Danny Healy-Rae
Question:373. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the ophthalmology services in University Hospital Kerry have been shut down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43823/24]
View answerHospital Services
Questions (373)
Written answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Substance Misuse
Questions (374)
Bernard Durkan
Question:374. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health to indicate the extent to which drug abuse has been measured on a county-by-county basis in each of the past five years to date; the level of increased use or dependency on illegal drugs that has been measured on a county by county basis in each of the past five years to date, the level of increased use or dependency on illegal drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43886/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Healthy Ireland Survey 2023 included a module on Drug Use which provided the most recent prevalence information for Ireland. A representative sample of approximately 7,500 individuals aged 15 and older participated in the survey. However, the survey does not contain information on drug use on a county basis.
Some of results included in the survey showed that 21% of respondents report lifetime illicit drug use, 7% reporting illicit drug use in the last year, and 3% reporting illicit drug use in the last month. The most prevalent illicit drugs used within the last year were cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or MDMA, magic mushrooms and ketamine.
I announced an additional funding of €4.2m in Budget 2025 (full year €5.4m) for new drug initiatives under the national drugs strategy. The new initiatives will expand community-based drug services, roll out integrated community alcohol treatment services on a national basis, develop harm reduction responses and support drug prevention programmes and public health awareness campaigns.
Third Level Staff
Questions (375, 376)
Ged Nash
Question:375. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the significant divergence between the hourly rates of pay afforded to personal assistants working in the ETB sector, and funded through SOLAS, and personal assistants working in the higher education system, funded by the Higher Education Authority; if he has engaged with the HEA to address this inequity; if he will provide a full-year costing estimate for the total cost of bringing the personal assistant hourly rate in the HEI system in line with the rate in the ETB sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43598/24]
View answerGed Nash
Question:376. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm the number of personal assistants employed either directly or through agencies/contractors in each of the HEA recognised third-level institutions as of the 30 September 2024, in tabular form; if he will confirm the identity of the individual agencies that provide personal assistants to each third-level institution; if he will provide information on the value of every such contract in 2023 and 2024; if he will confirm the minimum rate of hourly pay in each third-level institution for personal assistants in place for the 2024-2025 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43599/24]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 375 and 376 together.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) manages the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) for higher education on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). Funding under the FSD is provided to HEIs as a block grant to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers. The use of this allocation within HEIs is informed by needs assessments conducted in collaboration with individual students, and in accordance with the guidelines of the funding. These supports and services can include assistive technology equipment and software, academic/learning support, and personal assistants.
I am pleased to say as a part of Budget 2025 that I have increased the funding assigned to the FSD by over 18%. This brings the value of the total fund to €9.504 million for 2025. In 2024, over 17,500 students have availed of supports via the FSD. Increasing participation of students with disabilities in Higher Education is a key objective in the National Action Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education and the rate of new entrants with a disability into higher education has increased from 12.4% to 13.8% since the NAP was launched in 2022.
There are differing arrangements in place with regard to support for students with disabilities within higher education institutions (HEI's). These arrangements reflect the differing need profiles of students and the fact that, as autonomous institutions, HEIs have the flexibility to identify the most appropriate arrangements to best support students. Reflecting this diversity of arrangements, there is not a recognised or centralised PA grade in the HE sector.
As autonomous institutions, HEIs are afforded the flexibility to identify the most appropriate arrangements to best support the identified needs of students and to assign services based on those needs. HEIs are responsible for the management of the funding in accordance with the FSD Guidelines.
As the HEIs are provided with FSD as block grant the HEA does not collect or hold the data requested on the number of personal assistants employed either directly or indirectly through agencies. Due to the diversity of arrangements in the HEIs, the varying levels of assistance provided and the unavailability of the data, it is not possible to estimate the full year cost of bringing the two sectors in line.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Question No. 376 answered with Question No. 375.
State Properties
Questions (377)
Brendan Griffin
Question:377. 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; if the site transfer from Kerry County Council to Kerry ETB has been completed; if not, if there is a cause for the delay; if this delay can be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43602/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that Kerry ETB are being supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for the proposed infrastructure that will be delivered 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 proposal put forward by KETB is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund.
