Written Answers Nos. 285-312
286. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will introduce a temporary inflation payment scheme for the childcare sector, similar to the nursing home TIPS scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59922/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is investing significantly in the early learning and childcare sector and there is an ambitious new funding model being introduced to improve stability and sustainability for providers. There are supports, financial and otherwise, available to services who need them.
On 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers.
Together for Better, the new funding model comprised of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme, is about getting the most out of the three early learning and childcare programmes, for children, parents, providers, the workforce, and society overall, and ensuring stability and sustainability in the sector.
Core Funding has a budget of €259 million in full year costs for year 1 of the programme (September 2022-August 2023). Core Funding is designed specifically as a supply-side funding stream, paid directly to providers, related to the costs of delivery. Core Funding is based on operating hours, number of places offered by services, and the age group of children for whom the places are offered, given the staffing requirements determined by the regulatory ratios for different care categories, as well as allocations for graduate leaders in services. Structuring Core Funding primarily based on capacity means that Partner Services have an allocation each year that does not fluctuate in line with children’s attendance. Core Funding allows for substantial increases in the total cost base for the sector, related both to pay and non-pay costs, without additional costs being passed on to parents.
Core Funding contributes to services’ sustainability and significantly increases income for the overwhelming majority of services and provides greater funding stability. Already 94% of services have signed up to Core Funding and the scheme remains open for applications.
Services that are experiencing difficulty and who would like support are encouraged to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route and it also allows for trends and themes across the country to be identified that can inform a more systematic response if necessary.
CCCs are receiving very small numbers of services reporting cases of financial unsustainability. Just two services have applied for sustainability funding in 2022 and their difficulties pre-date Core Funding becoming available. Any provider who is experiencing challenges is encouraged to contact their CCC.
Early learning and care services will be able to apply for the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS). Under TBESS, businesses engaged in early learning and childcare services who have suffered an increase of at least 50% in the average unit price of electricity and/or natural gas for the relevant billing period in 2022, as compared with the average unit price for electricity and/or gas for the corresponding reference period in 2021, will be eligible under the scheme.
Due to the level of support provided over the past years through Covid-19 funding - estimated to be in excess of €1 billion - many early learning and childcare services are in a strong financial position. Available funding included the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme, Covid-19 capital grants, Reopening Support Payments, Ventilation grants, Playing Outside Grants, and the Transition Fund, in addition to the very substantial funding through the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme which covered the large majority of the wage bill for most services.
Stability and sustainability of early learning and childcare services is a top priority for Government, as demonstrated by the significant additional investment in the new funding model plus the wider whole-of-government supports for providers throughout the pandemic and now offered through TBESS. The Department, with Pobal and CCCs, will continue to engage with the sector and monitor the financial situation of early learning and childcare services, and supports are available where services face sustainability issues.
Budget 2023 allocates €1.025 billion to early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. Together for Better aims to transform the sector and I am committed to working with Partner Services delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
287. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth His plans to abolish direct provision; when this will be achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59948/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware the Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to end the current system of accommodation for International Protection applicants and replace it with a new model that is based on a not for profit approach. As part of this process, I published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service on 26 February 2021. This paper sets out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and will replace the current system.
Since publishing, the White Paper my department has placed a significant focus on delivering these reforms. Progress made includes:
- The recruitment of a team dedicated to driving the implementation of the new programme;
- The establishment of Governance structures to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Committee;
- The development of the community accommodation model including the acquisition of some properties;
- The development of an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper;
- The advancement of our Communication Strategy to include a dedicated webpage where all members of the Public can find updates on the progress being made;
- The initiation of a planning process for Phase One Reception and Integration Centres.
- The roll out of an integration fund, offering grants to civil society organisations for projects supporting the integration of International Protection Applicants. I am very pleased to say that over €1.6m in funding has being awarded to 67 organisations through this new International Protection Integration Fund.
As will be appreciated, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for the implementation of the White Paper. Alongside this, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking international protection with over 13,000 arrivals up to the end of October and a prediction of over 14,000 arrivals by the end of the year. As of the 24 November my Department is accommodating over 64,500 people overall, compared with 7,500 at this time last year.
In this vastly changed context, an overall review of the projected timelines and deliverables in the White Paper is currently underway. This is a complex exercise that will take account of both the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the war in Ukraine and the impact of the substantial increase in numbers seeking International Protection.
