Róisín Shortall
Question:665. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if there are mandatory protocols in respect of sepsis management in all healthcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21907/24]
View answerHealth Services
Questions (665)
Written answers
As the Deputies question relates to a service issue, I have referred the question to the Health Service Executive for consideration and direct reply to the Deputy.
Third Level Costs
Questions (666)
Claire Kerrane
Question:666. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are any grants outside of SUSI for a student sitting a masters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21197/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for student grant applications is a matter for the centralised grant awarding authority, SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), further details are available at www.susi.ie
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, there are various other supports that may be available to third level students:
• Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund, which assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended;
• The Higher Education Authority (HEA) provides information in relation to bursaries and scholarships available at hea.ie/funding-governance-performance/funding/student-finance/other-finance-bursaries-scholarships/;
• In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. More information on the tax credit and the tax treatment of students generally is available from the Revenue Commissioners on Students (revenue.ie) or from your local Tax Office;
• The Rent Tax Credit has increased to €750 per individual and €1,500 per jointly assessed couple for 2024 and 2025. Payments made by parents in respect of “digs” or rent-a-room arrangements for their children to attend an approved course will now qualify for the Rent Tax Credit, provided the claimant and their child are not related to the landlord. This change will apply retrospectively for the years 2022 and 2023. More information on the rent tax credit is available on Rent tax credit where rent is paid on behalf of third level students;
• Students may also be eligible for reduced travel, more information can be found on Young Adult and Student Card - Leap Card.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (667)
Ged Nash
Question:667. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the anomaly faced by 60 students attending Ballyfermot College of Further Education who, despite attending classes for a BA honours degree in animation and visual media from Monday to Thursday, on a weekly basis, have their course designated as part-time and therefore not entitled to a SUSI grant; what plans he has to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21683/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware that Ballyfermot College of Further Education (BCFE) offers a BA Honours Degree in Visual Media awarded by the University of Dundee. It is a full-time 2-year top-up degree course with options to specialise in animation and game design. There are 37 students enrolled on the 2-year degree programme in 2023/23. There are a further 27 students currently enrolled in BCFE on a 1-year full-time top-up degree course leading to a BA Media Management Production which is awarded by DCU.
Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011 outlines the position with regard to approved institutions for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme. BCFE is comprehended within Section 7(1)(d) of the Act as an education institution in the State in receipt of grants out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas for the provision of post-leaving certificate courses. Further education centres are not designated as approved third level institutions for the purposes of providing higher education awards under the Student Grant Scheme.
Given that these programmes are higher education awards delivered by a further education institution, students undertaking the programmes are not eligible for SUSI funding.
City of Dublin ETB has advised my Department that similar to PLC learners attending CDETB PLC courses in 2023/24, learners on these degree courses were not charged course fees.
Third Level Education
Questions (668)
John Paul Phelan
Question:668. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the practice in some third level institutions whereby students are automatically signed up as members of the students' union upon enrolment at the institution; his views on whether this arrangement is in accordance with the freedom of association guaranteed in the Constitution; whether current legislation provides adequate protections for students in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21298/24]
View answerWritten answers
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies as set out in legislation and are responsible for the day-to-day management and operational affairs of the institution.
I would suggest that students contact their higher education institutions and students' union directly if they wish to raise any concerns in this respect.
Education and Training Boards
Questions (669)
Paul Kehoe
Question:669. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he or officials within his Department are aware of a document (details supplied); the steps he will take to address staff retention issues identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21300/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has only recently become aware of this article published in the Irish Journal of Education in April 2024. My officials are reviewing the article, which I understand explores the unique characteristics of the programme to identify variables influencing staff retention.
This article follows the Youthreach Employee Wellbeing Report 2022: A review of employees experience of working in the Youthreach Sector which was published by Maynooth University in January 2023. That report found significant challenges facing frontline Youthreach sector staff and workplace stress but nonetheless found higher levels of wellbeing by comparison to teaching staff at other levels of education. The report highlighted the dedication and commitment of Youthreach staff to their student cohort.
The key role of relationships with staff in re-engaging young people with learning was also highlighted in the ESRI’s Evaluation of the Youthreach Programme.
