Written Answers Nos. 812-831
812. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made in issuing adult educators with public service contracts (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54461/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA range of industrial relations issues regarding adult education tutors have been under discussion for a number of years and progress has been made in resolving key issues, including the introduction of a consistent formula for awarding Contracts of Indefinite Duration across ETBs in 2017 and the provision of access to leave schemes, paid leave and access to the appropriate public sector pension scheme in 2019.
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 officials have been engaging with colleagues in the Department of Education, which has regulatory responsibility for the ETB Sector, and have prepared a joint proposal which is currently under consideration by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. My officials have met with the Unions on a regular basis on this matter and they have also shared details of the proposal with the TUI and SIPTU representatives.
813. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the Higher Education Authority call for expressions of interest in creating more places for student vets and veterinary nurses; the target number of additional places in both veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing; the way in which this will be funded; the estimated timeframe for the first additional places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54505/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Higher Education Authority (HEA) is currently seeking expressions of interest from higher education institutions interested in building capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary. This process has been designed to respond swiftly to national skills needs, and EOIs are sought from institutions with capability to expand existing courses or create new courses in these areas from academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26. The closing date for submitting EOIs to the HEA is Friday 18th November at 4pm.
My Department does not place a quota on the number of places available on Veterinary Programmes in HEIs. The introduction of additional places will also be informed by engagement from the workforce planning areas within the Department of Agriculture and the Veterinary Council of Ireland, and relevant stakeholders in the sector.
The provision of Higher Education funding on an annual basis is part of overall expenditure management and budgetary policy for Government. In this regard funding to support building capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing and Veterinary will be matters for consideration as part of the annual Estimates processes over the coming years.
814. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of all Higher Education Authority calls for expressions of interest in delivering additional places in third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54506/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 28th June 2022, I announced the creation of over one thousand college places across a range of disciplines, including welfare, nursing, ICT, architecture and construction, engineering and environment. These places were made available from September 2022. The places were created following extensive engagements between my Department, 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. A significant effort was made to increase the capacity of in demand courses which will address areas of skills shortages.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is currently seeking expressions of interest from higher education institutions interested in building capacity in Dentistry, Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing, and Veterinary. This process has been designed to respond swiftly to national skills needs, and EOIs are sought from institutions with capability to expand existing courses or create new courses in these areas from academic year 2024-25 or 2025-26. The closing date for submitting EOIs to the HEA is Friday 18th November 2022.
815. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider recommending that third level institutions provide access to online, remote, recorded lectures to assist students who are struggling to find local accommodation or who are facing lengthy commutes to attend their courses on a daily basis due to the lack of accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54556/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Technological Universities Act 2018 and the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. Under this legislation the institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes, including the mode of delivery of programmes of study. HEIs have taken significant steps to ensure that teaching and learning is enhanced by the integrated use of digital technologies, both on-campus and remotely.
Many HEIs are and will be developing new blended learning programmes for validation. Such programmes need to be designed, delivered and assessed within an approved quality assurance framework developed by HEIs with reference to the Statutory Quality Assurance Guidelines for Providers of Blended Learning Programmes. Programmes that are delivered partially or fully online, need to be developed with that mode of delivery in mind rather than merely being translated or transferred from the original face-to-face programme model.
In 2021, key stakeholders from across the higher education sector worked collaboratively to reflect on the sudden move to online/remote learning in higher education, gather related evidence and to agree a way forward post-pandemic. Partners included the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, QQI, USI, representative bodies of HEIs, and others. The resulting report, ‘Next Steps for Teaching and Learning: Moving Forward Together’ was launched in November 2021. The report includes recommendations for the sector with regard to blended/remote teaching and learning and the use of technology to ensure that higher education is as flexible, resilient and equitable as possible for all who learn, all who teach, all who support and lead, and our wider communities.
In June 2022, the HEA announced €37.62m in funding for the ‘National Technological University Transformation for Recovery and Resilience' (NTUTORR) programme. The programme was informed by the Next Steps report and this funding will enable the technological sector to systematise the learnings from the experience of digitally enabled education and support the provision of digitally enhanced teaching, learning and assessment to meet the needs of staff, students, and enterprise in the regions.
