Written Answers Nos. 1704-1717
1704. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what steps are being taken to initiate discussions around the EATRIS membership process for Ireland considering the potential benefits for Ireland’s translational research sector such as enhanced collaboration and access to specialized resources across Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15131/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1705. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the Government’s position on Ireland’s potential membership of the European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine; whether he intends to engage with the translational research sector in Ireland about such members; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15132/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1706. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide insight into the Government’s perspective on Ireland’s possible membership with EATRIS, given its expected advantages for Ireland’s translational research community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15133/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1704 to 1706, inclusive, together.
I recognise the significant benefits of access to and engagement with world class shared infrastructure and facilities, for our national research and innovation system and I support transnational collaborative research.
As part of its whole of government strategic approach to drive research and innovation (Impact 2030), my Department directly manages some of Ireland's EU and other international research partnerships.
However, it is the Government’s position that in relation to membership of European Research Infrastructure Consortium’s (ERICs) – such as EATRIS, that there is a ‘bottom-up’ approach. This means that membership considerations are managed by the Department working in the relevant policy area, as they are best placed to make a determination on whether a Government decision favouring membership should be sought. It is at the discretion of the relevant Department to decide on and resource participation in ERICs and to secure membership.
Irish stakeholders are already involved in a number of European research infrastructure initiatives, and it is up to those stakeholders to engage with the relevant Department or Agency to determine whether it is appropriate to join an ERIC.
For example, Ireland's membership of the research organisation, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, is managed by Met Éireann under the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Ireland's Euro-ARGO ERIC membership is managed by the Marine Institute, which is an agency of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Ireland’s membership of ECRIN (the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network) is managed by the Health Research Board which is an agency of the Department of Health.
My officials are of the view that in the first instance, Ireland’s translational research community should engage with the Department of Health, who would be best equipped to assess the benefits and opportunities of EATRIS membership and whether it would complement the ambitions of (and investments into) the many research-active clinicians working in the healthcare system. EATRIS membership could complement and add value and further impetus to Ireland’s existing membership of ECRIN, the 1MG+ initiative, the EU Cancer Mission and the EU Partnerships in Rare Diseases, Personalised Medicine and in Pandemic Preparedness; and to the overall goals set out in Sláintecare, where research and innovation is identified as a critical enabler of the transformation envisaged under the programme.
1707. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of communications he has had or if he has met in person with a University President (details supplied) to address the financial deficit in the university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15301/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 20 December 2023, the university referred to by the deputy informed the Higher Education Authority (HEA) of an operating deficit in relation to its 2022/23 financial year. The HEA has since had a number of engagements with the said President of the university in relation to the matter, with the most recent meeting held on 28 March 2024.
The Deputy will be aware that oversight powers are vested in the HEA in accordance with provisions in the Higher Education Authority Act, 2022. There is agreement between the HEA and the university on the process to be undertaken to identify the cause of the issue and on ensuring a sustainable financial position. On 21 February 2024, a deficit reduction plan was submitted to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) by the university and is currently under review.
My officials are in regular contact with the HEA on this matter. While the recovery process is at an early stage, based on the engagement to date, the HEA informs my officials that good progress is being made towards the university’s financial sustainability.
As Minister I have no role in the statutory process. The previous Minister met with the President of UCC on 30 January, on the margins of a wider meeting with university presidents, and briefed the Minister on the issues as they stood at that point.
It is important that time and space is afforded to allow the university and the HEA to comprehensively review the issue and to put in place appropriate arrangements to address this matter.
1708. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans for the further expansion of apprenticeship courses in Louth and Meath for 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15328/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeship education and training in Louth and Meath is provided by Louth and Meath Education and Training Board (LMETB). LMETB is the largest education and training provider in Louth and Meath, providing a broad range of education and training services to over 30,000 students and learners annually.
At present, LMETB offers the following apprenticeship programmes: hairdressing, network engineer, ICT software development, plumbing, carpentry & joinery, pipe fitting, electrical, tool making, motor mechanics, metal fabrication and wood manufacturing & finishing.
LMETB established the Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre of Excellence (AMTCE) in Dundalk in 2021 to address the skills and training needs of the Irish manufacturing sector. This training is practically orientated, providing hands on experience with state-of-the-art equipment, and delivered by leading industry trainers in response to identified industry needs.
The AMTCE is planned to cater for an initial intake of around 30 apprentices in the Robotics & Automation apprenticeship programme, which is expected to begin in the next 12 months. Also this year, the AMTCE plans to provide five new workshops for the electrical apprenticeship programme, which will cater for up to 210 apprentices annually basis.
