Written Answers Nos. 20-34
20. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details on new builds for student accommodation, the number of units, and the timeline for their completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22905/24]
View answerLast month An Taoiseach and I announced €100m in additional capital under the National Development Plan that will support delivery of 1,014 new and additional student beds, with delivery commencing from the 2025/2026 academic year.
This allocation enables the activation of Phase 1 of UCD’s stalled student project for delivery of 493 student beds for delivery in 2027/28.
It also provides the funding for the previously activated projects with Maynooth University to progress to onsite construction for delivery of 116 beds in 2025. The DCU project for delivery of 405 beds in 2027 is currently proceeding through the tender process.
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 engage with TCD, UL, and UG in relation to potential projects which are subject to additional funding needs.
14,599 purpose built student beds have been built since 2017, bringing the total stock of student beds to over 48,000 beds.
In the past year 674 additional beds have been made available in University of Galway, 255 in University College Cork, 9 in Trinity College Dublin, 80 in University of Limerick and 3 in MIC.
In addition, information available to the Department indicates that currently there are a number of new private student accommodation projects underway in key campus locations nationwide, with an estimated potential delivery of nearly 2,000 student beds.
The long term student accommodation policy was approved by Government in January. This includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, and promoting efficient use of existing housing stock while supporting balanced regional development.
21. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate the growth of take-up by the public service and by the multinational sector of the new model of apprenticeships; if he considers that new initiatives are necessary to promote them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23314/24]
View answerConsortia-led apprenticeships were developed from 2016 onwards to respond to emerging skills shortages, and are providing employment, career development and a pathway to a recognised qualification for apprentices across nearly 50 occupations.
This model has grown significantly with registrations rising by 134% from 2019 to 2023.
Information on the number of multinationals participating in consortia-led apprenticeship is not available, however, in April 2024 there was a population of 4,194 consortia-led apprentices across over 2,000 employers, ranging from sectors such as ICT, Engineering, Construction, and Healthcare.
Increasing the uptake of apprenticeship in the public service is a focus for this Government. In August 2023 my Department published the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan jointly with DPENDPR which sets out key actions to deliver this objective.
In January 2024 there were 393 apprentices employed by the public sector or civil service. 180 of those were apprentices on consortia-led programmes like Accounting Technician or ICT.
In terms of direct promotion activities, the National Apprenticeship Office held a digital, print, and radio campaign in 2023 to promote 70 plus apprenticeship options to employers and career seekers.
My Department also sponsors WorldSkills Ireland, which in 2024 will showcase skills based careers and apprenticeships directly to industry and over 20,000 second level students.
This Government's priority is to promote apprenticeship to all employers - SMEs, the public service and multinationals alike.
To incentivise participation on consortia-led apprenticeship, a €2,000 employer grant for consortia-led apprenticeship employers was introduced in 2022, a key deliverable in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship.
22. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the curtailment and punishment of student protests in Trinity College Dublin. [23133/24]
View answerIt is an important part of our democracy that everyone has the right and the freedom to protest in a peaceful manner and in keeping with the law of the land.
This right of course extends to students, staff and researchers of higher education institutions, who are part of academic communities and also operate within the context of their institution's own rules and procedures.
Critically, academic freedom, another pillar of our open, democratic society, is also enshrined and protected in Irish law.
The higher education institutions, as autonomous bodies, 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 as their 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 would take the general view that where such protests take place within institutions, that space and time is given to all parties to seek to resolve matters.
In that context I would 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.
23. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the labour constraints identified in various reports (details supplied) that Ireland faces in order to meet our 2030 targets; the measures being taken by his Department to address those labour constraints; the measures being taken to equip the labour force with the necessary skills to reach our 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23269/24]
View answerI welcome the opportunity to set out some of the main actions led by my Department to help alleviate constraints that inevitably arise to meeting labour demand in a full employment economy.
My Department's focus is to ensure that the workforce are equipped with the skills required to deliver Government priorities for residential construction and retrofitting, offshore wind energy and delivery of infrastructural priorities under the National Development Plan.
