Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:287. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for West Clare CAMHS, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45788/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMental Health Services
Ceisteanna (287)
Freagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (288)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:288. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health the current waiting list for East Clare CAMHS, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45789/23]
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.
Third Level Fees
Ceisteanna (289)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:289. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rationale for not addressing the cost of graduate entry medicine fees as a means for increasing the number of qualified medicine graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45383/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware, graduate entry medicine is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four year programme. The Free Fees Initiative pays the tuition fees of eligible students undertaking their first full time undergraduate programme. The Free Fees Initiative does not meet fees in respect of students who are completing a second undergraduate degree, which by its nature Graduate Entry Medicine is.
I am prioritising expanding the overall number of medicine places so that more students will have the opportunity to study medicine, particularly on direct entry programmes. On 12th July 2022 the Minister for Health and I announced an agreement with the Irish medical schools to increase the number of places available for EU students by 200 over the next five years. This began with an additional 60 EU students in September 2022, climbing to 120 in September 2023, and will reach 200 by 2026.
Minister Donnelly and I committed at that time to prioritising funding an expansion on an equal basis, together with moving the funding of existing medicine places to a more sustainable basis. Moving to a more sustainable funding basis is required to reduce medical schools' reliance on fees from non EU students.
The July 2022 agreement included Graduate Entry Medicine additional places. To date an additional 10 graduate entry places, 5 in 2022 and another 5 in 2023 have been created, with the other 110 places on direct entry programmes.
This marked a significant expansion in the number of places available to students applying through the CAO system. It increases the opportunities for students to progress to study medicine in Ireland and to help us build our talent pipeline.
It is important to note that unlike other second undergraduate degree programmes the State does provide a subsidy to HEIs towards the cost of provision for EU graduate entry student places. The tuition fees payable by the student are determined by the HEIs taking the availability of this subsidy into account.
In the academic year 21/22 the state contribution was €11,950 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student. This subsidy is being increased incrementally to €14,500.
Departmental Legal Cases
Ceisteanna (290)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:290. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of legal cases taken against his Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023; and the costs associated with same in each of those years. [45398/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is continuing to review relevant records to establish the situation in relation to information of the kind sought by the Deputy, i.e. with regard to legal cases taken against this Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. As soon as this process has concluded, I will ensure that an appropriate response is forwarded to the Deputy, including with respect to any such relevant legal cases.
Grant Payments
Ceisteanna (291)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:291. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his attention has been drawn to SUSI guidelines for proof of independent residency (details supplied), whereby they do not account for people renting under the rent-a-room scheme; if he will amend these guidelines to allow students living independently to avail of SUSI grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45449/23]
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.
For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students.
If you were 23 or over on 1 January of the year when you first enter/re-enter further or higher education, you will be classed as an Independent Student. You must have been living independently from your parent(s) or legal guardian(s) from the October in the year prior to your first point of entry/re-entry into further or higher education and will be required to provide evidence of this. The documentation required can be found here: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/applicant-class/independent-students/
However, the applicant can appeal the decision and their case will be reviewed by SUSI’s Appeals Officer. The appeals officer may seek further information in cases where an applicant does not have the above documentary evidence for Independent Residency, such as in the case of renting a room.
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 their 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.
The Government has taken a number of steps to increase availability of digs. The matter you have raised will be considered as part of that.
Technological Universities
Ceisteanna (292, 293)
Matt Shanahan
Ceist:292. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the significant lack of parking availability at the Waterford campus of South East Technological University with students who are commuting by day having their cars clamped for parking on the access roads around the Waterford Campus; if he will provide a hardcore area for overflow parking at this site to alleviate the present parking issues given that he has declared that the former Waterford Crystal site purchase is almost complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45558/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMatt Shanahan
Ceist:293. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will make funding available to South East Technological University to provide overflow parking for Waterford campus students, given the general understanding that capital developments through public procurement will take some years to deliver student accommodation and teaching buildings on the newly acquired Waterford Crystal site; when this funding can be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45559/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 292 and 293 together.
Higher education institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies as set out in legislation and receive funding from a variety of sources including state grants; competitive funding; tuition fees and commercial/private income streams. My Department cannot instruct an institution to develop an area for overflow parking. Under the Public Sector Climate Action Strategy 2023-2025 public bodies are tasked with encouraging the use of sustainable transport modes and to acquire the NTA’s Smarter Travel Mark, to demonstrate robust communications, policies, facilities, incentives and supports in favour of sustainable commuting.
Question No. 293 answered with Question No. 292.
Third Level Costs
Ceisteanna (294)
Matt Shanahan
Ceist:294. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1008 of 21 March 2023, if his Department can provide a copy of any response issued; if none issued, to provide an update on when further information may issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45627/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Parliamentary Question No. 1008 of 21st March 2023 related to a list of major capital projects in which the Deputy requested details in respect of the progression of these projects. In my reply, I stated that the information sought was not available at the time but I am now in a position to provide the relevant information.
