Gary Gannon
Question:70. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the supports provided to third level students with ADHD. [27060/24]
View answerFurther and Higher Education
Questions (70)
Written answers
Inclusion is one of the six strategic goals set out in my Department's Statement of Strategy. The National Access Plan has identified a number of priority-groups who are underrepresented in higher education and need additional focus, including students with ADHD.
My Department has provided funding of an additional €35 million to support the objectives of the NAP over its lifetime from 2022 to 2028, including a new PATH 4 stream, which puts a particular focus on students with a disability, including those with an intellectual disability.
PATH 4, among other things, has supported the development of inclusive, universally designed higher education environments.
The first phase of funding of €3m was distributed in the 2022/23 academic year and supported higher education institutions to embed universal design approaches and inclusive practices. This included the introduction of quiet spaces within campuses.
An additional €1.8million was announced in February of this year to continue the Phase 1 implementation of universal design. This extra funding was to assist the HEIs in providing sensory maps and assisted tours of campuses to assist those with Autism and ADHD.
In addition, the Fund for Students with a Disability also supports participation by students with disabilities including ADHD, in approved further and higher education courses in Ireland. Last December, my Department announced an increase to the annual FSD of 5% or just under €383,000. This brings the total funding available in 2024 to over €8 million (€8,040,900) in the higher education sector.
In Further Education and Training, additional investment was secured in Budget 2024 for the Fund for Students with Disability and universal design as well as the specific investment announced to support learners with an intellectual disability.
The fund administered by SOLAS for the further education and training sector will amount to €5.7m, reflecting the additional allocation of €2m to support the progressive roll-out of the Fund for Student's with Disabilities across all Further Education programmes. Some of this allocation is being used to fund the increase in the hourly rate payable to Personal Assistants in the ETBs. The overall allocation for 2024 will therefore be in the region of €13.7m compared to €11.9m in 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (71)
Pauline Tully
Question:71. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1828 of 17 January 2024, if he has put funding in place for new undergraduate students from the Republic for the 2024-2025 academic year to study key healthcare and therapy areas pertinent to the staffing needs of children’s disability network teams in Ulster University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27054/24]
View answerWritten answers
I thank the Deputy for her question. I am working to ensure that we have more graduates in healthcare disciplines, and particularly the therapies, to supply the children's disability network teams, and the broader healthcare workforce needs. Work is ongoing in collaboration with the Department of Health, HSE and the Higher Education Sector to maximise the expansion in key discipline areas which can be delivered in the immediate term.
The Government in this jurisdiction funded 80 additional places in allied health disciplines in Ulster University. Students commended study on these programmes in September 2023. These included 30 places in Physiotherapy, 28 in Occupational Therapy and 10 in Speech and Language Therapy. This is in addition to 140 nursing places being funded across Queens University Belfast and Ulster University.
Minister Nesbitt and I have been in correspondence in relation to further cross-border collaboration, and we share the objective to extend these innovative arrangements into the 2024/25 academic year. This will strengthen the healthcare workforce on the island. My officials are continuing to work with Ulster University and colleagues in relevant Departments in Northern Ireland in this regard.
My priority is to ensure that we build capacity which will allow for steady growth and forward planning by both the health and higher education sectors for a graduate pipeline to meet the needs of the health system and society as a whole.
Question No. 72 answered with Question No. 56.
Student Accommodation
Questions (73)
Catherine Connolly
Question:73. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 39 of 23 May 2024, for an update on his plans to provide additional student accommodation units for students at the University of Galway; his plans for the building of additional student accommodation in Galway, in light of the recent scrapping of the proposal for the leasing of approximately 272 beds from the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27065/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under Government initiatives for student accommodation, two proposals have been submitted by the University of Galway. The Higher Education Authority progressed due diligence assessment on the proposals, however during the assessment stage the proposals were withdrawn by the vendors.
The Department and the Higher Education Authority will continue to engage with the University of Galway in relation to potential projects through the developing long term policy and strategy for Student Accommodation.
