Written Answers Nos. 1454-1473
1454. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected cost of allowing EU students to be eligible for the fee grant to be paid for under SUSI if they qualify for maintenance grants; how many students are projected to be eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36897/23]
View answerThe decision on eligibility for a student grant, and the rate payable to applicants deemed eligible for that grant is a matter for SUSI to determine having regard to the terms and conditions of the Scheme.
Under the terms of the student grant scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
In relation to support available for students studying abroad, the Student Grant Scheme provides maintenance grants to eligible undergraduate students pursuing approved courses in other E.U. 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.
In relation to supports for students studying in the State there are two categories of student for the purpose of the student grant scheme - “student” and “tuition student”; broadly a “student” meets the residency requirement in the State, satisfies the nationality requirements and may be eligible for maintenance grant and fee grant whereas the “tuition student” meets the residency requirement in a Member State, the EEA or Switzerland, satisfies the nationality requirements and may be eligible for fee grant only.
The Student Grant Scheme does not and never has extended to the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside the State other than for exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in Northern Ireland. This provision is consistent with the principles of the Good Friday agreement and is intended to promote greater tolerance and understanding between both jurisdictions. To fund tuition fees to institutions outside the State would represent a major policy change. The Department does not hold data in relation to the cost of fees for eligible undergraduate courses outside of the state, therefore, we are unable to provide the projected cost requested.
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. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
1455. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected cost of allowing international students access to the student assistance fund; if he has considered this change; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36898/23]
View answer1475. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected additional cost of allowing international students access to the student assistance fund; if he will consider the creation of a dedicated international student fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36925/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1455 and 1475 together.
As independent institutions, HEIs set their own programme fees and admissions policies.
As part of the entry requirement for non EEA students to Ireland (set by the Department of Justice), international students are required to demonstrate financial capacity to support themselves while undertaking study. This includes the capacity to work for 20 hours per week during term time.
The Student Assistance Fund (SAF) provides financial assistance to students experiencing financial difficulties while attending higher education. Students can be assisted towards costs such as rent, childcare, transport and costs associated with the provision of books/class materials.
Students who are non-EU, including UK nationals, but who are eligible for free or reduced fees in line with the criteria for the Free Fees Initiative, may be considered for the Student Assistance Fund subject to meeting other relevant criteria.
International/non-EU fee paying students who pay the full international rate of fee are not eligible for funding under the Student Assistance Fund. Higher Education Institutions are advised to ring-fence funding from non-EU fee income to provide for any emergency financial requirements arising for students in need and the creation of a separate dedicated fund is not under consideration by my Department.
1456. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of providing a dedicated translation service for students with documentation in a language other than English or Irish for SUSI applications; if he intends to provide such a service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36899/23]
View answerThe Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021 was signed into law by the President of Ireland on 22 December 2021.
State bodies are required to make all forms, documents, and reports available in both English and Irish under the Official Languages Act.
This new legislation is a strengthening of the Official Languages Act 2003 and it is widely recognised that it will make a significant contribution to the quality of services in Irish provided to the public by State bodies.
SUSI currently use English to Irish translation services only, therefore, we are unable to provide an estimated cost of providing a dedicated translation service for students with documentation in a language other than English or Irish for SUSI applications.
1457. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing the reckonable income limit for the special rate of the maintenance grant to €50,000 and removing the social protection long-term payment criteria for post-graduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36900/23]
View answerThe estimated cost of increasing the reckonable income limit for special rate of maintenance grant and removing the social protection long-term payment for post-graduate students is estimated to cost c€18.9m. This is based on post-graduate student figures for the academic year 2022/2023, and 100% of post-graduate students receiving the maximum special rate of maintenance of €6971 per academic year plus an uplift to the maximum of €6270 in fee contribution. However, this is a demand led scheme and a change of this nature may lead to an increase in the numbers of students applying for support.
In advance of Budget 2024 this autumn, and as I did last year, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out various possible measures to address the cost of education.
I am doing this in order to facilitate public discussion on the various choices available to amend student supports. I will have regard to options on increasing maintenance grants for post-graduate students, when making proposals in the context of budget discussions.
1458. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of allowing post-graduate students to be eligible for the maintenance grants on the same criteria that apply for undergraduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36901/23]
View answerIn advance of Budget 2024 this autumn, and as I did last year, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out various possible measures to address the cost of education.
I am doing this in order to facilitate public discussion on the various choices available to amend student supports. I will have regard to these options, including any options on increasing maintenance grants, when making proposals in the context of budget discussions.
1459. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected cost of increasing the stipend support for PhD researchers funded by SFI/ IRC, higher education institutions, and other competitive funders to €28,000 per annum; how many researchers are expected to be supported in 2024; the number currently supported in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36902/23]
View answerAccording to the HEA (hea.ie/statistics/data-for-download-and-visualisations/key-facts-figures/), 10,013 students were pursuing PhD studies for the academic year 2021/2022, compared with 9,532 in 2020/2021. Enrolment figures for 2023 and 2024 are not available yet but we are not anticipating major changes.
