Written Answers Nos. 532-553
532. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to renew the contract with a hotel (details supplied) which currently provides accommodation for Ukrainian refugees when it expires this summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4528/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAwarding contracts to new and existing suppliers of accommodation are commercial decisions made in the context of projections in terms of likely refugee arrivals and the management of our accommodation needs as a whole. Demand for accommodation for those fleeing the war in Ukraine is strong at present and we are offering new contracts to many existing suppliers. It is not possible however to comment on what the situation may be in relation to an individual contract which is due to expire in the summer.
533. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied children who had a Tusla worker apply for asylum on their behalf and subsequently went missing in each of the years 2017 to 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4530/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
534. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the National Action Plan Against Racism that was being developed following public consultation and a report from the independent Anti-Racism Committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4565/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2020, the Government established an independent Anti-Racism Committee to strengthen the Government’s approach to combatting individual and institutional racism and build on the antiracism actions included in the Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS) and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS).
Following an extensive public consultation, including engagement with international experts, the Committee submitted its action plan against racism in June 2022.
I then discharged the Committee of its Terms of Reference, and the Committee was formally brought to a close at its last plenary on 20 July 2022. My department is currently engaged in an inter-departmental process to agree year-one implementation plans to bring to Government with the NAPAR. This process will inform the way the strategy will be implemented.
My colleague Minister O'Brien and I intend to bring the Committee’s plan and the year-one implementation plan to Government for approval in February 2023, and then to launch the NAPAR in early March.
535. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to provide transport to children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4639/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not directly provide an Early Learning and Care or School Aged Childcare transport service. Services may at their own discretion provide for transport as part of their overall service offer and the substantial subsidies provided by this Department contribute to the cost of this throughout the offset of fees in those services.
The Early Years division of my department are working to ensure that all children of an eligible age have access to the ECCE pre-school programme. The City and County Childcare Committees are acting as a conduit of information for parents from Ukraine and pre-school providers in making every effort to match children where possible to their local service.
In some cases, families are being accommodated some distance from pre-school provision and access to transport is a difficulty for families. My department mapped the ECCE provision and asked the Department of Transport to consider community-based transport initiatives take into account routes between large accommodation centres and pre-schools. This has been done where possible.
Whilst it is not always feasible for a small number of families assigned to remote locations, the DECDIY will continue to match children to the most local provision and to consider alternative solutions where transport is an issue.
536. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 435 of 24 January 2023, the number of persons employed in the Ukraine Division of his Department in each of the quarters since it was established in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4655/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to the emergency nature of the war in Ukraine and the sudden influx into Ireland of people fleeing Ukraine, the Department established a new division. This was initially resourced by the internal re-deployment of staff and staff that were assigned temporarily from other Departments. Given the uncertain nature of the situation initially and the significant amount of movement of staff between units in the department and from other departments, it is not possible to provide accurate data on the numbers in the division for each quarter in 2022.
To bring stability to the resourcing of the Division, the area is now also staffed by more permanent re-assignments of staff, new recruits and secondments. The number of staff working in Ukraine Division was 135 in Quarter 4. This includes staff recruited from the Public Appointments Service, staff internally reassigned from within my Department, Ukrainian Temporary Clerical Officers and staff on secondment or temporary assignment from other departments/bodies.
537. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the meeting of the Kinnegad Steering Group and officials from his Department on 30 September 2022, where, despite repeated requests from the representative group, no follow-up has been provided. [4735/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, as of 22 January 2023, there are over 19,800 people accommodated in the IPAS accommodation system as a whole. This includes the National Reception Centre and IPAS accommodation centres, City West transit hub and emergency accommodation locations nationwide.
At this point in 2022, there were approximately 7,500 persons in IPAS accommodation.
In regard to your query, following a meeting between Department officials and community representatives on 30 September 2022, the property's use was changed from that of accommodating International Protection applicants (IPAs) to one of accommodating Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. A significant proportion of the IPAs have since been moved to other locations and represent only a quarter of residents presently. All IPAs are scheduled to be relocated once suitable accommodation becomes available.
Unfortunately, due to the current acute difficulty in securing alternative accommodation, it has not been possible to complete this process but it will be done as soon as is feasible.
