Written Answers Nos. 530-541
530. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if this jurisdiction is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce; if so, his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27249/24]
View answerAgainst the backdrop of the accelerating and intensifying changes in the world brought about by digital and green transitions taking place globally, it is essential more than ever that our skills ecosystem has the agility and flexibility to adapt to changing priorities and the skills needs of the labour market and society. In this context, one of the key themes of the OECD Review of Ireland's National Skills Strategy (published in May 2023), was the need to secure a balance in skills through a responsive and diversified supply of skills in Ireland.
Our tertiary education system plays a central role in ensuring that all our graduates are equipped with the essential skills for success in work now and into the future, and this includes the transversal skills to complement vocational and professional skills required in the workplace.
As regard to skills shortages in specific sectoral areas such as health, social care or veterinary medicine, my department is strongly committed to addressing same and ensuring provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective.
The provision of health and social care programmes is complex and involves many different parts of the system. It is important that any increases in places are done in a sustainable way with an evidence-based understanding of the future needs of the health system.
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.
Regarding Veterinary Medicine, 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 additionality in Veterinary Medicine provision in higher education.
However, in today’s rapidly changing world, learning, upskilling, and reskilling should continue throughout the life course to become, for all individuals and businesses, a social and economic investment into the future allowing to achieve economic success in a just and sustainable way. To that end, we are collectively placing renewed emphasis on lifelong learning as low participation in upskilling is undermining Ireland’s potential to improve its economic competitiveness.
As highlighted in the OECD Review there is substantial provision of lifelong learning opportunities across the tertiary education system in Ireland. Opportunities are provided through Springboard+, the Human Capital Initiative, Skills to Advance and through the upskilling and reskilling training provided by Skillnet Ireland, the workforce development agency of the Government.
My department, together with our partners across the skills ecosystem, is working incessantly to further enhance learning options and supports available to people and business, to ensure no one is left behind and that everyone has the opportunity to reach their full potential, as the right skills are crucial for personal and professional growth, competitiveness, and success in an ever-changing world.
531. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of apprentices currently available; the extent to which this is sufficient to meet requirements; his plans to introduce any new apprenticeship programmes in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27250/24]
View answerThis Government has made significant investment to grow the apprenticeship system. Budget 2024 provides €67m for investment into apprenticeship. In total, €300m has been provided for apprenticeship in 2024.
The funding will support skills development in vital areas, especially in construction skills, and support delivery of Government commitments in Housing for All, Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025, National Development Plan, and the Climate Action Plan.
The total number serving an apprenticeship at the end of May 2024 is 27,205.
Currently there are 75 national apprenticeships available, between NFQ levels 5 and 10. This is up from 53 national programmes in 2019, representing a big increase in choice for learners and employers alike.
Adding to 25 traditional craft programmes, consortia-led apprenticeships were developed from 2016 onwards in response to emerging occupational profiles, and are providing employment, career development and a pathway to a recognised qualification for apprentices across some 50 occupations.
These are now apprenticeships across Construction, Engineering, Healthcare, ICT, Accounting and Finance, and Beauty to name a few sectors.
Two new NFQ Level 9 apprenticeships, Social Work and Software Solutions Architect, were launched in May 2024. There are a further 14 apprenticeships with a target launch in 2024 in development including a Digital Marketing and Communications apprenticeship.
Details of all 75 national apprenticeships are available on www.apprenticeship.ie.
532. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure continued access to third-level for all students seeking to avail of education at this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27251/24]
View answerFollowing on from improvements made to the Student Grant Scheme in Budget 2023, a range of further measures were announced as part of Budget 2024 to enhance the scheme and other supports.
For two years in a row, the student contribution charge has been reduced for free fees eligible undergraduates by €1,000. A number of other measures benefiting students in the 2024/25 academic year include:
• An increase to all non-adjacent maintenance rates by €615 and adjacent maintenance rates by 10% from September 2024. Eligible students saw a pro-rata increase effective from January 2024.
• The full restoration of student maintenance grants for postgraduates from September 2024 for the first time since the financial crash. A pro-rata increase was also effective from January 2024.
The parameters of a pilot part-time grant scheme are currently being finalised and I will announce the details in due course.
As we have done for the previous two years, I will publish an options paper on the cost of higher education which will outline various potential measures to address the cost of education across the further and higher education sectors to inform policy considerations in advance of the Budget.
535. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which provision continues to be made to eliminate bullying throughout the educational sector in both the academic and technical divisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27254/24]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that there are a number of Programme for Government (PfG) commitments aimed at addressing bullying, including a commitment to commission surveys of staff and students in the areas of harassment, sexual harassment, and bullying in higher education. These surveys have now taken place and the findings published.
Our higher education institutions have a duty of care to ensure that students and staff members have a safe environment to study/work; free from bullying, harassment or other forms of unwanted behaviour. The Deputy will be familiar with the ‘Speak Out’ tool which my Department has funded. In 2023, an evaluation of the Speak Out pilot initiative was commissioned by the HEA which proposed recommendations for a sustainable governance and management model for the Speak Out Anonymous Reporting Tool. The recommendations of this report are being implemented. Funding has been secured to support the implementation of Speak Out on an annual basis.
The Speak Out Governance and Oversight Committee has been established and encompasses representatives from my Department; the Higher Education Authority; the Technological Higher Education Association; the Irish Universities Association; higher education colleges and the Union of Students in Ireland.
The HEA, in collaboration with the Speak Out Governance and Oversight Committee, have invited Expressions of Interest from eligible higher education institutions or representative bodies to establish a National Office for the management and operation of the Speak Out Anonymous Reporting tool.
