Written Answers Nos. 426-449
426. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Health if she will detail how many physical letters the Minister’s offices and the customer service team in the Department received from the public in 2024; whether those letters are digitised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18456/25]
View answer427. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Health if she will detail how many emails the Minister’s offices and the customer service mailbox the Department received from the public in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18473/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 426 and 427 together.
In 2024, 10,789 representations were made to my office, and the offices of Ministers of State within my Department by members of the public, fellow Oireachtas members, NGOs, and others. We do not differentiate between those received via email or physical letters. However, physical letters are scanned into our correspondence system upon receipt.
428. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Health if she will detail whether any surveys have been carried out to estimate the amount of time taken up with administrative tasks where such time could be used more efficiently; if so, in which areas of the Department has this examination been carried out; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18490/25]
View answerNo surveys of this kind have been carried out by the Department of Health.
429. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science about a matter concerning a course in an Education and Training Board (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18325/25]
View answerMy officials are liaising with Kerry ETB and I will follow up with the Minister in due course.
430. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has considered weighting the CAO points of former students to ensure parity with this year’s Leaving Certificate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18189/25]
View answerThe Central Applications Office (CAO) is a not-for-profit company created by the Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It processes applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on the behalf of HEIs. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and queries on points ascribed to Leaving Certificate results are a matter for the CAO and HEIs.
I understand that the Leaving Certificate can be a stressful time for students and their families. This includes the decisions for students in determining their pathways into work or continued education through the Further Education and Training or Higher Education systems.
My Department has been working tirelessly with the higher education and further education sectors to provide increased opportunities and pathways, helping to reduce pressure and open doors to a bright future. I am committed to supporting students, as evidenced by the creation of additional places in high-demand courses such as medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and therapy disciplines. 2025 will also see the introduction of a new dentistry programme. In addition, I am continuing to expand pathways into higher education through Tertiary programmes, part-time supports and new apprenticeships. This will reduce the stress of the “points race” and CAO application process for thousands of students across the country.
My officials are continuing to engage with colleagues in the Department of Education and State Exams Commission (SEC) on this matter. I am supportive of my Cabinet colleague Minister McEntee and her officials as they commence the phased and gradual return to normal Leaving Certificate outcomes, which will begin in 2025. It is widely recognised that it is appropriate to return over time to normal arrangements for Leaving Certificate outcomes in line with the announcement made by the Minister for Education last year (17 April 2024), that the return to normal Leaving Certificate outcomes would begin in 2025.
It is my understanding that this is being done gradually in line with the commitment that there would be no “cliff edge” in overall results so as to minimise, in so far as possible, the impact on students. I am aware that the SEC will again apply a post-marking adjustment after all marking is complete, which, this year, will bring results in the aggregate to a point broadly midway between 2020 and 2021 levels. The Department of Education and SEC will review the process for the following year. The examinations and assessment adjustments that have applied in recent years continue to apply for students in 2025.
This is a complex issue and there is no simple solution. But on balance, the gradual approach to returning Leaving Certificate results to normal is as fair as possible. This approach has been taken in other jurisdictions, including Northern Ireland.
431. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18208/25]
View answerThe administration of the visa policy is a matter for the Department of Justice, and I would advise that this matter be taken up with my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
432. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether an educational welfare officer can intervene to first work with the family to address the issue of improving attendance for 15 yea- olds currently enrolled on the Youthreach programme, or issue a school attendance notice to the parents prior to escalating the matter to the District Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18212/25]
View answerMy officials were in contact with the Deputy’s Staff who stated that they were going to withdraw this question and re-consider.
433. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the steps his Department is taking to improve data collection and database construction in anticipation of the increased data processing capacity that artificial intelligence adoption entails; if he will outline the logic behind their approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18361/25]
View answer436. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will specify the specific policy areas where the Department is examining future use of AI; if he will identify what entities the Department is working with, public or private, in relation to this examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18413/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 433 and 436 together.