The challenge of sourcing accommodation for over 73,000 people, between people fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking international protection, is immense. The Department is managing the largest humanitarian response ever mounted in the history of the State.
The Department appreciates the welcome and solidarity shown by so many Irish people in every county in Ireland for those who need safety and shelter, including from those in Kinnegad.
538. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will acknowledge and respond to a pledge of accommodation (details supplied) made to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4744/23]
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 response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed a commendable level of generosity in their support and pledges of accommodation.
To date, in excess of 6,300 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) have been housed in over 2,600 pledged accommodation settings.
The matching of Beneficiaries to prospective pledge properties is a matter for the relevant Local Authority and Implementing partner(s). I understand that every effort is being made to match Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection to pledged accommodation that is suitable for their needs. It is not always possible to accommodate specific requests made by hosts regarding the family composition they would like to assist.
Local Authorities and NGO implementing partners match beneficiaries to suitable pledged accommodation considering all factors that need to be taken into account. These factors often include access to school placements, transportation links and specific needs that are unique to each BOTP family unit.
I advise that any queries relating to pledge accommodation be directed to the Irish Red Cross (IRC) if the pledge was made to the IRC or, for all other pledges, to the appropriate Local Authority via their contacts point for the offerahome.ie/ scheme.
I wish to thank all members of the Irish Public who have very generously offered their accommodation to assist those fleeing the war in Ukraine and assure them that all efforts are being made to accommodate BOTPs.
539. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to list all properties that have housed Ukrainian refugees and/or other international protection applicants in the past twelve months by county, and in the case of Dublin, by postcode, in tabular form. [4789/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the following link:
540. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees and/or other international protection applicants who have been accommodated in the past twelve months by county, and in the case of Dublin, by postcode, in tabular form. [4790/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is now accommodating over 74,000 refugees and applicants for International Protection in State-funded accommodation. The information requested in regard to counties and Dublin Local Authority Areas has been extracted from our systems and outlined in tabular form below.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs)
|
Rest of Ireland |
Dublin |
|||
|
County |
BoTP Booked |
Local Authority Area |
BoTP Booked |
|
|
Carlow |
807 |
Dublin City Council |
3179 |
|
|
Cavan |
1030 |
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council |
578 |
|
|
Clare |
3724 |
Fingal County Council |
1002 |
|
|
Cork |
4512 |
South Dublin County Council |
2267 |
|
|
Donegal |
4883 |
Grand Total |
7026 |
|
|
Galway |
3545 |
|||
|
Kerry |
6016 |
|||
|
Kildare |
218 |
|||
|
Kilkenny |
901 |
|||
|
Laois |
293 |
|||
|
Leitrim |
992 |
|||
|
Limerick |
1705 |
|||
|
Longford |
171 |
|||
|
Louth |
730 |
|||
|
Mayo |
2777 |
|||
|
Meath |
1428 |
|||
|
Monaghan |
298 |
|||
|
Offaly |
729 |
|||
|
Roscommon |
589 |
|||
|
Sligo |
1434 |
|||
|
Tipperary |
645 |
|||
|
Waterford |
1062 |
|||
|
Westmeath |
1232 |
|||
|
Wexford |
1119 |
|||
|
Wicklow |
1361 |
|||
|
Sub Total |
42201 |
Sub Total |
7026 |
International Protection Accommodation
|
County |
No. of Properties |
Number of persons |
|
Cavan |
3 |
132 |
|
Clare |
5 |
670 |
|
Cork |
10 |
1792 |
|
Donegal |
11 |
1108 |
|
Galway |
9 |
864 |
|
Kerry |
9 |
970 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
397 |
|
Laois |
5 |
618 |
|
Leitrim |
1 |
161 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
498 |
|
Longford |
1 |
71 |
|
Louth |
7 |
620 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
883 |
|
Meath |
7 |
1357 |
|
Monaghan |
3 |
533 |
|
Offaly |
2 |
190 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
149 |
|
Sligo |
2 |
264 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
573 |
|
Waterford |
5 |
581 |
|
Westmeath |
6 |
857 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
226 |
|
Wicklow |
8 |
1144 |
|
Total |
116 |
14658 |
|
Dublin Area |
No. of Properties |
Total number |
|
CHO 6 |
2 |
222 |
|
CHO 7 |
19 |
3952 |
|
CHO 9 |
24 |
4550 |
|
Total |
45 |
8724 |
CHO Definition: Community Healthcare Services are the broad range of services that are provided outside of the acute hospital system and includes Primary Care, Social Care, Mental Health and Health & Wellbeing Services. These services are delivered through the HSE and its funded agencies to people in local communities, as close as possible to people's homes. CHO services are divided into geographical areas.
541. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made on the Government commitment to fund access for third-level students from the North of Ireland to the EU's Erasmus study abroad programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3988/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDue to the impact of travel restrictions during the pandemic, Erasmus funding through the British Council continues for Northern Ireland students to the end of the current academic year.
My officials have already been in touch with International Officers in Queens University Belfast and University of Ulster with a view to having revised mobility arrangements for students from Northern Ireland in place for August 2023.
Once the new procedures have been put in place, students will be advised accordingly. The Irish Government undertook that they would respond to concerns expressed by civic society in Northern Ireland about the impacts of the withdrawal of the UK from the EU, and this is further evidence of this commitment.
542. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine a query relating to a Springboard course for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3995/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Higher Education Authority (HEA) manages the Springboard+ initiative on behalf of this Department. From the details supplied, the HEA's records indicate that the applicant applied as an unemployed applicant to a 1-year, full-time, ICT Skills Conversion course in National College of Ireland (NCI).
As per eligibility criteria, unemployed applicants need to have been on a qualifying Department of Social Protection (DSP) payment for 9 out of the last 12 months to be eligible for a 1-year ICT Skills Conversion course. It is the course provider's responsibility to ensure that applicants provide documentary evidence of their eligibility to undertake a Springboard+ course.
For part-time Springboard+ courses, there is no requirement to be in receipt of a payment for a particular period of time prior to the start of a course. However, for 1 year ICT Skills Conversion courses, applicants will need to satisfy additional Department of Social Protection (DSP) eligibility criteria that they have been in receipt of an eligible DSP for at least 9 of the previous 12 months. For those who have transferred to another payment from the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), time spent on PUP will satisfy this condition.
The HEA contacted the course provider to seek further clarification and they have detailed the below points:
- The course commenced on Monday 23 January.
- The applicant was informed by NCI on the 19 January that they were ineligible as they were not in receipt of a qualifying DSP payment for the timeframe required and the applicant’s application was subsequently cancelled on the Application Management System.
- The applicant was not a fully registered student at any point, which would mean they would not have been able to access any NCI applications to attend course lectures.
Please note, for part-time Springboard+ courses, there is no requirement to be in receipt of a payment for a particular period of time prior to the start of a course, full lists of courses are available on springboardcourses.ie/.
543. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intends to put additional supports in place to assist third level students in dealing with changing to alternative college courses, and those considering dropping out of college altogether, given that there has been an increased dropout rate for third level college courses among students who completed their Leaving Certificate during the Covid-19 pandemic in June 2020 and June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4011/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HEA’s “Analysis of Non-Progression Rates in Irish Higher Education Institutions” was published on 11th April 2022 and provides data on the new entrants cohorts for 2017/18 – 2019/20. The report shows a continuation of the gradual downward trend in non-progression rates from 16% for the 2010/11 entry cohort to 12% for the 2018/19 cohort. This trend accelerated for the 2019/20 cohort with only 9% of new entrants in 2019/20 not progressing to second year in 2020/21. This is likely due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as students who may have considered leaving their course had limited options available for employment or travel due to public health restrictions. The next HEA report on Non-Progression rates will be published around March/April 2023.
The main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. To satisfy the terms and conditions of the Scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.
Under the progression/previous academic attainment criteria of the scheme, a grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. However, once an equivalent period of study has been completed on the new course, the student may be eligible for student grant assistance for the remainder of the course.
The Student Grant Scheme also contains a “second chance” provision, whereby mature students who previously attended but did not successfully complete a course re-enter an approved course following a break in studies of at least five years may be assessed for grant assistance. I intend to have this waiting period reduced to three years for the 2023 Student Grant Scheme
In addition, under Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2022, the awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) has discretion to award a grant for a repeat period of study in exceptional circumstances which impacted on a student completing a particular period of study or undertaking exams. SUSI treats each application for repeat funding on a case-by-case basis, and it is it is a matter for the individual student to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that there were exceptional circumstances.
