Duncan Smith
Ceist:1411. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of adding asthma to the long-term illness scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37098/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Schemes
Ceisteanna (1411)
Freagraí scríofa
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes, including the Long Term Illness Scheme. Therefore, this matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (1412)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1412. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to outline the additional funding provided for mental health in each of the past two budgets; to provide a detailed breakdown of the status of each of the measures announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37099/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1413)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1413. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the projected costs of fully funding the safe staffing framework; the projected costs of growing the nursing and midwifery workforce by 2,000 WTEs annually for the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37100/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Framework for Safe Staffing is an evidence-based approach to determine safe staffing and skill mix for nursing that is fully supported by Government and being implemented by the HSE. It is determined by patient need and demonstrates impact through the measurement of a range of outcomes. The Framework methodology uses new posts along with conversion of agency to permanent posts to achieve the required workforce stability. Nursing posts are a combination of Registered Nurses (RN) and Health Care Assistants (HCA) and this combination refers to the skill-mix.
Since 2018, two safe staffing policy documents have been published, Phase 1 focused on Adult General and Specialist Medical and Surgical Care Settings. Phase 2 focused on Adult Emergency Care Settings.
The Government had already invested €31 million since 2020 to support implementation of the Framework and I recently allocated funding of €25 million to recruit 854 additional posts needed to continue to implement the Framework for Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in all acute hospitals nationally based on the HSE’s implementation plan.
I have recently written to the six Hospital Group CEOs, requesting that they ensure that the implementation plan, for both Phases of the Framework, is urgently disseminated to all senior hospital managers within their respective Hospital Groups and that the implementation of both phases of the Framework is prioritised. This work will include consideration of any further funding which might be required.
Phase 3(i) - Safe Nurse Staffing and Skill Mix in Long Term Residential Care Settings Pilot Project is ongoing, and national policy will become available in due course, with associated costings to follow shortly thereafter.
Regarding the costs involved in increasing the nursing and midwifery workforce, the total cost ( full year) of employing one additional nurse/midwife is estimated to be €71,880. This is calculated by using the mid-point of the enhanced nurse/midwife scale (€43,272 as at 1 March, 2023), and includes additional costs such as PRSI, relevant allowances and non pay costs.
Therefore, the total cost of increasing the workforce by 2,000 nurses and midwives would be circa €144 million annually, incurring additional costs of €144 million in Year 1, €288 million in Year 2 and €431 million in year 3 and every year thereafter.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1414)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1414. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide, in tabular form for each hospital, the number of unfilled nurses and midwives positions, respectively that currently remain unfilled; to provide the current staffing levels in each; the additional recruitment into each in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37101/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Staff
Ceisteanna (1415)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1415. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health to provide in tabular form for each hospital the number of unfilled consultant positions respectively that currently remain unfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37102/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Ceisteanna (1416)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1416. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the projected costs of settling the medical laboratory scientists' pay claim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37103/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the dedication, professionalism and commitment of all Medical Scientists throughout the country.
I am acutely aware of the MLSA's long-standing claim for pay parity with Clinical Biochemists. My officials in the Department of Health, along with colleagues in the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, have continued to engage with the MLSA on this matter under the auspices of the industrial relations machinery of the State. All parties are working hard to resolve this matter.
I appreciate that the Deputy is seeking clarity on the cost of implementing the pay parity claim, however, as this is a live Industrial Relations matter, it would be inappropriate to comment any further at this point.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (1417)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1417. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health how many additional hospital beds have been delivered in each of 2022 and 2023 to date, by type; what the end-of-year delivery is expected to be; his plans for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37104/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Hospital Facilities
Ceisteanna (1418)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:1418. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the projected cost of delivering 1,500 additional acute beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37105/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is well recognised that additional hospital in-patient accommodation is required across a number of larger hospital sites to improve patient flow and reduce pressures on Emergency Departments (EDs). In response, the HSE is progressing opportunities for additional capacity, in blocks of 50-150, on a number of Model 3 and Model 4 hospital sites, with 24/7 EDs, across the country.
To drive time and cost efficiencies, these projects will be delivered using standardised repeatable design solutions, with standard schedules of accommodation, utilising off-site manufacturing approaches (Modern Methods of Construction) at a sufficient volume to support industrial manufacturing, with accelerated project delivery process.