My officials are currently considering potential application and adoption of AI in its work. An internal working group has been established to progress and consider the potential future beneficial use of AI. Limited circumstances in which AI is currently used include summarising text and workshop structuring. All text is reviewed and verified by a human. There are no AI systems in place that processes citizens' information. The working group are currently looking at what experts may exist in the system to help my officials shape guidelines for the use of AI within the Department. No changes have currently been made surrounding data collection or database construction.
My Department continues to review and follow guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform on the use of Artificial Intelligence.
434. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will identify any projects which the Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18378/25]
View answer435. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will identify any projects which a body under the aegis of his Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; if he will send this question to the bodies for direct response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18396/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.
CeADAR is the National Centre for Applied Artificial Intelligence and the European Digital Innovation Hub (EDIH) for AI in Ireland. CeADAR has more than 90 member companies ranging from multinationals to indigenous SMEs spanning every industry vertical. The primary work of the Centre is on cutting-edge applied AI innovation and developing and deploying industry prototypes and market-ready solutions to companies. My officials have identified that CeDAR primarily receives State funding through Enterprise Ireland, which is a body under the aegis of the department of Enterprise Trade & Employment.
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science:
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
Higher Education Authority |
Oireachtas@hea.ie |
Trevor Purtill |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
oireachtas@ggda.ie |
nigel.thompson@ggda.ie |
|
SOLAS |
oireachtasinfo@solas.ie |
Maria Walsh maria.walshe@solas.ie |
|
Skillnets Ireland |
oireachtasmembers@skillnetireland.ie |
tracey.donnery@skillnetireland.ie |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
ceo@qqi.ie |
ceo@qqi.ie |
|
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
oireachtas@leargas.ie |
fbroughan@leargas.ie |
|
Research Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@researchireland.ie |
Donna McCabe |
437. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will identify any AI training offered to people working in the Department; the level of take-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18430/25]
View answer440. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will detail whether any surveys have been carried out to estimate the amount of time taken up with administrative tasks where such time could be used more efficiently; if so, in which areas of the Department has this examination been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18489/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 437 and 440 together.
My Department is currently considering potential use cases for the adoption of AI in its work, and a working group has been established to progress this. Limited circumstances in which AI is currently used include summarising text and workshop structuring. All text is reviewed and verified by a human. There are no AI systems in place that processes citizens' information. To date, the working group has not undertaken any surveys as outlined by the Deputy in his question.
The working group have a draft terms of reference which include identifying potential training needs and to create guidelines to consider the use of AI within the Department.
My Department continues to review and follow guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform on the use of Artificial Intelligence.
438. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will detail how many physical letters the Minister’s offices and the customer service team in the Department received from the public in 2024; whether those letters are digitised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18455/25]
View answerThe information that the Deputy has requested is not readily available, my staff are currently collecting and collating this information and I will come back to you as soon as possible.
439. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will detail how many emails the Minister’s offices and the customer service mailbox the Department received from the public in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18472/25]
View answerThe information that the Deputy has requested is not readily available, my staff are currently collecting and collating this information and I will come back to you as soon as possible.
441. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding available to a community group to progress a community infrastructure project (details supplied). [18156/25]
View answerMy Department has a number of capital programmes designed to support community groups with capital funding towards the renovation and upgrade of community halls.
The Community Centre Investment Fund (CCIF)has provided in excess of €109 million since 2022 for the enhancement and refurbishment of existing community centres and the construction of new centres.
In April 2024, €30 million of this amount was approved under "CCIF 2023 New Build" for the construction of 12 new community centres across nine counties. The organisation referred to by the Deputy submitted an application under "CCIF 2023 New Build" for a new community hall and sought funding of nearly €2 million euro. However, their proposal was not successful in being approved for funding.
I am committed to delivering further iterations of the CCIF in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government for this to become a permanent rolling fund. There are also a range of other programmes delivered by my Department which also support the development of community infrastructure, including the LEADER programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the CLÁR programme and the Community Recognition Fund. Details of all of these programmes are available on my Department's website.
442. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will outline the steps his Department is taking to improve data collection and database construction in anticipation of the increased data processing capacity that artificial intelligence adoption entails; if he will outline the logic behind their approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18366/25]
View answerGiven the type of work carried out by my Department the current potential for the use of AI with regard to our data is limited. The schemes and programmes operated by my Department do not involve large datasets or databases. Notwithstanding this, my Department places a strong emphasis on data management and is currently working on an information management project to bring greater consistency to data collection across our major schemes. This approach helps us ensure accurate and up to date information on the projects we fund.
