Wednesday, 22 May 2024

Written Answers Nos. 205-218

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Apprenticeship Programmes

Ceisteanna (205, 206)

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

205. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 27 February 2024 (details supplied), if he can confirm how much of the €67 million in additional funding that was provided for the apprenticeship system was allocated toward the national recruitment campaign of craft apprentice instructors; the number of instructors hired to date; can he provide a breakdown of the course areas they are instructing on (i.e., electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23031/24]

Mairéad Farrell

Ceist:

206. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if specific targets have been set for the national recruitment campaign to hire an additional 100 craft apprentice instructors per ETB; if so, the number of instructors it is hoped to hire per ETB; the areas of teaching that is, electrical, carpentry and so on, they will be engaged in, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23040/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 205 and 206 together.

A national recruitment campaign for craft apprenticeship instructors was launched by the National Apprenticeship Office in Q4 2023, with an aim to support delivery and increased capacity of phase 2 off-the-job training in ETBs.

To date, 77 posts have been advertised and 58 posts filled. Further posts will be advertised as capital projects come on stream across the rest of 2024 and into Q1 2025.

Instructor type	No. of Posts filled to date
Carpentry & Joinery	1
Electrical	35
Electrical Instrumentation	1
Heavy Vehicle Mechanics	4
Mechanical Automation &Maintenance Fitter (MAAF)	1
Metal Fabrication	1
Motor Mechanics	3
Pipefitting	4
Plumbing	8
Wood Manufacturing & Finishing	0
Total	58

Additionally, 80+ instructor posts were converted from fixed term to permanent.

The National Apprenticeship Office allocated €149,000 to a recruitment advertising budget, which was focussed on social media, radio and digital audio and video. A first round of the campaign during November and December 2023 across digital, print and radio resulted in 3,701,082 impressions, with 1,101,982 video views and 25,246 link clicks.

Question No. 206 answered with Question No. 205.

Employment Rights

Ceisteanna (207)

Joe Flaherty

Ceist:

207. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if adult literacy tutors that opt not to convert to adult educator under the terms of the new contract being offered by the Department will maintain their current entitlement to sign on for unemployment benefit during periods when they are not timetabled to deliver courses in the adult literacy service run by education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23049/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Following negotiations between my department, the Department of Education, which has regulatory responsibility for the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform (DPENDPR) a proposal was accepted by relevant Unions to create a new grade of adult educator, with a standardised pay scale.   This grade will apply to tutors employed in ETBs who deliver further education and training (FET) programmes, who are currently employed under a variety of terms and conditions. 

This proposal has been accepted by the unions and work is underway to support implementation of the proposal. Existing staff working as adult education tutors in ETBs will have the option of availing of the new arrangements and assimilating onto the new salary scale or remaining on their current terms and conditions.

The understanding is that the situation would be unchanged for tutors who remain on current terms and conditions, but ultimately eligibility for all Department of Social Protection (DSP) payments depends on personal circumstances and is a matter for that Department. 

Education Policy

Ceisteanna (208)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

208. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had directly with secondary schools in promoting traditional trades and apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23079/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I am committed to enhancing pathways for people after secondary school, and the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 aims to make apprenticeship visible and a valued option by learners.

A central goal is to improve information to school leavers so they have access to the same level of information about apprenticeship options as those in higher education.

Progress to date includes the inclusion of apprenticeship options on the CAO website and the launch of the National Apprenticeship Office Freephone Advice Helpline.

My Department developed and launched the Careers in Construction Action Plan in August 2023 which includes a social media campaign and other communication initiatives highlighting the opportunities available in construction including through apprenticeship in order to change perceptions of these roles, in particular for girls and women.

The Construction Industry Federation run the Safe Pass for Schools programme in partnership with SOLAS which enables students to access construction sites for work experience opportunities. 

In terms of direct promotion activities, in April 2024 my Department launched the “Building Heroes” peer-to-peer social media campaign in which aims to change perceptions of careers in construction including for apprenticeship among the 15–25-year-old age group. 

The National Apprenticeship Office held a digital, print, and radio  campaign in 2023 to promote over 70 apprenticeship options to employers and career seekers. This campaign ran from May to August 2023 and effectively targeted school leavers and career seekers of all ages, showcasing skills and career opportunities with Generation Apprenticeship, running across Meta and youth-focussed platforms (Snapchat, TikTok), radio and audio XI.

A range of print and audiovisual material showcasing female apprentice role models was made available on apprenticeship.ie as well as being disseminated to over 130 ‘girls only’ schools in the country, as part of the National Apprenticeship Office’s “Facts, Faces, Futures" campaign which was launched on National Women’s Day 2023.

