning between €62,000 and €100,000; This measure will benefit some 42,000 students.
- The threshold for the student contribution 50% grant has been increased from €55,240 to €62,000; This measure will benefit some 8,000 students.
- An increase in the Post Graduate fee Contribution Grant by €500 from €3,500 to €4,000 from September 2023;
- A €500 increase to the stipend baseline in 2023 for PhD students who receive an IRC or SFI award.
- A change to the eligibility criteria for “second chance” mature students as defined in the Student Grant Scheme reducing the period for a full break in studies from 5 to 3 years;
- An increase in the deduction allowable for student earnings outside of term time from €4,500 to €6,552 for academic year 2023/2024.
- An exclusion of rental income declared to Revenue under the Government’s rent-a-room relief scheme up to €14,000 when calculating reckonable income under the Student Grant Scheme for the 2023/2024 academic year.
- €3 million in funding for mental health and wellbeing initiatives for the 2023/24 academic year.
These significant measures will see students have more money in their pockets to help them tackle the challenges posed by the cost-of-living crisis.
104. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the future farming apprenticeships which he plans to announce in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51225/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, up to now, there has been a long-standing legislative impediment to farming apprenticeships. This reflected the fact that under the Industrial Training Act, 1967, the development of apprenticeship programmes in “an activity of agriculture, horticulture or fishing which is an activity of primary production, or any activity of a professional occupation” was prohibited.
This statutory provision ruled out the scope to develop and implement apprenticeship programmes in these important areas where there are significant opportunities to build the skills of the workforce.
I am delighted to advise the Deputy that under the Higher Education Authority Bill, 2022 which has recently been approved by the Oireachtas, I have ensured that this legislative barrier to the establishment of apprenticeship programmes for these occupations has been removed.
In advance and in anticipation of this legislative change, apprenticeship consortia had commenced the development of the following programmes: Farm Manager, Farm Technician and Advanced Horticulture.
Development work on the three apprenticeship programmes is ongoing and programme documentation has been submitted to QQI to progress through the validation process. Further details of the programmes, including locations where the training will be available once the validation and legislative processes are finalised.
These new apprenticeships, many of which have off-the-job training delivered through online or blended learning, provides a significant opportunity for widening of access to apprenticeship for rural businesses and learners and will play a very important role in ensuring apprenticeship provision has a strong regional dimension. I am very grateful for all the work of all the stakeholders involved in bringing the apprenticeship model into one of the most important sectors of the economy.
105. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of applications for green cert places available through education and training boards in the academic years beginning in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51335/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are making enquires in relation to the Deputy's query, and a letter will follow to the Deputy on this as soon as possible.
106. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department plans to introduce additional funding for apprentices to support them to continue in their apprenticeships in view of the increase in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51687/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprentices are primarily employees and all of the 66 available apprenticeships are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer with the employer paying the apprentice during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements of the apprenticeship.
For the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, the minimum rates of pay applying under the employment contract are either agreed within the relevant sector, or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders recommended by the Labour Court. These minimum rates vary between occupations and sectors but in all cases craft apprenticeship rates are expressed as a proportion of the qualified rate, increasing yearly from 33% of the qualified rate in year one to 90% in year four.
Periods of off-the-job training are funded from the National Training Fund with payments of the agreed rate made directly to craft apprentices by the education and training boards during this time.
Training allowances for apprentices are calculated with reference to gross-wage norms payable in industry for the different trade sectors. The actual allowance received will generally be less as it is based on the net take home pay calculated based on the gross wage norm. The gross-wage norm is per week and the norm to be used will be determined by the industry in which the employer is engaged.
On that basis any review of those rates currently payable is a matter for negotiation and agreement under the appropriate industrial relations structures in place and it would not be appropriate for me to be involved in the determination of apprenticeship pay or training rates.
