Written Answers Nos. 420-440
420. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider increasing funding for a charity (details supplied) supporting adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse, after it had to close its waiting list for psychotherapy for four months of 2021 given that the waiting period went beyond one year. [61010/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis matter would be more appropriately addressed by my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
421. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the sites that have been identified for modular buildings in County Longford in order to accommodate those within the IPAS system. [61018/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra422. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the work that has been carried out in terms of developing and planning sites identified for modular buildings in County Longford in order to accommodate those within the IPAS system. [61019/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra423. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a decision will be taken on whether modular buildings will proceed on a site in Longford; and the location in which this will be in order to accommodate those within the IPAS system. [61020/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 421 to 423, inclusive, together.
Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive immediately afterwards, over 59,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine and have sought refuge here in Ireland. Approximately 47,000 of those are being provided with accommodation from the State.
In response to the crisis, the Government has sought to provide a range of accommodation solutions in every county in Ireland. This has primarily involved the contracting of hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, but also has included the use of Scout Halls, Religious Congregations’ accommodation, vacant student accommodation and other locations. In addition, around 5,450 people displaced by the war in Ukraine have taken up places in the private homes of Irish people who have volunteered their rooms or vacant houses for use.
As part of this considerable national effort, the Government has also approved the construction of 500 rapid build homes on State owned land, which will aim to provide accommodation to 2000 individuals in family units.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading 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 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 of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provided a shorter list of potentially suitable sites to DCEDIY and OPW and this included a number of sites 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.
As the Deputy is aware, the development of rapid build homes to assist the Ukrainian humanitarian response will greatly support families fleeing from war and very difficult conditions in Ukraine.
For further information on the project please see attached link to a gov.ie webpage ttps://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef882-rapid-build-housing/.
424. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will re-establish a timeline for ending direct provision and the introduction of a rights-based, non-profit approach to addressing the needs of those seeking asylum in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61048/22]
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 €1.6 million 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 12,000 arrivals up to the end of October and a prediction of over 14,000 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 progress with key reforms that are achievable in the current altered context and build must needed accommodation capacity in the system. This could enable progress on a meaningful reform programme that adheres to the key principles of the White Paper.
The review will also focus on identifying new approaches that will help the system to manage with the uncertainty and its demand led nature and address future needs.
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 their approval.
425. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to regulate English language schools and the employment of staff in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60784/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019 contains a number of legislative provisions which are aimed at enhancing and strengthening the role of Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) as a regulator of quality in the English language education sector. These measures include the establishment of a new national Learner Protection Fund and the International Education Mark (IEM). The new Learner Protection Fund will be established and administered by QQI. 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 IEM is a key component of the 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 to QQI 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, providers will also be required to satisfy conditions relating to the recruitment, training and the cessation of employment of staff. Further information on the IEM is available on QQI’s website at the following link: https://www.qqi.ie/events/roadmap-to-the-international-education-mark.
426. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter regarding a person who is having difficulty gaining apprenticeship college placement closer to their place of residence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60221/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland. While it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science, to comment on any individual case, I have asked Solas to respond directly.
427. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students in public institutes of higher education each year since 2011 including the 2022/2023 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60227/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested by the Deputy is contained in the table below. This data was sourced from the HEA student records system (SRS) for the academic years 2010/2011 to 2021/2022, which is the most recent available, and by course level, undergraduate and postgraduate enrolments.
|
PT enrolments |
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
2016/2017 |
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
|
Undergraduate |
19,802 |
21,242 |
20,627 |
21,236 |
20,897 |
22,192 |
21,988 |
23,794 |
25,555 |
27,392 |
27,204 |
24,729 |
|
Postgraduate |
12,861 |
12,812 |
14,015 |
14,490 |
15,139 |
15,057 |
15,645 |
16,307 |
17,474 |
18,401 |
22,454 |
21,533 |
|
Grand Total |
32,663 |
34,054 |
34,642 |
35,726 |
36,036 |
37,249 |
37,633 |
40,101 |
43,029 |
45,793 |
49,658 |
46,262 |
428. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of part-time undergraduates and postgraduate students in each public institute of higher education each year since 2011 including the 2022/2023 academic year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60228/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department sources its statistics on student enrolments from the HEA's Student Records System. The information requested by the Deputy is contained in the attached spreadsheet and includes part time enrolments by higher education institution from 2010/2022 to 2021/2022 academic years. The data provides both undergraduate and postgraduate part time enrolments. The enrolments for 2022/2023 are not yet available from the HEA student records system (SRS).
429. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of part-time third level students by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60229/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is contained in the attached spreadsheet for academic years 2010/2011 to 2021/2022, the most recent available, from the HEA student records system. Please note that the reference to unknown Ireland refers to where the domiciliary of the student was given as Ireland however, the county of origin was not provided.
Part-time enrolments by county
|
- |
2010/2011 |
2011/2012 |
2012/2013 |
2013/2014 |
2014/2015 |
2015/2016 |
2016/2017 |
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
2021/2022 |
|
Ireland (ROI) |
30,572 |
32,176 |
33,427 |
34,217 |
34,187 |
35,395 |
35,304 |
38,057 |
40,615 |
43,690 |
47,246 |
43,454 |
|
Carlow |
411 |
471 |
466 |
526 |
483 |
630 |
596 |
661 |
653 |
679 |
653 |
631 |
|
Cavan |
228 |
246 |
279 |
252 |
279 |
301 |
321 |
388 |
449 |
429 |
554 |
476 |
|
Clare |
732 |
685 |
688 |
782 |
716 |
762 |
804 |
772 |
1,005 |
1,129 |
1,230 |
1,126 |
|
Cork |
3,467 |
4,030 |
4,293 |
4,923 |
4,774 |
4,853 |
5,033 |
5,262 |
5,505 |
6,165 |
6,678 |
5,980 |
|
Donegal |
611 |
560 |
692 |
742 |
872 |
943 |
922 |
1,157 |
1,107 |
1,247 |
1,290 |
1,156 |
|
Dublin |
9,337 |
9,715 |
9,695 |
9,843 |
10,076 |
10,424 |
9,689 |
10,248 |
11,388 |
12,402 |
13,722 |
12,594 |
|
Galway |
2,719 |
2,717 |
3,069 |
3,181 |
3,554 |
2,869 |
3,434 |
3,920 |
2,870 |
3,082 |
3,011 |
2,705 |
|
Kerry |
688 |
772 |
681 |
699 |
673 |
671 |
736 |
745 |
911 |
946 |
1,065 |
1,067 |
|
Kildare |
1,447 |
1,620 |
1,699 |
1,682 |
1,723 |
1,795 |
1,747 |
1,926 |
2,047 |
2,183 |
2,483 |
2,342 |
|
Kilkenny |
514 |
589 |
636 |
697 |
683 |
701 |
730 |
788 |
886 |
876 |
954 |
897 |
|
Laois |
402 |
410 |
427 |
431 |
420 |
489 |
479 |
492 |
574 |
566 |
651 |
619 |
|
Leitrim |
177 |
147 |
184 |
164 |
172 |
197 |
202 |
225 |
238 |
242 |
278 |
251 |
|
Limerick |
1,202 |
1,120 |
1,146 |
1,337 |
1,236 |
1,246 |
1,311 |
1,350 |
1,514 |
1,875 |
1,990 |
1,886 |
|
Longford |
223 |
230 |
241 |
196 |
210 |
254 |
212 |
285 |
314 |
307 |
305 |
281 |
|
Louth |
573 |
634 |
681 |
688 |
669 |
779 |
741 |
750 |
876 |
1,041 |
1,216 |
1,037 |
|
Mayo |
674 |
756 |
808 |
649 |
612 |
838 |
670 |
784 |
989 |
999 |
925 |
886 |
|
Meath |
956 |
1,066 |
1,075 |
1,110 |
1,118 |
1,190 |
1,231 |
1,348 |
1,444 |
1,507 |
1,754 |
1,669 |
|
Monaghan |
184 |
185 |
215 |
207 |
208 |
239 |
292 |
349 |
327 |
363 |
468 |
434 |
|
Offaly |
416 |
374 |
384 |
425 |
461 |
488 |
456 |
518 |
603 |
600 |
588 |
545 |
|
Roscommon |
408 |
380 |
419 |
398 |
382 |
444 |
393 |
486 |
475 |
540 |
534 |
505 |
|
Sligo |
428 |
381 |
432 |
361 |
420 |
360 |
367 |
407 |
450 |
484 |
571 |
536 |
|
Tipperary |
843 |
782 |
797 |
932 |
871 |
888 |
929 |
1,015 |
1,115 |
1,234 |
1,423 |
1,350 |
|
Unknown Ireland |
449 |
874 |
1,043 |
617 |
147 |
242 |
372 |
35 |
395 |
217 |
7 |
10 |
|
Waterford |
912 |
907 |
928 |
878 |
895 |
1,051 |
1,009 |
1,043 |
1,154 |
1,157 |
1,257 |
1,198 |
|
Westmeath |
722 |
700 |
648 |
681 |
659 |
669 |
551 |
693 |
794 |
750 |
794 |
768 |
|
Wexford |
930 |
938 |
821 |
857 |
813 |
987 |
936 |
1,168 |
1,245 |
1,352 |
1,380 |
1,165 |
|
Wicklow |
919 |
887 |
980 |
959 |
1,061 |
1,085 |
1,141 |
1,242 |
1,287 |
1,318 |
1,465 |
1,340 |
|
Northern Ireland |
249 |
200 |
216 |
310 |
311 |
248 |
206 |
263 |
399 |
464 |
470 |
475 |
|
Antrim |
45 |
38 |
33 |
88 |
80 |
60 |
39 |
63 |
117 |
89 |
91 |
114 |
|
Armagh |
24 |
26 |
35 |
34 |
32 |
22 |
26 |
34 |
20 |
29 |
49 |
31 |
|
Derry |
45 |
38 |
31 |
70 |
65 |
50 |
46 |
57 |
123 |
185 |
144 |
114 |
|
Down |
80 |
54 |
64 |
67 |
64 |
66 |
61 |
69 |
85 |
103 |
109 |
109 |
|
Fermanagh |
10 |
13 |
11 |
17 |
13 |
21 |
15 |
20 |
33 |
27 |
