Written Answers Nos. 689-700
689. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if applications for SUSI grants will be reconsidered in the case of family members (details supplied); when this review will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40919/24]
View answerAn official from my Department has advised that the two students outlined by the Deputy were refused grant assistance by SUSI for the 2023/2024 academic year. The total household reckonable income for both students was assessed as over the maximum threshold for funding for a Level 8 undergraduate course based on their 2022 household reckonable income calculation.
The students did not appeal the decision of the awarding authority and no request for a change in circumstances review was received. The students have not submitted applications to SUSI for the 2024/2025 academic year.
As both applications for the 2023/2024 academic year were finalised in July 2023, they are outside the statutory time-frame of 60 days to submit an appeal.
690. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of post-Leaving Certificate students registered in a school (details supplied) in each of the years 2018 to 2024, in tabular form. [40934/24]
View answerMy officials contacted Tipperary Education and Training Board (TETB) in relation to your query. The following table details the numbers of Post-Leaving Certificate students that have registered in Coláiste Phobail in Roscrea fom 2018 to 2024. For 2024, the figure is provisional.
|
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
PLC Enrolment by year |
|
College |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Coláiste Phobal Roscrea |
134 |
137 |
107 |
76 |
45 |
14 |
31* |
Coláiste Phobal Ros Cré is a dual provision location catering for both mainstream post-primary and PLC students. TETB have noted that for adult learners in the area attending PLC provision in FET centres/locations in places like Limerick City and a recently opened Laois and Offaly ETB campus in Birr can be a more attractive option, rather than in a post-primary location. The new campus in Birr, which is close to Roscrea, has impacted learner numbers from those who previously travelled to Roscrea from wider catchment areas in Laois and Offaly. Further, many learners who previously would have engaged in PLC provision are progressing directly to third level, or availing of increased apprenticeship provision or employment opportunities in the region. TETB have noted that PLC registrations for the academic year 2024/25 have doubled on last year’s enrolments.
691. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason why a person (details supplied) who has never applied for the SUSI grant is automatically classed as a dependant applicant by SUSI, and can therefore not apply for the first time to SUSI as an independent applicant if there is not a gap of three years between undergraduate and postgraduate studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40959/24]
View answerAs per Article 13(3) of the Student Grant Scheme 2024, as an independent mature student the applicant must be:
• 23 years of age or over on 1st January of the year when they first enter/re-enter further or higher education, and
• They must have been living independently from their parents/legal guardians from the October in the year prior to their first point of entry/re-entry into further or higher education and will be required to provide evidence of this.
An applicant’s classification is defined at their first point of entry or re-entry to an approved further or higher education course and will continue for the duration of their studies. A dependent student can only be reclassified following a three year break in their studies as per Article 13(5) of the scheme.
I have been advised that the student referred to by the Deputy was under 23 years of age at their first point of entry to an approved higher education course in the 2018/2019 academic year and, therefore, classed as a dependent student under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme. This is irrespective of whether they had applied for or were in receipt of grant funding previously.
The student did not have the required three-year break in studies to be reclassified as an independent student prior to starting their course in the 2024/2025 academic year.
A letter was sent to the student by SUSI on 23 August 2024 advising that their application had been cancelled and to re-apply as a dependent student to be assessed with reference to their parents/legal guardians’ income. The student has not re-applied for student grant funding for the 2024/2025 academic year.
692. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will urgently review the EU fees element of the SUSI process (details supplied); the reason this rule is applied differently in Ireland; and if he will ensure that his Department carries out a full review of the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41000/24]
View answerIn considering the matters raised it is important to distinguish between the fees policy of an individual Higher Education Institution and the eligibility criteria of the separate student grant scheme.
The higher education tuition fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors including the type of course and the student's access route. The assessment of a student’s application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended. Typically, there are two rates of fee, an EU Rate of Fee or a non-EU rate of tuition fee that a Higher Education Institution may apply. Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs. This includes setting the criteria a person must meet to be regarded as an EU or a Non-EU tuition fee student.
The criteria may vary by institution, and I understand that an institution’s criteria will generally include specified Nationality and/or Residency requirements that students would be expected to meet to qualify for the institutions EU rate of fee. It is not open to my Department to intervene in the fee policies of these autonomous institutions.
In terms of the student grant scheme, as administered via SUSI, the position is that to avail of a grant a student must meet the scheme criteria including residency. To be eligible for a grant, a student must have been resident in the Irish State, the EU, EEA, UK or Swiss Federation for three of the last five years before the start of their academic year. It is important to point out that a student who did not meet the residency requirement at the start of their studies may be in a position to meet it during the course of their studies and become eligible for a student grant for the following academic year, provided they meet all other criteria of the Student Grant Scheme.
However, the criteria of the student grant scheme is not the determining factor in a student availing of the EU or Non-Eu rate of fee and instead it is a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with the criteria it has set.
693. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff that worked in his Department’s communications and press office in each of the years 2019 to 2024; and the grade of each staff member. [41163/24]
View answerWhen my Department was established in 2020, the communications unit consisted of 2 staff members and has since grown in line with the growth of my Department to a total of 6 staff members to date.
|
Year ending |
30/06/21 |
30/06/22 |
30/06/23 |
09/10/2024 |
|
PO |
1 |
1 |
||
|
AP |
2 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
HEO |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
|
AO |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
EO |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Total |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
694. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the frequency and duration of the publicity, marketing or advertising campaigns conducted by his Department to date in 2024; the purpose of these campaigns; the cost of these campaigns; and the agencies that conducted these campaigns, in tabular form. [41181/24]
View answerTo date in 2024, my Department has run three promotional campaigns;
The Building Heroes peer-to-peer social media campaign continues to grow since its launch in April, with more than three million impressions between April-August, and reaching a further 1.5 million since it started again in September.
