Written Answers Nos. 450-462
451. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of year one psychology enrolments at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form; the number of CAO places; and the cost of each place. [30700/24]
View answer452. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of psychology enrolments across all years at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form; the number of CAO places; and the cost of each place. [30701/24]
View answer453. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of year one counselling and psychotherapy enrolments at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form ; the number of CAO places; and the cost of each place. [30702/24]
View answer454. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of counselling and psychotherapy enrolments across all years at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form; the number of CAO places; and the cost of each place. [30703/24]
View answer457. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of year one counselling and psychotherapy enrolments at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form ; the number of CAO places; and the cost of each place. [30706/24]
View answer458. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of counselling and psychotherapy enrolments across all years at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form; the number of CAO places; and the cost of each place. [30707/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 451 to 454, inclusive, 457 and 458 together.
The enrolment data requested by the Deputy is contained in the attached spreadsheet. This data was sourced from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Student Records System (SRS) and is rounded to the nearest five for data protection purposes.
The enrolment data for the academic year 2023/2024 is not yet available from the HEA as they are currently in the process of gathering and auditing this data.
The number of CAO places may fluctuate year on year for any given course, the new entrant data in the attached is reflective of the number of CAO places.
The Department does not have the costing per student for all higher education programmes. The university sector collects full economic costing data. The full economic cost of each student enrolled as an undergraduate or postgraduate student will vary depending on the discipline.
455. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of year one paramedicine enrolments at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form ; the number of CAO places; and the cost of each place. [30704/24]
View answer456. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of paramedicine enrolments across all years at each institute at undergraduate and graduate level for each year 2022-2024, in tabular form; the number of CAO places; and the cost of each place. [30705/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 together.
The enrolment data requested by the Deputy is contained in the attached spreadsheet. This data was sourced from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) Student Records System (SRS) and is rounded to the nearest five for data protection purposes.
The enrolment data for the academic year 2023/2024 is not yet available from the HEA as they are currently in the process of gathering and auditing this data.
The number of CAO places may fluctuate year on year for any given course, the new entrant data in the attached is reflective of the number of CAO places.
The Department does not have the costing per student for all higher education programmes. The university sector collects full economic costing data. The full economic cost of each student enrolled as an undergraduate or postgraduate student will vary depending on the discipline.
Paramedic Enrolments
All Enrolments
|
HEI |
Course.Name |
2021/2022 |
2022/2023 |
|
University College Cork |
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Studies |
270 |
355 |
|
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Studies - Practitioner Entry |
30 |
25 |
|
|
MSc (Specialist Paramedic Practice) |
55 |
70 |
|
|
University of Limerick |
Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies |
105 |
85 |
|
Paramedic Studies (Practitioner) |
15 |
15 |
Paramedic Enrolments
New Entrant/ Year 1
|
HEI |
Course Name |
2021/2022 |
2022/23 |
|
University College Cork |
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Studies * |
75 |
150 |
|
BSc (Hons) Paramedic Studies - Practitioner Entry ** |
15 |
15 |
|
|
MSc (Specialist Paramedic Practice) *** |
55 |
70 |
|
|
University of Limerick |
Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies |
35 |
15 |
|
Bachelor of Science in Paramedic Studies (Practitioner) |
5 |
10 |
459. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that sufficient courses in cybersecurity are available in the further and higher education sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30736/24]
View answerThe cybersecurity sector is vital in underpinning and securing much of our modern society, and I recognise the importance of ensuring sufficient provision across the further and higher education sectors.
The latest data from the HEA shows that, across the higher education sector, there were 35 courses available in cybersecurity in nine different State-funded universities in the 2022/23 academic year.
Skillnet provides a wide number of enterprise-led cybersecurity upskilling programmes to businesses within the technology and broader sectors. In 2023, Skillnet Business Networks provided cybersecurity training to over 620 businesses and 1,200 participants.
Under Springboard+ 2024 and Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1, 13 courses offering 392 places in cybersecurity are available in nine different institutions for the academic year 2024/2025. These courses are free or heavily subsidised and are at Level 6 to Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
The Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy was launched on 12 March 2024, with an allocation of €9.7 million under the HCI Pillar 3 to subsidise fees on micro-credential courses. These courses, ranging from 1 to 30 ECTS and spanning Level 6 to Level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications are small, accredited courses designed to meet the demands of learners, enterprise and society. A subsidy rate of 80 per cent for courses addressing skills in key priority areas and all other courses will provide a 50 per cent learner subsidy rate. The subsidies offer learners a unique opportunity to access high-quality education at reduced rates, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and upskilling. There are ten courses available in cybersecurity with a subsidy rate of 80 per cent offering 226 places.
The HCI Pillar 3 Cyber-Skills project, led by Munster Technological University, aims to develop unprecedented collaboration between higher education institutions at a national scale. The objective of this project is to address skill shortages in cybersecurity by providing tailored pathways and micro-credentials. To date, the project has established a Cyber Range, a virtually controlled, interactive training environment simulating security incidents and has engaged various partners like the National Cyber Security Centre and the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau.