The fourth National Access Plan, 2022 to 2028, which launched last month, places an emphasis on student- centred goals, including flexibility. It aims to support students to study on a flexible basis including part-time and blended learning, and identify connectivity supports for remote learning. This is a seven-year plan with an additional dedicated investment of €35 million over the course of the plan.
Regarding student accommodation I am conscious that some students are struggling to find affordable accommodation and fundamentally the challenge is one of supply of housing more generally. As a country, we know that we need to dramatically increase the supply of all types of housing and accommodation, including student accommodation. That is why the Government launched Housing for All, led by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage setting out a series of actions which will be delivered to address the housing crisis. 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.
Since taking up office, both my Department officials and I have engaged and continue to engage on an ongoing basis with the Minister and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the wider higher education sector and relevant stakeholders on student accommodation issues including within the context of the advancement of the Government's Housing for All policy.
Specifically, in June this year I met with the presidents and chairs of all the traditional universities and technological universities to discuss any immediate proposals they may have identified or be able to identify in relation to any additional student accommodation provision that may be pursued in the short to medium terms and the Department is continuing to liaise with the higher education institutions in this regard. In a welcome development hundreds of additional bed spaces have been made available by higher education institutions this academic year and an additional 674 beds at the University of Galway are due to open later next year.
I received Cabinet Committee support in recent weeks on outline proposals to increase the supply of student accommodation, including proposals relating to a new model whereby for the first time the State would assist directly in bridging the gap between development costs and rental affordability in relation to the provision of additional student accommodation. This could involve the State assisting with the cost of building student accommodation in return for affordability commitments on rent.
I have established a dedicated Student Accommodation Unit which will bring forward this new Student Accommodation policy as a matter of urgency.
Officials have met with the HEA and further meetings are taking place with representative bodies and stakeholders this week as well as with individual Higher Education Institutes with a view to developing pathways to accommodation and accelerating their delivery.
On rent affordability, restrictions have also been put in place to limit the amount that students can be required to pay up-front for their accommodation, ending the practice whereby students were required to pay a lump sum up-front each term. The total amount that anyone is required to pay to a landlord by way of a deposit or an advance rent payment to secure a tenancy is now no more than the equivalent of 2 months’ rent – that is one month’s rent, and one month’s deposit.
Student accommodation is subject to rent pressure zone caps and students now have recourse to the Residential Tenancies Board for dispute resolution. In addition to the extra accommodation which is being put in place this year, amounting to hundreds of beds, I am encouraging homeowners to consider renting out a room in their house for students. A homeowner 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 through, for example, the encouragement of room rental or ‘student digs’ in family homes and many also maintain online databases where students can search for and check out accommodation, advertisements for room rentals can be placed and advice on sample rental agreements provided. Institutions are actively promoting this option in their localities.
816. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Construction Safety Licensing Bill 2022 will impact on QQI certifications that have already been awarded to persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54665/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Construction) Regulations 2013, and the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Quarries) Regulations, 2008, construction and quarrying workers undergo training, assessment, certification and registration for their roles. Additionally under the 2013 Regulations, persons undertaking on-site security work and persons or classes of persons as may be prescribed by the relevant Minister are required to hold a safety awareness registration card (Safe Pass card).
The Construction Skills Certificate Scheme and Quarrying Skills Certificate Scheme went through a detailed review and following consultation, all stakeholders agreed that the recommendations of the review would be adopted including moving to a licence system (similar to the EU) with an assessment event every 5 years and a move away from the Certificate approach.
In recognition of this, and supported by research undertaken by SOLAS and outlined in the Bearing Point report, the current certification (QQI) approach will transition to a licencing model for both programmes. A Memorandum for Government setting out the new approach was approved by Cabinet and the General Scheme of the Constructing Safety Licensing Bill was published on Gov.ie. A link to the published General Scheme can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/ebf3f-general-scheme-of-the-construction-safety-licensing-bill-2022/
817. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if college students who are returning to full-time education to complete a second level 8 qualification will be able to avail of the €1,000 college fee reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54784/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
Students who already hold a level 8 degree and are studying a second level 8 course are not eligible for the free fees schemes and therefore the once off student contribution support of €1,000 in 22/23 cannot apply to students undertaking a second level 8 course of study.
Students in publicly funded third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial difficulty can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. As part of the cost-of-living measures announced in Budget 2023 an additional €8 million has been invested in the Student Assistance Fund for the current academic year 2022/23. This Fund assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. 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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. More information on the SAF is available at www.studentfinance.ie.
Tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students studying a second level 8 course. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
818. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students currently enrolled in social care programmes in Munster Technological University. [54818/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy was obtained from the Student Record System (SRS) in the HEA and is detailed in the attached table.
|
MTU Cork |
|||||
|
Level 7 Ordinary/General Degree |
Course Year |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
|
Bachelor of Arts Social Care Work |
1 |
77 |
66 |
76 |
75 |
|
Bachelor of Arts Social Care Work |
2 |
71 |
71 |
60 |
69 |
|
Bachelor of Arts Social Care Work |
3 |
73 |
72 |
70 |
59 |
|
Undergraduate General Degree Total |
221 |
209 |
206 |
203 |
|
|
L8 Undergraduate Honours Degree** |
|||||
|
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Social Care |
4 |
49 |
60 |
78 |
75 |
|
MTU Cork Total |
270 |
269 |
284 |
278 |
819. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the matter whereby students currently enrolled in social care programmes in Munster Technological University will graduate without CORU accreditation. [54819/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCORU is in the process of introducing regulation of the Social Care profession for the first time.
At the beginning of September, my officials wrote to all providers of Social Care programmes, including Munster Technological University (MTU), asking that institutions communicate their position in relation to CORU application and accreditation to all students.
I understand that MTU have communicated with their students in relation to their programmes status. MTU is currently engaged in the CORU application process and is at an advanced stage of preparation to complete the application process for its Social Care programmes. A final document was submitted by the North Kerry Campus in March 2022 and it is anticipated that a submission by the Cork Bishopstown Campus will be made later this year.
The Department of Health have advised my Department that to join the register existing professionals and current students will either need to:
1. have undertaken an approved education programme, or
2. to have obtained 2 years of professional practice in the 5-year period prior to 30 November 2025, in addition to passing a competency test.
Further information in relation to these “grand-parenting” provisions for existing practitioners, should be sought from the Department of Health or CORU directly, as these matters are not within the remit or responsibility of the Minister or the Department, and as such I cannot intervene with the work of an independent regulator
My officials are continuing to engage with the Department of Health on these issues.
820. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that there is assistance provided to college for a student (details supplied) so that they can return to in-person learning as soon as possible. [55014/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have engaged with City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB) on this matter. The ETB has indicated that a needs assessment was undertaken by the College in conjunction with National Learning Network (NLN) prior to the learner’s commencement on the course. The College put a range of supports in place and having engaged further with the learner, met with the National Council for the Blind, NLN and the Ann Sullivan Centre to ensure they have all the necessary supports in place. I understand that CDETB have approved the provision of an additional support for the learner which they advise is being prioritised to ensure their return to on-site learning as soon as possible.
821. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify the situation regarding the validity of qualifications received from previous regional technical colleges and institutes of technology, which have now been upgraded to technological universities; the status of these qualifications and of the awarding bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55032/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAwards and qualifications are associated with the awarding bodies which were in existence at the time that these awards were conferred. Legally these awards and qualifications cannot be changed subsequently. Therefore, qualifications obtained in Regional Technical Colleges and Institutes of Technology cannot now be changed to qualifications of Technological Universities.
A student who commenced a programme which would lead to an award and qualification in an Institute of Technology, which subsequently became a Technological University prior to the student graduating, will graduate with a Technological University qualification.
It should be noted that awards issued by Institutes of Technology:
- are fully recognised for domestic and international purposes and this status can be confirmed by Ireland’s National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC)
- are included within the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The NFQ is a 10-level system used to describe qualifications in the Irish education and training system.
Information on the NFQ can be viewed at www.qqi.ie/what-we-do/the-qualifications-syste m/national-framework-of-qualifications.
822. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of candidates who are affected by the backlog for apprenticeships for electricians, carpenters and plumbers, including those waiting to do their apprenticeships and those waiting to finish their apprenticeships; and the reason that a backlog exists. [55062/22]
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 employers in any area or sector.
Top level data for the end of October has just come available. 4,937 apprentices are waiting over six months. SOLAS are working to provide further places across the system to address the high numbers of apprentices who need to undertake their off-the-job learning phases. With the commitment of a further €17.2m in capital investment into 2023, this need for increased capacity continues to be actively managed. The funding means that SOLAS are able to continue the progress already made to address those programmes with the highest numbers of apprentices waiting to be placed.
823. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that Solas is sponsoring an RTÉ radio show for apprenticeships when the purpose of Solas funding is for education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55066/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSOLAS is the Further Education and Training Authority responsible for planning, funding and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. Its core functions are to research, plan, fund and co-ordinate the delivery of over 280,000 FET places across a range of programmes annually.
FET offers a wide variety of life-long education options, including Post-Leaving Certificate courses, apprenticeships, traineeships, skills training, community and adult learning options, online learning through eCollege as well as core literacy and numeracy support services. Programmes are delivered in FET colleges and centres across the 16 Education and Training Boards.
Under Section 7(1)(b) of the Further Education and Training Act, 2013, SOLAS has a statutory mandate to promote an appreciation of the value of FET in Ireland. To do this, SOLAS runs a promotional campaign under the banner ‘This is FET’ to increase awareness and highlight the education and training programmes that are available to citizens across Ireland.
As part of this campaign and in order to reach a large national audience SOLAS sought quotes from a variety of programmes on national radio stations for sponsorship options through its media agency. The Today with Claire Byrne show on RTE Radio 1 offered SOLAS the opportunity to promote FET opportunities to 350,000 listeners daily over a four-month period from September to December 2022. Throughout this time period, FET opportunities in general will be promoted as well as specific areas such as FET for school leavers and green skills training.
824. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider making the one-off €1,000 reduction in the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students a universal payment to all undergraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55122/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2023, I gave priority to introducing a significant package of measures that will see students and families directly benefit and will help them tackle the challenges posed by the increased cost of living.
In 2022 these measures include:
- Higher education students who are eligible for my Department's free fees schemes will benefit from a once off reduction in the student contribution rate of €1,000 for the 2022/2023 academic year. Students eligible for a 50% student contribution grant support as paid by SUSI will benefit proportionally and will see the amount they pay to their institution reduce from €1,500 to €1,000.
- A reduction of up to 33% in the contribution fee for apprentices for the 2022/2023 academic year
- A once-off additional maintenance payment to be paid on the 16th December 2022. This payment will be made to all students who are in receipt of a maintenance grant payment and will include PLC students, undergraduate students and postgraduate students who are in receipt of the Special Rate of Grant,
- Post Graduate Students who meet the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant will benefit from a once off increase in their grant of €1,000 from €3,500 to €4,500.
- 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.
- PhD students funded by SFI and the IRC will also benefit from a once off payment of €500 in the current academic year.
The once off reduction of €1,000 relates specifically to the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under my Department's free fees schemes in academic year 22/23 and will reduce the student contribution payable from €3,000 to €2,000 in 22/23. In this regard, all full time undergraduate students eligible for free fees and paying the student contribution will benefit from this measure.
I am conscious that not all students are eligible for free fees or student grants and so, as part of the cost-of-living measures, I have, as referenced above, allocated a further €8 million of funding for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for the current academic year. This Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance 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. Applications can be made under the SAF through the Access Office in a student’s third level institution.
825. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships taken up in each of the years 2019 to 2021 and to 31 October 2022, in tabular form. [55330/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra827. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships currently registered for electricians, plumbers and carpenters; the number for the year 2021, in tabular form, for comparative purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 825 and 827 together.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship more accessible to employers and learners, to achieve a target of 10,000 annual registrations across a wide range of programmes by 2025. Expanding apprenticeship across all sectors of the economy has widened its impact in areas of skills shortage such as Engineering, Technology Skills, Logistics and FinTech. Under the Plan there will be an increase in online visibility of apprenticeship engagement and apprenticeship development processes for employers/sectors who wish to assess the potential for new apprenticeship development.
The development of new apprenticeships is employer-led, with consortia comprising employer groups and educational providers coming together to identify a skills need and appropriate apprenticeship responses in their sector. It is open to any industry that wishes to explore such options to bring forward a proposal. Applications for new apprenticeship development are open on an ongoing basis, allowing all employers to progress the development of programmes in response to emerging skills needs on an as-needed basis.