Kerry ETB’s proposal is expected to encompass the transformation of FET provision in the area by developing a state-of-the-art campus focussing on skills development in Hospitality Training, while supporting Renewable Energy and Sustainable Green Technologies.
I understand SOLAS are currently engaging with Kerry ETB in relation to the site and while a site acquisition has not yet being completed, further engagement is planned with representatives from Kerry ETB, Kerry County Council and SOLAS shortly, this will inform next steps in the process.
In parallel, Kerry ETB are currently working on refining their business case proposal and will have the opportunity to submit this proposal to the next evaluation meeting which is targeted for early 2025. Following evaluation, business cases that meet the evaluation criteria will advance to the next stage of development: Pre-Tender – Project Design, Planning, and Procurement Strategy.
SOLAS and officials from my department will continue to support Kerry ETB in relation to their FET College of the Future proposal and I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet the needs of FET learners and teaching staff.
Third Level Education
Questions (378)
Jackie Cahill
Question:378. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the third level educational opportunities available in Ireland for applicants living in the Palestinian Territory; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43669/24]
View answerWritten answers
Supports for students living in Palestine are delivered through a number of Irish Universities as part of the Scholars at Risk Programme and University Sanctuary Programmes, in addition to specific institutional responses. This includes specific scholarships schemes and other well-being supports.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is also providing support to students from Palestine through the Ireland-Palestine Scholarship Programme.
Third Level Education
Questions (379)
Danny Healy-Rae
Question:379. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide clarification on a college grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43692/24]
View answerWritten answers
Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
As per Article 17(4)(b) of the Student Grant Scheme 2024, a student or tuition student is ineligible for grant funding for a course at Level 7 if they already hold an undergraduate higher education and training award at Level 7 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or equivalent. This is irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously.
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie/ .
Third Level Education
Questions (380)
Denis Naughten
Question:380. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the current situation where third level students on clinical placement in fields such as general nursing, mental health nursing, early childhood education, medicine and social care receive no payment during this period, despite having to pay in many instances for additional accommodation; if he will consider this situation in light of the contrary approach taken to those students completing apprenticeships who are paid on work placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43713/24]
View answerWritten answers
Placements for health and social care programmes are arranged at the level of each individual Higher Education Institution as part of their programme offering, to be delivered in conjunction with relevant clinical placement providers. Early Years Education programme placements are provided by early years education settings.
Placement hours are a requirement of the regulator to meet the standards of professional capability necessary to practice in a regulated profession. In the case of health and social care professions the principal regulator is CORU, under the aegis of the Department of Health, which sets the standards of education and training required for the professions which fall within its remit.
Regarding any payments while on placement, this is a matter for the relevant employer, which would be, in the public sector the HSE, and in other cases, private providers.
Third Level Fees
Questions (381)
Alan Farrell
Question:381. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of abolishing the student contribution fee in equal annual instalments to 2030. [43771/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy will be aware that I published the Annual Options Paper on Reducing the Cost of Education in September (www.gov.ie/en/publication/db3c6-funding-the-future-an-annual-options-paper-on-the-cost-of-higher-education-2024/). The paper identifies various options to reduce the cost of education, including options to reduce the student contribution paid by students.
The Annual Options Paper has estimated the cost of removing the student contribution at circa €289m; this is the net cost after allowing for savings that would accrue on the SUSI grant scheme if it were abolished. The paper also includes the costs of various options to reduce the student contribution by amounts ranging from €100 up to its full removal.
As part of the Budget 2025 cost of living package, we are providing once off funding in 2024, to reduce the student contribution by up to €1,000 for free fees eligible students in the academic year 2024/25.
If a permanent reduction of say €750 were to be applied for the 2025/26 academic year, it would cost circa €74.3m. If a further €750 reduction were applied in 2027, then a similar cost would arise and so on. These costings are based on current 'free fees eligible' student numbers and SUSI fee grant holders. It is likely that the costings would have to be reviewed each year to allow for movements in student numbers and SUSI grant holders over the period up to 2030.
