Thursday, 18 Apr 2024

Written Answers Nos. 313-327

Medical Cards

Ceisteanna (313)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if and when a medical card will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17272/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Education and Training Provision

Ceisteanna (314)

John Brady

Ceist:

314. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff employed in the delivery of English language classes to IPAS and BOTPs in Ireland, by area, and on a monthly basis, for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17107/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses are delivered by the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) across the country. All ESOL provision is free, and caters for all competency levels of learners, from beginner, to intermediate, and advanced.

ESOL is part of the general adult literacy provision in the ETBs.  ESOL is open to a diverse range of learner cohorts for whom English is not their first language, including but not limited to, IPAS and BOTP learners.

The detailed data sought by the Deputy is not readily available however my officials are engaging with SOLAS and the ETBs to prepare a report on the available data for the Deputy.

Education and Training Provision

Ceisteanna (315)

John Brady

Ceist:

315. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of IPAS and BOTPs who are receiving English language classes, on an area-by-area and monthly basis, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17108/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My officials are engaging with SOLAS on the data requested and will revert to the Deputy with the available data.

Qualifications Recognition

Ceisteanna (316)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

316. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process by which a person can have their professional qualification (details supplied) recognised by the NFQ in line with recognition of similar awards from 17 September 2007 to 6 November 2012, which are recognised by HETAC as equivalent to an award at level 9 on the framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17151/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) is the statutory body with responsibility for developing, promoting and maintaining the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

In line with the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012, the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) currently recognises the qualifications of Irish awarding bodies including Universities, Institutes of Technology, Technological Universities, QQI and the State Examination Commission.  Following the enactment of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) (Amendment) Act 2019, QQI’s powers in this regard will be expanded to broaden the number and types of qualifications that can be included in the NFQ. This amending legislation, when commenced later this year, will empower QQI to establish an application process whereby other awarding bodies, including international and professional awarding bodies, may choose to apply to QQI to have their qualifications, such as those in question, included in the Framework.

Currently, NARIC Ireland, hosted by QQI, provides recognition advice on foreign and international academic qualifications. This service provides comparability statements for a substantial number of qualifications from a wide range of countries aimed at assisting understanding of these qualifications in the context of the Irish education and training system. In addition to assisting the qualification holder, these statements can also help employers, funding agencies and education and training institutions to determine if an applicant holds the academic qualifications for a particular job, funding or course. These statements are available to download free of charge from its website at www.naric.ie.

Grant Payments

Ceisteanna (317)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

317. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider changing the eligibility criteria for the student grant scheme to enable students whose family was granted legal residency in Ireland through the regularisation of long-term undocumented migrants scheme to apply using the total number of years they lived in Ireland, including when they were undocumented. [17239/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Under the Student Grant scheme, SUSI grants are awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the conditions of funding, including nationality and residency.

The scheme has a statutory underpinning and is operated in accordance with the provisions of the relevant primary legislation, namely the Student Support Act 2011.

In order to be eligible for a grant, a student must show that they have been resident in the State for at least three years out of the five year period ending on the day before their course starts. The residency rule is applied equally to everyone, regardless of their individual circumstances, including Irish citizens returning home from a period of working abroad. The Act also explicitly states that a person shall not be entitled to derive any benefit from a period of unlawful presence in the State.

As the Deputy is aware the Department of Justice recently ran a time-limited Regularisation Scheme for Long-Term Undocumented Migrants which closed for applications in August 2022. 

The Scheme had two strands:

Strand 1 was open to applicants who had a period of 4 years residence in the State without an immigration permission, or 3 years in the case of those with minor children, immediately prior to the date on which the scheme opened for applications;

Strand 2, called the International Protection Regularisation Scheme, was open to those in the international protection system for two years or more prior to the date of the commencement of the Scheme (7 February 2022), who were living in Ireland, and have been doing so for a long period of time with a temporary residence under the International Protection Act 2015 and hold a Temporary Residence Certificate (TRC).

Under the 2024 Student Grant Scheme, persons who have received permission to reside under the International Protection Regularisation Scheme have been included in the definition of student in the context of student grant eligibility. 

My Department will continue to liaise on an ongoing basis with officials in the Department of Justice on the various categories of immigration status in the context of student grant eligibility.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (318)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

318. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for the town and village renewal scheme 2023 by an organisation (details supplied); when a decision is likely to be reached; when they might be awarded funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17081/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was introduced in 2016 and is one of a number of measures designed to rejuvenate rural towns and villages throughout Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme over €156 million has been allocated to more than 1,700 projects across Ireland.