There are currently 66 apprenticeship programmes on offer: 25 craft programmes and 41 programmes introduced since 2016. Eight new programmes were launched over 2020 and 2021, despite the pandemic; Arboriculture, Equipment Systems Engineer, Healthcare Assistant, Principal Engineer – Professional Doctorate, Recruitment Executive, Sales, Scaffolding , Supply Chain Associate. 4 more programmes have been launched so far in 2022; Bar Manager, Wind Turbine Maintenance, Transport Operations & Commercial Driving and Cybersecurity Practitioner.
There is one programme available for each of Electrical, Carpentry & Joinery and Plumbing.
To meet our targets we require an apprenticeship system that is flexible and responsive, providing a strong value proposition for employers and potential apprentices, is attractive and easy to engage with, and which delivers high standards and sought after qualifications, therefore embedding apprenticeship as a preferred route to skills development.
A full breakdown of programmes launched from 2019-2022, 24 in total, in tabular form is attached.
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Geo-Driller |
Aboriculture |
Scaffolding |
Bar Manager |
|
Engineering Services Management |
Primary Engineer |
Equipment Systems Engineer |
Wind Turbine Maintenance |
|
OEM Engineer |
Supply Chain Associate |
Advanced Healthcare Assistant Practitioner |
Transport Operations & Commercial Driving, |
|
Hairdressing |
Recruitment Executive |
Cybersecurity Practitioner Level 8 |
|
|
Sous Chef |
Sales |
||
|
CGI Technical Artist (Animation, Games, VFX) |
|||
|
Cybersecurity |
|||
|
Telecommunications and Data Network Engineering Technician |
|||
|
Lean Sigma Manager |
|||
|
Supply Chain Manager |
|||
|
Supply Chain Specialist |
|||
|
Retail Supervision |
826. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a student (details supplied) was excluded from the student fee reduction announced in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55469/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route including previous education.
Higher education institutions are responsible for the assessment of student applications to study and are responsible for determining the appropriate fee rates payable by a student. In this regard my department does not have a role in assessing individual student applications or determining the rate of tuition fee payable.
Where a student wishes to raise a query in relation to the fee rates determined by a higher education institution the matters should be raised with the institution attended.
I can advise that, 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 reduction of €1,000 relates specifically to the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under my Department's free fees schemes in academic year 22/23. Where a student wishes to confirm if they are eligible for free fees in academic year 22/23 they should contact the institution attended.
Where undergraduate students do not meet the qualifying criteria of the free fees schemes they are required to pay tuition fees in full to their higher education institution.
I am conscious that not all students are eligible for free fees or student grants and so, as part of the cost-of-living measures, I have allocated a further €8 million of funding for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for the current academic year. This Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance 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. Applications can be made under the SAF through the Access Office in a student’s third level institution.
828. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current number of ETB places and the number of trainers and teachers in Ireland for electricians, plumbers and carpenters; the number of same for 2021, in tabular form, for comparative purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are making enquiries in relation to this matter and a response will issue to the Deputy once these enquiries are complete.
829. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of officials in his Department who have undertaken the Harvard Business School advanced management programme in the past ten years to date; the grade of each official; and the cost for each attendee, in tabular form. [55483/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the Deputy's request relating to officials participating in the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Programme, I can confirm that, since the establishment of my Department in August 2020, no officials have undertaken this course.
830. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person (details supplied) will receive the benefit of the reduction in the fees payment recently announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55572/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
For students in private colleges the reduction will only apply where students are attending approved undergraduate free fees courses and where the student is eligible for free fees.
Students attending other courses, such as those in many private institutions including ICHAS, pay a tuition fee which is determined by the institution concerned. It would not be feasible to extend State funding to cover the fees in these institutions.
Tax relief on tuition fees may be available for students attending courses in private colleges. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
It is open to private institutions to provide financial supports to students that they consider to be in need of such assistance. Private Colleges can advise students on any supports available for courses they provide.
831. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of medical students currently enrolled in the six medical schools in Ireland for the most recent five-year period, segmented to clearly outline the number of Irish students only and to clearly delineate by gender in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55602/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the attached spreadsheet. The data was sourced from the HEA Student Records system for the most recent five academic years available, 2017/2018 to 2021/2022 inclusive.
This data outlines the medical student enrolment numbers for Irish Students, including Northern Ireland, per Higher Education Institution, including a percentage breakdown by gender. The information in relation to gender is presented in percentage form, in order to maintain confidentiality in respect of persons identifying as neither male or female. The overall number of medical students from Ireland and Northern Ireland is also included.