The new Student Accommodation Strategy is in development following approval of the Long Term Policy earlier this year. This policy approach includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, and promoting efficient use of existing stock and vacancy while supporting balanced regional development.
We have extended measures under the Rent a room scheme to increase supply, and we will run an advertising campaign in advance of commencement of the academic year to encourage homeowners to rent a room to a student. Digs accommodation can provide a suitable and more affordable option for some students.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Transport to facilitate the alignment of our student accommodation policy to meet agreed climate action requirements, in particular the development of local area demand management schemes in conjunction with the relevant local authorities to provide targeted public transport services, aligned to college/university timetables, with support for alternative travel methods to and from college through provision of cycle ways, bike to college schemes and so on.
For the current academic year there are an additional 1,021 beds available in publicly funded Higher Education Institutions with 674 of these in University of Galway. In addition, as of the 31st of May, HEIs have indicated that that there are approximately 134 rooms available in Galway for digs accommodation.
The most recent Building Information data (May 2024) supplied by the Higher Education Authority indicates that since 2017, 1,739 new purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds have been built in Galway. Work is underway on site on an additional 403 bed spaces and planning permission has been obtained for a further 1,669 beds.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (74)
Gary Gannon
Question:74. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work of his Department to encourage participation in social work and social care qualifications to greater empower Tusla, given the organisation's shortage of staff. [27061/24]
View answerWritten answers
Our health and social care professionals are vital to so many of our public services, advocating for the most vulnerable in our society. Ensuring we have a sufficient supply of social work and social care professionals is a priority for my Department.
That is why I was delighted to recently announce the launch of two new pathways in social work which will both increase the number of people training as social workers, and open up the profession to a broader range of people than ever before.
These pathways are:
- An apprenticeship in Social Work, allowing apprentice social workers to “earn while they learn” as they gain on-the-job practical experience and a level 9 Social Work qualification; and
- A Social Work tertiary degree programme, co-delivered by University College Cork and Cork Education and Training Board, allowing learners to access this undergraduate degree outside the CAO system.
Supported by the National Tertiary Office and the National Apprenticeship Office, these programmes are taking a big step forward in encouraging participation in Social Work qualifications, allowing individuals with a broad range of life experiences to access a career that allows them to make a positive impact on the lives of others. My Department will continue to work to encourage the development of new and innovative pathways to allow people to train in vital areas such as social care and social work.
My Department is committed to working with the Minister for Health, the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, and the Minister for Education to further progress this work.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (75)
Catherine Connolly
Question:75. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 48 of 23 May 2024, the status of the proposed new further education college in Galway city; the status of the review by Solas and his Department of the project proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27064/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, Galway Roscommon ETBs (GRETB) proposal for the construction of a new FET College of the Future on a site owned by GRETB adjacent to its Mervue Training facility was successful at the first stage of the assessment process under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund and is now in the next stage of the process – the development of a Preliminary Business Case. The development of a robust business case is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
The proposal put forward by GRETB is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund.
SOLAS and officials from my department met with all twelve ETBs including GRETB, in recent weeks to discuss their proposal in the context of relevant regional and national FET policy objectives. GRETB are now working on refining their business case proposal to ensure it will deliver on their priority infrastructure requirements that will meet the needs of their current and future learners and staff.
Once business cases are updated and submitted, they will be evaluated by SOLAS and my department. 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.
SOLAS and my department will continue to work closely with GRETB in supporting them through this proposal development phase.
Third Level Education
Questions (76)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:76. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what steps his Department is taking to increase participation in third level education among members of the Travelling community. [27021/24]
View answerWritten answers
An inclusive higher education system is a national and European priority. Supporting Inclusion is one of the six strategic goals set out in my Department’s Statement of Strategy.
The National Access Plan (NAP) which was launched in 2022 aims to support inclusion and diversity in our student body, address the wider struggles and challenges for students, and deliver sustainable progress. The plan identifies a number of priority groups who are underrepresented in Higher Education including members of the Traveller & Roma Communities.