The review is reassessing the projections underpinning the White Paper with respect to numbers of arrivals and how this impacts on key deliverables. The review will also consider whether it is preferable to prioritise the implementation of certain aspects of the White Paper reforms over others. The objective of such an approach would be to advance key reforms that are achievable in the current altered context and to build much needed accommodation capacity in the system.
An initial paper with some options and recommendations has been brought to the White Paper Programme Board for their input and feedback. Once the overall review is completed a new set of proposals will be drafted and submitted to Government for approval.
288. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the length of time that persons will be accommodated in a hotel (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 20 November 2022, there are 17,518 people accommodated by the Internatinal Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). At this point in 2021, there were approximately 7,250 people in IPAS accommodation.
In the context of this crisis, the State is availing of all offers of accommodation made, including temporary emergency accommodation in Killarney and in many other locations nationwide, in order to address the urgent accommodation need.
Given the significantly increased numbers of international protection applicants arriving in the country in addition to the Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection - (BOTPs), temporary emergency accommodation has to be used, often at very short notice, in order to prevent homelessness.
The current IPAS contract with Killarney Hotel is due to end on 31 March 2023.
289. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the work being undertaken to establish a refugee agency as per the White Paper recommendations on ending direct provision; if any persons have been interviewed for positions within the agency; when he expects the agency to be become operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to end the current system of accommodation for International Protection applicants and replace it with a new model that is based on a not for profit approach. As part of this process, I published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service on 26 February 2021. This paper sets out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and will replace the current system.
As part of the implementation process, the White Paper indicates that further analysis will be carried out, during the transition period, on what the optimal delivery vehicle for the new service might be in the longer term. Given the nature of the service, this will include consideration of the establishment of an independent body in the form of a new statutory agency of DCEDIY to provide the service.
A process to review timelines for implementation of the White Paper is currently underway and will take account of both the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the crisis in Ukraine and the impact of the substantial increase in the numbers seeking international protection. One element of future work will be to look in more detail at the question of whether or not an agency should be established to manage this area of work.
290. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and the nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60078/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Department for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth provides information in respect of contracts awarded without a competitive process on the annual 40/02 return to the Comptroller and Auditor General and to the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). The 2022 return will be submitted to the C&AG by 31st March 2023.
In respect of 2020, the Department complied with the guidelines with the exception of:
- 151 contracts with a combined value of €91,068,052 relating to the provision of international protection accommodation
- one contract with a value of €29,600 related to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters
- one contract with a value of €74,385 regarding the transfer of the finance system to this Department. This system was previously managed for the Department by the Department of Health.
In respect of 2021 The Department complied with the guidelines with the exception of:
- 54 contracts with a combined value of €90,716,650 relating to the provision of international protection accommodation.
- 1 contract with a value of €35,355 related to the Commission of Investigation into Mothers and Babies Homes.
- 1 contract with a value of €101,905 regarding the software and support for the Department’s Financial Management System.
291. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown by county of the number and cost of the beds that his Department contracted for asylum seekers in hotels, pubs, bed and breakfasts or any similar facilities in each month from 31 May to 31 October 2022. [60361/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, the information sought is currently being collated by the Department.
The response will issue as soon as the information is available.
292. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of work to address a range of industrial relations issues related to adult education tutors; the reason that this process has not been completed; the timeline that he is working towards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60113/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been previous engagement with Unions regarding these staff and while agreement was reached on some issues, the claim to align tutors to a pay scale of an existing ETB grade remains unresolved. In 2020 the Labour Court recommended that the official side identify the scale of cost it was prepared or able to absorb and make an offer, while noting the position that existed in terms of requirements 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 the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to this matter and discussions are ongoing.
293. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the activity that is being considered by his Department and the local authority to target vacant buildings in terms of providing additional student accommodation places in Waterford city given the student accommodation deficit in the city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60074/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince 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. My Officials have also met a number of times with the TU's including SETU Waterford in relation to student accommodation provision. this engagement is ongoing.
I am pleased to confirm Government has approved my proposal this week to directly intervene in the delivery of student accommodation. Furthermore, the Government has also approved investment in preparing Technological Universities to build student accommodation, which will include assessment of regional needs and vacant stock. This work will commence in early 2023 and will include engagement with local authorities.