Third Level Education
Questions (382)
Alan Farrell
Question:382. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of increasing student maintenance grants by 1%, and 5% per year. [43772/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Government recognises third level education can be a significant cost for families and students.
The Deputy will be aware that I published, in September, this year’s Annual Options Paper on the cost of education which sets out options for further enhancement of student supports across the various sectors and was considered as part of this year’s budgetary process. The Deputy should note that the full year cost to the Exchequer of a 1% and 5% increase in the SUSI maintenance grant rates is estimated at €1.65m and €8.23m respectively.
To provide further financial assistance to those students most in need, Budgets 2023 and 2024 saw all maintenance grant holders receive an increase in their grant rates.
• Effective from January 2023, all maintenance grant holders received an increase in their grant rate of between 10% and 14%.
• Effective from January 2024, all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates increased by €615 and all adjacent maintenance grant rates increased by 10%.
• Also effective from January 2024, maintenance for postgraduate students was restored on a similar basis to undergraduate students.
In Budget, 2025 I made further improvements to the student grant scheme and student part-time scheme to increase thresholds while also making other adjustments to improve the scheme:-
• Increase the Special Rate of Maintenance Threshold from €26,200 to €27,400 in line with Social Welfare increases.
• Increase to all other Maintenance and Student Contribution Grant Thresholds by 15%.
• Increase to Postgraduate Fee Contribution threshold and the Part-Time Scheme Threshold to match the new 100% Student Contribution threshold.
• Allowing certain cohorts of people to apply for the grant by extending the list of approved immigration permissions;
• Ensuring that the first €5000 of any scholarship received by a student will not be included as income in the grant means test; and,
• A measure to align the treatment of fee scholarships.
Third Level Education
Questions (383)
Alan Farrell
Question:383. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of doubling the number of places on college therapy programmes including physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43773/24]
View answerWritten answers
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous institutions responsible for their own academic affairs including the curriculum and student numbers on individual courses. The costs incurred by a HEI in increasing student places on a particular course or establishing an additional course can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the individual circumstances of the relevant HEI.
Where additionally is required on courses or a new course is required, specific engagement with the sector and external stakeholders is very often required. This process allows for a deeper consideration of wider issues such as capacity, staffing, other supports, availability of placements, capital investment in buildings and equipment etc. It is therefore, not possible to definitively calculate the costs sought in the absence of a specific engagement with the sector.
The delivery of healthcare programmes is complex and requires multiple parts of the health and education systems working together.
It should be noted that in recent years there has been a substantial expansion of therapy and key healthcare places in Higher Education Institutions in Ireland. In July, Government approved the prioritisation of funding to support the expansion of training places in priority healthcare areas including Speech and Language Therapy and Occupational Therapy, as well as Physiotherapy.
This will contribute to delivering expansion in the region of 35% in these vital disciplines over the next two academic years. Additional places commencing in September 2024 include expanded intakes on Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Podiatric Medicine programmes in University of Galway, Physiotherapy in RCSI and the introduction of an undergraduate Occupational Therapy programme in University of Limerick.
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 addition, on 18th October 2024, following recommendations received from the HEA, I announced that several universities will establish new programmes in key healthcare areas including new Bachelor of Dental Surgery in RCSI, new Pharmacy programmes in South East Technological University, Atlantic Technological University and the University of Galway, and a new Rural and Remote Graduate Entry Medicine stream in the University of Galway, as well as a Direct Entry Medicine in the University of Limerick.
This announcement I believe demonstrates our continued ambition and commitment to improving healthcare for those in our communities, and providing more opportunities for students to study in Ireland for those who are passionate to work in healthcare professions.
Enhancing student capacity to meet projected workforce demand is a key consideration of workforce planning and is key to enabling further expansion on these programmes. Practice education placements are essential to support clinical skills development and the application of theory to patient care and attainment of regulatory required standards of proficiency where applicable.
Extensive engagement is ongoing between officials in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and officials in the Department of Health, as well as the HSE and higher education sector. Work is underway on the oversight and infrastructure for clinical placements to enable further expansion.