Last year’s launch of the Drogheda Apprenticeship Training Hub provides for a significant expansion of apprenticeship training in key craft areas such as the electrical trades. LMETB is the first ETB to establish an innovative FET centre dedicated to the delivery of electrical apprenticeship training in Ireland. This facility is providing for up to an additional eight electrical programmes running continuously throughout the year – 336 additional places annually.
LMETB, working in partnership with employers, industry partners, SOLAS and my Department, has successfully secured support and permission for these innovative responses to address the need to right size the apprenticeship system to meet demand.
1709. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the plan to address the financial deficit at a university (details supplied) will be submitted to the Higher Education Authority; and when that plan will be published. [15350/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 February 2024, the university referred to by the deputy submitted a deficit reduction plan to the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The plan is currently under review by the HEA and as such is the subject of an ongoing deliberative process. The HEA has not yet indicated if it will publish the report.
It is important that time and space is afforded to allow the university and the HEA to comprehensively review the issue and to put in place appropriate arrangements to address this matter.
1710. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the up to date position with a project in south Kildare (details supplied); if an application has been received for additional funding from the council; when a decision will be made on such funding; and the expected finish date of the project. [15300/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides funding for the development and construction of capital projects in towns, villages and rural areas across Ireland. Funding is allocated to local authorities and other State-funded bodies.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place, and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
To date, 215 projects have been approved for RRDF funding of €414 million.
The Barrow Blueway project was approved for funding from the second call for Category 1 applications to the RRDF. Since that initial approval, however, Kildare County Council has advised my Department of significant changes to the scope and costings of the project as originally approved. My officials have extensively with Kildare County Council in relation to this project. Our shared objective is to ensure the delivery of a high quality and value for money project for the local community. With this in mind, and given the fundamental and substantial changes to the scope and costing of this project, Kildare County Council has submitted a new application reflecting the changed scope of the project to the fifth call for Category 1 applications.
The fifth call for Category 1 projects closed on the 8th of February 2024. The competitive assessment process is underway and I expect to announce the successful projects in the coming weeks.
1711. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development in light of the Policy Our Living Islands, her plans to bring parity to the administration funding provided to Sherkin Island Development Company to run services on Sherkin Island, to bring it in line with the funding provided to other inhabited islands around the coast between now and the promised review of the services later in 2024 (details supplied).; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15379/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIsland communities were among the pioneers of local and community development in Ireland. Local development companies play a vital role in the development and delivery of modern infrastructure, employment and accessible transport for their communities, in partnership with various stakeholders, including my Department.
The local development companies on non-Gaeltacht Islands are funded by my Department's Islands Unit, while Gaeltacht Islands are funded through Údarás na Gaeltachta.
Local development companies on our Islands have a key role in supporting the delivery of measures to implement our strategic objective of empowering island communities.
During the consultation and development of the national Islands policy, Our Living Islands - which I launched last year - the matter of different funding levels and mechanisms between Gaeltacht and non-Gaeltacht islands was raised. My Department committed to reviewing the funding model for the local development companies on non-Gaeltacht islands to ensure they are supported more effectively to carry out their functions.
The terms of reference for the review are being finalised at present and will include an examination of the concerns and anomalies that have been identified by island communities and local development companies. My Department has already had initial discussions with Údarás na Gaeltachta in this regard.
With reference to Sherkin Island Development Society (SIDS), I would like to assure the Deputy that my Department recognises the extensive work programme being delivered by SIDS. In recognition of this, my Department's annual funding allocation for SIDS has increased by 56% since 2020, which is significantly more than the overall increase of 34% approved for non-Gaeltacht islands.
My Department acknowledges that the level of funding to SIDS remains lower than the level provided to others and this will be taken into account in the forthcoming review. While SIDS had sought a substantial funding increase in 2024, no decision could be made on the matter in advance of completing the review. Nonetheless, I can assure the Deputy that my Department will continue to support SIDS in the interim.
Finally, it is worth noting that my Department has provided an additional allocation of €40,000 to Comhar na nOileán in 2024 specifically to address the increased demand from the arrival of Ukrainian refugees in West Cork and on Sherkin Island.
