Written Answers Nos. 484-503
484. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of new additional staff recruited, as distinct from redeployed from within the Civil Service to staff the new division that deals with international protection and the Ukrainian situation. [57439/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it that the Deputy is referring to the Ukraine Division which was established in response to the Ukraine crisis.
As of the 11th of November 2022, there were 142 people assigned to work in or support the Ukraine Division. This includes 15 new recruits and 15 Ukrainian Temporary Clerical Officers, staff on secondment or temporary assignment from other Departments and staff internally reassigned from within my Department.
485. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of offers of accommodation to Ukrainians by individual households which remain open; and the number of commercial offers which remain open. [57443/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union’s overall response to the war in Ukraine. The scale of the response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed a commendable level of generosity in their support, in their welcome for beneficiaries into their communities, and in pledges of accommodation.
Every effort is being made to provide beneficiaries of temporary protection with pledged accommodation that is suitable for their needs. Once a pledge has passed through the inspection process and Garda vetting (where applicable), NGO Implementing Partners and Local Authorities will match BOTPs to suitable pledges. Since the beginning of the pledge programme in April this year, approximately 11,000 pledged properties have been notified to Local Authorities and other NGO Implementing Partners, with a view to assessing their viability and to match beneficiaries to those properties where possible.
As of 18 November, it has been reported to the Department that 5,450 beneficiaries have been matched to approximately 2,050 pledged properties.
At present, efforts are focused on activating the remaining pledges that are available for placement of BOTPs. 1,020 pledges remain open and suitable for the placement of a person or family from Ukraine. NGOs and Local Authorities continue to offer these to BOTPs.
With regard to outstanding commercial offers of property, I can confirm that, in accordance with the Government Decision of 28 October, a full review is ongoing and it not possible at this time to say how many suitable offers remain open.
486. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the details of the recruitment process through IPAS; and if employment positions are currently available. [57503/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department fills staff vacancies in the International Protection Accommodation Service through recruitment and the Civil Service Mobility Scheme.
The recruitment process is managed by the Public Appointments Service, who is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services across the Civil and Public Service.
The Mobility Scheme is the primary mechanism for the permanent lateral movement of staff members across Civil Service organisations through an open and transparent system. The scheme comes under the remit of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
The Department is working to fill any vacancies using the above mechanisms.
489. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of HIQA inspections that have taken place at emergency accommodation facilities, family hubs, centres, hotels and guesthouses accommodating persons seeking international protection in the years 2020 and 2021, and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57862/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently working with the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) to implement the commitment for HIQA to monitor International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres against national standards adopted in 2019 and in effect since the beginning of 2021.
Planning is well advanced on this process. Detailed work is being undertaken by my Department, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, to provide the necessary legal basis for HIQA's monitoring role. As part of the development of the inspection process, HIQA established an advisory group comprising members from my Department and other stakeholder organisations. My Department holds monthly meetings with HIQA to advance this project.
Ahead of commencing inspections of all permanent centres, HIQA will conduct a series of pilot inspections. It is envisaged that these pilot inspections will take place before the end of the year.
IPAS accommodation centres are currently subject to regular unannounced inspections both by Department officials and by an independent inspectorate company. In 2020, 92 inspections of IPAS centres were carried out. In 2021, 139 inspections were carried out of IPAS centres. In 2022 to date, 86 inspections have been carried out. It is not possible to separate these out by centre type.
490. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount recouped from community ELC and SAV services in the years 2020 and 2021, and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57952/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department are currently compiling the information requested by the Deputy. This information will be supplied to her no later than 10 working days. I have asked my officials to follow up on this to ensure delivery as a matter of urgency.
491. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the accommodation recognition payment for households accommodating Ukrainian refugees will be increased, given the current increase in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57960/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union’s overall response. The scale of the response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed a commendable level of generosity in their support, in their welcome for beneficiaries into their communities, and in pledges of accommodation.
I can advise the Deputy that on 28 October 2022, the Government agreed to the doubling of the monthly recognition payment to €800 from 1 December for hosts accommodating Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, as part of Ireland’s response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I will make the necessary Order to give effect to this increased rate in accordance with the statutory provisions as outlined in Section 9 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022.
492. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding a hotel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58083/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, premises providing emergency accommodation to international protection applicants are not covered by the National Standards. However, any issues that emerge in respect of such premises are immediately flagged by Department officials with the management of the premises for immediate resolution.
The Esplanade Hotel has been providing accommodation to IPAS since March 2019.
There are currently 189 residents. 52 of whom are children.
