Written Answers Nos. 930-950
930. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting placement under the fair deal scheme as of 1 June 2025, or latest date available; the average waiting time; the number of persons currently awaiting placement under the scheme for each local health area; and the length of time waiting, in tabular form. [34553/25]
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.
931. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges at the end of May 2025 for each public and voluntary hospital; and the total number to date in 2025, in tabular form. [34554/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
932. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of bed days lost owing to delayed discharges to date in 2025, for each public and voluntary hospital, in tabular form. [34555/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
933. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Health the number of spinal fusion patients currently waiting less than four months for treatment for both Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin and Temple Street Children's University Hospital for the end of May 2025, or the latest date available; the number waiting 4-8 months and more than 8 months; and if she would provide the same information for other spinal patients, in tabular form. [34556/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegrettably children can still experience a long waiting period for spinal procedures, and I am very aware of the burden this brings on them and their families.
Several initiatives are underway to help improve access to services including a ring-fenced theatre, additional outpatient clinics, and national and international outsourcing to maximise capacity.
The Paediatric Spinal Services Management Unit, led by a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, and supported by wider Multi-Disciplinary Teams, ensures patients are prioritised correctly for surgery and works to reduce waiting times.
CHI publishes information on its spinal surgery waiting lists on its website on a monthly basis.
As this is an operational query, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
934. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health to provide details on the services currently provided for paediatric patients with epilepsy at Cork University Hospital; the number and grade of staff that are currently attached to this service at this site; the number of current staff vacancies within this service; the number of epilepsy patients currently registered with this service; the number of patients currently awaiting first consultations;; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34558/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
935. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has a designated head of procurement; if each agency or public body under his Department’s remit also has a designated head of procurement; and if so, to list those entities, along with the name or grade of the person holding that role. [33642/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a shared service agreement with the Department of Education and Youth, which provides assistance and support on public procurement policy, contract registration services, and related advisory functions.
In addition, the Department has a designated Procurement Compliance Lead, a role held by an Assistant Principal who undertakes these responsibilities alongside other core duties. Procurement activity within the Department follows a devolved structure, with responsibility distributed across individual business units in accordance with delegated authority.
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
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Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
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Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
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Higher Education Authority |
Oireachtas@hea.ie |
Trevor Purtill |
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Grangegorman Development Agency |
oireachtas@ggda.ie |
nigel.thompson@ggda.ie |
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SOLAS |
oireachtasinfo@solas.ie |
Maria Walsh maria.walshe@solas.ie |
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Skillnet Ireland |
oireachtasmembers@skillnetireland.ie |
tracey.donnery@skillnetireland.ie |
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Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
ceo@qqi.ie |
ceo@qqi.ie |
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Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
oireachtas@leargas.ie |
fbroughan@leargas.ie |
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Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@researchireland.ie |
Donna McCabe |
936. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff within his Department and its agencies who hold a formal procurement qualification or certification (for example, CIPS, NFQ Level 6 or higher in procurement, EU public procurement training), broken down by organisation, in tabular form. [33660/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraWithin the Department, at least two staff members hold a formal procurement qualification. One achieved their qualification prior to entering the Department. The other staff member completed the Kings Inn - Advanced Diploma in Public Procurement Law while in the Department.
In addition, over the past 12 months, the Department has facilitated ongoing Continuing Professional Development in the area of public procurement, with a total of 103 personnel participating in relevant training sessions run by my Department.
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
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Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
Higher Education Authority |
Oireachtas@hea.ie |
Trevor Purtill |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
oireachtas@ggda.ie |
nigel.thompson@ggda.ie |
|
SOLAS |
oireachtasinfo@solas.ie |
Maria Walsh maria.walshe@solas.ie |
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Skillnet Ireland |
oireachtasmembers@skillnetireland.ie |
tracey.donnery@skillnetireland.ie |
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Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
ceo@qqi.ie |
ceo@qqi.ie |
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Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
oireachtas@leargas.ie |
fbroughan@leargas.ie |
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Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland |
oireachtasqueries@researchireland.ie |
Donna McCabe |
937. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department and each agency or public body under its remit uses a formal contract management system or procurement tracking platform; to list the systems in use; and if they are centrally monitored or independently operated. [33678/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department operates a central Contracts Register which is located within the internal intranet. In line with the Department’s devolved procurement structure, individual Business Units are responsible for recording all contracts awarded for goods and services on the central Contracts Register. This register is periodically reviewed by the Department’s Procurement Compliance Lead to ensure adherence to relevant procurement policies and procedures.
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
938. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Marino Institute of Education will be brought under the auspices of the Higher Education Authority like all other ITE providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33709/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra939. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department will take to implement the recommendations of the Sahlberg report on the structure of teacher education in Ireland in respect of the integration of Marino Institute of Education with the Higher Education Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33710/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 938 and 939 together.
Marino Institute of Education (MiE) may be open to applying for the title of “designated institution of higher education” once the relevant provisions in the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 have been commenced. This designation would bring MiE under the governance oversight of the HEA.