The campaign aims to change perceptions of careers in construction among the 15-25 year old age group by engaging a team of 12 young adults currently working or training in construction, and who are sharing their on-the-job and training stories across social media.
The Room for a Student campaign ran again this year as we continue to inform homeowners about how they can earn up to €14,000 a year tax free by renting rooms in their home to students. It is clearly having an impact with recent figures showing a significant increase in the number of digs rooms available this autumn compared to the same period last year.
This week we also launched our Build Back Home campaign, which aims to encourage skilled Irish construction workers living abroad to return home.
We know that more workers are needed if we are to reach our housing targets, and this campaign will hopefully accelerate the decision of some of those living abroad who are considering coming back to Ireland.
The purpose, cost and agencies involved in these campaigns is presented in tabular form as requested, as well as some data analytics showing the success of these campaigns to date.
695. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to review a case (details supplied); if the eligibility for fee support can be reviewed in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41265/24]
View answerUnder the Free Fees Initiative, the State provides funding supports for students attending undergraduate higher education courses. Under the progression criteria of the scheme, it is not possible for a students to avail of free fees where they are undertaking a second course of study having previously completed an undergraduate course of study at level 8. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study.
The higher education tuition fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the fee rates of a particular institution. The assessment of a student’s application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a matter for the institution attended.
Where a student has a query or concern in relation to the tuition fees that an institution has applied for a graduate entry course of study, they can engage directly with the institution attended for advice appropriate to their own individual circumstances and for information on any supports that may be available to students in that institution.
696. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when funding will be approved to facilitate an increase in rates of pay for motor mechanic apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41545/24]
View answerFor the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes including for the motor mechanic programme, the sectoral gross wage norms are either agreed within the relevant sector through collective bargaining agreements, or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders recommended by the Labour Court.
Periods of off-the-job training are funded from the National Training Fund with payments made directly to craft apprentices by the education and training boards. Training allowances for apprentices are calculated with reference to gross-wage norms payable in industry for the different trade sectors.
The State Allowance for motor mechanic apprentices is currently under review by my Department and SOLAS and I hope to have further information shortly.
697. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and the status of their SUSI application. [41552/24]
View answerAn official from my Department has advised that the student outlined by the Deputy was awarded the €500 student contribution grant by the awarding authority, SUSI, for the 2024/2025 academic year.
Following a request in September for a review of their application due to a reduction in household income, SUSI requested further documentation from the student in support of the declared change in circumstances for all parties to the application. Some of the documentation remain outstanding.
On receipt of the outstanding documents from the student SUSI will review the student’s application to take into account the declared change in circumstances.
698. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the international events and engagements he has attended at which members of the media were also in attendance as part of the Government delegation, since the formation of the Government; the media organisation they represented; the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41603/24]
View answerThe Minister has attended international events and engagements where the media has been in attendance. However, as the media organisations were not part of the Ministers’ delegation no costs were incurred by this Department for their attendance.
699. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the current and capital funding allocations in 2024 and 2025 for initiatives in relation to harbour infrastructure for islands; and essential transport services to the islands, in tabular form. [41254/24]
View answer710. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to provide a breakdown of the capital allocation for all islands infrastructure funding or schemes in 2024 and 2025, in tabular form. [41250/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 710 together.
Toisc go bhfuil an t-eolas atá á lorg ag an Teachta fairsing, ní féidir é a chur ar fáil laistigh den fhráma ama atá ceadaithe. Seolfar an méid atá iarrtha ar aghaidh nuair a bheidh sé ar fáil chuig an Teachta de réir na h-amlínte atá leagtha síoa sna Buan-Orduithe.
Due to the broad nature of the information requested by the Deputy, it is not possible to compile same by 15th October 2024. Accordingly, the relevant information will be forwarded to the Deputy within the timescale set out in the Standing Orders of the Houses of the Oireachtas.
700. Deputy Simon Coveney asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when successful projects under the CLÁR programme in County Cork will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40977/24]
View answerMy Department's CLÁR scheme is a targeted investment programme that provides funding for small scale infrastructural projects in rural areas that experience disadvantage and significant levels of de-population.
The measures being funded under CLÁR 2024 are:
Measure 1: Developing Community Facilities & Amenities (funding up to €50,000).
Measure 2: Mobility, Cancer Care, First Responder and Meals on Wheels Transport (funding up to €100,000).
Measure 3: Our Islands (funding up to €120,000).
On 13 September 2024 I announced funding of over €2.1 million for 49 projects in respect of CLÁR measure 2, including over €206,000 for 5 vehicles in county Cork
On 7 October 2024, I was pleased to announce funding of over €11.4 million for 264 projects under CLÁR measure 1 to develop community facilities and amenities including almost €657,000 for 15 projects in Cork.
Details of all projects can found on my Department's website.
Successful projects include supports for a vast array of projects which will benefit people of all ages and abilities such as astro-turf pitches, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks, community gyms wheelchair accessible transport and meals on wheels vehicles.
My officials are currently assessing all applications under measure 3 of the CLÁR programme and I look forward to announcing the successful projects in the coming weeks.