1712. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline in detail the stage process of allocating LEADER funding to local action groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13612/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1713. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the procedure for selecting the independent selection committee that reviews all strategies developed by local action groups for LEADER funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13613/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1714. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the appeals procedure for local action groups following an unsuccessful application for LEADER funding following the completion and submission of a strategy to the Independent Selection Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13614/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1715. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if local action groups are entitled to all information on the assessment of their application particularly in relation to the work of the Independent Selection Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13615/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1716. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to confirm that neither South West Mayo Development Company nor Mayo North East LEADER Partnership met the necessary threshold for a successful application for LEADER funding following their submission of a strategy of the Independent Selection Committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13616/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1712 to 1716, inclusive, together.
The LEADER Programme is a key intervention of Our Rural Future, the Government’s Policy for rural development, which aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy.
The process to select the Local Action Groups (LAGs) responsible for the delivery of the 2023-2027 LEADER programme commenced in October 2022 when the funding allocation for each sub-regional area was announced. The sub-regional areas are, in the main, aligned with county boundaries. The methodology to distribute the funding used a baseline allocation for each sub-region together with an allocation based on the population density and the level of deprivation in each area. The process of allocating LEADER funding within a sub-regional area where more than one application was received used the same metrics examined at a more granular level. County Mayo has been allocated €8.8 million in funding for the programming period 2023-2027.
The process to select the LAGs was conducted over two stages. In Stage 1 candidate LAGs were given the opportunity to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to develop a Local Development Strategy (LDS) for their sub-regional area. The successful applicants following this stage were then invited to Stage 2 to develop their LDS in order to effectively target and address the needs and development potential of their sub-regional area through a community-led local development (CLLD) approach.
LDSs which were submitted in July 2023 were initially assessed and then adjudicated on by an Independent Selection Committee (ISC). The ISC was established in line with the EU regulations governing the programme and its membership was comprised of individuals from academia, business and environment sectors as well as representatives from my Department and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
Two candidate LAGs in Mayo submitted a LDS for consideration. These were Mayo LCDC with a number of implementing partners including Mayo North East LEADER Partnership and South West Mayo Development Company CLG. Following the conclusion of Stage 2 neither applicant was selected to deliver the 2023-2027 LEADER programme. Both applicants have been made aware of the outcome of the selection process and that further information is available if necessary from my Department.
An opportunity to appeal the decision has been afforded to both applicants and they may do so by writing to my Department outlining their grounds for such appeal. The applicants have been advised of the appeal process and the final date for submission is 19 April 2024. All appeals area assessed by an independent external reviewer.
An appropriate period of time must be provided to address any appeals that may arise and following this period, if necessary, I will proceed with a new process to ensure that the LEADER programme can be operational in Mayo without any unnecessary delays.
1717. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated cost of providing extra funding under the community services programme to enable them to pay workers the new national living wage rate. [13723/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model, providing a contribution towards the cost of CSP supported staff in organisations.
CSP provides an annual co-funding contribution towards each full-time equivalent (FTE) position being supported, and, where warranted, towards the cost of employing a manager, which must be co-funded by the organisations concerned from other sources, for example, from income generated from the use of facilities and services provided.
There are currently 1,705 full time equivalent positions supported under the programme with funding of €41m allocated to same during 2024. It should also be noted that the programme is currently supporting 346 managers with funding of almost €12.5m during 2024.
My Department estimates that it would cost an additional c. €13.5m to increase the funding allocations to align the CSP contribution with the total cost of employment at Living Wage levels, using the Social Justice Ireland Living Wage figure of €14.80 per hour, published in September 2023.
My Department and Pobal, who manage the programme on behalf of my Department, undertook extensive consultation in recent years during the restructuring of the programme, including consultation with a group representative of relevant stakeholders. A new funding rate allocation model for the CSP programme was introduced from 1st January 2023, as an alternative to the former flat rate payment model.
Since the roll out of the restructured programme in January 2023, my Department has provided an increase of €6,717 per Full-Time Equivalent and €5,500 per Manager for organisations in the ‘High funding need’ category and €4,142 per Full-Time Equivalent and €3,000 per Manager in the ‘Medium funding need’ category. This included an increase to mitigate the effects of the increases in the minimum wage level introduced in January 2023 and in January 2024.
There was no change for the small number of organisations considered to have a low funding need – these are organisations with the strongest earning potential operating in less disadvantaged areas.
In addition to these revised allocations, a reduction in full time hours from 39 to 37.5 hours was approved under the redesigned CSP programme, to narrow the co-funding gap for CSP supported employees even further.
In addition to the above mentioned supports under the CSP, a coaching and mentoring programme is also being put in place, funded under the ESF+ social innovation measure, to assist CSP supported organisations to improve their overall performance, including their financial sustainability.