Targets set in the NAP for students from the Traveller community
The review of progress undertaken during preparation of the NAP showed that Traveller participation numbers in higher education have remained consistently low and below expectations. The NAP sets ambitious targets for Traveller participation in Higher Education and for the first time, students from the Roma community have also been included as a key priority group.
Since the start of the plan the number of Travellers students enrolling has increased from 33 in 2021 to 36 in 2022/23.
The target set in the NAP is for 150 new entrants each year from the Traveller community and this will be reviewed at the midterm point in the NAP.
Programme for Access To Higher Education (PATH) 5 - Traveller and Roma Students in Higher Education
PATH 5 provides €1.35m fund over three years, i.e., €450,000 each year for the next three years.
This is a three-year pilot to support access, participation and success for students from the Traveller and Roma communities.
The key objectives of the fund are:
• To increase the participation and progression of the Traveller and Roma communities in Higher Education and, to support the achievement of National Access Plan 2022-2028 targets.
• To further develop community-based partnerships with the Traveller Community.
• To build community partnerships with the Roma community and Roma organisations, recognising that further work is required to develop relationships and to build cultural awareness of their needs in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
Sustainable and increased funding through PATH 5 is intended to support HEIs to build long term relationships in their communities with the Traveller community and the Roma community who there has been less engagement with to date, and where more work is required to build a cultural awareness of the needs of the Roma community in HEIs. It will enable HEIs to put in place an infrastructure to increase the participation of Traveller and Roma students in Higher Education.
In addition, Travellers are included in PATH 1(Initial Teacher Education) and PATH 3 (Building of community links and relationships), along with PATH 2 – 1916 Bursaries that for which travellers are eligible.
My Department also announced increased funding PATH 4 Phase 1 in February 2024 for Anti Racism Measures across the HEIs and we are currently liaising with representatives from stakeholder groups on the disbursement of these funds.
At Further Education and Training (FET) level, learners are diverse, coming to FET from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, language and cultural groups, gender identities, family status, and ability profiles. The FET Sector plays an important role in providing opportunities and pathways for individuals from priority groups who may be under-represented in the education sector and to help take learners to where they want to go.
Fostering Inclusion is one of the three core pillars around which the Further Education and Training Strategy (FET) 2020-2024 is built. The FET sector is committed to increasing levels of inclusion through the provision of high quality, more accessible and flexible education and training programmes and supports suited to the identified needs of individuals with the aim of enabling every citizen to participate fully in society.
SOLAS, working closely with my Department, has established multi-annual strategic performance agreements with the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs). ETBs are measured on their performance across 12 National targets including ‘Widening Participation’ of marginalised groups in their provision. The specific target groups are:
• Travellers;
• Roma;
• Persons with a Disability;
• Refugees and Asylum Seekers.
The target for enrolments from marginalised groups for 2023 is 18,226. As of October 2023, the FET system enrolments from marginalised groups was 19,742 – that is, 1,476 over the target for the year.
A distinguishable feature of enrolments in FET programme by members of the Travelling Community is the concentration among Adult Literacy, Community Education and Youthreach courses. Many programmes in these areas encourage and promote engagement by members of the Travelling Community through incorporation of Traveller culture in oral storytelling initiatives, family literacy, health and nutrition classes and arts and crafts classes amongst others. A feature of many Equality, Diversity and Inclusion events held in ETBs nationally are themed events which raise awareness and celebrate Traveller culture which aids in further enhancing a welcoming learning space for learners from the Travelling community. In addition, the Adult Guidance Service offers advice, guidance and information on education, training and careers to adult learners taking part in FET programmes with many ETBs offering outreach sessions to promote learner pathways for members of the Travelling community, amongst the larger learner population, engaged in ETB programmes.