34 |
44 |
|
Tyrone |
45 |
31 |
42 |
34 |
57 |
29 |
19 |
20 |
21 |
31 |
43 |
63 |
|
Grand Total |
30,821 |
32,376 |
33,643 |
34,527 |
34,498 |
35,643 |
35,510 |
38,320 |
41,014 |
44,154 |
47,716 |
43,929 |
430. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of guidance counsellors employed directly by each ETB; the number contracted in each year since 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60230/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department are currently compiling information on this request and will forward it directly to the Deputy as soon as the information becomes available.
431. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the circumstances in which a student would not benefit from the €1,000 student contribution reduction announced in Budget 23; the criteria that a student must meet in order to benefit from the reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60251/22]
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.
Funding through this once-off measure is available to full time undergraduate students eligible for the Department’s free fees schemes in academic year 2022 to 2023. Students who do not meet the criteria for the free fees scheme in this academic year therefore will not benefit from the reduction.
Under the measure, eligible students will have the student contribution they are due to pay reduce from €3,000 to €2,000 in 2022/23. 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.
Additional information for students 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/. Where a student has a query on their eligibility to benefit under the above measures, or requires advice on how the scheme will be administered by individual institutions, they can engage directly with the institution attended.
Ineligible students can avail of the other supports, specifically through the Student Assistance Fund, which is administered through the higher education institution they attend. Further details are available at: hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/student-assistance-fund/.
432. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) has been brought to her attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60270/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder my Department's Free Fees Initiative, the State pays tuition fees, exclusive of the student contribution, on behalf of eligible students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the inter-alia criteria of the scheme including the separate residency and nationality/citizenship requirements in their own right.
In order to meet the residency criteria a student must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss/UK state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. The three out of five year rule takes cognizance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. Such students can still meet the residency requirement if they have not been outside the jurisdictions referenced above for more than two of the previous five years.
The assessment of eligibility under the Free Fees Initiative in individual cases is a matter for each institution to determine within the terms of the scheme and it is not possible for my Department to advise on the determinations made by individual institutions.
Where a student requires guidance on the determination of eligibility for free fees it is necessary that a student engage with the fees office of the institution attended. Direct engagement will offer students an opportunity to understand the determination of the institution and provide a basis for the student to provide additional information to the institution, as appropriate, to assist in the institution in determining a student's eligibility.