A new volumetric framework approach is being developed for the 1,500 beds being proposed to ensure that a separate time and money-consuming process isn’t required for each site. While the primary requirement is likely to be inpatient accommodation, it may also include the provision of other hospital facilities such as, theatres, critical care beds and staff accommodation, consistent with the approach signalled in the HSE Capital and Estates Strategy.
Early indicative costing puts the scale of the programme in excess of €1 Billion, but it is too early in the process to be more definitive and, ultimately, cost certainty will only be confirmed following market engagement. I am currently in discussion with Government colleagues to secure support and the necessary additional funding to expedite the rapid construction and delivery of 1,500 additional acute beds across the country, using modern methods of construction, including modular construction. Details of the proposal will be confirmed as discussions progress.
Health Services
Ceisteanna (1419)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:1419. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an issue (details supplied); if he will ask his officials to review the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37125/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
Cannabis for Medicinal Use
Ceisteanna (1420)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:1420. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the current state of play with the MCAP scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37161/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The MCAP Scheme commenced in late 2021 and is operated by the HSE. The MCAP provides patients and clinicians legal access to unauthorised cannabis-based products for the treatment of three stated conditons:
a. Spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis resistant to all standard therapies and interventions whilst under expert medical supervision;
b. Intractable nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, despite the use of standard anti-emetic regimes whilst under expert medical supervision;
c. Severe, refractory (treatment-resistant) epilepsy that has failed to respond to standard anticonvulsant medications whilst under expert medical supervision.
Currently 47 patients are being treated under the MCAP.
The programme is currently subject to an evidence synthesis which will be followed by a clinical review to establish whether there is sufficient evidence to expand the programme to include other conditions, the results of which are expected by the end of the year.
Healthcare Policy
Ceisteanna (1421)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:1421. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health what plans his Department has to respond to the WHO classification of aspartame as a possible cancer cause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37162/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has been aware of the work of the World Health Organisation (WHO) with regard to the classification of aspartame and has been liaising with the competent authority for food safety, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
There were two evaluations. The first was by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the cancer research arm of the WHO. The second was by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee for Food Additives (JECFA). The IARC assessed the strength of evidence that aspartame could cause cancer in humans. The JECFA assessed the risks to the public from the use of aspartame in food. The JECFA risk assessment includes a review of the acceptable daily intake and evaluation of the dietary exposure to aspartame from food.
Citing “limited evidence” for carcinogenicity in humans, the IARC classified aspartame as ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’. The JECFA concluded that there was no convincing evidence from experimental data that aspartame has adverse effects after ingestion. The JECFA reaffirmed its previous position on acceptable daily intake. The sequence of these evaluations, and the close collaboration between the IARC and the JECFA secretariats, permitted a comprehensive evaluation of the health effects of aspartame consumption, based on the latest available scientific evidence.
The findings of the JECFA are in line with the conclusions of the European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) latest assessment on aspartame in 2013. Aspartame has also been evaluated by numerous scientific committees internationally over many years and has been found to be safe. It is authorised for human consumption in many countries following thorough safety assessments.
Prior to their authorisation at EU level, all additives must undergo a rigorous safety assessment, and this has been no different for aspartame which is considered safe at current recommended acceptable daily intake levels.
It is a priority for my Department, and for the FSAI to ensure that food is safe and consumers are protected. Along with our EU partners we will continue to assess the IARC and the JECFA evaluations of aspartame to ensure food safety.
As with all advice in terms of healthy eating, we would advise moderation when consuming sugar and/or artificial sweeteners. We would also continue to encourage a healthy balanced diet, in line with healthy eating guidelines.
Health Promotion
Ceisteanna (1422)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Ceist:1422. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health when the review of the impact of the sugar tax will be conducted and published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37163/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland Framework (Healthy Ireland: A Framework for Improved Health and Wellbeing 2013-2025). It was developed in recognition of the growing need for a co-ordinated policy response to the increasing problem of obesity in Ireland and the increasing burden placed on individuals and society.
OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications, and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and wider society and the economy. It recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. Childhood obesity is a key priority under OPAP, as is reducing the inequalities seen in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity. OPAP is well aligned with the World Health Organisation in terms of the breadth of policy measures that have been introduced or are being considered in order to address the obesity epidemic.
With regard to fiscal measures as a policy option to address obesity, in its “Foundations for the Future” report published in 2022, the Commission on Taxation and Welfare recognised that the taxation system is “one of a number of policy tools that can be used to support better public health” and made recommendations that the Government develop fiscal measures to encourage a reduction in the consumption of ultra-processed foods, support reformulation measures to reduce the harm of such foods and promote healthier eating.
Under OPAP, commitment was given to “develop proposals for a levy on sugar-sweetened drinks”, “develop proposals on the rollout of evidence-based fiscal measures to support healthy eating and lifestyles” and “review the evidence…for fiscal measures on products that are high in fat, sugar and salt.”
Following a proposal developed by this Department in consultation with stakeholders, the Department of Finance introduced the Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax (SSDT) in 2018. The SSDT has now been in operation for more than four years. Initial indications are that the tax has had a positive impact, particularly in terms of encouraging drinks producers to reduce the sugar content in their products. A more comprehensive analysis of the effects of the tax is needed in order to inform any further fiscal policy considerations, and the Department has commenced an evaluation of the measure.
A literature review was carried out by the Department to make an assessment of the potential approaches to evaluate the impact of the tax. Further work on the analysis of the impact of the measure is expected to be carried out in the coming months and it is the intention of the Department to publish the findings.
The outcome of this analysis will assist the Department of Health in terms of examining and considering any possible further measures, in consultation with the Department of Finance.
Grant Payments
Ceisteanna (1423)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:1423. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine an application for a SUSI grant in respect of a person (details supplied), whose parents are long time separated without a legal separation, who reside separately but whose documentation has not been accepted by SUSI as proving this; if he will accept the documentation provided as sufficient proof of separate living; if he will ensure that this application is processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35632/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
Article 21 of the Student Grant Scheme 2023 sets out for the awarding authority the persons whose income is to be considered. Article 21 (2) states that where the dependent student’s parents are divorced or legally separated, or it is established to the satisfaction of the relevant awarding authority that they are separated, the reckonable income shall be that of the applicant and of the parent or parents with whom the applicant resides.
SUSI provides a list of documents that are considered acceptable as evidence of separation. The onus is on the grant applicant to provide the necessary documentary evidence as proof of their circumstances.
With regard to the student referred to by the Deputy, I have been advised by my officials that the student’s application has not yet been finalised by the awarding authority.
Once the application has been finalised by SUSI, if an individual applicant considers that she/he has been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, she/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.
Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by an appeals officer in SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal may be submitted to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe (i.e. not later than 30 days after the notification of the determination of the appeals officer to the applicant). Such appeals can be made by the appellant on line via www.studentgrantappeals.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.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed if eligible in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
Further and Higher Education
Ceisteanna (1424)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:1424. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the closure of a college (details supplied) and that there has been no direct contact with students; the implications for those who are part-way through courses and those who have paid fees for the coming academic year; whether previous years' accreditations will be affected by the closure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35644/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Dublin Design Institute is a private education provider. My Department has been made aware of the closure of the Institute and has been informed that Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) has been engaging with the Institute.
My Department has been advised that an email issued on Tuesday 11th July 2023 to all affected learners detailing the arrangements being put in place under the Institute’s protection of enroller learner policies to provide opportunities for learners to continue their studies where possible.
A dedicated email address has been established to ensure the continuity of communication for all affected learners and students are asked to direct their queries to: DDIStudentSupport@griffith.ie
My Department will continue to engage with QQI as necessary in relation to this closure.
Departmental Budgets
Ceisteanna (1425)
Paul Donnelly
Ceist:1425. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the 2022 and 2023 budget allocation for his Department’s infrastructure upgrade and refurbishment fund. [35790/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Fund Programme (IURF) addresses some of the most urgent health and safety issues in the higher education sector, while also upgrading buildings to meet current teaching and learning needs.
An overall allocation of just over €141m has being approved under the IURF to date. This figure includes ten small scale emergency works projects which have been completed in the past few years at a cost of almost €8.5m.
