Written Answers Nos. 1305-1325
1305. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details regarding rates of pay or training allowances for apprentices from SOLAS (details supplied); if he is aware of an issue regarding proposed pay increases which have not been delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44212/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes including for the motor mechanic programme, the sectoral gross wage norms are either agreed within the relevant sector through collective bargaining agreements, or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders recommended by the Labour Court.
Periods of off-the-job training are funded from the National Training Fund with payments made directly to craft apprentices by the education and training boards. Training allowances for apprentices are calculated with reference to gross-wage norms payable in industry for the different trade sectors.
The State Allowance for motor mechanic apprentices is currently under review by my Department and SOLAS and I hope to have further information shortly.
1306. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a SUSI appeal will be granted for a student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44290/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
An official from my Department has advised that the student outlined by the Deputy was issued a letter by SUSI on 25 October 2024 requesting additional documentation. On receipt of the requested document, the application will be reviewed and finalised. SUSI will contact the student directly by post with the final decision on their application.
1307. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of civil servants, by grade, in his Department who were on a career break in 2023 and 2024; the number of those who in 2023 and 2024 who were on a career break of five years or more; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44304/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of staff from my Department who were on a career break in 2023 and 2024, is set out in the below table.
2023
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
Administrative Officer |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
0.5 |
2024
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
|
HIgher Executive Officer |
1 |
|
Administrative Officer |
2 |
|
Executive Officer |
0.5 |
Note: Some staff who were on a career break in 2023 were still on career break in 2024 and are therefore included under both years.
Please note that the data is representative of staff FTE (full time equivalent hours).
As my Department was established in August 2020, there are no staff members on a career break of more than five years and more than six years, at the end of August 2023 and August 2024.
1308. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if higher education grants have been awarded to post-graduate students who were in receipt of a stipend or bursary that included the payment of fees to the relevant third level institution on behalf of the student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44328/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from my Department will contact the Deputy for further information in respect of the question posed and will revert to the Deputy directly upon receipt of this further information.
1309. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on a SUSI application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44331/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the centralised student grant awarding authority SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) to determine.
An official from my Department has advised that the student outlined by the Deputy was awarded the €500 student contribution grant by the awarding authority, SUSI, for the 2024/2025 academic year.
SUSI received further supporting documents from the student on 23 October 2024 and their application is currently being reviewed. The student will be notified of the outcome of the review in due course.
1310. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that the additional supports announced in Budget 2025 for students in further and higher education will be made available to students from this State studying outside our jurisdiction, taking into account the substantial additional costs for students who have to travel to Northern Ireland or abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44345/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible 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.
In relation to supports available for students studying abroad, the Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses in other EU Member States. In general, an approved undergraduate course in this context is defined as a full-time undergraduate course of not less than two years duration pursued in a university or third level institution, which is maintained or assisted by recurrent grants from public funds in another EU Member State or the UK.
The student grant scheme does not extend to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State, other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland. The Scheme also does not extend to PLC courses pursued outside of the State or postgraduate study pursued outside of Ireland.
Students who study outside our jurisdiction and remain eligible for support under the above criteria will benefit from the following additional supports announced in Budget 2025, such as:
• Increase Special Rate of Maintenance Threshold from €26,200 to €27,400 in line with Social Welfare increases.
• Increase all other Maintenance and Student Contribution Grant Thresholds by 15%
• Increase the Postgraduate Fee Contribution threshold to match the new 100% Student Contribution threshold.
Eligible students will also benefit from the once off increase to the Postgraduate Fee contribution Grant from €4,000 to €5,000 for the current academic year.
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 including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax office or from the Revenue Commissioners website www.revenue.ie.
1311. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that the provisions of the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform Circular 4/2013 are being properly implemented by his Department; if he is satisfied that civil servants whose career breaks are coming to an end are being notified of appropriate vacancies; if he is concerned by instances where civil servants are having their career breaks extended unnecessarily where the Department has appropriate vacancies to fill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44377/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department, in line with other government departments, requires Civil Servants to comply with Sections 31-34 of the Circular 4/2013, when returning from a Career Break. In particular, Section 31, which states that ‘in order to secure an offer of work, the civil servant must indicate at least two months before the end of his/her career break that s/he wishes to return to work. However, it may not be possible to facilitate the return to work of a civil servant on career break in relevant grade for up to 12 months after the end date of the career break.’ Once the employer receives the notification, they are then obliged to inform the civil servant of any vacancies appropriate to their grade.