In 2023, SOLAS allocated €104,000 to Pavee Point to widen the participation of Travellers and Roma in FET, through supporting Traveller and Roma organisations and initiatives and other groups involved in this work.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (77)
Matt Carthy
Question:77. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with the Cabinet or his European counterparts in relation to seeking a suspension of Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe. [27062/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am very 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 leading 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 overarching 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. For this reason, a suspension has not been discussed with EU counterparts.
The Horizon Europe agreement signed with Israel includes Article 9.8 which limits participation by Israel to the areas within Israel’s pre-1967 borders, in line with general EU policy. Israel has been associated to the EU's research and innovation framework programmes since 1996.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (78)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:78. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the progress of the Solas-commissioned independent evaluation of the specialist training provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26452/24]
View answerWritten answers
SOLAS is currently undertaking an independent evaluation of the ‘Specialist Training Provision for People with Disabilities’ programme. Under this programme, the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) contract Specialist Training Providers (STPs) to offer vocational training programmes, in specific settings, for persons with disabilities. The basis for this provision is that some people with disabilities have needs that may not be catered for through non-specialist vocational training provision. STPs provide intensive, tailored training and supports. Specialist Training Provision aims to meet additional needs relating to access and training duration and support.
The purpose of the evaluation is to generate evidence-based conclusions and propose recommendations about the quality, effectiveness, on-going relevance, and overall value of vocational training that is currently delivered by Specialist Training Provision and the integration of this training within the wider further education and training provision by ETBs.
The evaluation is well advanced and due for completion by the end of June, following which SOLAS and my Department will review its findings in consultation with the STP providers.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (79)
Mairéad Farrell
Question:79. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the proposed new veterinary school. [26571/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Higher Education Authority 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 significantly increase 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 with my colleague Minister McConologue on this.
Next steps will involve establishing the available level of funding. At that point the HEA will re-engage with the higher education sector on the potential options, and we will progress to a process to prioritise options considering a range of factors including alignment with skills need, deliverability, regional considerations 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.
Third Level Education
Questions (80)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Question:80. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how his Department plans to address the critical shortfall in mental health services for university students, which currently stands at one counsellor for every 2,240 students, when an organisation (details supplied) recommends 1 to 1,500 students at maximum and 1 to 1,000 as an aspirational ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26547/24]
View answerWritten answers
Wellbeing and student mental health are priorities for my Department.
In terms of providing supports and funding to the higher education sector for mental health services, higher education institutions (HEIs) receive funding from a variety of sources that contribute to the expenditure associated with the full range of institutional activities.
This includes recurrent funding allocated by my Department to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for direct disbursement to HEA funded higher education institutions. Recognising the pressures on students arising from COVID and cost-of-living issues, since 2020 my Department has provided a total of €20.9 million in additional funding to Higher Education Institutions to support mental health measures for students on their educational journey.
This funding is to further support Higher Education Institutions in meeting the mental health and wellbeing needs of their student population and in implementing the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework (2020).
HEIs in receipt of this additional funding are encouraged to distribute it in support of specific student-facing areas, such as:
• Recruitment of additional Student Counsellors
• Recruitment of additional Assistant Psychologists
• Head of Service posts
• Training of staff to enable them to support and refer students to appropriate services.
• Raising awareness among students of mental health and wellbeing services available, including through student outreach activities
The majority of new posts created through this funding have been counsellors, reflecting the capacity building phase of the implementation of the Framework.
HEIs have reported a breadth of positive impacts, from a reduction in engagement times to an increase in the number of sessions provided.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (81)
Thomas Gould
Question:81. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he has taken to reduce delays in apprenticeships in Cork. [27050/24]
View answerWritten answers
In Cork Education and Training Board, apprenticeship funding rose from €17.1m in 2023 to €17.9m in 2024. Two workshops, one electrical and one plumbing were completed in 2023 following an investment of €1,000,000.
Cork Education and Training Board is increasing its craft apprenticeship provision from 440 training places in 2022 to over 600 training places in 2024 across 10 craft programmes, ranging from construction apprenticeships such as Brick and Stonelaying, plumbing and electrical to motor mechanics and refrigeration.