My Department will continue to advance efforts to ensure learning opportunities are available and access to the skills our economy requires is provided. My Department and I will work closely with other Departments and stakeholders with the objective of advancing cybersecurity.
460. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he will allocate capital funding for the new Wexford campus of SETU; the discussions he has had to date with the university in relation to its capital requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30748/24]
View answerOver the last number of years, SETU have been working closely with Wexford County Council (WCC) to help identify an appropriate site for a permanent home for their Wexford Campus. As part of this engagement, a preferred site was identified. Following a lengthy negotiation process between WCC and the owner of this site, an agreement could not be reached on a price.
WCC have since progressed the acquisition of this site, totalling 48.5 acres by way of compulsory purchase order (CPO). The intention is that a proportion of this site will be used to facilitate a new Wexford Campus for SETU with the reminder of the site being developed by WCC.
The Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science announced on the 9th November 2023 that the acquisition of the Wexford Town site had progressed significantly with Wexford County Council having successfully moved to the final stages of the CPO process with the “Notice to Treat” being served. The issuing of this notice is a significant milestone as it obligates the Local Authority to acquire the property and obliges the owner to surrender same.
WCC are now working with SETU on developing a masterplan for the overall site and in parallel to this SETU are engaging with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) to develop a Business Case for the development of the infrastructure for the proposed site.
This project will be progressed under the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF) framework and once the business case is submitted and approved, it will feed into the overall masterplan currently being prepared by WCC for the subject lands. SETUs preliminary business case for the infrastructure required on the site is expected to be submitted to the HEA shortly.
461. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the number of places in healthcare courses, including therapy places to support disability services, will be increased; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30813/24]
View answerMy Department is strongly committed to supporting the health of the population through the provision of graduates with the key competencies and skills to be effective.
The delivery of healthcare programmes is complex and there is a requirement for suitable practice education placements to support expansion. Officials are working closely together to maximise expansion in the immediate term.
There has been good progress made on expanding the number of places in these vital disciplines in recent years, and I want to build on this.
In September 2023, 462 permanent additional places were created in higher education institutions in the State which crossed a range of healthcare disciplines, including 255 places in Nursing as well as 20 places in Speech and Language Therapy, 24 places in Occupational Therapy, 60 places in Medicine, among other key areas. This represents meaningful additionality within existing infrastructure, and it comes on top of substantial expansion in nursing in recent years.
In addition, 80 additional allied health places were made available in Ulster University in September 2023. These places included 30 Physiotherapy places, 28 Occupational Therapy and 10 Speech and language therapy places. These students are undertaking their practice education placements in healthcare settings in Northern Ireland. 140 places in Nursing & Midwifery are also being funded across Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast. While these places were secured on a one-year basis, engagement is underway to extend the arrangements.
In February this year an agreement was reached with Queen’s University for the funding of 25 additional medical places in Queen’s from September 2024. An additional twenty five places will be available next year under the same arrangement. Students who take up one of these places will commit to applying and accepting, if offered, a position in the HSE as an intern at the end of their studies.
Tertiary programmes were launched last year which see students begin their programmes in further education colleges, and continue to complete their degree in a higher education institution. The application process is outside the CAO points system taking the pressure off Leaving Certificate results and provides a new pathway for entry to third level education.
Nursing tertiary programmes are available through ATU with the first intake of students on this programme from September 2023 with a total of 60 places available - 20 in each of the ATU’s campuses at ATU Donegal, St Angela’s in Sligo and ATU in Mayo
New programmes from September 2024 include a Bachelor of Science in Mental Health Nursing and a Bachelor of Science in General Nursing offered via Cork ETB, Kerry ETB and MTU Kerry. 18 places are available in Mental Health Nursing – 9 each in Cork and Kerry ETB and 30 in General Nursing – 15 each in Cork and Kerry ETB. A Bachelor of Science in Applied Health and a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and Health Promotion will also be offered through SETU and Kildare Wicklow ETB.
Intense work is ongoing with the Department of Health, HSE and higher education sector to deliver further additionality from September 2024.
462. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that the proposed new accommodation for Cavan Institute will be progressed quickly to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30814/24]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Cavan Monaghan ETB (CMETB) were supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Cavan town 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 proposal put forward by CMETB is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund.
SOLAS and officials from my department recently met with all twelve ETBs including CMETB, to discuss their proposal in the context of relevant regional and national FET policy objectives. CMETB 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.
Business cases that are updated and submitted will be evaluated immediately 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.
SOLAS and my department will continue to work closely with CMETB in supporting them through this proposal development phase.
I would like to add that my department has also recently provided significant investment in Cavan Institute. The Deputy will be aware that in order to address interim accommodation needs, my Department approved the acquisition and fit out of a substantial modular unit for CMETB, facilitating the opening of the new Education and Training Facility for Cavan Institute at its FET Campus in September 2023. This facility gives 300 students access to a range of PLC programmes and offers state of the art facilities for students and staff and allow for the further growth of Cavan Institute.