Since the establishment of the Department in 2020, I understand that there has not been any incidences when an officer has returned from a career and has not been assigned to a suitable role. To date, there has not been any situation when a career break has been extended unnecessarily where the Department has appropriate vacancies to fill.
1312. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with the OPW in respect of the delivery of a children’s science museum in view of the fact that his Department is the record holder of files associated with the project; if he will provide copies of the files and records referenced (details supplied); and if he has or will be funding the delivery of this project. [44420/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its establishment in 2021, my Department has had no role in this matter.
My Department has not provided funding for the development of a children’s science museum and does not have resources assigned to support it. Neither has my Department engaged with the OPW in respect of the project.
Officials of my Department have reviewed the paper and electronic files available to them and to date have not identified a record of the kind referenced by the Deputy. I have directed my officials to continue to review this matter and to update the Deputy should relevant information be identified.
1313. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to review a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44484/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that Budget 2024 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost-of-living. These cost-of-living measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee payable by higher education students that are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative (FFI).
Under the Free Fees Initiative (FFI) the State provides funding, exclusive of the student contribution, toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students who are pursuing approved full-time undergraduate courses of study in an approved higher education institution in the State. The student contribution applies in circumstances where a student is eligible for free fees only, it is the student’s contribution towards their tuition fee within the terms of the FFI.
Courses provided outside of the State are not approved courses under the FFI and the student contribution arrangements do not apply. Therefore, it is not possible for students undertaking study outside of the State to benefit from the measure under reference.
Students studying outside the State, like the student in question, may however be eligible for support under the SUSI grant scheme. Some of the recent SUSI changes announced in Budget 2025 may benefit the student in question.
1314. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 838 to 841 of 18 September 2024, where he stated that ‘to be eligible to apply for competitive research funding from national funding agencies, higher education institutions must comply with timelines set out by the HEA for engagement with the Athena Swan Ireland charter’, if he will confirm that Athena Swan Ireland Charter principles are not mandatory intellectual instructions that institutes and the academics within them are compelled to affirm; if he will further confirm that academics who employ intellectual perspectives that diverge from, or contest the Athena Swan Ireland Charter principles, will not be disadvantaged, or subject to less favourable treatment in applications for research funding, career progression or any other academic activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44542/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI want to thank the Deputy for the question.
Academic freedom is enshrined in law in the Universities Act and the Technological Universities Act. and the Act states that "a member of the academic staff of a [university or technological university] shall have the freedom, within the law, in his or her teaching, research and any other activities either in or outside the university, to question and test received wisdom, to put forward new ideas and to state controversial or unpopular opinions and shall not be disadvantaged, or subject to less favourable treatment by the university, for the exercise of that freedom."
Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Act, 2014 requires all public bodies in Ireland to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by their policies and plans.
In order to fulfil their legal obligations, public bodies must assess, address and report on the human rights and equality issues it believes are relevant to its function, and describe how it plans to address these issues in its strategic plan. This is an obligation that universities are required to be spaces where differences are welcome and respected. The Athena Swan Ireland principles align with these requirements. Institutions, rather than individuals, sign up to these principles. The timelines set out by the HEA for HEI engagement with the Athena Swan Ireland charter relate to institutional eligibility for national research funding.
The employees of higher education institutions are protected by the provisions of employment law, including but not limited to, the provisions contained in the Employment Equality Acts and Equal Status Acts and, as employers of such academic staff, relevant HEIs are also bound by the same provision in their capacity as employers of academic staff.
As the body with oversight of the higher education sector, the HEA has an obligation to protect academic freedom, and the Higher Education Authority Act, 2022 (“HEAA 2022”) includes objects to both:
• advance equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion in higher education; and
• to respect the academic freedom of higher education providers and academic staff in those providers and the HEA is committed to all of its objectives. Additionally, every HEI has a responsibility, and a statutory duty under relevant sectoral legislation including:
• the National College of Art and Design Act, 1971
• the Regional Technical Colleges Acts, 1992 –2006
• the Universities Act, 1997; and
• the Technological Universities Act, 2018 all as amended by the HEAA 2022 to act in a way that promotes academic freedom.
The HEA Act also outlines the statutory duty of HEIs to promote equality. The Universities Act 1997 and Technological Universities Act 2018 each include an object to promote gender balance and equality of opportunity among students and employees of the university.