As committed to under Our Rural Future and in line with the Town Centre First Policy, scheme priorities are reviewed at the end of each scheme year to ensure that funding is targeted effectively to support vibrant and attractive communities and to respond to changing needs and opportunities.

The 2023 Scheme has a renewed focus on town centre economic and social vibrancy which includes the development of recreational spaces/amenities in town centres to make them vibrant hubs for community enjoyment and to increase footfall for local businesses.

The 2023 Scheme is now closed and the competitive assessment process is nearing completion. I can confirm that an application has been received in relation to the project referred to. However, I would like to emphasise that the Town and Village Renewal Scheme is heavily subscribed, and funding will be allocated based on the quality of the proposed projects, the geographical spread of projects and the available budget. I expect to announce the successful projects shortly.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (319)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

319. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how she is determining whether value for money is being achieved by local authorities through the spending of State funding and local contributions on the local improvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. []

Awaiting reply from Department.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (320, 323)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

320. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development how many audits of local authorities have taken place in relation to the spending of State funding and local contributions on the local improvement scheme; the local authorities that were audited, the years audited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17203/24]

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

323. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has queried any returns from any local authorities in the past eight years under the local improvement scheme; if any further examination of drawdown and inspection has taken place; if so, the specific local authorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17206/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 323 together.

My Department provides funding for the Local Improvement Scheme but each local authority is responsible for administering the scheme in their own areas, in line with the Scheme outline.

In order to draw down allocated funding, each local authority is required to submit documentation including a list of completed works.  My Department closely examines the documentation submitted and will only approve payment once all required documentation has been checked and is deemed to be in order. Any queries are returned to each local authority for clarification. Once approved by my officials, payment is then issued. 

In order to monitor the scheme and to ensure compliance with the terms and conditions, the Scheme is in included in the programme of inspections implemented by my Department.

A local authority may be required to repay some or all of the funding provided if, at inspection, it is identified that a project is deemed ineligible under the scheme. The local authority has the right to appeal any such decision within one month.

The following is a summary of inspections carried out from 2017 - 2021. Inspections of works carried out in 2022 and 2023 are ongoing. 

Of the roads repaired under LIS in 2017, a sample of roads was inspected across 6  counties.  On foot of this a total amount of €420,638  was identified for recoupment.

Of the roads repaired in 2018, a sample of roads across 6 counties was inspected.  On foot of this, a total of €378,430 was identified for recoupment.

Of the roads repaired in 2019,  a sample of roads across 11 counties was inspected. On foot of this, a total of €61,218 was identified for recoupment.

Of the roads repaired in 2020, a sample of roads across 10 counties was inspected. On foot of this a total of €74,087 was identified for recoupment.

Of the roads repaired in 2021, a sample of roads across 6 counties was examined.  On foot of this, a total of €55,500.65 was identified for recoupment.

The Scheme is also subject to the standard internal and external audit procedures which apply across such publicly funded programmes as part of my Department's overall voted allocation.

My officials maintain ongoing engagement with local authorities to deal with any queries as they arise, in order to support the efficient and effective delivery of the Scheme.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (321, 322)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

321. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has carried out price comparisons on the cost of roads being improved by different local authorities under the local improvement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17204/24]

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

322. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has carried out price comparisons on the cost of roads being improved by local authorities under the local improvement scheme versus private contractor quotations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17205/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

I propose to take Questions Nos. 321 and 322 together.

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future.

The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2023 my Department has allocated almost €130 million to local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme. This has upgraded, up to end of 2023, over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes which has benefitted almost 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.

While my Department provides funding for the Scheme, each local authority is responsible for administering the Scheme in its area. Local authorities are responsible for the selection and prioritisation of roads, and the procurement and tender process in line with Public Spending Code, National and EU guidelines. Given the range of factors influencing costs, such as scope and nature of work, the diversity of locations and physical contexts of LIS roads and varying levels of availability of contractors, the Department does not carry out direct price comparisons.

Local authorities however, are required to retain procurement documentation, including requests for tenders/quotations, the tenders/quotations received, details of how the tenders/quotations were assessed and the successful tender/quotation and to provide these records to my Department if requested to do so. It is important to note that costs incurred should represent a convincing value for money proposition, and that the investment is commensurate with the benefits that the improved roads will provide.

My Department will continue to closely monitor expenditure to ensure LIS funding is fully utilised by each local authority. Additionally, LIS funding is subject to the annual programme of inspections implemented by the Inspections, Compliance and Business Development Unit of my Department.

Question No. 322 answered with Question No. 321.

Question No. 323 answered with Question No. 320.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (324)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

324. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department has identified any circumstances in local authorities where funding was drawn down under the local improvement scheme in respect of roads that were not completed at the time of drawdown; if so, if she will identify the local authorities that were involved and list each such instancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17207/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. 