These programmes will be delivered by 29 instructors - an increase of 8 since February this year.
In addition, there are 65 instructors for Phase 4 and 6 off-the-job training delivered in MTU Cork and Cork College of FET, Mallow campus - where phase 4 and 6 training is provided in 10 craft programmes, including;
• Mechanical Automotive Maintenance Fitting
• Construction Plant Fitting
• Metal Fabrication, and
• Plastering
Further and Higher Education
Questions (82)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:82. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has undertaken any research aimed at determining from which faculty graduates are most and least likely to emigrate. [27022/24]
View answerWritten answers
The tertiary education and research system supports learners to achieve internationally recognised qualifications which prepare graduates for careers and further learning, both in Ireland and internationally.
The outcomes of higher education graduates, including outcomes relating to international mobility, are tracked through a number of sources.
The Higher Education Authority publishes data annually on early graduate destinations in the nine months after graduation, with graduates in employment broken down by Location of Employment and Field of Study.
Of the 2022 graduate cohort who were employed nine months after graduation, 93% were employed in Ireland and 7% overseas. Of these, arts and humanities graduates were the most likely to be employed overseas at 10.6%. It should be noted that these figures represent a point in time, and often migration can be temporary.
The Central Statistics Office has led on the development of the Educational Longitudinal Database which links education and graduate data with key administrative data from across government. This provides a mechanism to track long-term migration patterns including return dynamics.
To date, the Central Statistics Office have provided detailed reporting on health graduate outcomes over a ten year period following graduation. For the 2011 class of ‘nursing and midwifery’ and ‘medicine’ graduates just over one third of each cohort were likely to have moved overseas for at least one of the ten years following graduation. 14% of all medicine graduates and 10% of nursing and midwifery graduates were overseas for more than eight years during that time period.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (83)
Gary Gannon
Question:83. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action he is taking to increase access participation in Professional Master of Education programmes. [27058/24]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to advise the Deputy that policy and regulatory questions relating to the Professional Masters in Education, and the teaching profession more generally, are a matter for the Department of Education and my colleague Minister Foley.
However, the Deputy will be aware that my Department does support access to Initial Teacher Education (ITE) for targeted priority groups under the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) 1, as part of the National Access Plan. The objectives of PATH 1 are to increase the number of students from under-represented groups entering ITE and provide more role models for students from these groups. PATH 1 supports a range of new initiatives and partnerships, and it is expected that these activities will result in increased students from under-represented groups participating in ITE programmes.
A fund of €5.4million has been provided under PATH 1 since 2019 which is allocated to seven Centres of Teaching Excellence across the country who run projects to encourage students into the Teaching profession.
Students on the PME courses are also entitled to apply for the SUSI grant, distributed by CDETB on behalf of my Department, which supports students on their journey through education.
In 2022/23 there were 607 students in receipt of SUSI who are registered on the PME programmes.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Third Level Education
Questions (84)
Ruairí Ó Murchú
Question:84. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the creation of terms of reference for the review of personal assistance services funded from the fund for students with disabilities across tertiary education settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26451/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, my officials are finishing the terms of reference for the review of Personal Assistance services across tertiary education. Prior to this finalisation, my officials are meeting with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding a similar review being carried out in relation to HSE-funded personal assistance services.
Third Level Education
Questions (85)
Pauline Tully
Question:85. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional third level places coming on stream for the start of the 2024-2025 academic year pertinent to the staffing needs of children’s disability network teams, specifically in occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, psychology and social work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27053/24]
View answerWritten answers
462 permanent additional places in healthcare disciplines were introduced in September 2023 in Irish higher education institutions. In addition, last September saw an innovative cross border collaboration with the Government funding of 80 additional health and social care places in Ulster University.
There is ongoing engagement with my Department and the Department of Health, HSE and the Higher Education Sector to progress additional places in health and social care programmes for the upcoming academic year. Engagements are also underway to extend the cross-border arrangements.