The breakdown of residents is below in tabular format:
|
Type |
Total |
||
|
Single Males |
56 |
||
|
Single Females |
23 |
||
|
Total Singles |
79 |
||
|
Family unit type |
Total no of this family unit type |
Total no of people |
|
|
1 Parent 1 child |
20 |
40 |
|
|
1 Parent 2 children |
5 |
15 |
|
|
1 Parent 3 children |
1 |
4 |
|
|
1 Parent 4 children |
|||
|
1 Parent 5 children |
|||
|
Couple no children |
1 |
2 |
|
|
Couple 1 Child |
9 |
25 |
|
|
Couple 2 Children |
5 |
20 |
|
|
Couple 3 Children |
|||
|
Couple 4 Children |
|||
|
Couple 5 Children |
|||
|
Couple 6 Children |
|||
|
Other |
|||
|
Total |
41 |
109 |
|
|
Total Children (U18) |
Age 0->4 |
Age 5->12 |
Age 13->17 |
|
52 |
32 |
14 |
6 |
The pressure on the State to accommodate over 64,000 people currently has led to significant shortages particularly for the international protection cohort.
As of 13 November 2022, there are 17,192 people accommodated in the IPAS accommodation system as a whole, 8,711 of those people are in emergency accommodation centres.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country. There have been circa 40 accommodation locations utilised since January across 13 counties.
As the Department has not been able to meet the capacity needs from the previous Request for Tender (RFT) process to provide more accommodation, officials continue to engage in emergency accommodation procurement to address the shortfall in capacity.
With respect to Emergency accommodation, the Department notifies all providers of the IPAS tender process and it is open to them to apply if they so wish.
493. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans or proposals for modular homes in Columb Barracks, Mullingar, County Westmeath. [58154/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Government tasked the Office of Public Works (OPW) to lead on the design, development and delivery of any accommodation to be produced through rapid build construction including associated site enabling works on available and suitable State land. My Department is the Approving Authority for the Programme and has responsibility for the ownership of these rapid build homes and their future use. The OPW is the Sponsoring Agency for the purpose of rolling out the Programme.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sought information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership which might be suitable for the installation of rapid build homes. On foot of the responses received, the Department provided a shorter list of potentially suitable sites to DCEDIY and OPW and this included Columb Barracks in Mullingar, Co. Westmeath.
The Department is currently rolling out this first phase of the programme of rapid build homes with sites identified in Cork, Cavan, Tipperary, Sligo and Claremorris. Further engagement with public representatives and communities will take place in the coming weeks and early in 2023 regarding the next phase of sites.
Columb Barracks will separately be used as a property where temporary accommodation will be provided for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection early in 2023.
494. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans or proposals for modular homes in Connolly Barracks, Longford, County Longford. [58158/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the Government tasked the Office of Public Works (OPW) to lead on the design, development and delivery of any accommodation to be produced through rapid build construction including associated site enabling works on available and suitable State land. My Department is the Approving Authority for the Programme and has responsibility for the ownership of these rapid build homes and their future use. The OPW is the Sponsoring Agency for the purpose of rolling out the Programme.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sought information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership which might be suitable for the installation of rapid build homes. On foot of the responses received, the Department provided a shorter list of potentially suitable sites to DCEDIY and OPW and this included Connolly Barracks in Longford.
The Department is currently rolling out this first phase of the programme of rapid build homes with sites identified in Cork, Cavan, Tipperary, Sligo and Claremorris. Further engagement with public representatives and communities will take place in the coming weeks and early in 2023 regarding the next phase of sites.
495. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is correct that contracts for accommodation for Ukrainians in private residences are currently under review, and as such, no new contracts for accommodation are being negotiated until the review is complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58162/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that my Department does not procure private residential accommodation, with the exception of premises over 15 bedrooms. This is to ensure that the private rental market is not negatively impacted by the need to provide emergency accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. This policy is unchanged.
496. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the case of people attending training with the National Learning Network but were transferred from a long-term disability payment to a training allowance and are now being excluded from the €500 lump sum payment announced in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57257/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra497. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if claimants of the disability allowance who transferred to the temporary training allowance will be able to receive the one-off €500 cost-of-living lump sum payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57261/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 497 together.
I can confirm that learners in receipt of ETB training allowances, who were previously in receipt of disability allowance prior to commencing their courses, will receive the one-off €500 Disability Support Grant. My officials are engaging with SOLAS in relation to arrangements being put in place for the payments to be made. I will provide you with an update once these arrangements are in place.
498. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he or any officials from his Department or from bodies under the aegis of his Department travelled to the climate change conference in Sharm el-Sheikh; the number of people who travelled; the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57316/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo officials from my Department or from bodies under the aegis of my Department travelled to the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Change Conference.
499. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which all refunds for students and apprentices as announced in Budget 2023 will be paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57517/22]
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; and .
- once-off reduction of up to 33% in the contribution fee for apprentices.
These measures will assist students with the costs of attending higher education and will help alleviate some of the financial pressures which they and their families are facing. The reduction will be administered with the assistance of the higher education institution a student is attending.
Student Contribution - Free Fees Eligible Students
Free fees eligible students who are paying their student contribution in two instalments will have the amount reduced from their next instalment by their institution during semester two.
Students who have already paid their 2022/23 student contribution in full during semester one will receive a refund from their institution and the refund process has commenced. The HEI will contact eligible students and seek the necessary account details to process a refund.
When contacted by their HEI and asked to provide account details to facilitate a refund, students are required to provide the relevant details by 30 November 2022 to facilitate a refund in 2022. If a student has not provided the required details by the required date, the HEI may apply a credit to a student's account against any outstanding or future fees due.
Institutions will communicate with students directly on how the refund process for students who paid their full student contribution during semester one will operate.
Additional information is available on gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/news/f20ab-budget-2023-1000-government-contribution-to-student-contribution-for-free-fee-scheme-students-in-academic-year-2022-to-2023/
Student Contribution - Apprentices
Institutions will contact all apprentices due a refund. Institutions will process the bulk of refunds by 31 December 2022 and any remaining refunds will be processed by 31 January 2023.
- Consortia-led apprentices: Institutions will apply an appropriate credit to the account of eligible consortia-led apprentice students as soon as practicable and before 30 November 2022. These apprentices do not need to contact their institution or apply for the credit. It will be automatically applied by the institution.
- Craft apprentices: Where craft apprentices have paid the full amount, institutions will provide a refund to craft apprentices. By 30th November 2022, craft apprentices should send their institution bank account details to receive a refund. This is to facilitate an electronic bank transfer before 31 January 2023. If a craft apprentice due a refund does not provide the required bank account information, the institution may need to provide a refund at a later date.
Additional information is available on gov.ie: www.gov.ie/en/news/de72c-budget-2023-guidance-for-institutions-on-once-off-13-contribution-to-apprentice-student-contribution-in-academic-year-2022-to-2023/
500. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total expenditure in each year since 2018 on the accommodation allowance and meal allowance for apprentices, in tabular form; and the average cost per apprentice per year. [57572/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra510. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the annual expenditure on the apprentice accommodation allowances and travel allowance, per year since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57712/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 500 and 510 together.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the annual expenditure on apprentice accommodation allowances and travel allowance per year since 2011 and the total expenditure in each year since 2018 on accommodation allowance and meal allowance for apprentices in tabular form; and the average cost per apprentice per year, is being compiled by SOLAS. An answer will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
501. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department's views on whether there is a crisis in the English language education sector for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57672/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra502. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will conduct an income over expenditure analysis for English language education students on stamp 2 visas from the perspective of the student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57673/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 501 and 502 together.
No such analyses are currently being planned.
A series of reforms to the student immigration system for international education (assets.gov.ie/25007/6794897b14064e08bae9a9068a849075.pdf) were implemented in 2015. The reforms were designed to drive real and lasting change in the sector and address abuse of the immigration regime and labour market, improve the overall quality of educational offering to international students, and improve protection and supports for learners, whilst safeguarding the strong international reputation of high-quality Irish education providers consistent with the goals of Ireland’s International Education Strategy.
The primary purpose of the Stamp 2 immigration permission is to enable non-EEA students to travel to Ireland to avail of educational opportunities and in the case of the sector in question, to study English. To pursue their studies, English language students can avail of up to three Stamp 2 immigration permissions, each of 8 months duration, to a maximum of two years. As part of each 8 month permission, a student enrols on an English language programme which meets the requirements of the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), which is at least 25 weeks in duration and which provides a minimum of 15 classroom tuition hours per week led by an appropriately qualified teacher. The class attendance requirements linked to this permission are key to underpinning the integrity of English language provision.
While primarily for the purpose of study, this permission also allows Stamp 2 holders to work while in the State subject to clearly stated conditions. Students may take up employment which enables them to work up to 20 hours a week during term time and up to 40 hours a week during designated holiday periods.