The Youthreach programme is staffed by Co-ordinators, Resource Persons and teachers with nationally agreed terms and conditions of employment. They have specific, clearly defined job descriptions. which were designed very much with the programmes structure in mind. Template contracts of employment for Youthreach were negotiated and agreed by all stakeholders.
I understand that Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) issued a follow-up sectoral response survey last month to the 16 ETBs. ETBI will consider the individual ETB responses and prepare a report for SOLAS and my Department on the issues raised and measures taken in relation to issues raised.
I would also note that ETBI recently launched their wellbeing strategy 2024-2026 which outlines their commitment to fostering a high-quality working environment to support the wellbeing of its staff.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (670)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:670. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how his Department plans to promote continuous lifelong training for all; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21319/24]
View answerWritten answers
Promoting the importance of lifelong learning has been a key focus for my Department which has been demonstrated in the approach we have been taking since its establishment three years ago, putting skills at the centre of policy development, raising awareness of the importance of skills, and creating and highlighting multiple re-skilling and upskilling initiatives and learning opportunities available to everyone.
This focus has also been underpinned by the findings of the OECD’s Skills Strategy Review published on 9 May 2023. As highlighted in the OECD Review there is a substantial provision of lifelong learning opportunities across all the tertiary education system in Ireland, offered, for example, through such initiatives as Springboard+, the Human Capital Initiative, Skills to Advance and the work of Skillnet Ireland- and its leading role in supporting employers of all sizes, with their up-skilling and re-skilling needs.
Although Ireland’s lifelong learning performance exceeds EU average levels, with a 54.8% adult participation in lifelong learning rate recorded in 2022, based on the latest results of the Adult Education Survey, we are aware that more needs to be done to embed and foster a culture of lifelong learning and training, where learning isn’t incidental or re-active but becomes a social and economic investment into the future.
This is why my Department will now build on the momentum generated by the recently concluded European Year of Skills, which saw in the past year alone some 99+ events organised and registered by the Department and its partners, on the EYS map for Ireland, available at year-of-skills.europa.eu/events-and-activities_en. Those events, which took place all over the country, included communication and awareness-raising campaigns on the importance of lifelong learning and availability of upskilling and reskilling options.
As part of the European Year of Skills, my Department also ran an advertising campaign to promote awareness around reskilling and upskilling. Almost 30,000 people visited gov.ie/skills to learn more as a result of this campaign. The campaign was in line with key Department and partner-led efforts aimed at assisting people to navigate the rich offering of learning opportunities available such as The Right Course, Smart Choices, Smart Futures.
Together with our partners across the skills ecosystem we are collectively placing a renewed emphasis on lifelong learning and recognising skills as a cornerstone to empower people and businesses, and support innovation and competitiveness. This partnership approach is underpinned by the ongoing work of the network of nine Regional Skills Fora, which work to address skills needs at local level, by assisting enterprise to find the solution that best fits their needs. New initiatives, such as the pilot scheme to incentivise SMEs currently in development, will continue to strengthen this partnership approach.
My Department will continue to work to further enhance Ireland’s lifelong learning performance and to build on the success we have had to date in this sphere.
Departmental Strategies
Questions (671)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:671. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how his Department plans to support skills related to both green and digital transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21320/24]
View answerWritten answers
Green Skills are essential for meeting the ambitious climate targets set out by the Government in the Climate Action Plan and for the Green Transition. These range from the development of transferable green skills for life, through specific skills requirements for emerging green sectors of the economy including offshore wind and other renewable energy initiatives, electric vehicles and Near Zero Energy Buildings/ Retrofit.
SOLAS are currently developing Ireland’s 1st National FET Skills Strategy for the Green Transition. The purpose of this strategy is to collate national policy for the green transition across all sectors of climate action policy and identify the relevant transversal, specific and highly specialised skills required at levels NFQ 1-6. The strategy is due to be launched in October 2024.
The National FET Skills Strategy for the Green Transition is in addition to the SOLAS Green Skills for FET 2021-2030 document launched in March 2022. This outlines three core objectives in respect of green skills in the FET sector:
• Developing Green Skills for Life, including the expansion of green skills training and awareness across the FET sector;
• Developing Green Skills for Construction, including training and upskilling those in construction in the latest green technologies; and
• Green Skills for Careers, to create career opportunities in the green economy for the employed, unemployed and those within vulnerable sectors.
