Written Answers Nos. 811-828
811. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied) concerning the recent public sector pay deal as it relates to the health sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29967/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to acknowledge the very important part that Clinical Nurse and Midwife Specialists (CNS/CMS) play in our health sector. They have a key role in the effective coordination of care for patients in our Health Service. My Department is committed to the continued and ongoing development and support of the CNS and CMS roles going forward.
Recent increases applied to the Clinical Nurse/ Midwife Manager 2 (CNM2/CMM2) scale were a result of the implementation of recommendation 45 of the Expert Review Body (ERB) on Nursing and Midwifery. I understand that there are calls for the CNS/CMS grades to now also be included in the implementation of recommendation 45 of the ERB. While I understand that the salary of the CNS/CMS role has historically been aligned with the CNM 2/CMM 2 role, the terms of reference for the ERB did not incorporate the CNS/CMS for pay related considerations.
I can advise that my officials are engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure on this matter.
812. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he would consider contracting a private speech and language therapist to address the backlog at the HSE in Springfield, Mullingar; and his plans to address this concern. [29974/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra813. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he would consider carrying out an advertisement campaign across local papers promoting day care services that are available for older people within the paper circulation area. [29975/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
814. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Health if he intends to implement the hereditary cancer model of care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29979/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with Recommendation 6 of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 and to support the implementation of Recommendation 19 of the Strategy, a Model of Care for Hereditary Cancer was launched in 2023. The model of care will inform the development of services for the identification and management of people with an inherited cancer predisposition.
The Government’s commitment to implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is evidenced by significant investment in recent years. As Minister for Health, I have supported the National Cancer Strategy with substantial funding of €50m for cancer treatment and screening services. This funding has facilitated work in the area of hereditary cancer genetics, including:
• Recruitment of staff to cancer genetics services.
• Development of GP referral guidelines for breast family history.
• Completion of a needs assessment for those with a BRCA gene alteration.
• Development of online training for health care professionals delivering mainstreamed BRCA testing, i.e. genetic testing embedded in oncology services.
• Recommendations on universal tumour testing in certain types of cancer for possible Lynch Syndrome, an inherited condition which causes people to have a higher risk of developing certain colorectal cancers.
The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) has established an Advisory Group for Hereditary Cancer which is working to develop a framework model of care for hereditary cancer services, incorporating the identification of those with an inherited cancer predisposition and their ongoing management.
The NCCP's ongoing work in implementing the National Cancer Strategy with strong policy oversight from my Department has led to improved survival rates for patients, and the new Hereditary Cancer Model of Care will help to ensure that more cancers are caught early or before they develop, leading to better patient outcomes.
815. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health to provide the number and detail of the public helplines operated by his Department; whether calls are recorded on each helpline; and if not, whether he would consider recording calls for transparency and training purposes. [29996/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health operates a customer service phoneline. The contact number is 01 635 4000. Calls to the customer service phoneline are not recorded and there are currently no plans to change this.
816. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on a SUSI application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29976/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn official from my Department has advised that the student outlined by the Deputy was refused grant assistance by SUSI in the 2023/2024 academic year due to income over the limit based on their 2022 household income calculation, which included holiday earnings and pension contribution deductions.
The applicant submitted an internal review stating that illness benefit included in the 2022 income calculation was received in 2021 and provided documentary evidence of same. On review, SUSI removed the illness benefit from the 2022 household income. However, the total household income remained above the threshold limit of €55,240 for postgraduate studies for the 2023/2024 academic year.
On 4th July 2024, SUSI Oireachtas Helpdesk responded to a query from the Deputy’s office regarding the amount of holiday earnings that had been deducted for this applicant. SUSI advised that if the applicant can provide dated payslips for September and Christmas 2022, they may be able to increase the amount of holiday earnings previously deducted.
817. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to explain and address the pay discrepancy between personal assistants working in further education and funded by either the HEA or Solas (details supplied). [29163/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are differing arrangements in place with regard to personal assistants within higher education institutions (HEI's). These arrangements reflect the differing needs profiles of students within HEIs, with some directly employing personal assistants and others utilising third party providers. As autonomous institutions, HEIs are afforded the flexibility to identify the most appropriate arrangements to best support the identified needs of students. A standard rate of pay for personal assistants is not applicable to the diversity of arrangements in the higher education sector.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) for HEI's is managed by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on behalf my Department. A single allocation of FSD funding is provided to HEIs each year, and 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 include assistive technology equipment and software, academic/learning support, and personal assistants.
818. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has ever used artificial intelligence, such as ChatGPT, in drafting Dáil speeches or responses to Parliamentary Questions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29280/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and its officials do not use ChatGPT or any other form of AI to generate official text for Dáil speeches or PQs.
819. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of laptops or mobile phones owned by his Department that have been lost or stolen in each of the past ten years. [29298/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into effect on 25 May 2018 and any personal data breaches, including loss or stolen laptops and mobile phones, since its introduction are dealt with under the regulation and the Data Protection Act 2018.
The Department is committed to the highest level of data protection for the personal data which it processes and takes its compliance with data protection obligations very seriously.
Departmental laptops are encrypted, and multifactor authentication has been deployed to protect user accounts from compromise. In addition to this the user’s password is reset as a security measure after a device loss incident.
Departmental phones are encrypted natively and are managed by a mobile device management system (MDM). The MDM system enables the device and the data therein to be controlled and secured. When a phone is reported lost or stolen a remote wipe command is issued to the phone to ensure that any sensitive data stored on the devices is securely erased in order to protect the data and prevent potential data breaches.
The table below outlines the number of lost or stolen mobile phones in my Department since its establishment in 2020.
|
Year |
Lost/Stolen mobile phones or laptops |
|
August 2020 to 31st December 2020 |
0 |
|
2021 |
0 |
|
2022 |
0 |
|
2023 |
0 |
|
1st Jan 2024 to 3rd July 2024 |
1 |
820. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 25 June 2024, when the details will be published; whether this pilot scheme will only apply to a select number of courses-institutions; and if he could confirm what these will be. [29380/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe parameters of a pilot part-time grant scheme are currently being finalised and I will announce the details in due course.
821. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify if an application for the 1916 bursary grant was received for the academic year 2023-2024 for a person (details supplied), and if so, what was the result of this application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29536/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HEA devolves responsibility for the application, selection, and award processes for the 1916 Bursary Fund to the regional clusters of Higher Education Institutions.
The Cluster to which the person the Deputy refers to has confirmed that the application was received but unfortunately was not successful on the grounds of financial income criteria. The outcome of this was conveyed to the person by letter in March 2024 with details of they could appeal the decision.
No appeal was submitted within the timeframe allowed.
822. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in skills and apprenticeships since 27 June 2020; the new initiatives undertaken; the additional funding provided for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29604/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its establishment in 2020, my Department has focused on responding to the skills needs of today and the future.
My Department’s work in collaboration with the OECD on Ireland’s Skills Strategy, published in May 2023, highlighted the need to have a diversified supply of skills in Ireland to respond to the changing world of work and challenges posed by the onset of automation, AI, climate change and demographic change.
Apprenticeship
My Department published the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 and the Public Service Apprentice Plan which seeks to significantly increase the footprint of apprenticeship within both the public service and the private sector, while ensuring that apprenticeships are open and accessible, seen as a viable and exciting career path, and delivering current and future skills need for an economy facing demographic change and the twin green and digital transitions.
€67 million was invested in apprenticeship delivery in Budget 2024, making the total allocation in 2024 €298 million, up from €163 million in 2021.
The number of national apprenticeship programmes continues to grow. In 2019, there were 53 national apprenticeship programmes. There are now 75 apprenticeship programmes available at NFQ Levels 5-10.
A dedicated National Apprenticeship Office was established in 2022, tasked with the implementation of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship.
The National Apprenticeship Office promotes apprenticeship directly to school leavers, schools and guidance counsellors through events and through social media, in conjunction with this Department’s Careers in Construction Action Plan, which was published in August 2023.
The National Apprenticeship Alliance established the Access & Inclusion Sub-Committee in January 2023. Financial supports have been put in place to increase access for targeted groups such as those from a socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, Travellers and Roma, and to increase gender balance.
In 2022, the Government announced a gender-based bursary for employers. The bursary, worth €2,666, is available to employers who employ apprentices in the minority gender on any national apprenticeship programme with greater than 80% representation of a single gender. Women now make up 8% of the apprentice population, compared to 4% in 2019.