In addition, my officials are engaging closely with DHLGH to ensure a collaborative approach to the provision of new and additional accommodation. Supporting the development of student accommodation responses in key areas will enable TU’s to further develop facilities for students. Government’s Housing For All policy contains a commitment to support TUs to develop student accommodation where such a requirement exists, through access to appropriate financing. In this context it is now anticipated that any borrowing framework for TUs would in the first instance prioritise the provision of student accommodation in line with commitments in the Government's Housing for All plan.
Government support has been obtained to commence an examination for the development of a TU borrowing framework for the purposes of student accommodation. Both my Department and I are of the view that enabling appropriate access to finance is one of the significant requirements for the delivery by higher education institutions of student accommodation. My Department and the HEA are liaising with the TUs to support them to assess their student accommodation needs and develop strategic approaches to additional accommodation delivery. In relation to vacant properties, my Department is examining expanding its remit to allow for third level institutions repurpose vacant properties.
294. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that students who qualify for learning supports in primary, secondary and higher education, lose all these supports if they go to further education (details supplied); his views on whether marginalised students deserve the full suite of options that others can utilise to nurture their educational journey and navigate full lives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59976/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that inclusion has always been a central tenet of the work of Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and Further Education and Training (FET) providers, with an extensive reach into and across local communities. Fostering inclusion is one of the three core pillars of Future FET: Transforming Learning the national FET Strategy 2020-2024. It identifies addressing the needs of marginalised learners, including people with a disability, as a primary focus and commits to more consistent support for this group across FET.
The FET sector is fully committed to increasing levels of inclusion through the provision of high quality, accessible and flexible education and training programmes. There is a broad range of supports provided through the ETBs to support the participation of all learners, including those with disabilities. FET offers a full suite of programmes and these are made available to all participants, regardless of disability.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) provides funding in higher education and FET to support students with disabilities. SOLAS now manages the FET element of the FSD which provides funding to PLC colleges/schools to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers. The allocation to the FSD in the FET sector has increased to €4.1m in 2022. Need assessments determine the supports and accommodations provided to students, in accordance with the guidelines issued by SOLAS.
In addition to add on disability supports, the FET Strategy is moving towards a Universal Design approach, whereby disability supports are integrated into mainstream provision insofar as is possible, with specialised supports reserved for people with needs that cannot be met through mainstream provision. This approach recognises that every individual learns differently, has different interests, aptitudes and levels of ability, whether or not they have what might be defined as a special educational need. It aims to optimise learning for all by accommodating the diverse educational needs of all learners within mainstream provision. Individualised supports, for addressing more specific needs among a smaller subset of learners will, of course, be maintained and promoted.
Building on its 2017 research into barriers to FET for the long-term unemployed and other vulnerable groups, SOLAS intends to commission further research and examine barriers to participation in FET, with particular reference to persons with a disability.
All of the foregoing initiatives and the broader operation of the FET system, including engagement with relevant stakeholders, provide SOLAS and the ETB system with in-depth knowledge and deep appreciation of the access requirements of marginalised learners, including learners with disabilities, which in turn will assist greatly with the future planning and delivery of such services in this priority area.
295. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will engage with the Minister for Education on the issue of increasing the cap on primary teacher training places in public HEIs given that the Department of Education is currently in the process of determining the intake on the primary B.Ed. and PME programmes for the 2023-2024 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the process for the approval of the intake on the Primary Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) programme and Professional Master of Education (PME) programme for the 2023/24 academic year has commenced and remains under consideration by the Department of Education. Once approved, the State-funded HEIs will be advised of this.
The intake to the B.Ed. at the State funded HEIs has remained at 1,000 places per year since 1999. The intake to the post graduate courses has varied slightly since its inception. However, over the last number of years, it has remained constant at 200 places.
While teacher supply pressures are being experienced in the system at present, there is a strong underlying downward trend in the demand projections at primary level. Measures to address current supply issues have been put in place by the Department for Education.
301. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of apprentices currently available; the extent to which this is sufficient to meet requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60050/22]
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 any area or sector.
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.
