Written Answers Nos. 1-19
2. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the review on the status of PhD researchers, that is, classification as either students or employees, has not yet been published; the reason there is a delay in it being published; when we can expect it to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23132/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2022, Dr Andrea Johnson and Mr David Cagney were appointed to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This is the first time that State supports for PhD students have been considered holistically in this manner. During their exercise they met with over 35 stakeholder organisations, including an all-day workshop with student groups, and they received over 750 online submissions.
In their reporting, the Co-Chairs were asked to prioritise consideration of a number of issues, including the status of PhD researchers (employee/ student). Their first review report was published in June 2023 in which they recommended an increase toward an optimum stipend level of €25,000, subject to funding availability. Under Budget 2024, funding was secured to increase the competitive PhD stipend awards provided by Science Foundation Ireland and the Irish Research Council from €19,000 to €22,000 per annum, building on the additional funding that was secured under Budget 2023 and demonstrating my Department’s consistent commitment to this issue. My officials continue to engage with the budgetary processes in order to continue our progress on this.
The final report of the Co-Chairs will encompass their examination of the two outstanding elements of their terms of reference: PhD researcher status and issues particularly relevant to under-represented groups. For each of these elements, the Co-Chairs will present their analysis and findings, based on their extensive consultation process and desk review. The report will be published on my Department's web site once I have had the opportunity to consider in full the totality of the Co-Chairs' findings and their independent recommendations.
9. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that PLC graduates looking to progress to a relevant third-level course are included in a lottery for limited places, regardless of grades or previous attempts to enter third level. [23338/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are well established routes from further to higher education, providing opportunities for further education and training learners to continue on with their studies if that is what they wish.
The Higher Education Links Scheme gives learners the opportunity to use their QQI Level 5 or 6 major award to apply, through the CAO, for a place in the first year of a higher education programme. Under this scheme, results in a further education programme are converted to CAO points and applicants compete for entry. In the majority of cases, there is a quota of places reserved for FET applicants, who compete with each other for these places rather than against school leavers. This is the approach used by FET nursing programmes
A particular issue arises on these nursing programmes as the number of applications far outstrips the number of places available. It is important that students entering courses understand what their opportunities are on conclusion of a course, so it is vital that Further Education providers clearly explain how entry to higher education works to students who are considering these programmes.
Recognising these challenges, my Department has been working to create a more unified tertiary system.
In September 2023, the first intake of students on tertiary programmes began their studies. On tertiary programmes, learners begin their studies in a further education college, and subject to meeting required academic standards, have guaranteed progression to complete their degree in a higher education institution. ATU offer a tertiary programme in Nursing with 20 places available in each of the ATU’s campuses at ATU Donegal, St Angela’s in Sligo and ATU in Mayo.
From September 2024 MTU, in collaboration with Cork ETB and Kerry ETB will also offer tertiary programmes in Nursing with General Nursing and Mental Health Nursing options.
10. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the funding allocation to date and timeframe for the development of Cavan Institute as a hub for further education and training. [22976/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that over the course of 2023, Cavan Monaghan ETB (CMETB) was supported by SOLAS in developing its' 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 Cavan town proposal is one of twelve FET College of the Future major projects that submitted business case proposals to SOLAS in January of this year. CMETB has undertaken significant work in developing its' proposal which outlines its' infrastructural requirements for FET provision in its' region.
In late April and early May of this year, meetings were held between SOLAS and DFHERIS officials and representatives from each of the twelve ETBs to further develop and refine proposals. Discussions at these meetings centred around ensuring that proposals are aligned with national and regional policies, are affordable and provide value for money. SOLAS will be in contact with all twelve ETBS shortly including CMETB to provide feedback from these discussions. This feedback will allow ETBs to update their business cases, to bring a clearer focus on proposals, to achieve the development of required priority infrastructure, that meet the needs of their current and future FET learners.
Once business cases are updated, they will be evaluated 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 Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy Stage.
11. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is putting in place to alleviate the student accommodation crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23173/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe challenge facing students in accessing appropriate student accommodation is an issue which Government and I are actively addressing under Housing for All.
I am progressing a new policy to provide State assistance to stimulate the development of new student accommodation.
Last month the Taoiseach and I announced the investment of €100m in additional National Development Plan funding under a short term activation initiative for delivery of over 1,000 additional student beds with the University sector, which had been stalled due to cost viability, . This allocation will activate Phase 1 of UCD’s project for delivery of 493 beds in addition to Maynooth University’s 116 bed project to construction and DCU’s 405 bed project through tender stage.
The long term student accommodation policy was approved by Government in January. This includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, and promoting efficient use of existing housing stock while supporting balanced regional development.
My officials and the HEA are working intensively on options proposals from the TU sector. This process includes engagement with local authorities on potential refurbishment projects and new build proposals. An initial assessment report is expected from the HEA by end May, outlining the next phase of the proposal development.
The government has also extended measures under the Rent a room scheme to increase supply for students, including an income disregard for SUSI and medical card eligibility and expansion for local authority tenants to participate in the scheme for students.
Since its establishment in April 2022, just over €32 million has been dispersed to ATU for various projects including the Devolved Capital Grant. In addition under TU Landscape and Development Fund, ATU has been allocated a total of €31.4m. Under the European Regional Development Fund a further €19.6m has been allocated to ATU as part of the TU Rise Programme to 2027.
12. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement his Department has had with the Higher Education Authority regarding financial deficits at universities in Ireland; his views on whether there should be greater transparency between the Higher Education Authority and other third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19706/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher education institutions are autonomous bodies and the primary responsibility for the management of an institution rests with the Governing Body. Under the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 the statutory responsibilities of Governing Bodies includes management of the financial affairs of institutions to secure value for money and financial viability.
The Higher Education Authority's statutory functions under this Act include the responsibility to support the effective governance of designated institutions of higher education by overseeing and ensuring compliance and accountability with respect to appropriate governance frameworks.
In this context, the HEA is actively engaging with those higher education institutions that have incurred financial deficits and where appropriate, has invoked provisions in the 2022 Act which require an institution to provide a report to the HEA.
Following receipt of a report, the HEA can determine that no further action is necessary, that remedial measures are required or that an independent review should be undertaken.
In such circumstances, it is important that time and space is afforded to allow the relevant institution to review the issue and put in place any appropriate arrangements to address the matter and to mitigate against similar issues arising in the future. The priority always is to seek to avoid impacts on staff and learners in the relevant institution.
My Department also has ongoing engagement with the HEA on all matters pertaining to the funding and governance oversight of the sector, including in situations where financial deficits or projected financial deficits arise.
15. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total available student accommodation in or adjacent to schools or colleges; to detail the projected student accommodation shortfall for the coming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22904/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise that the total level of Purpose Built Student Accommodation stock stands at over 48,000 with publicly owned or operated student accommodation beds accounting for 15,519 and the remainder being privately owned and operated.
Current supply figures indicate that 14,599 purpose built student beds have been built since 2017. Of these, an additional 1,021 publicly funded beds were completed in 2023, 674 in UG, 80 in UL, 9 in TCD, 3 in MIC and 255 in UCC. In addition, 459 private beds were completed.
Work is underway on site on an additional 1,974 bed spaces while planning permission has been obtained for a further 11,102 beds. It should be noted that this number could include projects where planning was granted but the project never progressed further than that or may be on hold. Planning applications in respect of a further 2,016 beds have been sought.
A long term student accommodation policy was approved by Government in January to activate supply of student accommodation through state support. This includes measures for increasing supply of student accommodation, reducing cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, and promoting efficient use of existing housing stock while supporting balanced regional development.
There is no data currently available on the expected shortfall of beds for the upcoming academic year. For the 2023/2024 academic year there were on average, across the HEIs, three applications per on-campus bed. As of 30th April, the Higher Education Institutions have indicated there are approximately 2,178 beds available in digs accommodation nationally.