The initiatives include co-leading, with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, a skills and workforce workstream of the cross-government Offshore Wind Energy Programme.
My Department is developing an offshore wind skills action plan, based on the skills assessment report, “Building our Potential - Ireland’s Offshore Wind Skills and Talent Needs”. This is intended to guide workforce planning by ensuring an alignment between provision and skills and workforce requirements.
Regarding construction skills my Department works closely with partners such as SOLAS, the National Construction Training Campus, Education and Training Boards and professional representative bodies to increase labour supply. There is a significant expansion of relevant courses, including apprenticeships, as well as the development of new provision to address innovations such as modern methods of construction.
Under Housing for All, my Department is delivering initiatives to promote careers in construction. They include the “Building Heroes” peer-to-peer social media campaign and an international campaign to encourage skilled Irish construction workers to return home.
The broad range of initiatives outlined above is playing a very important role in responding to skills requirements to meet Government priorities complementing the vital role to be played by employers themselves in recruiting, retaining and upskilling their workforce.
24. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he and his Department are taking to support students who are being asked to pay for accommodation for 52 weeks of the year, despite only being in college for nine months of the year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22977/24]
View answerI have been engaging with Minister O’Brien and our officials on the decision of some private student accommodation providers to move to 51-week leases from the traditional leases which reflected the academic year. I recognise that while there may be a market for 51-week leases among some members of the student population, it is not desirable for the vast majority of third level students.
With the support of Government, both I and Minister O’Brien are keen to advance legislative amendments to the RTA before the Houses of the Oireachtas rise for the summer recess to ensure that enhanced tenancy protections for students are in place before the 2024/2025 academic year.
Our officials are examining legislative amendments to the Residential Tenancies Act 2004-2022, which will require Government approval. These proposed amendments are to support student specific contracts to reflect the academic year period in the first instance, subject to the necessary approvals. A series of engagements with the sector have also taken place.
Án Taoiseach in his former role in my Department, wrote to all relevant local authorities, including Dublin City Council to seek support and advice with regards to the planning permissions for student specific accommodation and engagement is ongoing.
Student specific accommodation is within the remit of the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The RTB provides a confidential dispute resolution service. Investigations can commence based on information received from a member of the public. A student with specific concerns regarding their accommodation should make contact with the RTB in the first instance to seek advice or register a complaint.
25. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of new apprentice registrations in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23292/24]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to growing the footprint of apprenticeship in the education system significantly, and my Department launched the Action Plan for Apprenticeship in 2021, setting out the steps to achieve that goal and support current and future skills need for the economy.
Budget 2024 provided €67 million for this growth and to prioritise work underway to substantially reduce waiting times for the first phase of "off-the-job" craft apprenticeship training.
There has been a strong and growing recognition of apprenticeship as a valuable employment and skills opportunity, demonstrated by growing registrations.
In 2023 there were 8,712 apprentice registrations - a 41% increase compared to 6,177 registrations in 2019. We are on track for a target 10,000 annual apprenticeship registrations by 2025.
Supporting NDP delivery and Housing for All targets, construction and construction related apprenticeship registrations rose by 30%, from 4,463 in 2019 to 5,794 in 2023.
The Action Plan for Apprenticeship also promotes access, diversity and inclusion in apprenticeship. I am pleased to say we have seen growing female participation, with female registrations rising by 180% from 371 in 2019 to 1,039 in 2023.
In 2019 there were 53 national apprenticeship programmes. This number has grown substantially, with 74 programmes now available at NFQ Levels 5 – 10. This a very major increase in choice for learners and for employers.
Apprenticeships are now available in sectors such as IT, Retail, Farming, Engineering, Health and Social work, and provide a sustainable pipeline to address the current and future skills needs of industry.
26. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with the European Commission seeking a suspension of Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe. [23274/24]
View answerI am deeply concerned by the desperate situation of civilians in Gaza. This remains a central priority for the Government, including at EU level, where Ireland is consistently calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
Horizon Europe is the European Union’s largest research and innovation programme and encompasses all European Member States as well as 18 Associated Countries from around the world.