The mental health and well-being of students is a priority for this Department. This Department has progressed a number of initiatives, in partnership with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), over the last number of years to address the mental health and well-being issues faced by students in higher education.
This Department allocates funding for mental health supports to the HEA for direct disbursement to HEIs. €2 million is provided to address student mental health and well-being in higher education each year.
Also, in addition to the €2 million in funding supports made available for student mental health services and well-being in 2022 through core funding, Minister Harris secured a further €3 million, allocated to higher education institutions this year in response to a growth in a demand for services since students returned to campus.
The funding being delivered targets the support of student mental health and well-being, with a specific focus on the provision of counselling services. The funding will also be integral to the implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework launched in 2020, Ireland’s first-ever national approach to address student mental health and suicide prevention. This funding will bring the total amount delivered since the launch of the Framework to €15 million.
In terms of other supports available, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. 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. The SAF is available to assist students who are unable to meet costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education, including: books and class materials, rent lighting, food, essential travel and childcare. I have recently announced an additional €4.3 million to be allocated to SAF to assist students with the cost of living. This was in addition to the €8m that was allocated in Budget 2023. This brings the total allocation for the Student Assistance Fund for the 22/23 academic year to over €20 million, which is the highest amount that has ever been provided under this fund. The HEA will distribute funding of over €4.3m to the HEIs in early 2023.
544. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the names of any advisers who have taken up employment in his Department since the Government rotation in December 2022; the annual salary they are being paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4125/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997 and requires Government approval. No Special Adviser has been formally appointed to my Department since December 2022, although I will shortly request a Government Order to reappointment the Special Adviser previously assigned to my Department.
As part of the formal appointment process the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers; these rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
545. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the financial supports or tax relief available to individuals returning to education, in particular with costs associated with their education fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4229/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme where students are studying for the first time or are progressing to study at a higher level. The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria a student may reclassify from a dependent student to an independent student when they progress from further education to higher education or if they are returning as a "second chance" student after a five year break in studies. This is intended as an access measure for mature students. I intend to have this waiting period reduced to three years for the 2023 Student Grant Scheme.
Details of the student grant scheme are available at www.susi.ie.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. 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. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
546. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide data associated with his Department’s air travel and air travel associated with agencies under the aegis of his Department (details supplied) from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, from the 1 January 2020, all Government Departments and Offices have been instructed to calculate and record the carbon emissions associated with flights they have taken.
Each Department is then required to value every tonne of carbon emissions their air travel gives rise to at the prevailing rate of the carbon tax.
Since the establishment of my Department in June 2020, my officials have applied these procedures.
The table below outlines a summary of the record of carbon emissions and value associated with flights taken by officials within my Department.
The information sought by the Deputy for the agencies within my remit, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to liaise with them directly with this matter.
Table 1: DFHERIS payments to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.
|
Year |
Tonne |
Amounts per Tonne |
Total Amount: |
|
2022 |
23.882 |
€41.00 |
€979.16 |
|
2021 |
3.8529 |
€33.50 |
€136.65 |
|
2020 |
3.4315 |
€26.00 |
€89.22 |
Bodies under the Aegis of Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science
|
Agency |
Address |
CEO |
Email address |
|
An tSeirbhís Oideachais Leanúnaigh agus Scileanna (SOLAS) |
1 Castleforbes House Castleforbes Road, Dublin 1, D01 A8N0 |
Andrew Brownlee |
info@solas.ie / communications@solas.ie |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) |
Grangegorman Development Agency, 4th Floor Park House,191 North Circular Road,Dublin 7D07 EWV4 |
Gerrard Casey |
communications@ggda.ie |
|
Higher Education Authority (HEA) |
3 Shelbourne Buildings, Crampton Avenue, Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 C2Y6 |
Dr Alan Wall |
info@hea.ie |
|
Irish Research Council (IRC) |
3 Shelbourne Buildings, Crampton Avenue, Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, D04 C2Y6 |
Dr Alan Wall |
info@research.ie |
|
Léargas - The Exchange Bureau |
Kings Inns House, Parnell Street, Dublin 1, D01 A3Y8 |
Lorraine Gilligan |
info@leargas.ie |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) |
26/27 Denzille Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland, D02 P266 |
Dr. Padraig Walsh |
info@qqi.ie |
|
Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) |
Three Park Place, Hatch Street Upper, Dublin 2, D02 FX65 |
Philip Nolan (Prof) |
Info@sfi.ie |
|
Skillnet Ireland CLG |
5th Floor, Q House, 76 Furze Road, Sandyford, Dublin 18, D18 E268 |
Paul Healy |
info@skillnetireland.ie |
547. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that a student (details supplied) did not get the full SUSI grant; if this could be looked into further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4342/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, progression, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
To satisfy the terms and conditions of the scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.