While the scheme is funded by my Department, each local authority is responsible for the administration of the scheme. Local authorities submit a list of roads to be completed under the Scheme for approval by my Department.  Once approval is granted, each local authority must sign and return a funding agreement to my officials agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Scheme. 

LIS funds are released to local authorities upon receipt of fully completed documentation which includes a list of roads completed. My Department has received one request for drawdown of funds in respect of a road not completed in 2020, based on exceptional circumstances, from Meath County Council. In this case, a pre-fund of €110,000 was authorised as a once off measure for surface works on roads unable to be completed within the given time frame due to severe weather conditions.

My Department engages with local authorities on an ongoing basis and encourages the completion of works as early as possible in the year in order to avoid situations where work is impeded by adverse weather.

I intend to announce the next round of allocations under the Local Improvement Scheme shortly.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (325)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

325. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total amount in local contributions from residents and landowners, per local authority, under the local improvement scheme since 2016, in tabular form; the number of roads improved in each of these local authority areas in the corresponding period; the total length/area of road completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17208/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) supports the improvement of rural roads and laneways that are not normally maintained by local authorities. As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the LIS is funded into the future. 

The Scheme was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following a number of years with no dedicated funding. Between 2017 and 2023 my Department has allocated almost €130 million to local authorities under the Local Improvement Scheme. This has upgraded, up to end of 2023, over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes which has benefitted almost 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.

The following table the number of roads completed per county since 2017.  However, given the level of detail the Deputy has sought and the volume of capital projects my Department funds, it is not possible to give a full reply in the allotted timeframe. My officials are currently compiling the remaining elements of the information requested and this will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

LIS Roads Completed

County	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	Total
Carlow	20	28	14	15	25	37	21	160
Cavan	10	12	4	4	22	25	23	100
Clare	28	30	12	12	20	25	22	149
Cork	34	62	20	19	29	22	47	233
Donegal	164	107	35	35	67	68	64	540
Galway	57	69	36	30	49	50	39	330
Kerry	41	61	21	9	18	23	23	196
Kildare	0	12	8	4	8	11	6	49
Kilkenny	16	16	9	7	19	11	11	89
Laois	21	15	7	7	13	23	23	109
Leitrim	20	24	11	9	17	31	24	136
Limerick	18	22	13	8	42	27	17	147
Longford	18	25	15	8	14	18	15	113
Louth	8	6	6	10	10	12	10	62
Mayo	89	144	74	53	91	31	67	549
Meath	22	21	12	5	17	9	14	100
Monaghan	21	28	14	12	26	14	30	145
Offaly	23	31	16	14	29	32	26	171
Roscommon	41	91	21	27	30	24	17	251
Sligo	16	22	7	6	15	18	23	107
Tipperary	10	32	21	20	25	35	40	183
Waterford	17	20	3	5	14	11	12	82
Westmeath	23	22	12	12	24	20	13	126
Wexford	18	17	11	13	22	23	21	125
Wicklow	7	15	10	6	14	8	11	71
Total	742	932	412	350	660	608	619	4323

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (326)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

326. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amounts sought by each local authority and subsequently granted to each local authority under the local improvement scheme for each year since 2016, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17209/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

As part of Our Rural Future, the Government is committed to ensuring that the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is funded into the future. This reflects the important contribution which the scheme makes to connectivity in rural Ireland.

LIS was reintroduced by my Department in 2017 following several years with no dedicated funding.  Since then, almost €130 million has been allocated towards repair works on rural roads and laneways not normally maintained by local authorities.  This has upgraded, up to end of 2023, over 4,000 non-public roads and lanes which has benefitted almost 20,000 landowners and residents in these rural areas.

In 2023 alone, I allocated almost €30 million in funding for LIS. This represents the highest annual investment under LIS ever and was the third consecutive year in which funding allocated to the scheme has increased.  This reflects the priority that I have afforded to the scheme in recent years.

A number of factors are taken into consideration when allocating funding, the major factor being the amount allocated to LIS under the annual budgetary process. Funding allocations are not based on requests from individual local authorities, but instead are based on the overall envelope available, the area of each county, with a minimum and maximum ceiling applied. 

In the past, I have announced a second round of funding when savings have been identified in other areas of my Department.  In such instances, local authorities are then requested to submit a list of further roads they have the capacity to deliver in a given timeframe, and a second allocation of funding is provided based on the amount of works each local authority has indicated they can deliver. 

The following table outlines the amount allocated to each local authority from 2017 to 2023.