Israel became associated to Horizon Europe on the 6th of December 2021 by signing an agreement with the European Commission. This agreement references the EU-Israel Association Agreement established in 2000 as providing the underlying general principles for Israel’s participation.
On February 14th of this year, then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Prime Minister Sanchez of Spain wrote to the President of the European Commission, requesting an urgent review of whether Israel is complying with its human rights obligations under the EU-Israel Association Agreement. This comprehensive agreement establishes the basic principles of cooperation between the EU and Israel on a wide range of issues, including a framework for participation in European programmes. While this initiative does not enjoy the support of all EU partners, it remains my firm view that the European Commission should respond in a meaningful manner to the Irish-Spanish request. This was further emphasised by the Taoiseach when he met with President von der Leyen on 11 April.
The negotiation process for incorporating new Associated Countries to Horizon Europe is the sole competence of the European Commission. EU Member States and the European Parliament have no formal role in these negotiations and are not required to approve the agreements. Member States also have no legal capacity to suspend or alter these Association Agreements. To date, the European Commission has made no indication they intend to change the status quo with regards to Israel’s participation in these programmes.
The Horizon Europe agreement signed with Israel includes Article 9.8 which limits participation to the areas within Israel’s pre-1967 borders, in line with general EU policy. Israel has been associated to every one of the EU's research and innovation framework programmes since 1996.
27. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to enable technological universities to borrow for the purpose of providing student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23177/24]
View answerHousing for All contains a number of key actions relating to the development of additional student accommodation supply supported by the State. It also identifies the need to examine financing options and mechanisms for the Technological Sector to provide student accommodation.
In November 2022, a fund of €1m was approved by Government to assist the Technological University (TU) sector in developing a student accommodation programme based upon regional needs and feasibility assessments.
The TU Feasibility Study will progress in tandem with the Standardised Design Study for student accommodation to enable a viable design model for state supported student accommodation.
My Department and the HEA are working through a large scale programme of work with the TU sector to develop proposals for student accommodation. This work includes an assessment of a range of funding and delivery mechanisms for student accommodation with the sector. We are also in the process of progressing large teaching and learning capital developments with the sector through exchequer funding supports.
The impacts, risks and responsibilities arising from such funding and delivery mechanisms are key considerations in this context. Furthermore safeguards will be required to ensure that projects would not adversely impact the resources or financial position of TUs themselves or the wider public finances. Stated requisite oversight, risk evaluation, project management and attendant governance and regulatory processes also needs to be established.
My officials are continuing to work with relevant Government Departments and Agencies through this assessment process for the Technological University (TU) sector, as part of an assessment of a range of mechanisms for the delivery of student accommodation for the TU sector.
Any framework proposal will require approval by Government, my Department will work within the parameters of the public spending code to deliver on state supported student accommodation provision.
Following an extensive workshop and series of engagements with the HEA, the Technological Universities submitted outline project proposals for student accommodation. These proposals are currently being evaluated by the HEA, with an output report due by end of May 2024. Work on shortlisted proposals will progress in Q2 and Q3, 2024 with final options to be presented to my Department in Q1 2025.
28. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the progression of plans for a new veterinary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23041/24]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Higher Education Authority recently ran a process to identify options to expand higher education provision in a number of priority skills areas including Veterinary Medicine. Proposals were put forward by a range of higher education institutions under this process. The options identified have the potential to transform the numbers of students who would be able to take up places on Veterinary Medicine programmes.
It is important to say that there would be substantial capital investment required to support the development of any new veterinary school. Consideration is ongoing as to how these capital costs could be met, and I am working closely with my colleague Minister McConalogue on this.
At the point when we have established the available level of funding, I will ask the HEA to re-engage with the higher education sector on the potential options, and we will progress to a process considering a range of factors including alignment with skills need, deliverability, and value for money.
I would note that my Department does not place a quota on the number of places on veterinary medicine courses offered by higher education institutions, and Ministerial approval is not required for an institution to establish a new school if they are in the position to fund it.