Apprenticeship registrations in 2021 were the highest they have been since 2007, with 8,607 apprentices employed on 62 programmes. 6,955 registrations were in craft apprenticeship programmes and 1652 on the newer consortia led programmes launched since 2016. As of end October the apprentice population is 25, 523, representing an over 40% increase on the population at end of 2019, the last ‘normal’ full year of operation.
These apprentices are registered across all 66 apprenticeship programmes currently 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.
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.
305. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he is satisfied that adequate provision continues to be made arising from his discussions with the academic and technical sectors with a view to meeting demand and job specifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60054/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant focus has been given by my Department to strengthening the skills ecosystem in Ireland to ensure it has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities in the skills landscape and the rapid, technologically driven changes that we are seeing in the world of work. This is essential to ensuring that Ireland continues to have a skilled and productive workforce.
My Department’s project with the OECD, which is running from November 2021 to March 2023, to review Ireland’s skills approach has seen a comprehensive review throughout the year of these issues. Clear areas of focus emerging include our need to have more dynamic, granular, real-time data to inform how we respond rapidly to industry's needs, particularly across digital skills demands in all sectors; our intent to continue focus on short, flexible and blended skilling options for individuals entering and for people transitioning in the workforce; and, our ambition to progress ease of navigability through options for skilling and ensuring individualised, continuous learning journeys are enabled, encouraged and as easy as possible to undertake.
Our existing National Skills Strategy (currently in place 2016-2025) got a lot right. Partnership was woven into the central fabric of our skills policy approach and continues to be a central focus in how we address future skills needs. Skillnet Ireland are undertaking a significant programme of work to embed enterprise driven responses to Ireland’s skills needs.
There are a number of key skills areas which are being progressed at present, including digital skills, green skills, and transversal skills, all of which will have a significant and long-lasting impact.
For example, in February 2022 my Department launched ‘Harnessing Digital – Ireland’s National Digital Strategy’, through which we have committed to driving digital skills offerings to enable all across the labour market. This is in addition to providing digital skills for all, with a target of increasing the share of adults with at least basic digital skills to 80% by 2030; and, increasing the numbers of learners graduating with higher-level digital skills to over 12,400 graduates, apprentices and trainees, with ambition to further increase digital skills provision in following years.
In addition, the Green Skills for FET Roadmap 2021-2030 launched earlier this year incorporates the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, and the Green Skills Action Programme contributing to the intensification of the use of clean technologies and acceleration in the use of renewables commenced in 2021. My Department will continue to work to develop enterprise-relevant courses / micro-credentials to support reskilling and upskilling for residential retrofitting, green skills and offshore renewable energy.
In May of this year, I launched ‘Funding the Future’, a landmark policy which sets out an ambitious programme of reform. This includes five priority strands of work, focusing on ensuring that skills needs for the country are met.
In Higher Education, the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) forms a key part of the strategic response to a changing world of work and the challenges the economy will face in the period ahead. With a strong focus on innovation and agility, the programmes being supported will ensure that graduates from the education system as a whole, are in a position to respond positively to the challenges and opportunities ahead.
In relation to the areas of science, innovation and research specifically, I am seeking to further momentum in fostering talent to match the dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape of our economy. For example, Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy was published earlier this year. It reaffirms that talent lies at the heart of the Irish research and innovation ecosystem. For future national prosperity, Ireland must be a great place to be a researcher and innovator, and it must attract the best people from all backgrounds, domestically and internationally.
It is these collaborative partnerships that are ensuring that Ireland’s future skills needs will be met, and will respond with agility to the needs of industry.
306. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the contracts that have been granted without having to go to public tender; the companies that were granted these contracts and nature of the work involved; the qualifying criteria that was applied to any company awarded such a contract in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60084/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department makes a return of contracts awarded without a competitive tender as part of the annual Appropriation Account process. There were no cases to be reported in respect of 2020, Details in respect of 2021 cases are listed in tabular form below.
During 2021, two contracts were awarded on a non-competitive basis with a total value of € 297,000. The report in respect of 2022 contracts will be compiled in quarter one 2023 and is not yet available.
|
Contractor |
Subject of Contract / Purchase |
Qualification |
|
Flexitime Limited |
Development of an attendance and payment system as part of the Apprentice and Learner Payroll Project. |
Existing sectoral provider |
|
Datapac |
Consultancy support for the implementation of the Apprentice and Learner Payroll Project |
Specific experience and qualifications that were not widely available |
307. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the creation of a new further education and training college in Galway to consolidate the provision by the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board of education in the city and to enable the Board to deliver on the national Further Education and Training Strategy and on his Department's policy mission to develop Ireland's further and higher education and research and innovation system to ensure that they are capable of meeting the diverse needs of all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60120/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe College of the Future Major Projects Fund will support the implementation of the vision set out in the Further Education Strategy.