Generally speaking, a grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. However, once a student progresses to a course at a higher level or completes the equivalent period of study on a new course, the student may be eligible for student grant assistance for the remainder of the course. Article 15(7) of the Student Grant Scheme 2022 refers.
My officials have advised me that the student referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal of his application to SUSI on 16th August 2022 and was awarded 7/9ths proportional grant on 23rd August 2022 as records received under data sharing agreements indicated that he was previously registered on a PLC Level 5 course for 2 months in the 2021/2022 academic year.
Additional documentation was received from the student on 25th October and 04th November 2022 including a letter from the Further Education Institute confirming the student had withdrawn from the PLC on the 15th September 2021. SUSI reviewed the student’s application and issued a revised award letter of 8/9ths proportional grant as only one month of repeat period of study was required.
548. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of an appeal request by a person (details supplied) for a HEAR application decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4560/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that the HEAR scheme is a reduced points mechanisms for entry into higher education. It is managed and operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the higher education institutions who are autonomous bodies. Admissions under the schemes are regulated by the higher education institutions themselves. Each institution determines its own admissions policy in relation to the schemes, the number of places they reserve and the allocation of those places.
Applications to the schemes are submitted to the Central Applications Office (CAO) who coordinate the scheme for participating institutions.
As such, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science has no role in the administration of the scheme or the appeals process.
However, I can advise the Deputy that the review and appeals process is in place to make sure that all HEAR applicants are treated fairly and that the assessment procedures have been applied consistently. Further information on the appeals process is available at: www.accesscollege.ie/hear/making-an-application/hear-review-and-appeals/.
Subsequently, applicants also have recourse to make an appeal to the Ombudsman. The Ombudsman’s service is free, independent and impartial, and the applicant may wish to consider contacting the Ombudsman’s Office to see whether an appeals process is open to him/her.
Further information and contact details for the Ombudsman’s Office are available at: www.ombudsman.ie/publications/information-leaflets/The-Ombudsman-and-Education-services.pdf.
I have referred your query to the IUA for direct reply.
549. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice if he will reform the "atypical working visa" to enable doctors providing locum services to reside in the State for longer periods of time. [4799/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, the Atypical Working Scheme (AWS) for the support of doctors providing locum services to the hospital sector in the State was established by agreement between the Department of Justice, the Department of Health, the Health Services Executive and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in 2014.
The Scheme was established in order to facilitate the recruitment of locum doctors operating via agency arrangements for short term periods (6 months) who could not be facilitated by the Employment Permit system as agency work is not supported by that route.
It remains open, however, for any individual intending to work as a doctor in the State to secure a longer term permission on that basis via the Employment Permit system operated by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, rather than the shorter term Locum services provided by the Atypical Working Scheme.
The wider terms of the Atypical Working Scheme are subject to inter-Departmental and inter-agency agreement by the stakeholders outlined above and are kept under ongoing review.
550. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the role that An Garda Síochána has in the enforcement of legislation controlling dangerous dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4000/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regrettably this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51.
As you are aware the restricted dog breed list is maintained by regulation (SI 442/1998) under the Control of Dogs Acts. Under the Act, Local Authorities are responsible for the control of dogs. Each Authority must appoint a Dog Warden or Wardens who, under Section 28 of the Act, are responsible for enforcement of the Act's provisions. The Regulations state a requirement to keep any dog of the breeds listed in Article 5 must be muzzled and leashed. The Regulation does not make reference to any responsibility of An Garda Síochána under Section 16 of the Control of Dogs Act 1986, as amended. Responsibility for enforcement falls to the Dog Warden acting in co-operation with "such other persons as he believes to be necessary for the purpose of assisting him in the exercise of his powers and functions".