Having followed the appropriate procedures with the institution, if a student is not satisfied that a higher education institution has appropriately applied the free fees criterion or the institution's own fee determination procedures correctly, it is open to them to contact the Office of the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman provides an impartial, independent and free dispute resolution service.
433. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports his Department has in place in respect of further education and training centres under the auspices of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60336/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have contacted the Limerick Clare Education and Training Board (LCETB) in relation to this query. LCETB has confirmed that there are currently no crèche services available through any of their Further Education and Training (FET) colleges, but that all learners are entitled to apply for Affordable Childcare Scheme funded by the National Childcare Scheme.
435. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects the election of the University of Limerick Governing Authority to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60420/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms of office of the members of the current Governing Authority of the University of Limerick expired on 30 November 2022.
The transitional arrangements included within the new Higher Education Act 2022 allows for the extension of the term of office of the members of a Governing Authority for a period (being not longer than one year from the commencement date of 10 November 2022).
To ensure continuity and consistency on the Governing Authority particularly in the context of the commencement of the HEA Act 2022 and the requirement for the reconstitution of the University of Limerick’s Governing Authority under the new Act, I granted approval to the extension of the current Governing Body's term of office for a period of 6 months up to 31st May 2023.
My Department will now engage further with the University in relation to the regulations required under the legislation relating to the selection, election, nomination or appointment of members of the governing authority, to achieve the required reduction to a 19-member Governing Body.
As provided for within the new legislation the reduced member Governing Body must be in place by 9 November 2023.
436. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects the election of the NUI Senate to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the process to appoint a new Senate of the National University of Ireland (NUI) is near completion with the majority of positions filled and the remaining to be in place for the January 2023 meeting.
There is also a separate process underway in my Department to fill one of the four Senate positions appointed by the Government. The vacancy arose due to the resignation of the previous member, and it is expected that the process will be completed shortly.
437. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of apprenticeships that have been approved for the year ending 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and to the 30 November 2022, if he is satisfied that sufficient opportunities are available for people to take up apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60678/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeships are employer led demand-driven educational and training programmes, which 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.
The development of new apprenticeships is employer-led, with consortiums 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.
Nobody understands the skills employers need better than the employers themselves and without their engagement there can simply be no apprenticeships or places on those programmes. That is why we are driving supports, both financial and non-financial to encourage and support their engagement. The National Apprenticeship Office will link potential consortia members, education providers, and supporting consortium members and/or provide supports to build in-company training capacity. A co-ordinated, streamlined approach is essential and the NAO will drive that change.
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. Four 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.
Amendments to the Industrial Training Act, 1967, included in the recently passed Higher Education Authority Bill, 2022, will widen the scope for new apprenticeship programmes even further in an expanded range of sectors.
The increased diversity of new apprenticeships, many of which have off-the-job training delivered through online or blended learning provides a significant opportunity for widening of access to apprenticeship for rural businesses and learners. In addition, Education and Training Boards, Institutes of Technology and Technological Universities are spread throughout the country and play a very important role in ensuring apprenticeship provision has a strong regional dimension.
Such is the dynamic nature of apprenticeship programme development additional programmes continue to be proposed. Programme development has been approved for progression in areas such as farming, horticulture, engineering, finance, manufacturing, construction, ICT, and a number of others at the initial proposal stage.
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 |
438. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the new action his Department taking to entice students to take up apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60679/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ‘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. The Plan seeks to deliver on a target of 10,000 apprenticeship registrations per annum, across a wide range of programmes, by 2025.
Apprenticeship has undergone transformation over the past 6 years. Expansion to date has widened the impact of apprenticeship to areas of skills shortage such as engineering, technology skills, logistics, and fintech. There is a clear need to broaden the awareness of apprenticeship as a work-based route to internationally recognised qualifications and experience for people progressing in their career, school leavers, and career changers. Growing that message is a key feature of planning for apprenticeship in the coming years.
On 04 November 2022 the CAO 2023 application system opened and includes information on apprenticeship options with a link to www.apprenticeship.ie. There have been 3,672 visits from 4th November to 24th November 2022 and a total 41,762 visits to apprenticeship.ie directly from CAO/options page since the links were first established on 5 November 2021. As part of this landmark change, a freephone helpline has been introduced for learners, parents and guidance counsellors to provide information on apprenticeship, including how to find an employer. The helpline supplements the existing guidance counsellor service at post-primary and further education and training levels.