Construction and Green Skills
Construction and green skills are a priority area for my department. In 2023, work began, through the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs, on an analysis of the skills for Modern Methods of Construction, to inform skills provision in 2024 onwards.
My Department continued to expand retrofit training through the programmes offered by the network of Nearly Zero Energy Building/Retrofit Centres of Excellence, with record numbers of students enrolling in 2023.
Skills training in the area of Nearly Zero Energy Buildings and Retrofit is continuing to be expanded in 2024.
In 2024, my Department is working with partners through the cross-government Offshore Wind Energy Programme to support the skills and workforce required for the development of offshore wind. This includes the completion of a detailed skills analysis report, the expansion of the Expert Advisory Group on Offshore Wind Skills and Workforce Requirements and the development of new training courses.
My Department is leading the development of skills for electro-mobility through the establishment of a Project Office for a new National e-Mobility Capability Centre and the creation of an industry aligned e-mobility advisory committee.
My Department also supports substantial provision of lifelong learning opportunities across the Tertiary system in Ireland, for example, through initiatives such as Springboard+, the Human Capital Initiative, Skills to Advance and the work of Skillnet Ireland. Further detail on these can be provided to the Deputy upon request.
Future-proofing Ireland’s capabilities is reliant on sustained investment in our skills ecosystem, and my priority is to invest in skills development to address current and future skills needs, including through Apprenticeship.
823. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in further education since 27 June 2020; the new initiatives undertaken; the additional funding provided for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29605/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are engaging with SOLAS in relation to the information sought by the Deputy and a reply will issue to the Deputy.
824. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in the research and innovation sectors since 27 June 2020; the new initiatives undertaken; the additional funding provided for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29606/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 1 January 2021, responsibility for Ireland's research and innovation (R&I) policy transferred from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to my Department. Following extensive stakeholder consultation, former Minister, An Taoiseach Simon Harris, launched Impact 2030 Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy on 18 May 2022. Impact 2030 is a Whole-of-Government Strategy and I have provided an electronic version to the deputy.
Impact 2030 is being delivered through three three-year work programmes; the first multi-annual work programme (covering the period 2022 to 2024) was published as part of Impact 2030 and the next work programme is currently in development. The work programme clearly reflects that delivery of Impact 2030 is a collective effort by a range of Government Departments and their Agencies, each of which is responsible for advancing the R&I agenda in the sectors under their remits. My Department plays a central system role, driving implementation of Impact 2030 by bringing together research funding and performing Departments and State Agencies to ensure a cohesive, Whole-of-Government approach.
My Department also funds R&I through three of its Agencies: both the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland are competitive research funders while allocations to the higher education institutions via the Higher Education Authority underpin Ireland’s R&I system. In 2022, my Department was responsible for the majority (53%) of Government investment in research and development (R&D), with an allocation of €0.51 billion.
Annual Impact 2030 Progress Reports are also being published that assess the extent to which each multiannual work programme was delivered in the preceding year, thereby providing ongoing oversight of how Ireland’s research-funding Departments and Agencies are working together to implement Impact 2030. My Department published the first annual Impact 2030 Progress Report on 12 July 2023. I have provided an electronic version to the deputy. The first annual Impact 2030 Progress Report shows how Impact 2030 puts R&I at the heart of Ireland’s response to social, economic and environmental challenges and seeks to advance the strategic development of Ireland’s R&I system between now and 2030. The Progress Report shows that, at 31 December 2022, the vast majority of work programme actions were either underway or completed, with a small number not yet scheduled to commence. In addition, the Progress Report also shows that, by 31 May 2023, 29 of Impact 2030 ’s 30 Flagship Initiatives had been well progressed or delivered, with one remaining Flagship Initiative not yet due to start. The Progress Report also includes specific examples of projects that are making a real difference as well as details of new R&I initiatives and associated funding.
My officials are working with research funding and performing Departments and State Agencies to prepare the second annual Impact 2030 Progress Report. Once finalised, this report will be sent to me for approval and I will inform my Cabinet colleagues of my intention to publish the report. It is my intention that each annual Progress Report will be published as soon as possible after it is noted by the Government.
825. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an application for a SUSI grant can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29651/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn official from my Department has advised that the student outlined by the Deputy was awarded the 50% Student Contribution rate of grant by SUSI for the 2024/2025 academic year, based on their 2023 total household income calculation. The difference between the applicant’s award, and that of their brother is as a result of the applicant’s income from employment for 2023.