I am informed by the Garda authorities that An Garda Síochána have no role in the matter raised other than in assisting the Dog Wardens in carrying out their duties
Should the Dog Warden be impeded in undertaking their responsibility then that would be an offence for which there is a power of arrest under section 16(4) for which An Garda Síochána would have responsibility.
Article 6 of the Regulations states that a breach of its provisions requiring the identification of ownership of dogs is an offence under section 28(1) of the Control of Dogs Act 1986. This is prosecuted by the Local Authority following the Dog Warden issuing a notice to the person alleged of committing the offence.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that a review of dog control legislation is currently under way, led by my colleague the Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue. Minister McConalogue and Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys have established a Working Group to examine the issue.
I can confirm that as my remit regarding policy and legislation in this area is limited, it is not proposed to nominate any officials from within my Department to the Working Group.
551. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the number of convictions under the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020. [4033/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, management of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the Judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution.
The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie
To be of assistance, I have referred the Deputy's query to the Courts Service.
552. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice the status of the new application by a person (details supplied) for a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4041/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Immigration Service of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order signed on 14 September 2022. This Order requires the person concerned to remove themselves from the State and remain outside the State. The enforcement of Deportation Orders are a matter for the Garda National Immigration Bureau.
Representations have since been received on behalf of the person concerned requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). This request will be considered as soon as possible. A decision will then be made to either "affirm" or "revoke" the existing Deportation Order. This decision will be communicated in writing. In the meantime, the Deportation Order remains valid and in place.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the Immigration Service of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the Immigration Service is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
553. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice the steps he is taking to strengthen the law concerning gangland crime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4073/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that tackling gangland crime activity is an absolute priority for An Garda Síochána and the Government.
I wish to acknowledge the superb and painstaking work of the Gardaí in harnessing an international coalition of support to tackle the criminality associated with a particular Organised Crime Group. The enforcement of sanctions demonstrates the tremendous value and power of international co-operation in tackling organised crime and the actions taken recently send a very clear message to those involved in the group, or associated with the group, that criminality will not go unnoticed or unpunished.
An Garda Síochána continues to play a leading role in international efforts to combat transnational organised crime groups. While we should not underestimate the difficulties which the Garda authorities face in tackling organised crime activity, we continue to see the significant results of their efforts in the arrests made and people being brought before the Courts, both here and in other jurisdictions, as well as the ongoing drugs and firearms seizures made.
An Garda Síochána tackles organised criminal activity through a range of targeted multi-disciplinary measures designed to disrupt and dismantle the operations of criminal organisations. Such approaches include the use of money-laundering legislation and the powers available to CAB under the proceeds of crime legislation and to the greatest extent possible, these measures include the use of advanced analytical and intelligence methodologies.
The additional resources allocated to AGS in recent years have enabled the Garda Commissioner to assign extra resources to the specialist units involved in tackling organised crime, including the Armed Support Unit, Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau, the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Criminal Assets Bureau (CAB).
Operational data retained at the Garda National Drugs & Organised Crime Bureau (GNDOCB) indicates that during 2022, the GNDOCB conducted operations which resulted in the seizure of illicit drugs with an estimated street value in excess of €57 million and seized cash in excess of €3.7 million. GNDOCB operations are often conducted in collaboration with partner agencies, in particular the Revenue Commissioners Customs Service.
I can inform the Deputy that there are a range of robust legislative provisions available to An Garda Síochána and criminal legislation is continuously under review. We are committed to enacting the Criminal Justice (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which will increase the maximum sentence for conspiracy to murder from ten years to life in prison. These new laws will ensure that An Garda Síochána and our Courts have the tools they need to take firm and decisive action to deal with our most serious criminals.
The Programme for Government contains two commitments to “legislate against the coercion and use of minors in the sale and supply of drugs” and to “criminalise adults who groom children to commit crimes.” The Criminal Justice (Engagement of Children in Criminal Activity) Bill 2023 is designed to fulfil both of these commitments by recognising and making punishable in law the harm caused to children by drawing them into a life of crime.
Other measures taken to tackle organised crime include the establishment of a second Special Criminal Court in 2016 and the establishment of Garda Armed Response Units in all Garda regions which are available to support all divisions countrywide.