Currently nine large scale refurbishment and upgrade projects across the HE sector are on-going and at various stages of design, planning, procurement and construction under this funding stream. Almost €34m was drawn down on these nine projects to end 2022.
In respect of the IURF allocation in 2023 and 2024 it is not possible to be specific with regard to the level of funding to be provided. This is because the budget is managed at an overall programme level, with profiles regularly updated to take account of the rate of progress of individual projects through design, planning, procurement and construction. However, indications are that in the region of €40m will be drawn down in 2023 and in excess of €20m will be drawn down in 2024 under this programme.
Equality Issues
Ceisteanna (1426)
Michael Moynihan
Ceist:1426. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action his Department has taken to honour the Programme for Government pledge to ensure that Government Departments and public bodies take positive steps, including the use of correct pronouns and, where possible, making improvements on official forms, to assist non-binary people. [35830/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
One of the values in my Department’s Statement of Strategy is to treat our colleagues and those to whom we provide services equitably, in keeping with our Public Sector Human Rights and Equality obligations. The Statement of Strategy advocates for equality and respect for all and seeks to ensure a safe, respectful, inclusive and collaborative working environment for all staff.
The Deputy will be aware that the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has responsibility for drafting Bills on behalf of the Government, and statutory instruments on behalf of the Government and Ministers of the Government. As such, my Department defers to the Office of Parliamentary Counsel on the appropriate language to use when drafting legislation.
My Department is in the process of developing an internal Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy which will be published later this year. This new strategy will align with the values of my Department as stated in the Statement of Strategy.
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (1427)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:1427. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of external consultant reports commissioned by his Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date by report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35975/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The number of external consultant reports commissioned by this Department in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023 can be found in the attached spreadsheet
Departmental Reports
Ceisteanna (1428)
Verona Murphy
Ceist:1428. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of external consultant reports commissioned by the bodies under his Department's aegis in each of the years 2020, 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023; the cost of same; the company involved; the title and publication date, by report, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35976/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with her query.
Nursing Education
Ceisteanna (1429)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:1429. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how his Department will facilitate a cohort of students who want to access nursing through the new model (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36074/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, from September of this year, students will be able to enrol in one of 23 degree courses across healthcare, enterprise, ICT and creative sectors, which will see them commencing their studies in a Further Education institution before progressing to a Higher Education institution to complete their fully accredited degree. These new pathways will help students achieve their career goals and offer several advantages including local availability of courses with guaranteed progression and the removal of geographical and financial barriers.
The new programmes were devised by the individual institutions involved, in line with their local context, and entry criteria were jointly determined by the Higher Education Institutions and Educational Training Boards. Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions wand are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs including in relation to admissions.
In the case of the General Nursing programme, it is my understanding that learners who have previously completed a pre-nursing PLC course and achieved the required distinctions are eligible to enter nursing courses directly, and are therefore not eligible for the tertiary programme in nursing.
Places offered as part of the joint tertiary programmes are additional to existing nursing places, and as such those applying through the PLC route will not be impacted or displaced by these new programmes.
I recently announced a significant expansion to the number of places available in nursing courses, with over 200 additional places being created in nursing courses within the State, and a further 200 being made available in Northern Ireland for students from the Republic of Ireland. These places will help ensure that our healthcare services have the staff they need to deliver the care that people need, as well as allowing more students to pursue a career in nursing.