I am continuing to work with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on progressing this matter.
29. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current position regarding the development of the old Pretty Polly facility in Killarney as a new training centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23281/24]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Kerry ETB (KETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for the old Pretty Polly site in Killarney under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
The Kerry proposal is one of twelve FET College of the Future major projects that submitted their business case proposals to SOLAS in January of this year. KETB have undertaken significant work in developing their proposal which outlines their infrastructural requirements for FET provision in their region.
In late April and early May of this year, meetings were held between SOLAS and DFHERIS officials and representatives from each of the twelve ETBs to further develop and refine proposals. Discussions at these meetings centred around ensuring that proposals are aligned with national and regional policies, are affordable and provide value for money. SOLAS will be in contact with all twelve ETBs shortly including KETB to provide feedback from these discussions. This feedback will allow ETBs to update their business cases, to bring a clearer focus on proposals, and to achieve the development of required priority infrastructure, that meet the needs of their current and future FET learners.
Once business cases are updated, they will be evaluated by SOLAS and my department and those proposals that meet the required evaluation criteria will move to the next stage of development, which is the Pre-tender – Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy Stage.
30. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of plans to open new campus facilities for the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest at Coonagh, Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23042/24]
View answerI officially opened the TU Shannon Limerick Coonagh Campus on the 26th April last. The building is currently in use with apprenticeship teaching commencing this month in the facility. The additional eight apprenticeship blocks facilitated by this investment will come on stream from September 2024.
Limerick Institute of Technology (now TU Shannon) received €3.5 million from my Department in 2017 for the purchase of the site at Coonagh. Exchequer funding of circa. €21.5 million has been provided for the fit-out of the existing building on the site to facilitate the move of TU Shannon Limerick engineering facilities to this new campus. The Coonagh campus facilitates an expansion of engineering education and research, with an emphasis on increasing apprenticeship provision.
The external and enabling works, which involved heavy civil and structural works and changes to the building envelope was complete along with 5,819 m2 of refurbished buildings. The refurbishment and fit-out provides for an additional 542 students.
The building contains a range of additional general teaching and learning facilities including workshops, laboratories and research facilities, which provides space for manufacturing engineering, other engineering activities and engineering related programmes particularly in apprenticeship programmes.
31. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of delays in apprenticeship completion in Cork; and how he plans to resolve this. [23337/24]
View answerStrong endorsement for the craft apprenticeship system by employers, combined with the growth in construction sector activity, has driven a 25% increase in craft apprenticeship registrations since 2019.
My Department is overseeing the implementation of a plan put in place by the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) which has, to date, nearly halved the number of craft apprentices waiting more than 6 months for their phase 2 off-the-job training from 5,319 in October 2023 to 2,976 in April 2024.
Craft apprenticeships takes 48 months to complete. Apprentice completion times in Cork ETB are not readily available, however, if the Deputy has any specific concerns, I am happy to follow up directly. Out of 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, two programmes, Pipe-fitting and Electrical Instrumentation currently take significantly over 48 months to complete and impact on 279 apprentices nationally who are waiting for off-the-job training.
Significant resources are being invested to further increase the capacity of the apprenticeship training system.
€67m was allocated in Budget 2024 bringing total investment in 2024 to €298m. €17m capital investment was made in 2023 to expand provision in current facilities, develop new facilities, and for equipment.
Apprenticeship funding in Cork ETB rose from €17.1m in 2023 to €17.9m in 2024.
The NAO are leading a national recruitment campaign which has resulted in 58 new instructor posts so far and with more to be advertised when capital projects come on-stream. In addition over 80 instructor posts have been converted from fixed term to permanent to help support retention.
ETBs have been mandated by SOLAS to commence three apprenticeship intakes per workshop per year to support the delivery of the NAO plan.
As a direct result of these actions, apprenticeship delivery capacity in ETBs has grown substantially from 5,613 in 2023 to 7,545 in April 2024, a 34% increase.
Cork ETB are increasing their craft apprenticeship provision from some 400 training places in 2023 to over 600 training places in 2024 across 10 craft programmes and delivered by 29 craft apprentice instructors.