Rural Schemes
Questions (384)
David Stanton
Question:384. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline the funding, if any, allocated under any scheme administered by her Department to a building (details supplied), from 2019 to 2024 inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43604/24]
View answerWritten answers
The provision of such buildings, and related services, as that referred to by the Deputy is primarily a matter for local authorities, under the Local Government Act 2001.
With specific regard to the building referred to by the Deputy, the following funding has been allocated by my Department, from 2019 to date:
|
Fund/Scheme |
Year Allocated |
Funding Allocated |
|
Libraries Capital Programme (ICT Funding 2023) |
2023 |
€1,172.20 |
|
Dormant Accounts Funding |
2024 |
€1,810 |
Rural Schemes
Questions (385)
Claire Kerrane
Question:385. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding is available to secure a new playground development (details supplied) to prevent damage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43612/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department recognises the importance of playgrounds in communities throughout Ireland. Applications for the delivery and upgrade of playgrounds are welcome under a number of schemes operated by my Department such as the CLÁR Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS), the LEADER programme, the Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) and the Community Recognition Fund (CRF).
The CLÁR programme provides funding for small-scale projects in rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Since the programme was relaunched in 2016, it has supported a wide range of measures, including investment in playgrounds.
I was very happy to make the recent announcement of the successful projects under measure 1 of the 2024 CLÁR programme. In total, funding of over €11.4 million was approved for 264 projects which are developing community facilities and amenities including playgrounds.
Support for playground facilities often forms part of applications for larger amenity projects under the TVRS. Successful projects under the 2023 TVRS were announced in April of this year with funding of €20.4 million allocated to 82 projects under the scheme. Funding for the refurbishment and development of existing playgrounds along with the creation of new playgrounds were some of the successful projects announced as part of this funding. The next iteration of the TVRS is due to open for applications in the coming weeks.
The LEADER Programme aims to deliver a range of actions to rural communities over the lifetime of the policy. Support under the LEADER programme is provided under a broad range of themes, including Rural Infrastructure and Social Inclusion. Funding for improvement works to playgrounds may be provided under this theme, and prospective applicants are advised to contact their Local Action Group, through their Implementing Partner in the first instance, to discuss a potential project. The Implementing Partner for the Roscommon area is Roscommon LEADER Partnership and can be contacted at 090 – 663 0252 or reception@ridc.ie.
The CEP provides capital funding to community groups in disadvantaged areas across Ireland, and can include funding for playgrounds. The CEP is administered locally on behalf of my Department by Local Community Development Committees across the country, with support from their local authority.
The CRF was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects. To further support communities, a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund was announced last March.
Applications under the current round of funding can be submitted by local authorities across three phases. The closing dates for receipt of applications under the final phase is January 31st, 2025.
Local authorities are required to engage and collaborate with communities to identify the most appropriate projects for support. It is a matter for each local authority to identify the most appropriate locations for funding based on their analysis of the level of arrivals in each location and in the context of previous funding supports and local needs. The CRF has supported a number of playgrounds across the country.
Further details on each of these funds can be found on my Department's website.
Rural Schemes
Questions (386)
Brendan Griffin
Question:386. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a top-up could be provided to an organisation to help complete a project that has increased in cost due to construction inflation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43751/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Community Recognition Fund (CRF) was first introduced in 2023 to recognise the huge efforts made by communities in welcoming and supporting people coming to Ireland. Through the 2023 allocation, funding of €50 million was approved for some 900 projects. I was delighted to announce a further €50 million in funding under the Community Recognition Fund on March 15th last.
Under the first allocation in 2023, Kerry was allocated €4,403,073 which included an amount in respect of the project referred to by the Deputy.
Under the most recent announcement, a further €3,946,095 was allocated to Kerry bringing the total available to County Kerry under CRF to over €8.3 million.
I understand that the project referred to by the Deputy was funded at a rate of 100% based on the initial costs provided at application stage. I would encourage the group involved to engage with Kerry County Council, who are managing delivery of the programme locally, to discuss the nature of the cost increase and to explore options in that regard. I have also asked my officials to also explore the matter with Kerry County Council.