Attached is the table of the capital projects list provided in the original response . As I’m sure you can appreciate, given the passage of time, both the projects and the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have evolved. You will also be aware, there have been a number of mergers of Institutes of Technology to form Technological Universities. Projects in HEIs are generally institution led with a high level of autonomy for each institution to change their priorities as they see fit.
In reference to the original question asked, the list provided included all major capital projects which had, in one form or another been presented to the Department (at the time the Department of Education and Skills). This question was very broad and included projects at the very early stage of development which over the passage of time and the further development of the institutions masterplans have changed. Many of the projects outlined at the time have changed and this is in line with the changes of demand within the wider economy and the demand for courses from students. Certain project names have changed and some assumptions were made that the requirements of these projects have been integrated into new projects.
HEIs are required to comply with all relevant Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR) guidelines including the Public Spending Code (PSC) updated in 2019. It sets out the requirements for evaluating, planning and managing public capital investment. The PSC outlines the project lifecycle which includes steps, activities and decision gates which are necessary for the evaluation of a capital investment.
A strategic assessment report is the required output of the first stage of the PSC project lifecycle and must be completed to receive approval at Decision Gate 0. Decision Gate 1 is approval in principle to proceed to design and planning. Decision Gate 2 is approval to proceed to tender for the works. Decision Gate 3 is approval to place a contract with the appointment of contractors to proceed with the works (note recent changes to PSC will amend these decision gates going forward but for the purpose of answering this query we have followed the 2019 PSC format)
The attached table gives the status of the projects including Decision Gates where applicable.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Ceisteanna (295)
Danny Healy-Rae
Ceist:295. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on apprentice placements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45659/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The apprenticeship system is currently responding to a marked increase in demand over the past four years, driven by overall tertiary sector demand, Covid-related training backlogs, and growing demand for skills delivered through apprenticeship. Given these delays, it is the Government’s ambition to right-size apprenticeship capacity in line with the labour market demands, the ambitions of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship, and to support wider Government objectives under Housing For All, retrofitting, and green skills.
My Department is working closely with SOLAS and the ETBs to continue to increase training capacity, resulting in 13,000 craft places delivered in 2022. It is intended to deliver some 15,300 places in total this year. Significant funding has been provided in Budget 2024 to further accelerate and intensify the delivery of increased training capacity.
My Department is working on an ongoing basis with SOLAS, the National Apprenticeship Office, the Higher Education Authority, the ETB sector, and union representatives. Through weekly meetings, we are working to devise and successfully implement a funded set of actions to address this very significant and important issue.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Ceisteanna (296)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:296. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what plans are in place to deal with the waiting times for apprentices to attend college placements (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45718/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There has been a strong growth in registrations for craft apprenticeship in a demand-led system, where employers in a buoyant construction sector are continuing to recruit strongly to meet their future skill needs. Craft apprenticeship registrations for 2022 and 2021 were in total 13,254, an increase of almost 40% over the preceding two years.
The strength of the construction sector is also impacting adversely on the education and training system's ability to recruit additional instructors required to meet apprenticeship training need. A planned upcoming national recruitment campaign for instructors will be central to the delivery by ETBs of this additional capacity including through a third intake of apprentices each year.
The persistence of significant backlogs in apprenticeship training is a serious cause of concern to me. I therefore prioritised apprenticeship in the recent Estimates resulting in a €67m investment into the apprenticeship system. This will enable growth in the craft apprenticeship training system from 13,000 in 2022 to over 16,000 places in 2024 - an increase approaching 25%.
SOLAS, the National Apprenticeship Office and the ETBs, together with staff representatives, are continuing to work intensively with my Department to deliver the required additional apprenticeship training capacity to secure the reductions in waiting time in particular for phase 2 training.
Grant Payments
Ceisteanna (297)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:297. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a third level student who is completely estranged from their parents, but has not reached the age of 23 years, can apply for support through a SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45726/23]
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.
For student grant purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents or a legal guardian, or as independent mature students (ie: assessed without reference to parental income).
A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if they have attained the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course and is not ordinarily resident with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) from the previous 1st October.
A student under the age of 23 may be assessed without reference to parental income only in exceptional cases, for example orphans, students in foster care, cases where there is evidence of irreconcilable estrangement from parents or legal guardians etc. Applicants are requested to share documentary evidence with SUSI to confirm their situation. The type of documentary evidence required is dependent on the applicant’s individual circumstances and may vary widely from case to case. This approach is taken with a view to giving applicants the flexibility to provide documents that relate to their specific circumstances.
If an applicant considers they have been unjustly refused a student grant, or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, they may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI. If they have had an appeal turned down in writing by an appeals officer in SUSI and remain of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in their 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.
Student Accommodation
Ceisteanna (298)
Catherine Connolly
Ceist:298. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the development of the long-term policy approach to support the construction of student accommodation; the expected timeline for the publication of the policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45735/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The difficulties faced by students in accessing affordable student accommodation is an issue of which I am actively pursuing. Government approval to develop a short and long term policy response was received in November 2022. This policy will address the supply of affordable student accommodation for priority group students attending publicly funded higher education institutions in Ireland.