My Department in conjunction with DCU’s National Anti-Bullying Centre recently published the results of a national survey on student experiences of bullying in the higher education sector. The online survey asked about the experiences of bullying among higher education students across Ireland. Respondents were asked to reflect on their experiences of interacting with other students within higher education institutions. The primary goal of the project was to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of bullying among higher education students across Ireland. Insights from this study will be used to implement new or updated policies, processes, training and resources to support higher education institutions in addressing these issues. The reports on national surveys by the DCU Anti-Bullying Centre have been shared with higher education institutions.
The tertiary education and training sector must lead the way in changing cultures, behaviours and practices across society to ensure that bullying, sexual violence and harassment are not tolerated. I want to bring about institutional change where all forms of unwanted behaviour are eradicated.
536. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current regulatory framework that applies to funeral directors and crematoriums; and if he plans to introduce legislation to regulate the industry. [26859/24]
View answer538. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current regulatory framework that applies to funeral directors and crematoriums; and if he plans to introduce legislation to regulate the industry. [27282/24]
View answer539. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current regulatory framework that applies to funeral directors and crematoriums; and if he plans to introduce legislation to regulate the industry. [27283/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536, 538 and 539 together.
The Department of Rural and Community Development has responsibility for policy and legislation in relation to local authority burial grounds while the actual operation of burial grounds (cemeteries) is the responsibility of the local authorities.
Under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 2001, local authorities are deemed to be burial boards for their respective functional areas. Acting in their capacity as burial boards, local authorities are responsible for the management, regulation and control of burial grounds in their functional areas.
Regulations are currently in place regarding burials and burial grounds, namely Part III of the Public Health (Ireland) Act, 1878, as amended in Part VI of the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Act, 1948 and more recently, the Local Government Acts, 1994 and 2001, and also in the Rules and Regulations for the Regulation of Burial Grounds 1888 and amendments thereto.
Having regard to the broader range of legislative priorities to be progressed across my Department's remit, there are currently no plans to introduce new regulations in this area.
In general, the establishment and operation of any such activity is subject, where applicable, to the provisions of legislation dealing with planning and development, environmental protection and air pollution.
I understand there are professional bodies for these activities with their own codes and standards, but my Department has no role in this regard.
537. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide an update on an urgent application to the Community Services Programme for a facility (details supplied). [27264/24]
View answerMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 430 community-based organisations to provide local social, economic and environmental services through a social enterprise model, providing a contribution towards the cost of CSP supported staff in organisations.
I am aware that the organisation in question is currently in receipt of CSP supports for a Manager and two full time equivalent (FTE) positions at the medium rate of funding, resulting in a current annual contract value of €81,350.
An application window for funding for additional staff posts to existing CSP funded organisations was opened on September 1st with a closing date of 29th September 2023.
Pobal, who manage and administer the programme on behalf of my Department, received a huge volume of applications. These were assessed by Pobal and their recommendations were submitted to my Department for consideration.
I announced the successful applications on 18th June, approving €1 million in funding to support a further seven manager positions and thirty five FTE positions in 32 CSP supported organisations.
I am aware that the organisation in question had submitted a request seeking additional funding towards the cost of one additional full time equivalent post. However, due to the volume of applications received, not all organisations that applied were successful. That said, the organisation is on a waitlist for support, should additional funding become available. Pobal will notify all applicants on the outcome of their application.
In the interim, if the organisation in question currently requires immediate support they should consider contacting their Local Development Company, Local Authority or Local Community Development Committee (LCDC), who may be able to provide some guidance on other supports available at this time. Their Local Intreo Office may be able to assist with the possibility of further additional staff resources for activation programmes such as Community Employment or Tús.
540. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the notifications given to her Department for the provision of a library in Mahon/Blackrock. [26818/24]
View answerThe provision of library services, including the provision of library buildings, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the delivery of library services in Blackrock Mahon is primarily a matter for Cork City Council.
My Department has been notified by Cork City Council that a potential site has been identified in principle for a library in Blackrock Mahon on the grounds of Nagle Community College, on the Avenue De Rennes. Discussions regarding this site are ongoing between Cork City Council and Cork Education and Training Board (Cork ETB) with a view to having this agreed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
Cork City Council had previously notified my Department that the MOU for this project would be signed in early May. However, some issues were identified which resulted in this not being possible, but I have been advised by Cork City Council that these issues are being addressed. Once agreement is reached between both parties, the MOU will be submitted to legal representatives for consideration and acceptance.
541. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of contracted staff, full-time and part-time, employed by her Department, and by any body or entity under the aegis of the Department, who are specifically assigned to processing freedom of information requests (details supplied), in each of the past three years; the Civil Service grade of each; the number of freedom of information requests dealt with by her Department, or any body or entity under its aegis, in each of the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27239/24]
View answerI understand the Deputy is referring to the number of staff specifically dedicated to working on FOIs, that is, FOI officers and support staff, as opposed to decision makers.
The FOI Unit is a function of the Corporate Strategy and Communications Unit in my Department. The FOI function is managed by the FOI Officer at Assistant Principal level and supported by 2 Higher Executive Officers and 1 Clerical Officer. The staff in question are also assigned other duties outside of the FOI function.
The number of FOI requests dealt with by my Department over the past three years is set out below.
|
Year |
Number of FOI Requests |
|
2024 to date |
43 |
|
2023 |
55 |
|
2022 |
46 |
|
2021 |
43 |
A Disclosure Log detailing all FOI requests received in my Department since it was formed in 2017 is published on gov.ie/drcd.
There are four agencies under my Department’s remit: The Western Development Commission; POBAL; Water Safety Ireland; and the Charities Regulator. These agencies are independent legal entities responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and staff matters in compliance with statutory obligations and the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies. Information relating to such policies therefore, is a matter for each the bodies concerned.