The applicant did not declare on their application to SUSI that they had experienced a reduction in their income. However, the applicant may request a review of their application based on a reduction of income. They can do this by emailing the SUSI Support Desk at support@susi.ie with the subject line ‘Internal Review Request’ and outlining the details of the reduction in income in the body of the email.
826. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of contracts his Department had with an organisation (details supplied) in the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the nature of services this company provided to his Department in the years in question; and the amount his Department paid this company for the services in each of the years in question, in tabular form. [29687/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe company referred to provides food and catering services. I can confirm to the deputy that my department has used this company for such services on over 40 occasions in the period queried, the years of 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024. The associated cost of these services has been:
• 2022: € 3,422.08
• 2023: € 12,256.04
• 2024: € 5,323.59
827. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on new contracts being effective for September 2024 for Education and Training Board tutors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29799/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a proposal issued to staff representatives last year to establish a new grade of adult educator, with a standardised pay scale aligned with the Youthreach Resource Person scale. A number of issues arose in subsequent negotiations with staff representatives on the implementation of the proposal. These issues have since been resolved and agreement reached on a revised offer to tutors employed by Education and Training Boards in Adult, Community and Further Education settings.
Existing adult education tutors have the option of moving to the new incremental pay scale with effect from 1st April 2023 or remaining on their current terms and conditions. Assimilation to the adult educator scale will be based on the tutors’ current rates of pay and their full-time equivalence will be based on their current contracted hours. The contractual obligations of adult educators will be to deliver 1,044 contact hours and an associated 782 non-contact hours, equating to 1,826 hours for a whole time post.
Tutors on fixed term contracts will be issued with adult educator contracts on renewal of their contracts and all newly hired adult educators will be appointed to the new grade and commence on the first point of the scale.
The Education and Training Boards were notified of the implementation arrangements in April and they are currently overseeing the process of offering the choice to existing tutors with a view to new contracts being in place in the next academic year.
828. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans on expanding on the current training centres nationwide to provide the in-class training modules under apprenticeship programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29800/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy department is continuing to oversee the implementation of a plan put in place by the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) to significantly expand apprenticeship capacity at training centres nationwide.Substantial resources have been invested in the apprenticeship system via Budget 2024 and capital investment in 2023 to;• support staff,• expand apprenticeship provision in current facilities,• help develop new facilities, and• purchase required equipment.
As part of the NAO’s plan to expand apprenticeship capacity, a recruitment campaign to engage craft instructors was launched by SOLAS and the NAO in November 2023. This involves national advertising and recruiting the aim of which is to support delivery and increase Phase 2 capacity in Further Education.
The National Apprenticeship Office allocated €149,000 to a recruitment advertising budget.
To date, 134 instructor posts have been sanctioned by the Department and 61 posts have been filled. Additionally, 80+ instructor posts were converted from fixed term to permanent.
At present, 18 posts are in progress/advertised or going through the selection process.
Further posts will be advertised as capital projects come on stream across the rest of 2024 and into Quarter 1 2025.
Since the implementation of the plan, the number of Craft Apprentices waiting over 6 months or longer for their Phase 2 off-the-job training has decreased from 5,319 in October 2023 to 2827 in June 2024. The capacity of Education and Training Boards to deliver apprenticeship places has grown from 5,600 places in December 2023 to over 7,500 in June 2024.
As I mentioned, there has been considerable investment in the apprenticeship system. During Estimates 2024, €67 million was allocated to grow the system. To tackle the apprenticeship backlog, Regarding capital funding, in the immediate pandemic period, €12 million was allocated to support additional classes and teaching capacity to ameliorate Covid-19 measures, and €6 million was invested to provide additional instructor posts.Further sums of €20 million (in 2021), €17.2 million (in 2022) and €17 million (in 2023) in capital expenditure were allocated to SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority to facilitate additional Craft Apprenticeship places across the system, and a targeted response to the craft backlog.
To end of April 2024, €648,000 has been spent, with further expenditure on workshops/equipment in the pipeline.
It remains my priority to maintain this momentum, to continue growing the apprenticeship system, and ensure that there are enough training places for current and future skills needs.