When the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 was commenced, sixteen higher education institutions were automatically designated as “designated institutions of higher education”. The automatically designated institutions of higher education are the seven traditional universities, the technological universities, the institutes of technology, the National College of Art and Design and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. All of these institutions were established or recognised under legislation and were previously designated under the Higher Education Authority Act 1971.
The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 also provides for a designation by order process which allows other higher education institutions, including private and not-for-profit higher education institutions, to apply for designation. However, these provisions have not yet been commenced. Work has commenced on developing the designation by order process, including consideration of the conditions for designation for inclusion in regulations to be prescribed by the Minister under the Act.
This is a complex process, involving liaison with the Higher Education Authority, Quality and Qualifications Ireland and other stakeholders to ensure the new designation process fits seamlessly within the higher education system. Once the designation by order process is fully developed, the relevant provisions of the HEA Act will commence and the designation by order regulations will be prescribed. It will then be open to MiE to apply for designation by order under the legislation.
It is noted that for the specific recommendations of the Sahlberg report on the structure of teacher education, it would be for the Minister of Education and Youth to consider and progress these recommendations.
940. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for a full list of all documents, reports, strategies, and resources that have been “unpublished” by his Department over the past ten years (details supplied), including all such materials that have been “unpublished” by divisions, sections and units of his Department that became part of the Minister’s Department following a transfer of functions; and who “unpublished” the materials under a different Minister or Department. [33808/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra941. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the feasibility of better aligning repeat PLC exam timelines with CAO offers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33819/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraEducation and Training Boards (ETB) Ireland have advised my officials that the scheduling of exams and repeat exams falls within the remit of an individual ETB and each College of FET within that ETB under the direction of the respective Director of FET, taking cognisance of programme delivery and available staff resources.
As the Deputy will appreciate, PLC courses are provided by Colleges of FET across the 16 ETBs. Delivery of FET provision is supported by staff who are employed FET in varying capacities and with varying contracts. Contracts and provision in Colleges of FET may in some instances be aligned to the post-primary school calendar, staff are therefore resourced to support the programme calendar.
As independent statutory bodies, timetabling and scheduling is a matter for the ETBs. In my role as Minister, I have no function in relation to these operational matters.
942. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to support Muslim students in accessing financial support to continue their education in line with their faith. [33824/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme as administered by the awarding authority, Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
A new Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses was launched on 01 August 2024. This Scheme, now in its second year, will provide fee support to part-time students attending 111 in-person and hybrid undergraduate courses leading to a major award.
Grant assistance for the above schemes are 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 addition to the grant schemes, students may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.
Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. A rent tax credit may also be available. More information is available on www.revenue.ie/.
943. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a school (details supplied) is not eligible for the free fees initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33958/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe institution to which the Deputy refers is not under the auspices of my Department. Its primary relationship is with the Department of Education who I understand, provides funding to it to meet specific skills needs.
Private higher education institutions, including the institution to which the Deputy refers, may be eligible to receive funding from the State for limited courses that are approved for funding under specific initiatives. These include the Free Fees Initiative, Apprenticeships and Springboard+. Under the respective arrangements, the State has agreed to provide funding for specific courses in line with specific agreements made between the relevant funding body and the private institution.
Free Fees Initiative (FFI) approved course eligibility is restricted to full-time undergraduate courses in public higher education institutions (HEIs) as well as a limited number of designated courses in private, not for profit institutions. I understand that the institution under reference has a limited number of FFI eligible courses approved and funded by the Department of Education.
It is open to private institutions, like the college in question, to develop and operate courses outside of those approved for State funding, without an expectation of public funding.
The extension of free fees funding to additional courses in private institutions only applies where a specific teaching and learning need has been identified by my Department, another Department or the HEA.
It remains open to the college in question to apply for funding through competitive call processes, such as Springboard+, to provide courses in response to national skill needs.
944. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliament Question No. 297 of 12 February 2025, for an update on the status of the discussions with a union (details supplied); the reasons for the delays in these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33990/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther to Parliamentary Question No. 297 of 12 February 2025, I can confirm that my officials continue to engage with the Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) regarding its claim through the established IR mechanisms.
I understand that the most recent engagement with TUI officials occurred earlier this month to discuss the claim in the context of local bargaining. At the meeting there was mutual agreement to progress this claim separately to the local bargaining process.
My officials are continuing work to submit recommendations to me for consideration in respect of TUI claim's to align the Youthreach calendar with the second level calendar year.
945. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the infrastructure projects being built or commissioned by his Department that are currently late in their delivery; and the infrastructure projects currently over budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34093/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently party to a contract for six infrastructure projects under Bundle 1 of the Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme. Five of the projects have been delivered on time and on budget with the sixth project due to commence service on the 30th of June 2025, in line with what was agreed in the original contract. Therefore, no infrastructure projects have been late in their delivery or over budget.
For clarity, responsibility for capital project delivery is devolved to individual higher education institutions and ETBs. In that context, responsibility for the planning and procurement processes, as well as project delivery timelines and cost management, all fall within the remit of the HEIs/ETBs.