The ‘Green Skills for Life’ objective aims to create awareness of climate justice, sustainability and bioeconomic issues across FET learners, FET staff and school students by making green skills and sustainability awareness modules available for all learners in the sector.
A national suite of Green Skills programmes is being developed by SOLAS in collaboration with enterprise partners in areas such as sustainability awareness and resource efficiency. Green skills modules are available to all FET learners with new Green Skills micro-qualifications rolled out by ETBs. These include:
• A Level 4 (Level 3 EQF) micro-qualification in Environmental Sustainability Awareness
• A Level 5 (Level 4 EQF) micro-qualification in Environmental Sustainability in the Workplace, and
• A general introduction to Green Skills module developed in partnership with SEAI, and open to all learners online via the eCollege portal.
There were 1,413 enrolments in the Green FET Micro-Qualifications (L4 and L5) in 2023.
The ‘Green Skills for Construction’ objective aims to provide training and upskilling to meet the green skills needs of the built environment.
There have been significant developments to address these skills requirements, in particular in the area of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) and Retrofit.
Upskilling courses in NZEB/ retrofit for construction workers are offered through an expanding network of Centres of Excellence operated by several Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Six Centres of Excellence are currently operated by Waterford and Wexford ETB, Laois and Offaly ETB, Limerick Clare ETB, Cork ETB, Mayo-Sligo-Leitrim ETB and City of Dublin ETB. Courses are also provided by Tipperary ETB.
Following progress in developing this national network of NZEB/ retrofit Centres of Excellence, the number of workers availing of these opportunities has increased steadily since the first centre was opened in 2020 with enrolments in 2023 reaching 4,452. This trend has continued this year with a further 1,878 enrolments in Q1 2024.
In line with the objective to create ‘Green Skills for Careers’, my department, SOLAS and other stakeholders in the FET sector are working to address emerging requirements in areas including offshore renewable energy and electric vehicles.
A cross-Departmental Offshore Wind Delivery Taskforce is driving delivery and working to capture the economic and business opportunities associated with the development of offshore renewables. It includes skills and workforce responses, with DFHERIS leading, in collaboration with DECC, on a dedicated Skills and Workforce Workstream.
The main goal of the workstream is to identify the skills and workforce requirements for the development of offshore wind and establish a sustainable workforce and skills pipeline. To this end, a detailed skills assessment report, “Building Our Potential – Ireland’s Offshore Wind Skills and Talent Needs”, was produced in collaboration with Greentech Skillnet, in January 2024.
DFHERIS is currently developing a skills action plan in response to this report which will outline the precise requirements for the tertiary sector to address anticipated skills gaps.
Skills requirements for electric vehicle maintenance include the development of upskilling and reskilling opportunities, and progressing EV skills through existing motor mechanic apprenticeship programmes.
In 2023 the first step towards the development of an ‘eMobility Capability Centre’ was announced, with the launch of a project office within Longford Westmeath ETB. This project office is tasked with driving the development of the Centre in a planned and phased manner, including carrying out a technical feasibility study to identify the full requirements. A project lead has recently been appointed by LWETB to undertake this technical feasibility study.
Alongside the development of the Centre, SOLAS are actively working to consider how e-mobility skills can be most effectively delivered by the FET sector. SOLAS and DFHERIS have developed a skills oversight group which includes representatives from industry to progress this.
As part of this process SOLAS is reviewing and redeveloping apprenticeship programmes in the motor family of trades to include EV modules such as the motor mechanics apprenticeship programme.
Dimension 3 of the National Digital Strategy highlights that for Ireland to be an international leader in the digital economy, our skills policy must be focused on meeting digital skills at all levels: High-Level Digital Skills, Digital Skills for the Labour Market and Digital Skills for Society.
The Strategy is underpinned by two overall targets:
• Increase the numbers of learners graduating with higher-level digital skills to over 12,400 graduates, apprentices and trainees
• Increase the share of adults in Ireland with at least basic digital skills to 80%
My Department is making significant progress on both targets. Latest figures indicate that in 2020, 15,274 graduates emerged from ICT specific courses, with an additional 14,703 graduates by the end of 2021, and 13,714 in 2022. The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) 2023 indicates that Ireland is performing well in meeting this target, with 70% of people have at least basic digital skills, compared to the EU average of 54%.