During a recent visit to Galway earlier this week, I was very pleased to announce that Galway Roscommon ETBs strategic proposal to develop a Further Education College in Galway city was successful in the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund.
GRETB’s proposal envisages the development of a new state-of-the-art FET campus on a site adjacent to its Mervue Training facility. This proposed new development would facilitate the strengthening and consolidation of FET in Galway City to meet the needs of learners, teaching staff and the wider region due to its close proximity to the training Centre in Mervue, Atlantic Technological University and NUI Galway.
This proposal will now progress to the next stage of the project lifecycle under the Public Spending Code, which requires the development of a detailed Preliminary Business Case. This will begin in early 2023. A further evaluation of preliminary business cases for the ten proposals will be undertaken in 2023.
308. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that part-time students are excluded from the reduction in student fees outlined in Budget 2023; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many students are trying to progress their careers in difficult circumstances by pursuing part-time education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60121/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023, I 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 attending part time courses 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 part time study.
While this is the current position, one of the Funding the Future working groups is examining issues relating to part-time study and will make recommendations to me in 2023.
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 attending part-time courses. Details in relation to this relief are available from the Revenue Commissioners.
309. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice the reason for the delay in granting a person (details supplied) recognition under the undocumented scheme, given that their residency pass has been out of date since 5 April 2022. [59898/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 23 February 2022 and continues to be processed. Due to the large number of applications on hand it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for a decision to issue.
The processing times of applications will vary depending on the complexity of the application, whether it is a single or family application, the supporting documentation and the vetting process with An Garda Síochána (AGS). Applications where there is an existing deportation order will require additional processing.
Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Undocumented-Policy-Scheme-January-2022.pdf.
310. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No 26 of 20 October 2022, if the process of contacting proposers, whether to notify them of their progressing to the second stage of the process or to require further information has now concluded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra311. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Justice the total number of successful applications made under the Afghan Admissions Programme; the number of applications now at the second stage of processing; the number refused following a request for further information; the total number of unsuccessful applications; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59904/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 310 and 311 together.
In response to the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, my Department remains focused on processing applications for family reunification made under all admission avenues, including the Afghan Admissions Programme for family members of Afghan nationals living in Ireland. The Afghan Admissions Programme is an additional avenue open to Afghan nationals to bring close family members to live here with them. There are a number of other options already in place through existing immigration programmes that have been availed of by members of the Afghan community in Ireland and we continue to also process these applications sympathetically.
The process of contacting proposers is underway, with over 95% contacted to date. The requested information has begun to be received by officials in my Department and, as of Friday 25 November, approvals have issued in respect of 22 beneficiaries under the Afghan Admissions Programme. To date no refusal letters have issued.
The Afghan Admissions Programme is an additional avenue open to the relatively small number of Afghan nationals living here to bring close family members to live here with them. There are of course a number of other options already in place through existing immigration programmes that have also been availed of by members of the Afghan community in Ireland since the beginning of August 2021 to 28 November 2022, a total of 142 join family visas have been approved for Afghan nationals and 105 family reunification applications have been approved and we continue to also process these applications sympathetically.
I understand that this is a difficult situation for our Afghan community and their loved ones. I would also like to assure the Afghan community that applications under this Programme continue to be assessed in a pragmatic and humanitarian manner with a view to issuing decisions as soon as possible.
312. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she can clarify if the PSA must take account of EROs approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas in its regulating of private security firms; the penalties there are for noncompliance by private security firms of such regulation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59916/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Private Security Authority (PSA), an independent body under the aegis of my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for licensing and regulating the private security industry in Ireland. I am advised by the PSA that the current Employment Regulation Order (ERO), came into effect in 2017 (S.I. 231 of 2017) and the PSA checks for compliance with this ERO as part of its inspection regime. Contractors found to be in breach of the ERO by the PSA face a range of sanctions up to and including the revocation of their licence.