Further and Higher Education
Ceisteanna (1430)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:1430. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 31 May 2023, if he will outline the crèche facilities available at all FET colleges in Ireland, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36096/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
From enquiries made by my officials with the ETBs, I understand that the details of crèche facilities either operated directly by an ETB or operated independently on ETB FET premises are as follows:
|
ETB |
Creche Operated by ETB |
Independent Creche operating on ETB FET Property |
|
Donegal ETB |
|
An Scoil Bheag, Gort A Choirce, Leitir Ceanainn, Co. Donegal |
|
Cork ETB |
Lios Na Nóg Coláiste Stiofáin Naofa Tramore Road Cork city T12AC91 |
|
|
|
Cuddles Educational Facility 107 Douglas St. Cork city T12K22T |
|
|
City of Dublin ETB |
|
An Cosán Early Years Whitehall |
|
|
|
An Cosán Early Years St Catherines Cabra |
|
|
|
Pearse College Community Nursery Pearse College Clogher Road Crumlin D12 |
Third Level Fees
Ceisteanna (1431, 1450, 1451)
John Brady
Ceist:1431. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated amount it would cost to reduce the student contribution by €1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36196/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:1450. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of abolishing the student contribution charge; the estimated cost of maintaining the €1,000 reduction into the 2023-2024 college year; the estimated 2023-2024 cost of extending the other one-off reductions to thresholds and grants as provided for in 2022-2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36893/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIvana Bacik
Ceist:1451. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of permanently reducing the student contribution charge to €1,000 or €1,500, respectively; the estimated first-year cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36894/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1431, 1450 and 1451 together.
I am acutely conscious of the challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address cost as a barrier to education. In advance of Budget 2024, and as I did last year, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out various possible measures to address matters pertaining to the cost of education. I am doing this in order to facilitate a public discussion on the various choices available to amend student supports. These options will be considered as part of the deliberations around Budget 2024.
The options will build upon permanent changes made in previous Budgets, including Budget 2023 where we introduced a range of changes to student supports including adjustments to the Student Grant Scheme 2023. These included: a new student contribution grant of €500 for persons earning under €100,000; an increase in the income limit for the 50% student contribution grant; and an increase in the postgraduate fee grant by €500 from €3,500 to €4,000.
In Budget 2023, the Government also introduced a range of measures to support people with the cost of living. The package provided for adjustments to the level of funding available through existing supports provided by my Department, including once-off measures in the academic year 2022/23. The estimated costs of implementing similar cost of living measures in 23/24 under the student grant scheme are as follows:
• Once-off extra student grant maintenance payment: circa €18.6m
• Increase the postgraduate fee grant from €4,000 to €4,500: circa €1m (This factors in the permanent increase of the postgraduate fee grant by €500 from €3,500 to €4,000 made in the Student Grant Scheme 2023).
The potential costs associated with a flat rate reduction in the student contribution in 23/24 are currently estimated as follows:
• €1,000 (reduction to €2,000): circa €92m
• €1,500 (reduction to €1,500): circa €138m
• €3,000 (abolish the contribution): circa €255m
The above figures are the estimated net cost to the State after adjusting for savings that would accrue on the Student Grant Scheme.
The above estimates are the most up to date available at this time. They are subject to change as new data becomes available on the number of students eligible or projected to be eligible for the Free Fees Initiative or Student Grant Scheme.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Ceisteanna (1432)
John Brady
Ceist:1432. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated amount it would cost to end apprenticeship charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36197/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An Annual Student Contribution (ASC) is levied on all who attend Institutes of Technology (IoTs) and Technological Universities. The amount of ASC charged to apprentices is calculated on a pro-rata basis according to the time that they spend in the institution during the academic year. In cases where training is delivered in an Education and Training Board there is no contribution required from the apprentice.
For craft apprenticeships, the ASC charged is typically one third of the €3,000 ASC paid by students attending for the full academic year and so amounts to approximately €1,000 per apprentice per period spent in the IoT or Technological University. In the case of consortia-led apprenticeships the contribution varies for each programme as off-the-job training has a more flexible structure, ranging from periods of block release to one day per week or remote learning options. For the 2023/24 year, there is expected to be just over 9,000 places available for off-the-job training for craft apprentices.
For consortia-led apprenticeships, the pro-rata ASC ranges from €600 to €3,200 per apprentice per academic year, depending on the apprenticeship programme being undertaken. For the 2023/24 year, there is expected to be just over 1,800 places available for off-the-job training for consortia-led apprentices.
Based on these figures, the total annual cost of ASC for 2023/24 is anticipated to be in the region of €12 million.
On 25 May, I hosted a stakeholder event to hear directly from those who will be impacted through the measures that will be announced in Budget 2024. A non-exhaustive list of options to be considered in advance of Budget 2024 will be published ahead of budget day.
The options that will be contained in this paper are intended to identify the cost of different measures, such as the costs associated with reducing the student contribution.