Qualifications Recognition
Questions (672)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Question:672. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department plans to strengthen the system of mutual recognition of professional qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21322/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science serves as the national coordinator and national assistance centre for Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications. This Directive, which has been transposed into Irish law by S.I. No. 8 of 2017, provides the main legal framework to facilitate the mutual recognition of professional qualifications between EU/EEA member states.
Given its regulatory nature, the recognition of EU/EEA and Third Country qualifications that would give access to a regulated profession is the responsibility of the relevant national regulatory body. My Department does not have a role in the performance of this function.
In my Department’s coordination role, it works with the European Commission, other Member States and Irish regulatory bodies to support the operation of the Directive and to assist citizens seeking the recognition of their qualifications. In this capacity my Department has and will continue to work with regulators to deepen the implementation of this Directive and to share broader international best practice in respect of the recognition of qualifications.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (673)
Cormac Devlin
Question:673. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science is he is aware of a situation (details supplied). [21389/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has been made aware that the college referred to by the Deputy will close and cease to deliver degree level programmes accredited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) with effect from September 2024.
In preparation for the forthcoming closure the college has engaged with QQI’s statutory Protection of Enrolled Learners (PEL) process. The PEL process ensures that learners can complete their programme with another QQI accredited provider if it is no longer offered by their existing provider.
QQI has informed my Department that all impacted learners, including those on the Bachelor of Education in Montessori Education programme, wishing to continue their studies will be facilitated to transfer into similar degree programmes offered by alternative providers leading to awards at the same level of the National Framework of Qualifications from September 2024. The alternative providers will provide all necessary supports to the learners as they make the transfer.
The college held a meeting on Tuesday 9 April 2024 to communicate further information about these transfer arrangements to the learners.
In addition, my Department has been advised that an alternative application process has also been made available to learners on an individual basis for those wishing to apply to a large public higher education provider offering a degree programme in Montessori Education. Further information about this alternative pathway was communicated to the learners at a meeting held on Tuesday 16th April 2024.
Meetings with learners on a one-to-one basis are still ongoing.
Education Policy
Questions (674)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:674. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to tackle the stigma associated with level 4 certificates, the Leaving Certificate Applied, community training and Youthreach centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21457/24]
View answerWritten answers
The ESRI’s Evaluation of the National Youthreach Programmes in 2019 found that over three quarters of Youthreach and Community Training Centres offered QQI level 3 and 4 qualifications with a fifth offering the LCA Programme. Most centres structure learning so that young people take QQI Level 3 qualifications in year one and progress to QQI Level 4 qualifications in year two. Level 4 qualifications offer accessible and tailored pathways for learners to gain valuable qualifications and progress onto further education, training or employment.
The Evaluation found that learner need was identified as the primary basis for deciding on course provision, with many centres revising course offerings as the profile of learners changed. It found clear and distinct value in the provision provided in both the Youthreach centre and CTC contexts. In its response to the evaluation, SOLAS advocated the continued provision in both Youthreach centre and CTC settings while acknowledging the need for more coordinated and effective planning across all youth education and training at ETB level.
It also identified the need to more closely link Youthreach to pathways within FET and beyond, and to ensure that it continues to evolve to meet the changing and more complex needs of its learners. The majority of the recommendations in the SOLAS response, continue to be implemented through the national FET Strategy 2020–24 under the Creating Pathways and Inclusion workstreams while other specific recommendations, directly relating to the Youthreach Evaluation are being implemented by SOLAS, as part of the Strategic Performance Agreement process in conjunction with individual Education and Training Boards.
Student Accommodation
Questions (675)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:675. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that students are choosing college courses based on accommodation shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21462/24]
View answerWritten answers
There is no conclusive reported data to support that rationale for students choosing college courses but I am conscious that accommodation is a significant factor for students who need to reside away from home to access higher education.
The challenge for students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are acutely aware and actively pursuing. Government is committed to removing accommodation as a barrier to education.
In November 2022, the Government approved the development of a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation for public higher education institutions.
The Government approved in principle funding of €61m for student accommodation, subject to the public tendering process, due diligence assessment and compliance with relevant expenditure guidelines.