The Athena Swan Ireland Charter is a policy initiative that sits under this legislation and the Charter is cognisant of national policy in this area. Consequently, the current Athena Swan Ireland principles are the result of extensive consultation with the Irish HE sector, and as with all such work the HEA keeps them under review.
It is noted in the Athena Swan Ireland charter materials that “the Athena Swan Ireland framework is meant to be flexible and adaptable rather than directive. This approach to equality ensures that diversity, and different individuals, ideas and perspectives are valued, and complements fundamental commitments to academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Engaging with the charter and its principles can help promote the voices of all, including those who may have previously lacked the opportunity to engage.”
1315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate whether there is a planned funding mechanism to replace the current HCI Pillar 1 / Springboard + initiative beyond its current lifetime; when such a mechanism may come online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44551/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Human Capital Initiative (or HCI) was established in 2019/20 as a ringfenced initiative for €300 million in additional funding from the National Training Fund for a period of 5 years. It is due to conclude, as planned, with the current academic year 2024/25.
The initiative has been successful in its objectives to increase capacity in areas of key skills need and has driven innovation and agility in our higher education institutions. The Higher Education Authority and the Department are working with the sector to examine the integration of key innovations made under HCI Pillar 3 in participating institutions.
For Springboard+, funding will continue as usual under its existing structure. It is planned that a call will go out in the coming months for proposals for Springboard+ 2025. This will identify the skills areas and courses to be included in the programme.
1316. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €1,000 reduction in university fees will apply to students studying their second degree; what financial supports are available to students in this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44555/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2024 contains a package of measures to support households with the cost of living. These cost-of-living measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students who are eligible for Free Fees.
Under the progression criteria of the Free Fees scheme, it is not possible for a student to avail of free fees where they are pursuing a second undergraduate course or where a student already holds a postgraduate qualification.
Students experiencing exceptional financial need, may be eligible to apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) which has been supplemented by a further €10m under the Government’s cost of education supports in Budget 2025. Applications for support can be made in confidence to the Access Office in the higher education institution attended. This Fund can be used to meet costs such as childcare, rent, transport costs, books/class materials etc.
1317. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the progress of the joint application by ATU Mayo and Mayo County Council, made in October 2022, for the provision of student accommodation at the old military barracks site in Castlebar; to provide an update on any other student accommodation availability in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44652/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2022, funding was approved to assist the Technological Universities in developing a student accommodation programme based on a regional needs and feasibility assessment. The Higher Education Authority appointed consultants to oversee and assess the levels of supply and demand for student accommodation across our public higher education institutions.
The objective of the feasibility study is to establish an accurate “as is” account of available student accommodation supply; project future supply and demand for accommodation; and to ascertain what opportunities are available to meet the future demand for student accommodation.
Initial submissions from the TU Sector to increase supply of student accommodation, including those submitted by ATU Mayo, in respect of the military barracks in Castlebar are currently being reviewed and progressed by the Higher Education Authority with final business cases due to the Department in Q2, 2025.
Timelines are contingent on all parties involved being in a position to resource and deliver work packages in an efficient and expedient manner.
ATU Mayo facilitates approx. 1,000 students. Since 2017, there have been no private or publicly funded purpose built student accommodation beds completed in Mayo. At present, there are no planning applications granted or awaiting decision for purpose built student accommodation in Mayo.
As of the 30th of October 2024, approximately 30 'digs' beds within the Castlebar area are listed by ATU Mayo's Student Union as being available to rent.
1318. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to support apprenticeships and vocational training in Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44695/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraApprenticeships are national programmes, and while apprentices are registered at the Educational Training Board in the region in which their employer is based their off-the-job training may be carried out elsewhere, depending on the training options available in each ETB.
In Kildare, employers and learners are served by the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB). This ETB has taken proactive steps to expand apprenticeship and vocational training programmes that meet both student needs and local industry demands.
KWETB has established partnerships with regional employers to provide hands-on apprenticeship opportunities in high-demand sectors. Programmes available include hairdressing, commis chef, farriery, software development and cybersecurity. Currently, KWETB has 465 employers in north and south Kildare who have 1,402 apprentices going through the various phases of the apprenticeship in crafts.
Furthermore, KWETB has expanded its range of pre-apprenticeship and foundation courses, supporting learners at all stages, including those returning to education or upskilling. These programmes encompass NFQ levels five and six as well as industry-led courses in the maintenance skills technology space incorporating automation, Programme Logic Controllers and electronics including certifications from City & Guilds, Microsoft, Pitman, Srum, Sage, and Big Red Cloud, catering to diverse industry standards across north and south Kildare.