My Department also sponsors WorldSkills Ireland, which later in 2024 will showcase skills based careers and apprenticeships directly to industry and over 20,000 second level students.

Student Accommodation

Ceisteanna (209)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

209. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to ensure sufficient supply of student accommodation for third level students for 2024/2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23080/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

In April 2024, the Government committed €100m to progress over 1,000 new student beds. This allocation enables the activation of Phase 1 of UCD’s stalled student project for delivery of 493 student beds for delivery in 2027/28.

It also provides the funding for the previously activated projects with Maynooth University to progress to onsite construction for delivery of 116 beds in 2025, and DCU project for delivery of 405 beds in 2027 is currently proceeding through the tender process.

It is recognised that a mix of solutions is required to assist students, and that is why I along with Government colleagues progressed an extension of the rent-a-room relief scheme, disregarding income earned when determining medical card eligibility and reckonable income for support under the SUSI grant scheme.

Dig accommodation can provide a suitable option of some students. Last year my Department ran an awareness campaign focused on student digs accommodation, with localised campaigns ran in tandem with the HEIs and student unions. Digs beds advertised increased from 1,225 beds to over 2,400, July – September ’23. Due to its success the Department plan to run another campaign this year.  The number of student beds advertised at the end April 2024 via Rent-a-Room scheme is 2,178.

The long term student accommodation policy was approved by Government on the 16th of January 2024. This policy will inform future student accommodation strategies and schemes which will be developed throughout 2024.

Since 2020, 8,591 student beds have been completed with 6,396 of these beds in the private market and 2,195 beds provided by public HEIs. The total stock stands at over 48,000 beds.

Departmental Funding

Ceisteanna (210)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

210. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an increase in funding to third level institutions under the student assistance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The Student Assistance Fund is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of my Department. The HEA allocates funding based on the academic year to each of the universities, Institutes of Technology, the Colleges of Education and a number of other higher education bodies. The core allocation for the SAF is €9.1 million per annum and increases were secured for this academic year 2023/24, which brought the fund to over €19M and supports circa 14,000 students.

Over the last number of years, due to the cost of living crisis and the Covid pandemic, this Department has secured annual increases in the fund and I will be seeking the same this year through my Departments annual options paper.

In advance of Budget 2025, I will be publishing the annual options paper which will set out various possible measures to address matters pertaining to the cost of education.  This paper will facilitate a public discussion on the various choices available to amend student supports including the Student Assistant Fund. These options will be considered as part of the deliberations around Budget 2025.

Public Sector Pay

Ceisteanna (211)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

211. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of an anomaly with regard to staff employed at a location (details supplied) regarding apprenticeship education; if he accepts that the principle of equal pay and allowances for equal work should apply in respect of all staff doing the same work; if, in the circumstances, he can indicate how this issue might be satisfactorily addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23095/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Apprenticeship delivery staff employed by Education and Training Boards and Technological Universities are public sector staff. The applicable pay rates and general terms and conditions of employment for staff across the public sector are determined by national pay agreements negotiated between Government and the ICTU Public Services Committee. Any changes to terms and conditions can occur only under those processes and any such proposals would need to be considered in detail by the relevant Department, the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, and the relevant unions.

The Public Service Pay Agreement 2024-2026 not only sets out a schedule for additional payments for public servants in the coming years but also details a dispute resolution mechanism and includes a  local bargaining clause that provides for claims or proposals by a grade, group or category. 

The applicable pay scales for public sector staff across the further and higher education sectors can be found:

gov - Revision of Pay for the Higher Education Sector with effect from 1st January 2024 (www.gov.ie)

gov - Revision of Salaries and Allowances of Certain Grades other than Teachers and SNAs employed by ETBs under The Public Service Agreement 2024 - 2026 effective from 01 January 2024 (www.gov.ie)

Public Sector Pay

Ceisteanna (212, 216, 217)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

212. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that subsistence paid to further education and training staff working as external authenticators is subject to tax, that tax does not apply to the same subsistence paid to staff engaged directly by the State Examinations Commission; the reason for the disparity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23143/24]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

216. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there exists a discrepancy in how travel and subsistence payments are taxed for those carrying out examinations as part of FET, as compared with those working for the State Examinations Commission; and if so, to provide a reasoning for these arrangements. [23283/24]

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

217. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of FET examiners currently available to carry out examinations; and to provide a numerical list of available examiners between 2021 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [23284/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

I propose to take Questions Nos. 212, 216 and 217 together.

The role of the External Authenticator in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector is to ensure an independent verification of quality assurance in assessment processes and procedures within the delivery of education programmes.  This is an essential component of the quality assurance mechanisms underpinning the Quality and Qualification Ireland (QQI) awards in the FET Sector, which seeks to ensure fairness, consistency, and validity of assessment and of assessment outcomes.

The Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) National Directory for External Authenticators was launched in 2019 in response to the urgent requirement for a national panel with a centralised database. The table below sets out the number of External Authenticators for QQI awards, excluding craft apprenticeships included in the ETBI National External Authenticator Directory for the period 2021-2023 and to date, 2024. The current iteration of the Directory allows External Authenticators to activate or deactivate themselves from the system as per their availability at any particular time.

Year	No. of External Authenticators on ETBI Directory
Year	No. of External Authenticators on ETBI Directory
2021	714
2022	775
2023	801
2024	868

 

As the Deputies will appreciate any issues pertaining to taxation are a matter for the Department of Finance and the Revenue Commissioners. Section 195C of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 contains a specific tax exemption for travel and subsistence payments paid by the State Examinations Commission to examiners in relation to the State examinations. 

My officials are engaging with the Education and Training Board Ireland, who has contacted the Revenue Commissioners in relation to the taxation of such payments to External Authenticators.  I will advise the Deputies of the outcome of these discussions when complete.  

Grant Payments

Ceisteanna (213)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

213. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 701 of 23 April 2024, to provide further detail in relation to the upcoming roll-out of the SUSI grant pilot scheme for part-time courses; the number of courses that will be eligible for the scheme; which courses or range of courses will be covered; when the scheme will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23147/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

A pilot part time grant scheme will be introduced effective from September 2024.

It will provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This is an important new initiative which will open the doors of higher education to many groups who cannot participate in full time programmes.

The parameters of the scheme are currently being finalised and I will announce the details in due course.

Education and Training Boards

Ceisteanna (214)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

214. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how many instructors are employed by Dublin-Dún Laoghaire Education Training Board to conduct cybersecurity associate level 6 apprenticeship training in the years of 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [23242/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

The cybersecurity associate level 6 apprenticeship was first offered by Dublin-Dun-Laoghaire Education Training Board (DDLETB) in 2023.

The table below sets out the number instructors employed by DDLETB for this programme in the requested years of 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024.

Cyber Security Associate NFQ Level 6	2022	2023	2024
Programme Title:	n/a	Cyber Security Associate  Apprenticeship Level 6	Cyber Security Associate Apprenticeship Level 6
No. of Tutors:	n/a	2 tutors	5 tutors in total, including 2 replacement tutors

Capital Expenditure Programme

Ceisteanna (215)

Paul Donnelly

Ceist:

215. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the 2023 and 2024 Capital Budget allocation to the Higher Education Authority for works projects under the higher education capacity building process; and the amount and percentage of the 2023 Capital Budget allocation that was actually spent. [23243/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

As the Deputy will be aware, the Higher Education Authority conducted an Expressions of Interest to identify options for substantial expansions across Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine. 

There are significant capital costs involved in progressing these options and it is important the scale of the costs is fully understood and planned for. The options identified have the potential to transform the numbers of students who can take up places in these programmes. This would represent a significant investment of public funding in our higher education institutions.

My Department is engaging with other relevant Departments about the capital costs required for the options presented in the HEA EOI report,  and I am continuing to work with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform on the next steps.

For smaller works to facilitate immediate expansion in key disciplines, approval was granted to the Higher Education Authority on 31st August 2023 in respect of €5.9m to support the creation of the additional healthcare places.

Question No. 216 answered with Question No. 212.

Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 212.

Tidy Towns

Ceisteanna (218)

Cathal Crowe

Ceist:

218. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department will consider delaying adjudication of the Tidy Towns competition until after the removal of election posters, that is one week after the local and European elections, to be held on 7 June 2024. [23148/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Rural and Community Development

The SuperValu TidyTowns competition is a unique volunteer-led programme that makes a hugely positive contribution in communities across Ireland.  

Ahead of the competition launch each year, officials in my Department meet with SuperValu, the main sponsor of the competition, and with our highly skilled and competent panel of adjudicators.  My Department's role is to facilitate the administration of the adjudication process only, but my officials are not actively involved in the formal adjudication of competition entries.

Adjudication of competition entries typically takes place during the months of June and July over an intensive 6 week period. Based on previous years experience, in the region of 900 towns and villages are likely to undergo assessment during this period.

 In the event that the adjudication period coincides with an election, adjudicators are aware that election posters may be displayed in towns and villages entered in the SuperValu TidyTowns competition, within the allowed timeframe specified under the Litter Pollution Act, 1997 as amended.  Where posters are up within the allowed timeframes my Department has advised the panel of adjudicators that it should not impact on any TidyTowns scoring.

I look forward to announcing the results of the 2024 competition later this year.

• Written Answers Nos. 193-204