While attending off-the-job training, craft apprentices are paid a training allowance appropriate to their training phase. In addition to training allowances, craft apprentices attending phases of off-the-job training in an Education and Training Board (ETB) training centre, Institute of Technology, or a Technological University are entitled to make an application for either travel or accommodation allowances for the duration of the period of off-the-job training.
As part of Budget 2023 I announced a cost-of-living package for students, and investment in third level education for 2023. Included in this was a once-off reduction of up to 33% in the contribution fee for apprentices and additional funding for social inclusion measures in apprenticeship, such as a bursary for apprentices from under-represented groups.
As employees, apprentices who find themselves in difficulty are correspondingly entitled to access general employment supports through the social welfare system. I would also advise any apprentice to discuss the matter with their Authorised Officer who may be in a position to provide guidance .
107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which students are encouraged to study medicine, veterinary medicine and similar professions currently suffering from a dearth of graduates at a time of population growth; if an adequate supply can be maintained in these areas in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51638/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMedicine, veterinary medicine, and healthcare professions generally are areas of high student interest and demand, and applications for higher education places in these areas has consistently outstripped the supply available.
Ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified healthcare professionals is a key priority. My Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health workforce and support a range of clinical teams in our health services. However, there are real, material limits on the number of places that can be created on courses with significant practical elements and placement requirements, such as veterinary medicine.
In July, the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD, and I jointly announced an additional 60 places in medicine programmes for this academic year. The agreement reached with the medical schools will create additional places in medical programmes over five years, climbing to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026.
Officials from my Department have been engaging extensively with the Higher Education Authority and the higher education sector to identify where additional places can and should be provided in the higher education system. These additional places will be targeted at areas of acute skills need as identified through our national skills architecture. The Higher Education Authority are currently developing a request for Expressions of Interest to issue to the sector targeted at specific areas including veterinary provision and in healthcare areas.
108. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will increase the SUSI grant qualification threshold further for the next relevant academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51626/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that I have already instigated improvements to the student grant scheme in Budget 2022. For the academic year 2022/23, I increased the income threshold to qualify for the standard rate of student grant by €1,000.
As part of Budget 2023, I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes.
The once off €1,000 support relates specifically to the student contribution payable by student’s eligible for free tuition fees under the Department free fees schemes in academic year 22/23. It will reduce the student contribution payable for free fees eligible students from €3,000 to €2,000 in 22/23.
In addition, I have made two changes to the income thresholds for the student contribution grant for the academic year 2023/24 which will reduce the cost of education for students and families. I have increased the income limit from €55,240 to €62,000 for students to avail of the 50% Undergraduate Student Contribution and introduced a new Student Contribution grant to the value of €500 for qualifying families on incomes earning between €62,000 and €100,000. It is estimated that between 42,500 and 50,000 families could receive support under the Student Grant Scheme in 2023 for the first time as a result of these measures.
I have introduced two further measures whereby income up to €14,000 as declared to Revenue under the Government's Rent a Room Scheme will not be counted as reckonable income when calculating eligibility for the 2023/2024 academic year. In addition, the holiday earnings provision under the Student Grant Scheme will allow for a deduction up to a maximum amount of €6552 (an increase from €4500) to be applied to student earnings outside of term time within the reference period when calculating reckonable income for grant eligibility for the 2023/2024 academic year. As a result of both measures some students may find that they will receive a higher rate of grant and some new students may also find themselves eligible for a grant for the first time once these measures are introduced.
In addition, for the 2022/2023 Academic Year, a further €8 million of funding has been secured for the Student Assistance Fund for the current academic year. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. It is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to a SUSI grant.
Applications can be made under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) through the Access Office in the third level institution you are attending. They will have more information concerning their own HEI. More information on this fund and other supports are also available at www.studentfinance.ie.
109. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of women who are currently completing apprenticeships across Ireland; the steps that are being taken to continually increase participation rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51010/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOne of the five overarching objectives of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 is "Apprenticeship for All". In other words, ensuring that the profile of the apprenticeship population more closely reflects the profile of the general population. As per the latest data available there are 1,744 female apprentices, up from 60 in 2016 and only 665 at the end of 2019, and representing 7% of the overall apprentice population.