In 2023, KWETB saw 4,668 enrolments in training programmes across areas such as business and administration, engineering and manufacturing, health and welfare, ICT and services. This marks a 10% increase from 2022. 3,196 learners completed their vocational courses in 2023, reflecting a 9% year-on-year growth. Enrolments continue to rise in 2024, with 3,646 students enrolled to date and 2,223 completions by the end of September.
Training is offered through KWETB across multiple locations in Kildare, including Athy, Celbridge, Kilcock, Kildare Town, Maynooth, Naas, Newbridge, and online. This ensures accessible, high-quality pathways for employment, apprenticeships and further education progression – underlining KWETB’s commitment to meet the evolving needs of learners and industry in Kildare.
This Government is committed to building a robust pipeline of skilled talent across the country, aligned with national strategies for education and workforce development.
1319. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students enrolled in level 5 pre-nursing courses in the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years, in tabular form. [44839/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSOLAS has advised my officials that the numbers of students enrolling in Level 5 pre-nursing PLC courses were 1,347 in 2023/24 and 1,046 in 2024/25.
In addition, data for students enrolled on tertiary programmes for nursing outside of the CAO system is included in the table below. Starting their programme in further education, learners will progress seamlessly to guaranteed places to complete a fully accredited degree in higher education, as long as the learner reaches a required academic standard.
|
|
2023/24 |
2024/25 |
|
Pre-Nursing Level 5 |
1,347 |
1,046 |
|
Tertiary Degrees |
58 |
71 |
|
|
|
|
1320. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of mobile phones issued to staff in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the total costs expended by his Department on handsets and phones bills over the same timeframe. [44862/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAttached for the Deputy's information is a table detailing my Department's total expenditure on mobile phones services for departmental staff in 2024.
Prior to January 2024, mobile services contracts and expenditure for DFHERIS officials were managed and met by the Department of Education on a shared services basis under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Responsibility for the provision of mobile phones to my Department's officials and the payments to relevant service providers transferred to my Department and came into effect on 1 January 2024 following an agreed transfer of certain functions under the MoU between both Departments.
Expenditure on purchasing hardware is currently managed by the Department of Education along with device security and user licensing. Details of related mobile phone services expenditure, prior to 2024 and relating to officials of both Departments is available from the Minister for Education.
The figures provided reflect the total value of invoices received and paid by the DFHERIS since 2024. The figures include usage which was incurred in December 2023 and fell due to payment in 2024 and the latest bill received from Vodafone and Three for October 2024 usage which will be paid in the coming days.
|
Provider |
Hardware |
Paid in 2024 |
No. Users |
|
Vodafone |
€0.00 |
€20,635.68 |
27 |
|
Three |
€0.00 |
€34,669.71 |
245 |
|
Total |
€0.00 |
€55,305.39 |
272 |
1321. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when issues will be resolved in relation to contracts for education providers (details supplied); if he will ensure an early resolution of the outstanding issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44872/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, a new grade of Adult Educator with a standardised incremental pay-scale, aligned to the Youthreach Resource Personnel Scale, was formally established in April. The Education and Training Boards were advised in April on the formal arrangements for the establishment of this grade. 2,800 existing tutors across the country were given the option of moving to the new pay-scale, with effect from 1st April 2023, or remaining on their current contracts.
The implementation process is complex including changes to payroll systems where the new terms and conditions are being adopted. My Department has been informed by Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI) that this work is near completion and the conversion process should take place in January 2025 at the latest.
This process itself is no reason for deferring classes and tutors can continue to work on previous contracts until the process has been completed.
1322. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has received the 2023 Annual Report from the Higher Education Authority; and when will same be published online. [45184/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have received a draft version of the 2023 Annual Report from the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
The HEA has informed me that the 2023 Annual Report is currently being translated into Irish and going through final design stages. It is expected that this work will be completed within the next few weeks. The HEA will send me a copy of the final 2023 Annual Report once it becomes available.
When I receive the Annual Report, I will lay it before each House of the Oireachtas. Once the Annual Report is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, the HEA can then publish it.
I have previously received the Higher Education Authority Financial Statements for the year ended 31 December 2023. I laid these financial statements before the Houses of the Oireachtas on 20 August 2024.