Both campaigns promote a number of key initiatives under the Generation Apprenticeship banner, targeting the employer audience regarding the Gender Bursary and Employer Grant, as well as targeting students, parents, and guidance counsellors regarding opportunities in apprenticeship. There is also ongoing engagement with employers through fora such as regular meetings with consortia representatives and the National Apprenticeship Alliance, which highlight opportunities for showcasing apprenticeship programmes and openings.
Data collected as part of the apprenticeship management system and the baseline study on outcomes for apprentices will be used to develop an evidence base which demonstrates the value of apprenticeship to learners who are choosing a qualification or career pathway.
The National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) will drive central branding and promotional activities targeted to heighten public awareness of the range of apprenticeship offerings. Visibility of programmes will be supported through the national Generation Apprenticeship campaign, to drive awareness of apprenticeship opportunities across a broad audience of stakeholders including radio, digital, and billboard advertising, and continued engagement with regional vocational skills showcases. The potential for co-location of the Ireland Skills Live event with other career and education showcases will also be assessed, demonstrating the value and range of practical and vocational skills, including those gained through apprenticeship, to school leavers in the midst of choosing their future learning pathway.
Working in co-operation with SOLAS under the #FutureFET vision, the NAO will ensure that school leavers will have access to the same level of information about apprenticeship options as those in further and higher education. The development of more vocational options and pathways, and apprenticeship taster courses, will be explored as part of Transition Year and Senior Cycle reform with the NCCA. The quality of information relayed to school leavers through guidance counsellors will also be enhanced through a dedicated information campaign.
439. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions his Department is taking to entice those who are unemployed to enter the education system and upskill in order to pursue employment thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department works proactively with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) to ensure co-ordinated approaches to support jobseekers. The regional Education and Training Boards (ETBs) work closely with INTREO offices and social protection services at national and regional level to ensure unemployed people can access to Further Education and Training (FET). The SOLAS Skills to Compete initiative, introduced in 2020, offers a package of targeted, modularised education and training aimed at supporting re-entry into the workforce. There have been almost 30,000 unique learner enrolments on Skills to Compete programmes across the ETBs to date.
DSP Case officers develop personal progression plans with jobseekers and make referrals to ETB programmes where appropriate. Since the launch of Pathways to Work 2021-2025 in July 2021 to end Q3 2022, some 16,800 people have been referred to FET courses. Of that number, 5,715 have started or completed their FET course.
One of the key commitments in Pathways to Work which my Department is working with DSP to deliver on, is to support 50,000 long-term unemployed people to commence in FET by 2025.
Skillnet Ireland also provides upskilling and reskilling opportunities for unemployed people nationwide through its Skills Connect programme. Over 20 Skillnet Ireland Business Networks participate in the programme offering courses in a wide range of areas, which are expected to support up to 5,000 unemployed people this year.
Within Higher Education, Springboard+ is a targeted initiative that provides free and subsidised upskilling and reskilling opportunities in areas of identified skills need and supports jobseekers to return to employment. In 2022, a total of 11,682 places on 310 courses were offered under Springboard+ and some 12.45% of those enrolled on these courses were unemployed.
Unemployed participants on FET training courses are paid a training allowance by ETBs based on their DSP payment. Unemployed people are eligible to participate on a free part-time Springboard+ training course, provided they have a previous history of employment; are actively seeking employment and are in receipt of one of the qualifying DSP allowances or are signing-on for credits or were previously self-employed. Those on qualifying DSP allowances can keep their existing social welfare payment if they continue to fulfil the conditions for their payment. If an unemployed applicant on Jobseekers Benefit or Jobseekers Allowance wishes to participate in a one-year fulltime Springboard+ training course, they may be able to qualify for Back to Education Allowance, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
440. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of the employment status in the civil service of each civilian driver who has been replaced by an official Garda driver in his Ministerial driver corps; if VER payments have issued; and if any cases have been presented to the WRC to date on foot of the changes. [60719/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing a recent security review by the Garda Commissioner, my transport arrangements have changed. Arrangements are being finalised currently for my civilian drivers. These are individual HR matters for the individuals concerned.