Agencies under the remit of my Department, such as SOLAS, the GDA and the HEA, are separate organisations and it is open to the Deputy to contact these agencies directly.
946. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will reverse austerity measures made during the financial crash regarding FET learners payments, as many prospective students are not able to take up places on suitable courses due to the payment that they would receive being well under that of a full weekly social welfare payment, despite them having travel and food costs and other costs associated with attending a course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34144/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are in the process of obtaining the requested information from SOLAS and will forward a response to the Deputy separately.
947. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the Mitchell scholarship and the funding for it; if he is supportive of the aims and continuation of this fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34280/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department remains supportive of and committed to the continuation of the George Mitchell Scholarship Programme.
A significant level of State resources is held in a fund for the delivery of the scholarships under the legislative framework in place and this funding has been supplemented over recent years by a significant annual subvention from my Department.
Officials from my Department recently met with the US-Ireland Alliance which manages the scholarship programme, to encourage the Alliance to re-start recruitment for participation on the programme which was paused by the Alliance in early 2024.
Following the meeting my Department is exploring options, consistent with the legal framework in place to seek to secure this important objective.
948. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in introducing a tuition-fee support scheme for graduate entry medicine, as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34282/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government agreed across all the Government parties is the blueprint for the commitments of this term of office. Under the heading of Building a Healthier Future, the Programme indicates that this Government will:
• Introduce a tuition fee support scheme for Graduate Entry Medicine
• Provide more graduate entry medicine programmes focused on preparing student for careers in rural and remote medicine, ensuring those in under-served areas have access to skilled healthcare professionals.
My Department and the Department of Health are working closely to expand provision across a number of acute skills shortages, including Medicine and other healthcare disciplines.
In addition to this, my Department will publish an Options Paper in the Autumn which will set out measures to help reduce the cost of education for students and families across Further and Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships for consideration as part of the budgetary process. The options assessment is intended to identify costs and potential impacts by the Department and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four-year programme. Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression criteria of the Scheme.
The State currently provides a subsidy, via the Higher Education Authority, to HEIs towards the cost of GEM provision for EU student places. The subsidy provides support for broadening access to GEM programmes by assisting HEIs in providing the courses at lower fee rates for EU students than would otherwise be required for the HEIs to offer the courses on a sustainable basis.
In terms of student supports, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides bursaries to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socioeconomically disadvantaged students under the National Access Plan. Students who avail of these bursaries will now be allowed to retain them, if they choose to enter GEM programmes. This is a welcome development and will also help diversify the profession.
Students on GEM programmes may be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. A rent tax credit may also be available. More information is available on www.revenue.ie/.
949. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address the skills gap in the advanced manufacturing sector nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34314/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI’m conscious of the need to support the transition of the manufacturing sector into advanced manufacturing. Robotics, automation, and AI can substantially enhance the competitiveness and sustainability of our Small and Medium Size Enterprises and our multinationals.
The Government is committed to strengthening the ecosystem of supports for businesses. In particular, we are committed to supporting their digital transformation. Our ability to ensure that our workforce has the right skills to avail of the opportunities presented by digital transformation is a key enabler of the sustainability of our businesses and of Ireland’s continued economic stability.
The recently launched All-Island Industry 4.0 Future Skills Report points to a number of strategic recommendations to drive the skills agenda forward in the advanced manufacturing sector. My Department and our agencies are already working to address many of the issues identified.
Working in collaboration with enterprise to ensure our skills offerings meet current and emerging industry needs, continuing to prioritise investment in areas of critical skills needs, and ensuring that learning opportunities are flexible and accessible continue to be key tenets of my approach to the development of our human capital.
950. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on when his Department will activate the new phase of structural support funding for HEIs. [34389/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI was very happy to announce a new phase of structural support funding for eligible higher education institutions in early June 2025 with the introduction of the Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF).
The fund is being administered on my behalf by the Higher Education Authority who issued a call for applications on June 4th. Eligible HEIs are Technological Universities (TUs), Institutes of Technology (IoTs), and publicly funded specialist colleges, must apply for this fund by 21 August 2025.
The fund is worth up to €65.8m over a 36-month period. It will provide targeted support for initiatives that are critical to the strategic development of eligible HEIs. It will contribute towards the cost of maintaining or initiating enhancement activities that are central to an institution delivering on its mission and strategic plan. Related to this, the TEF makes provision for an institution to mainstream selected, strategic initiatives that have been financed by other timebound funding streams, including the Technological Sector Advancement Fund (TSAF), Performance Funding, and the Human Capital Initiative. The TEF will also make provision for activities relating to further landscape reform.
Successful projects under the TEF are expected to commence on 1 January 2026.
This comes as the latest phase of structural funding that my Department has made available to the higher education sector, following the award of the following:
• €31 million under the HE Landscape Fund between 2013/14 and 2019/20, which was aimed at supporting the establishment and expansion of TUs.
• €90 million under the Technological Universities Transformation Fund between 2020/21 and 2022/23, which was used to provide financial support for the TUs in their establishment phase.
• The Technological Sector Advancement Fund, which makes €50 million available for the technological sector to support the consolidation phase.