1323. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of guidance counsellors directly employed by each ETB; and the number that were contracted in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45185/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of guidance counsellors employed by each of the sixteen Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector is set out in the attached table. ETBs submit public sector returns for FET staff, i.e. staff paid from the SOLAS budget, on a quarterly basis to my Department. The figures provided are extracted from the quarterly returns for the period Q4 2023 (October to December) and Q3 2024 (July to September).
Please note that the figures provided are whole time equivalents rather than individuals and are given for three different grades of Guidance Counsellors employed by the ETBs– Adult Guidance Counsellors; Adult Guidance Counsellor Coordinators; and Adult Guidance Information Officers.
The number of guidance counsellors employed by each of the sixteen Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector is set out in the attached table. ETBs submit public sector returns for FET staff, i.e. staff paid from the SOLAS budget, on a quarterly basis to my Department. The figures provided are extracted from the quarterly returns for the period Q4 2023 (October to December) and Q3 2024 (July to September).
Please note that the figures provided are whole time equivalents rather than individuals and are given for three different grades of Guidance Counsellors employed by the ETBs– Adult Guidance Counsellors; Adult Guidance Counsellor Coordinators; and Adult Guidance Information Officers.
Total number of Guidance Counsellors employed by ETB for the period 2023-2024.
|
- |
Year |
Adult Education Guidance Counsellor |
Adult Education Guidance Co-ordinator |
Guidance Information Officer |
Total |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
7.8 |
2 |
3.8 |
13.6 |
|
CDETB |
Q3 2024 |
8.76 |
2 |
3 |
13.76 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
1.8 |
0 |
1 |
2.8 |
|
CETB |
Q3 2024 |
2.80 |
0 |
1 |
3.8 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
6 |
|
CMETB |
Q3 2024 |
1 |
2 |
1.8 |
4.8 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
3.9 |
1 |
1 |
5.9 |
|
DETB |
Q3 2024 |
3.9 |
0.9 |
1 |
5.8 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
13 |
|
DDLETB |
Q3 2024 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
14 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
|
GRETB |
Q3 2024 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
7 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
KETB |
Q3 2024 |
0.91 |
1 |
0 |
1.91 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
3 |
2 |
1.6 |
6.6 |
|
KCETB |
Q3 2024 |
3 |
2 |
1.6 |
6.6 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
|
KWETB |
Q3 2024 |
5 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
7 |
5.6 |
2.6 |
15.2 |
|
LCETB |
Q3 2024 |
8 |
2.9 |
1.60 |
12.5 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
0 |
2.8 |
2.8 |
5.6 |
|
LMETB |
Q3 2024 |
0 |
2.6 |
1.80 |
4.4 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
2.75 |
1.9 |
0 |
4.65 |
|
LOETB |
Q3 2024 |
3.6 |
1.8 |
0 |
5.4 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
LWETB |
Q3 2024 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
1.65 |
2.85 |
2.9 |
7.4 |
|
MSLETB |
Q3 2024 |
1.6 |
2.8 |
2.8 |
7.2 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
TETB |
Q3 2024 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
4 |
|
|
Q4 2023 |
3 |
0 |
1.8 |
4.8 |
|
WWETB |
Q3 2024 |
1 |
4 |
2.8 |
7.8 |
1324. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if she will report on the case of a person (details supplied) who successfully secured a course in further and higher education in Ennis and faces charges on Bus Éireann of €81 per week, while travel allowance is only €21; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45295/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are making enquiries on this matter and a response will issue to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1325. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the timeline for establishing a trading for impact stakeholder engagement group to coordinate input into the delivery of the 'Trading for Impact' National Social Enterprise Policy 2024-2027; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43900/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTrading for Impact, the second National Social Enterprise Policy was launched in July 2024. Similar to the first policy, it was developed in partnership with the sector, and its development included bi-lateral meetings with key stakeholders, regional stakeholder engagement events, and a public consultation.
Implementation of the actions under the policy will also require a collaborative approach on the part of a wide range of stakeholders. Action 56 of the new policy commits to the establishment of a group to co-ordinate input into the delivery of the policy. The group will include representation from key government departments, public bodies, and social enterprise stakeholders.
My Department is currently considering the membership of the Stakeholder Engagement Group to ensure balanced and informed discussion during the lifetime of Trading for Impact. Invitations will issue shortly to key government departments, social enterprise representative bodies and other stakeholders for them to propose suitable candidates.
It is my intention that the first meeting of the Trading for Impact Stakeholder Engagement Group will take place as soon as is practicable, in late 2024 or early 2025.