Recently I launched the Social Work Apprenticeship and Social Work Tertiary Degree with the National Tertiary Office. Tusla was a critical partner in the development of this offering. My Department is exploring new ways for students to enter higher education in areas of acute skills needs. I look forward to examining the possibilities in replicating this across other disciplines in the future.
Having the necessary clinical placements is a critical enabler of expansion. My officials are working with the HSCP office in the Department of Health to ensure their is a sustainable supply of clinical placements and appropriate HSE staff in place.
I am committed to working with the Minister for Health and the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, and the Minister for Education to progress this work.
Further and Higher Education
Questions (86)
Richard Bruton
Question:86. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the areas of acute shortage of skilled workers in the public sector; and the initiatives he is considering to bridge the gap through instruments such as Springboard, dedicated public service apprenticeships, traineeships, and so on. [27048/24]
View answerWritten answers
I am committed to engaging with all Departments and agencies to ensure our Tertiary Education Sector rises to meet the demands of our public sector workforce requirements.
Particular focus has been paid to skills challenges across health and social care services. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, to increase the number of places in disciplines with acute health care and medical skills shortages.
In July 2022, an increase in medicine places was announced for EU students in Irish Medical Schools, alongside the Minister for Health. The agreement reached with the medical schools led to an increase of 60 places in September 2022, climbing to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026. This will mean by 2026 an additional 200 students will commence medicine each year.
In July 2023, the creation of over 400 additional healthcare places in higher education institutions in the State was announced. This represents meaningful additionality within existing infrastructure, and it comes on top of substantial expansion in nursing in recent years.
There has long been a tradition of apprenticeship in the public sector. In May 2024, there are 243 apprentices employed by 35 public sector employers and 128 apprentices employed by 23 Civil Service departments and their agencies. Apprentices are in a diverse range of areas such as software engineering, cybersecurity, accounting and recruitment.
My Department launched the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan jointly with the Department for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in August 2023, a key deliverable under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 and a flagship initiative of the Better Public Services Strategy under the Workforce and Organisation of the Future pillar.
The Plan drives the uptake of apprenticeship across the public service, as well as the development of apprenticeships that respond to areas of acute skills shortages.
The launch of the Social Work apprenticeship in May 2024 is an excellent example of this initiative, supporting TUSLA and the HSE to secure a pipeline of skilled social workers in the public service. This target deliverables and governance actions are set out in the Public Service Apprenticeship Plan 2023.
Other areas of skills shortages identified under the Plan are under development, including a Digital Marketing and Media apprenticeship which is due to be launched later this year.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Questions (87)
Thomas Gould
Question:87. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that apprentices in Cork are being offered phases in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27051/24]
View answerWritten answers
Apprenticeship scheduling is carried out on a national basis by the coordinating provider.
As far as possible, apprentices are scheduled to the nearest available training location relative to their home location on the day of scheduling.
If a placement is not available near an apprentices home location, they may be called to the next nearest available location.
Apprentices are notified during their induction period that there is potential for them to be called to other counties for training.
Not all programmes are available in every location. This may also necessitate the requirement for a learner to travel to other areas.
Where a learner on a craft programme is travelling out of their home region, an accommodation allowance is made available to them. Apprentices on consortia-led programmes do not receive a training allowance from the State while on off-the-job training, as all payments are the sole responsibility of the employer.
An apprentice may decline a scheduling call to a particular location and be returned to the National Waiting List for future scheduling. An apprentice can arrange this by contacting their designated Authorised Officer in their Educational Training Board, who was assigned to them on their induction day.
Passport Services
Questions (88)
James Lawless
Question:88. Deputy James Lawless asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if passport applications (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26760/24]
View answerWritten answers
With regard to the specific applications about which the Deputy has enquired, the Passport Service has issued the passports to the applicants.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (89)
Paul Murphy
Question:89. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will reply to correspondence from a person (details supplied). [26772/24]
View answerWritten answers
I can confirm that a reply has issued to this correspondence from my office and has also been referred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for direct response.