In April 2024, the Government committed €100m to progress over 1000 student beds at UCD, DCU, and Maynooth University. The Short-Term Activation Programme under which these projects are being funded, is the immediate response in advance of implementing the long-term policy, focused on regional needs and responses. The Department is continuing to assess student accommodation projects at TCD, UL, and UG.
The long term student accommodation policy was approved by Government on the 16th of January 2024. This policy will inform future student accommodation strategies and schemes which will be developed throughout 2024. This will include increasing supply of student accommodation, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design templates, and promoting efficient use of existing housing stock while supporting balanced regional development.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (676, 677, 678)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:676. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that will be taken to improve the protection of students' and postgraduate researchers' right and freedom to protest in a peaceful manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21590/24]
View answerRichard Boyd Barrett
Question:677. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that will be taken to condemn Trinity College Dublin's threats of disciplinary hearings, fines and expulsion to individual members of the democratically elected TCD Students' Union and Postgraduate Workers' Organisation, and a €214,000 fine issued to the TCD Students' Union, in response to peaceful student protests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21591/24]
View answerRichard Boyd Barrett
Question:678. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the future measures that will be taken to protect individuals within a students' or researchers' union from being singled out or targeted by senior staff with disciplinary threats in response to action taken by the union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21592/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 676 to 678, inclusive, together.
Students, staff and researchers of higher education institutions have the right and freedom to protest in a peaceful manner once it is in accordance with the rule of law.
As autonomous bodies, higher education institutions are responsible for the day-to-day management and operational affairs of their institutions, this includes their responsibility to adhere to their own policies and rules. Such policies include the institution's Dignity and Respect policy, which aims to support a respectful work and study environment free from bullying and harassment, where staff, students and other community members are treated with dignity and respect.
I believe that both institutional autonomy and academic freedom are pillars of a democratic society, and it is important they are respected and protected by all parties. As Minister it would not be appropriate for me to try to limit or undermine this autonomy.I would also note that the recent protest on the Trinity College Dublin campus ended on 8 May following successful talks between the university’s senior management and protesters.
Question No. 677 answered with Question No. 676.
Question No. 678 answered with Question No. 676.
Third Level Education
Questions (679)
Carol Nolan
Question:679. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding provided by Ireland to the EU's Erasmus programme, from 2014 to date, in tabular form; the amount of funding Ireland has received from the programme during the corresponding period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21670/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department acts as the National Authority for the Erasmus Programme. The Erasmus Programme is administered by two national agencies - Léargas and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) which draw down their funding directly from the European Commission.
The tables below set out the requested data in tabular form from the two aegis bodies Léargas and the HEA. Please note, the data from 2019 is preliminary and will be subject to change due to the calls being open and therefore data validation is not yet finalised.
Higher Education Authority
The HEA do not have a record of any national funding received from 2014-2020. The breakdown for the last three years is as follows:
|
Year |
Amount |
Note |
|
2021 |
€147,565 |
|
|
2022 |
€4,952,435 |
€3,352,435 BAR / €1,600,000 Ukraine |
|
2023 |
€6,075,000 |
€3,500,000 BAR / €2,575,000 Ukraine |
Budget allocated by European Commission to the HEA:
|
Budget allocated by European Commission |
Net value of signed agreements |
Grant Amount Realised |
Comments |
|
|
2014 |
€7,833,164.00 |
€7,684,832.99 |
€6,763,451.06 |
|
|
2015 |
€9,156,276.00 |
€8,485,471.31 |
€7,628,054.50 |
|
|
2016 |
€9,323,614.00 |
€9,177,711.44 |
€8,247,491.54 |
|
|
2017 |
€10,861,560.20 |
€10,478,665.00 |
€9,433,089.37 |
|
|
2018 |
€13,177,195.00 |
€11,808,419.32 |
€9,584,377.82 |
|
|
2019 |