LIS Allocations

County	2017 Allocation	2018 Allocation	2019 Allocation	2020 Allocation	2021 Allocation	2022 Allocation	2023 Allocation	Total Allocation
Carlow	€440,460	€528,279	€250,000	€250,000	€463,931	€944,082	€567,772	€3,444,524
Cavan	€335,080	€636,680	€269,254	€269,254	€1,119,389	€1,273,457	€1,741,411	€5,644,525
Clare	€866,774	€1,038,844	€480,811	€480,811	€828,528	€1,238,015	€1,367,910	€6,301,693
Cork	€1,151,985	€1,700,000	€900,000	€900,000	€1,412,738	€1,298,240	€2,615,923	€9,978,886
Donegal	€3,384,000	€1,792,516	€677,456	€677,456	€1,188,403	€1,711,214	€1,890,509	€11,321,554
Galway	€1,368,651	€1,942,000	€856,959	€856,959	€1,580,871	€1,682,841	€1,518,259	€9,806,540
Kerry	€995,578	€1,209,990	€669,930	€669,930	€1,187,099	€1,495,490	€1,557,176	€7,785,193
Kildare	€0	€329,591	€250,000	€250,000	€495,586	€435,326	€304,736	€2,065,239
Kilkenny	€605,565	€679,683	€288,905	€288,905	€778,682	€628,610	€641,753	€3,912,103
Laois	€812,270	€568,255	€250,000	€250,000	€554,259	€860,277	€1,231,151	€4,526,212
Leitrim	€487,947	€550,120	€250,000	€250,000	€503,830	€1,081,038	€1,135,919	€4,258,854
Limerick	€544,861	€684,349	€384,092	€384,090	€1,504,659	€930,989	€1,182,549	€5,615,589
Longford	€302,443	€472,217	€250,000	€250,000	€393,041	€465,940	€593,350	€2,726,991
Louth	€250,000	€250,000	€250,000	€250,000	€417,821	€448,273	€422,764	€2,288,858
Mayo	€1,272,974	€1,843,235	€778,496	€778,496	€1,361,625	€610,944	€1,521,736	€8,167,506
Meath	€474,290	€773,404	€326,394	€326,394	€803,937	€569,299	€994,513	€4,268,231
Monaghan	€366,312	€540,841	€250,000	€250,000	€1,326,223	€932,889	€1,342,724	€5,008,989
Offaly	€676,155	€644,654	€278,871	€278,871	€545,240	€674,785	€704,325	€3,802,901
Roscommon	€421,258	€820,968	€355,104	€355,104	€445,495	€571,758	€512,825	€3,482,512
Sligo	€496,158	€606,870	€256,154	€256,154	€470,542	€358,030	€886,127	€3,330,035
Tipperary	€246,900	€794,400	€599,969	€599,969	€721,531	€1,125,773	€1,865,091	€5,953,633
Waterford	€718,689	€607,047	€258,802	€258,802	€872,759	€587,176	€817,570	€4,120,845
Westmeath	€516,324	€607,224	€256,433	€256,433	€628,389	€656,781	€515,416	€3,437,000
Wexford	€494,493	€511,410	€329,878	€329,878	€653,786	€781,027	€1,030,935	€4,131,407
Wicklow	€310,000	€668,135	€282,494	€282,494	€741,635	€637,748	€777,488	€3,699,994
Total	€17,539,167	€20,800,712	€10,000,002	€10,000,000	€20,999,999	€22,000,002	€27,739,932	€129,079,814

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (327)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

327. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the ORIS stream 3 funding allocations will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17237/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (ORIS) is funded by my Department under Our Rural Future. The scheme provides funding for the development and enhancement of outdoor recreational infrastructure such as walking trails, cycleways and blue ways throughout rural Ireland. Since the launch of the scheme in 2016, funding of over €113 million has supported more than 1,700 projects across the country.

Last year, I launched the 2023 ORIS scheme with applications  invited under the following four Measures:

• Measure 1: small scale projects requiring funding of up to €30,000,

• Measure 2: medium scale projects with funding of up to €200,000,

• Measure 3: large scale projects seeking funding of up to €500,000, and

• Project Development Measure: funding of up to €50,000 for development costs for strategic large scale projects. 

Under the Project Development Measure, I approved funding of almost €2.3 million to support preparatory work required to bring large scale outdoor recreation projects to a shovel-ready stage. This investment will ensure a strong pipeline of outdoor amenity projects right across the country in the coming years.

Last month, I was delighted to announce the approval of 151 successful projects to the value of over €4.1 million under Measure 1 of the 2023 scheme. These include a range of outdoor adventure projects throughout rural Ireland.  

Applications submitted under Measures 2 and 3 of the 2023 scheme are currently being assessed. I expect to be in a position to make a further announcement in the coming weeks on the successful projects under these Measures.