It is my priority to continue growing the apprenticeship system both in Cork and nationally, and to ensure that there are enough training places for current and future skills needs.
32. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to develop and support further and higher education in County Monaghan. [23275/24]
View answerCavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board (CMETB) provides a wide range of full and part time programmes throughout Cavan and Monaghan. Monaghan Institute offers a wide range of further education and training courses, including PLC courses at Levels 5 and 6, apprenticeships, traineeships as well as a range of part-time options and evening classes. The ETB’s adult education service offers part-time courses across the county and it has three Youthreach centres based in County Monaghan. The Tanagh Outdoor Education and Training Centre at Dartrey, Co. Monaghan also offers skills and training options.
The ETB is committed to expanding its range of specific skills training and is developing a new apprenticeship training facility in Monaghan town, which it is planned to open at the end of this year.
In terms of higher education, since 2019 five Technological Universities have been established across 25 multi-campuses nationally. These Universities’ regional remits stretch beyond the counties in which their campuses are located, embracing their regions as a whole. Atlantic Technological University, which was established in April 2022, serves the West and North West Regions including County Monaghan. With a student population of over 20,000, it is one of the largest Irish higher education institutions. Its strategic plan places an emphasis on supporting the vision and intent of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly to become “the most connected region in Europe”.
Dundalk Institute of Technology provides a focal point for higher education and research in the North East of the country. It provides quality learning and teaching to over 6,000 students across four Schools in Business and Humanities, Health and Science, Engineering and Informatics and Creative Arts at undergraduate and postgraduate degrees from Level 6 to Level 10, in addition to its track record of excellence in craft and higher apprenticeships.
There is a new tertiary degree, the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Audio and Music Production between Cavan and Monaghan ETB and Dundalk Institute of Technology. The National Tertiary Office will continue to engage with Cavan and Monaghan ETB to develop new higher education progression pathways.
33. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on student protests and higher education institutions and their financial ties and investments in Israeli companies. [23134/24]
View answerWithin the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutions of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006 and the Technological Universities Act 2018, higher education institutions (HEIs) in Ireland are autonomous bodies.As such, institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own internal affairs, including their engagements with different companies and institutions.
As Minister, I cannot intervene in this matter. However, I note that the leadership in our higher education institutions are engaging with their student bodies to manage this situation in a constructive manner.
34. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has plans to increase the funding for apprenticeships that are offered by education and training boards and technological universities to meet future training requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23287/24]
View answerFunding for apprenticeship is determined through the annual Estimates process, led by the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform.
Investment in apprenticeship to grow the capacity in the system has been a priority for this Department.
Through Budget 2024, an additional €67 million was allocated for apprenticeship, making the total allocation in 2024 €298 million. This is a 83% increase compared to the apprenticeship budget of €163 million in 2021.
Funding for apprenticeship delivery in further education and training which includes Education and Training Boards has increased from €107m in 2021 to €215m in 2024.
Funding for apprenticeship delivery in higher education which includes technological universities has increased from €56m in 2021 to €83m in 2024.
Table: Funding for apprenticeship by year in the and by further education versus higher education
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
|
SOLAS and the NAO |
€107m |
€150m |
€160m |
€215m |
|
HEA |
€ 56m |
€ 65m |
€ 112m |
€ 83m |
|
Total |
€163.4m |
€214.7m |
€271.9m |
€298.3m |
During this time, capital funding has also been provided to increase craft capacity. In the immediate pandemic period, €12m was allocated to support additional classes and teaching capacity to ameliorate Covid-19 measures and €6m was invested to provide additional instructor posts. Capital expenditure of €54.2m was allocated from 2021-2023, to SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to facilitate additional craft apprenticeship places across the system.
The Government’s continued investment reaffirms the strong commitment to enhancing and expanding the apprenticeship system, putting apprenticeships at the centre of the education and training system by building on previous apprenticeship programme funding. This investment helps grow our infrastructure and meet the demands of our growing apprenticeship population.