€14,883,009.00 |
€13,233,031.70 |
Not yet finalised |
|
|
2020 |
€ 16,318,553.00 |
€16,555,868.50 |
Not yet finalised |
|
|
2021 |
€ 11,808,566.00 |
€11,931,040.45 |
Not yet finalised |
|
|
2022 |
€ 18,310,757.00 |
€22,431,827.01 |
Not yet finalised |
|
|
2023 |
€ 19,865,646.00 |
€ 25,022,619.05 |
Not yet finalised |
|
|
€ 131,538,340.20 |
€ 136,809,486.77 |
€ 41,656,464.29 |
Léargas
Léargas has not been, and is not currently, in receipt of any additional government funding to support Erasmus+ Programme grants. Budget allocated by European Commission to Leargas:
|
Call Year |
Grant Amount allocated by European Commission |
Net value of signed grant agreements |
Grant Amount Realised |
Comments |
|
2014 |
€10,128,731.00 |
€9,279,167.51 |
€8,609,421.35 |
|
|
2015 |
€10,736,824.00 |
€10,584,987.81 |
€9,995,974.91 |
|
|
2016 |
€10,653,274.00 |
€10,376,666.81 |
€9,507,551.11 |
|
|
2017 |
€13,585,609.00 |
€13,174,109.76 |
€11,886,203.66 |
|
|
2018 |
€16,375,966.00 |
€16,097,192.23 |
€14,291,934.51 |
|
|
2019 |
€17,711,865.00 |
€ 15,920,728.69 |
€12,016,331.28 |
|
|
2020 |
€21,750,636.00 |
€19,650,760.50 |
€14,636,512.70 |
Grant amount realised will change as this call year is still ongoing until 31/12/2024. |
|
2021 |
€21,091,037.00 |
€13,569,307.61 |
€- |
Call still open |
|
2022 |
€24,056,970.00 |
€17,201,804.45 |
€- |
Call still open |
|
2023 |
€26,314,621.00 |
€25,758,884.80 |
€- |
Call still open |
|
€172,405,533.00 |
€151,613,610.17 |
€80,943,929.52 |
Employment Rights
Questions (680)
Ged Nash
Question:680. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any State, semi-State or commercial semi-State agency under the aegis of their Department is aware of any cases of bogus self-employment in any bodies under their remit from 2020 to 1 May 2024; if they will outline if there are currently any cases from such agencies or bodies currently before the SCOPE section of the Department of Social Protection for investigation or determination; if there are any SCOPE findings and recommendations relating to any agencies or bodies under their remit where SCOPE has found in favour of the worker, and where they recommended the reclassification of the workers’ employment status to that of direct employee between 2020 and 1 May 2024; if they will provide information on the numbers involved and the names of the individual agencies and bodies in all cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21693/24]
View answerWritten answers
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out below, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with his query.
|
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
||
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireacthas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
Higher Education Authority |
Oireachtas@hea.ie |
Padraic Mellett |
|
Irish Research Council (Note 1) |
Oireachtas@research.ie |
Padraic Mellett |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Communications@ggda.ie |
nora.rahill@ggda.ie |
|
SOLAS |
oireachtasinfo@solas.ie |
Maria Walsh maria.walshe@solas.ie |
|
Skillnets Ltd |
oireachtas@skillnets.com |
t.donnery@skillnets.com |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
ceo@qqi.ie |
ceo@qqi.ie |
|
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
oireachtas@leargas.ie |
fbroughan@leargas.ie |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
ciara.cotter@sfi.ie |
Ciara Cotter |
Note 1 – In regard to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) as the IRC operates under the auspices of the HEA. Mr Mellett will address Oireachtas queries for both the HEA and IRC. Please use Oireachtas@hea.ie and Oireachtas@research.ie respectively to contact Mr Mellett.
International Bodies
Questions (681)
Louise O'Reilly
Question:681. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Ireland will be joining the European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine. [21717/24]
View answer
Awaiting reply from Department.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (682)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:682. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 321 of 2 May 2024, how the Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute, which is neither an ETB or TU, provides off-the-job training for craft apprentices (details supplied); if he is satisfied that ETBs and TUs cover the entire population of craft apprentice instructors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21784/24]
View answerWritten answers
Education and Training Boards (ETBs) manage and deliver a wide range of education services through various types of educational institutions or ‘ETB centres’, including Community National Schools, Post-Primary Schools, Further Education (FE) colleges, and a range of adult and further education centres. ETBs serve as the legal entities or statutory education authorities; they do not directly administer further education but do so through their various ETB centres. In other words, an ‘ETB centre’ is a physical location or facility that is operated and managed by an ETB.