This landmark policy response will, for the first time, see the state providing financial support for the construction of student accommodation, and underpins the policy commitments set out in Housing for All. This policy will ensure increased availability and promote greater access in particular for student groups in line with the National Access Plan. At the heart of the new policy is a commitment to deliver student accommodation to those most in need, and to provide it at affordable rates.
To date, the Government has approved a total of up to €61m in capital and current funding to unlock the development of circa 1,000 beds, with delivery beginning in 2024. These developments have planning permission but have stalled as a result of increased construction costs. My officials are also examining additional proposals for potential developments within the Higher Education Institute (HEI) sector.
Support of €1m is also being provided to our Technological Universities (TUs) undertake a needs assessment response framework for the provision of student accommodation in key areas. My Department is also examining the mechanisms available including a TU Borrowing Framework in conjunction with other Government Departments, as part of the range of student accommodation initiatives underway.
Last month, Minister O’Brien and I announced plans to develop a design standard for Purpose Built Student Accommodation. The Cost of Construction Study which was published by Minister O’Brien in May of this year, recommends the development of a standardised specification for purpose built student accommodation. The objective of the PBSA Standardised Design & Specification Project is to examine international best practice and flexibility of design to inform appropriate standards in the delivery of affordable accommodation.
The long term strategy is being actively developed in consultation with the relevant Departments, the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and through stakeholder engagement. It will also be informed by ongoing analysis across Europe and internationally for best practice for the delivery and management of student accommodation. I intend to bring this long term policy approach to Government in Q4, 2023.
There are an additional 938 beds available in publicly funded Higher Education Institutions for the current academic year. 674 in UG, 255 in UCC and 9 in TCD. In addition, over 1,500 privately funded beds are due for completion this autumn.
Since the beginning of 2016, 14,079 purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) beds have been built with 1,739 built in Galway. Work is underway on site on an additional 7,023 bed spaces. Planning permission has been obtained for a further 11,008 with 2,014 of these beds planned for Galway. A further 1,712 have applied for planning permission. The total level of PBSA stock is over 48,000 as of Q3 2023.
Budget 2024
Ceisteanna (299)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:299. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how the people of Clare will benefit from his Department’s allocations in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45775/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that the 2024 Budget sees an investment of an additional €239 million for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science. This brings my Department’s allocation to over €4 billion in 2024. With this significant new investment, I will be able to fund a number of major priorities for this Government.
A Cost of Living Package of €115 million was also announced as part of Budget 2024 for my Department. This package included;
• Once off €1,000 reduction to the student contribution fee for circa 94,000 undergraduates eligible for free fees.
• Once off €1,000 increase to post graduates tuition fee contribution benefitting circa 1,790 postgrads eligible for SUSI;
• Once-off reduction of 33% in the contribution fee for circa 11k apprentices in higher education.
• Additional funding to support students at a time of increased strain from cost of living, through the Student Assistance Fund.
For the first time ever, fees for undergraduate part time studies will now be fully funded benefitting eligible one parent families, students with disabilities and carers on low incomes as part of a brand-new pilot programme.
I believe that the additional investment provided for in Budget 2024 will have a real and positive impact on higher and further education learners not only in Clare but also across the country.
Control of Dogs
Ceisteanna (300)
John Lahart
Ceist:300. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she plans to impose a ban on dangerous American XL bully dogs in Ireland; the steps she has taken to ensure that owners of dogs requiring muzzles are complying with the law; and the way the public can hope to feel safe in public from dangerous breeds of dog which are described as same by the law. [45669/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
No breed of dog is currently banned in Ireland. However, the relevant legislation in this area, the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014, sets out a range of requirements for all dog owners or any other person in charge of a dog. Furthermore, the Control of Dogs Regulations 1998, S.I. 442/1998 set out additional requirements that owners of specific breeds of dogs, including strains or crosses of those breeds, must comply with. Such dogs must be muzzled and led, on a sufficiently strong leash or chain not exceeding 2 metres in length, by a competent person over 16 years of age, when in a public place.
Concerns have been raised regarding the overall approach to the regulation of restricted breeds. Some stakeholders assert that more breeds should be added to the list – especially given the newer breeds that have arrived in Ireland over the last number of years. Others believe that a different approach should be taken which would focus on the behavioural issues of individual dogs, rather than specific breeds, and that the approach should move away from muzzling.
My Department is committed to reviewing the current legislation on Dog Control and intends to engage fully with stakeholders throughout this process to consider the various issues arising in the months ahead. Furthermore, my Department will continue to do its part, along with colleagues in the Local Authorities, the Local Authority Veterinary Service and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, to consolidate efforts in this area and to promote the message of responsible dog ownership.
Departmental Legal Cases
Ceisteanna (301)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:301. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of legal cases taken against her Department in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023; and the costs associated with same in each of those years. [45403/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Three legal cases have been taken against my Department since it was established in 2017. One of these included a judicial review which was subsequently withdrawn. The total costs to date associated with one of the other two cases is €11,543, which relates to disclosure order costs. The third case was settled, with the settlement subject to a non-disclosure agreement.