Student welfare has been a key driver for my Department since its establishment. Where English language education students are encountering difficulties or challenges, they should engage directly with their provider to avail of the resources and pastoral care supports that are on offer. The Irish Council for International Students (ICOS) also provide advice, supports and information resources for International Students based in Ireland including on such important matters as student accommodation, employment rights and immigration conditions. Information on these services can be freely accessed online here: www.internationalstudents.ie/.
The Government is taking further steps to strengthen the regulation of the English language sector. The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 contains provisions to provide for the establishment of a new national Learner Protection Fund and also the International Education Mark (IEM).
The new national Learner Protection Fund will be established and administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency with responsibility for external quality assurance and qualifications across the further, higher and adult education sectors. The fund will be used to ‘teach out’ a programme in the event that a provider fails to provide a programme. Should this not be possible, the fund will be used to reimburse students for the most recent fees that have been paid.
The International Education Mark (IEM) is a key component of the Irish Government’s policy for the English language education sector and is intended to provide a quality framework for the provision of education to international learners. To obtain the IEM providers will have to demonstrate compliance with requirements on corporate fitness, quality assurance and the protection of enrolled learners, alongside key criteria and practices surrounding the recruitment and admission of international students, information provision, student welfare, cultural awareness and academic support provisions.
My Department is currently working with QQI to develop and implement the key precursor measures that are necessary to facilitate the introduction of the Learner Protection Fund and the IEM. It is planned that the application process for the IEM will open in early 2023.
QQI has recently launched a formal public consultation process for all stakeholders on the IEM and its associated draft Codes of Practice. For further information on the IEM and to participate in this consultation, relevant information can be found here: www.qqi.ie/news/international-education-mark-public-consultation-opens-expressions-of-interest-sought.
503. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an independent regulator will be put in place for the English language education sector; and if such a regulator will oversee agents operating as intermediaries between students and English language education sector schools. [57674/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra504. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will ensure that agents operating as intermediaries between students and English-language sector schools comply with the rules regarding escrow accounts when receiving payment for English-language education sector courses from students. [57675/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together.
Issues regarding overseas travel agencies have previously been brought to the attention of my Department. These agencies are privately owned and primarily operate in other jurisdictions arranging study and travel options for prospective International Higher Education (HE) and English language education (ELE) students to many countries including Ireland. These agencies act as intermediaries between prospective students and predominantly private ELE and HE providers, who secure payments for courses and assist students with travel, accommodation, and visa requirements.
As this is principally a private sector activity and a matter of private contract between the parties involved the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science does not have a role in these matters. There is presently no national regulation of such agencies as many entities of this type are based in other jurisdictions and operate outside of the State.
Education providers in Ireland wishing to recruit non-EEA students are required to be listed on the ILEP (the Interim List of Eligible Programmes - the list of education programmes considered to justify the granting of permission to students to live and work in Ireland). The ILEP is managed by the Department of Justice in conjunction with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
A condition of an ILEP listing is a requirement for education providers to operate an 'escrow' type account with a bank or financial institution regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Providers are required to hold funds on behalf of prospective students pending the outcome of their application for a visa. Where the visa decision is positive the funds are transferred to the provider. If the visa application is refused the funds (less any pre-agreed charges) are refunded to the student.
The Government is taking further steps to strengthen the regulation of the English language sector. The Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 contains provisions to provide for the establishment of a new national Learner Protection Fund and also the International Education Mark (IEM).
The new national Learner Protection Fund will be established and administered by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the national agency with responsibility for external quality assurance and qualifications across the further, higher and adult education sectors. The fund will be used to ‘teach out’ a programme in the event that a provider fails to provide a programme. Should this not be possible, the fund will be used to reimburse students for the most recent fees that have been paid.
The International Education Mark (IEM) is a key component of the Irish Government’s policy for the English language education sector and is intended to provide a quality framework for the provision of education to international learners. To obtain the IEM providers will have to demonstrate compliance with requirements on corporate fitness, quality assurance and the protection of enrolled learners, alongside key criteria and practices surrounding the recruitment and admission of international students, information provision, student welfare, cultural awareness and academic support provisions. In addition, the Codes of Practice that will underpin the IEM will contain provisions with respect to the relationships between providers and recruitment agents.
My Department is currently working with QQI to develop and implement the key precursor measures that are necessary to facilitate the introduction of the Learner Protection Fund and the IEM. It is planned that the application process for the IEM will open in early 2023.
QQI has recently launched a formal public consultation process for all stakeholders on the IEM and its associated draft Codes of Practice. For further information on the IEM and to participate in this consultation, relevant information can be found here: www.qqi.ie/news/international-education-mark-public-consultation-opens-expressions-of-interest-sought.