Some ETB centres have their own branding and are locally recognised by their brand name rather than the name of the ETB to which they belong such as Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute. However, such centres are not independent legal entities, the ETBs under which they operate are.
Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute is an ETB centre that operates under Dublin and Dún Laoghaire ETB (DDLETB). Funding for Dún Laoghaire Further Education Institute (including funding for staff costs) is provided as part of annual funding to DDLETB from SOLAS and all apprentice Instructors are employed directly by the DDLETB.
Departmental Advertising
Questions (683)
Carol Nolan
Question:683. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in print media; the names of the print media publications involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21866/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department works with a Government procured media buying agency to ensure we get the best reach and value for money for our information campaigns.
The Department's Advertising spend from 2019 to 2023 is detailed in the table at the link, with a breakdown for local and national print included.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (684)
Imelda Munster
Question:684. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new apprentices in each of the ETBs in the State in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, if possible divided under the headings craft and consortia, in tabular form. [21876/24]
View answerWritten answers
The attached table sets out apprentice registration by ETB for each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023. As requested the numbers are split between Craft and Consortia. A total apprentice registration is also provided, along with an annual total for each of the years for convenience.
A key for each ETB code can be found on page 2 of the attachment at the link.
Third Level Staff
Questions (685)
Róisín Shortall
Question:685. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding will be provided for the necessary clinical tutor posts to honour a previous commitment to provide five additional places on the radiation therapy programme in Trinity College Dublin; if not, the reason this commitment will not be fulfilled for the 2024/25 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21885/24]
View answerWritten answers
Radiation therapy clinical tutor posts are funded by the HSE and as such a matter for the Department of Health.
Vacant Sites
Questions (686)
Niamh Smyth
Question:686. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the measures her Department is taking to address vacant or derelict retail units in our small towns and villages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21185/24]
View answerWritten answers
Whilst the Department of Rural and Community Development does not have a specific remit to address retail vacancy or dereliction, many of the policies and schemes led by the Department contribute to the broader economic revitalisation of rural towns.
The Town Centre First Policy, for example, is a major cross-government policy that aims to tackle vacancy, combat dereliction and breathe new life into our town centres. It supports the Our Rural Future vision for a thriving rural Ireland.
Earlier this year, I launched a new suite of supports which is providing €4.5 million to support broader efforts to regenerate town centres through a bottom-up approach. It is supporting the development of 26 town plans, the establishment and development of Town Teams and the completion of Project Development Measure (PDM) projects. Funding has been awarded to successful towns to develop a town plan and I expect to announce further towns to receive support and successful PDM projects shortly.
Central to the Town Centre First approach is the range of support funding in place, including my Department’s Rural Regeneration and Development Fund and Town and Village Renewal Scheme.
This week, I announced funding of €164 million for 30 projects under the 5th Call for Category 1 projects located right across the country. These projects will be transformative as they focus on revitalising our rural towns and villages by supporting sustainable regeneration projects. The RRDF is having a demonstrably positive impact on promoting economic growth in rural areas and successful projects in this call included €5.2 million for the redevelopment of a derelict convent primary school building and grounds to provide a public library, enterprise hub and public park in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, and €3.2 million to redevelop a former residential school to provide an enterprise development, training and research facility in Baile Bhúirne, Co Cork.
The Town and Village Renewal Scheme launched in 2016 and since then over €177 million has been allocated to almost 1,800 projects. The 2023 Scheme placed a particular emphasis on projects that bring economic and social vibrancy to town centres in line with the Government’s policies to encourage more people into town and village centres to work, shop and socialise. On 29 April 2024, I announced €20.4 million in funding to support 82 successful projects under the 2023 Scheme. This includes an allocation of €743,087 to support 3 projects in Cavan and €750,000 to support 3 projects in Monaghan. A full list of the approved projects can be viewed on my Department’s website.
The Building Acquisition Measure is also supporting local authorities in purchasing vacant and derelict buildings for future development for community purposes. Over €10 million has been awarded to local authorities to support the purchase of 53 vacant and derelict buildings to date. This initiative will see vacant properties such as bank buildings, courthouses, and Garda stations redeveloped as community facilities across rural Ireland.