While this increase is mainly due to the expansion of apprenticeship into new areas, it is also important to note that female representation in craft apprenticeship has doubled in the last 2/3 years and participation in industry areas such as Manufacturing and Engineering is also increasing. Women also feature more strongly in the new apprenticeships in the hospitality, healthcare, property, sales, biopharma and ICT sectors.
Targets and interventions for specific groups will be detailed through an Equity of Access subcommittee of the National Apprenticeship Alliance to ensure that the voice of under-represented groups is integral to the development of the apprenticeship system. The actions set out in the Plan build on the outcomes of the 2018 Review of Pathways to Participation in Apprenticeship which has already resulted in a significant widening of measures to support increased visibility of apprenticeships.
The Action Plan contains a number of key deliverables designed to secure significantly greater diversity by:-
- including the voice of under-represented cohorts in apprenticeship;
- putting in place an inclusive apprenticeship access and delivery structure; and
- monitoring and assessing targets and developing appropriate interventions.
On 14th April I announced a new gender-based bursary for apprenticeship employers as part of the national Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 . The bursary, which is worth €2,666, is available to employers who employ apprentices in the minority gender on any national apprenticeship programme with greater than 80% representation of a single gender. It is being implemented with effect from 01 January 2022, and covers all new apprentice registrations from that date on eligible national apprenticeship programmes. The apprenticeship gender-based bursary is an expansion of the ‘female bursary’ available to craft apprenticeship employers prior to 2022. Currently there are 41 programmes eligible for the bursary.
This bursary is in addition to the Government supports that apprenticeship employers receive via the craft training allowance and the employer grant.
Information on apprenticeship was included on the CAO website for the first time for CAO 2022. This is expected to make a significant contribution to showing the range of learning and qualification options for school leavers. As part of this landmark change, a freephone helpline has been introduced for learners, parents and guidance counsellors to provide information on apprenticeship, including how to find an employer. The helpline supplements the existing guidance counsellor service at post-primary and further education and training levels.
There has also been a specific focus on female participation as part of the Generation Apprenticeship national promotional campaign. SOLAS ran a media campaign over three weeks in January 2021 promoting the apprenticeship route and celebrating diversity and the 1,000th female apprentice.
An all-female Software Developer Associate Apprenticeship programme commenced in November 2019 in conjunction with Fastrack into IT (FIT). It is a 2 year course offered at level 6 of the National Framework of Qualifications. The off the job training is being delivered by Liberties College which is under the remit of the City of Dublin Education and Training Board. A high level of interest has been reported in this programme to date.
The general push towards women in STEM roles under the STEM Education Strategy and the ICT Skills Action Plan should also feed through to the apprenticeship intakes.
I am satisfied that these measures and the implementation process for the Apprenticeship Action Plan overall will have a significant impact in ensuring greater diversity in the apprenticeship population as a whole.
110. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that his Department is taking in order to address the shortage of educational psychologists in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51630/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the wellbeing of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective in the health and education workforce, and support a range of public services, including educational psychology. In this context, the Department is engaging on an ongoing basis with the Department of Health, the Department of Education and other relevant stakeholders with regard to how the further and higher education system can best support workforce planning for the delivery of essential public services. The National Health and Social Care Professions Office in the HSE have advised my Department that the Psychology Project Team completed a report in 2021 which recommended the development of a workforce plan for psychology, including educational psychology. My Department understands that implementation of the recommendations in this report is currently being examined by the HSE including in light of overall resource requirements arising.
Progress in relation to workforce planning in this area by the Department of Health and the Department of Education will inform the Funding the Future reform process for higher education, a key focus of which, in collaboration with professional regulators, is on ensuring an appropriate pipeline of suitably qualified individuals to enable the delivery of essential public services in areas such as health and education.