The National AI Strategy outlines how technologies such as AI can open up opportunities to enhance the use of information through data analytics. These opportunities, and the adoption of any new technology within my Department will be based on a clearly defined business need following an appropriate risk assessment. In that context, my Department follows the current advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as set out in Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies published on 1 June 2023.
443. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will identify any projects which the Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18383/25]
View answer444. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will identify any projects which a body under the aegis of his Department has underway with CeADAR, Ireland’s national centre for AI; if he will send this question to the bodies for direct response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18401/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 443 and 444 together.
Developed by my Department, Our Rural Future is the whole-of-government policy for rural Ireland for the period 2021-2025. As part of this policy, significant investment has been made to support remote working projects, in collaboration with local authorities and communities.
Artificial intelligence has added value to this investment. The Western Development (WDC) is one of four agencies under my Department's remit. The WDC has worked with CeADAR in the identification of optimal sites for locating remote hubs, through the ReLeafHubs project. CeADAR won a Smart Digital Award in 2024 for developing ReLeafHubs which helped reduce carbon emissions, support rural economies, and reimagine remote workspaces. The project also used artificial intelligence to help end-users find the most convenient hub.
There are three other agencies under my Department’s remit, Pobal, the Charities Regulator, and Water Safety Ireland. They have have not worked with CeADAR to date. My Department has no projects underway with CeADAR directly.
445. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will specify the specific policy areas where the Department is examining future use of AI; if he will identify what entities the Department is working with, public or private, in relation to this examination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18418/25]
View answerGiven the type of work carried out by my Department, while there may be a need to examine use of AI in the future, the current potential for its use would be very limited. As such, AI tools are not widely used in my Department and no policy areas are currently being examined for the future use of this technology.
My Department follows the current advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) as set out in Cyber Security Guidance on Generative AI for Public Sector Bodies published on 1 June 2023, and will continue to be informed by wider developments across the public sector.
446. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will identify any AI training offered to people working in the Department; the level of take-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18435/25]
View answerGiven the type of work carried out by my Department the current potential uses of AI would be very limited. As such, training has not been provided to staff. The majority of staff training takes place through the One Learning platform, and I am informed that this platform will offer training in this area in the near future.
447. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will detail how many physical letters the Minister’s offices and the customer service team in the Department received from the public in 2024; whether those letters are digitised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18460/25]
View answer448. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will detail how many emails the Minister’s offices and the customer service mailbox the Department received from the public in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18477/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 448 together.
My Department utilises a build to share e-correspondence system to manage all correspondence received by the Department. In general, physical letters are digitised so that the relevant unit within the Department can draft responses on the system. Where, for example, large reports are included, these may not be digitised. The system does not report whether those correspondence were by way of physical letter or by electronic communications.
During 2024 over 1,640 pieces of legitimate correspondence were recorded by the relevant offices within the Department. While, as noted, the system does not report between the original correspondence type, the vast majority of correspondence are by electronic communication.
449. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will detail whether any surveys have been carried out to estimate the amount of time taken up with administrative tasks where such time could be used more efficiently; if so, in which areas of the Department has this examination been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18494/25]
View answerMy Department’s mission is to promote rural and community development and to support vibrant, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. That mission is delivered on through a number of key strategic goals, set out in our Statement of Strategy, including one relating to the effective performance of the organisation and our staff.
My Department continuously strives to foster and maintain a high performance culture and organisation to achieve our mission in the interests of all communities. In recent years a key focus in this regard has been the implementation of findings of an Organisational Capability Review, which identified actions to further develop the capabilities of the Department to deliver for the public and communities. This has involved actions around areas such as developing our people, the development of improved information management systems, and working with delivery partners such as the local authorities.
While no specific surveys relating to time use are undertaken, my Departments Human Resources function carries out work force planning on a regular basis so as to ensure the optimum use of our staff resources.