According to the Co-Chairs's first report, the following is a breakdown of estimated current levels of stipend support:
|
Funded by |
Enrolments |
Stipend |
|
Science Foundation Ireland/ Irish Research Council |
3,000 |
€19,000 |
|
Higher Education Institutions |
2,000 |
€9,640* |
|
Other Competitive Funders |
1,000 |
€18,500 |
|
Self-funded so excluded (may be in receipt of external financial supports (from home country, etc), employed, or self-financed)) |
4,000 |
N/A |
*HEI awards are wide-ranging, typically anything from €5,000 to €18,500. The estimated average per awardee was €9,640.
Based on these figures, if enrolments remain at current levels and if the stipend was increased to €28,000, the additional budgetary requirement would amount to €73.2m per annum as per the table below.
|
Funded by |
Enrolments |
Stipend change |
Additional annual budgetary requirement |
|
SFI/ IRC |
3000 |
€9,000 |
€27,000,000 |
|
HEIs |
2000 |
€18,360 |
€36,720,000 |
|
Other funders |
1000 |
€9,500 |
€9,500,000 |
|
Total |
6000 |
|
€73,220,000
|
1460. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science The projected cost of including graduate entry medicine under the free fees' initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36903/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Free Fees Initiative (FFI) provides tuition fee funding for eligible first time undergraduate students and therefore students pursuing second level 8 degree courses, including graduate entry programmes, are not eligible for the FFI.
The total level of fees charged to graduate entry students is a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy.
Development of a scheme or the adjustment of exiting schemes to provide for graduate entry medicine tuition fees would require a specific engagement with providers to agree terms and conditions, including funding arrangements and student numbers. In this regard it is not possible to estimate potential costs associated with introducing a specific scheme or amending the FFI to provide for free tuition fees for all graduate entry medicine students.
The Deputy may be aware that the State currently provides supports for broadening access to Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) programmes through the part-subsidy of places for EU students, with the fees payable by the student determined by the higher education institution, taking the availability of this subsidy into account.
My Department has been working to address the cost of GEM provision by increasing the subsidy paid to higher education institutions for provision of EU places. In this regard, Budget 2023 saw a significant increase in the amount the State pays for medicine places, including graduate entry. As part of this agreement:
• The State contribution for new GEM places is €14,500 for 2022/23; and
• For existing places, the State contribution towards GEM places is gradually being increased from a rate of €11,950 in the 2021/22 to the new rate of €14,500 over the coming years.
The fees payable by the student will continued to be determined by the institution attended.
1461. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has carried out any modelling or analysis on the provision of a loan scheme to graduate entry medicine students; if so, the projected costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36904/23]
View answerThe loans available for Graduate Entry Medicine students are private arrangements between the relevant lenders and the students applying for such loans. However, I do understand from both students who have written to me and engagement with the relevant higher education institutions that the availability of such loans has been important in supporting people, including mature students, to study medicine.
My Department has no plans to directly introduce a financial/loan scheme for students of Graduate Entry Medicine. The total level of tuition fees charged to Graduate Entry Medicine students is a matter for the higher education institutions, consistent with the principle of their institutional autonomy. However, the Deputy may wish to be aware that the State already provides support for broadening access to Graduate Entry Medicine programmes through the part-subsidy of fees for EU students. This subsidy is paid to the higher education institutions via the Higher Education Authority and the balance of the relevant fee is payable by the student.
The ‘Funding the Future’ funding and policy reform framework for higher education agreed by Government last May envisages a mixed funding model for higher education, comprising funding streams from the Exchequer, employer contributions and student contributions.
Within the framework of ‘Funding the Future’, my Department has been working to address the cost of provision of Graduate Entry Medicine by increasing the subsidy paid to higher education institutions. It has been agreed that the State contribution towards Graduate Entry Medicine places will gradually be increased over a multi-annual period from a rate of €11,950 per student in the 2021/22 academic year to a new rate of €14,500. The balance of fees, as determined by the institution attended, will remain payable by the student.
The Deputy may also wish to be aware that students on Graduate Entry Medicine 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 also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
1462. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected cost of implementing a living wage for apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36905/23]
View answerApprentices are employees and all of the 69 apprenticeship programmes are undertaken under a contract of employment. For the majority of apprenticeships, the rate of pay is agreed between the apprentice and the employer, with the employer paying the apprentice during both on-the-job and off-the-job training elements. For the 25 craft apprenticeship programmes, the minimum rates of pay applying under the employment contract are either agreed within the relevant sector, or are set out in legally binding Sectoral Employment Orders recommended by the Labour Court.
Whilst on that basis any review of rates is a matter for the appropriate industrial relations structures, the Department recognises that there is increasing pressure on workers as a result of inflation and other cost of living factors. Consequently, I signalled to Cabinet on 13th June that I may visit the matter of apprentice pay through the Construction Safety Licensing Bill, which is proceeding through the Dáil currently. Officials in the Department are working with colleagues in DETE on the matter and have commissioned independent research to assess the landscape of apprentice pay overall and possible impacts of including apprentices in minimum wage legislation.
1463. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a dedicated funding stream to third-level institutions to support the specific needs of transgender students; if his Department has provided guidance to third-level institutions on how best to support self-ID for trans and non-binary students through name change systems in registrar offices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36907/23]
View answerMy Department does not generally issue guidance in respect of the internal procedures of Higher Education Institutions. However, all public bodies, including higher education institutions are bound by the public sector duty to have regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, and promote equality of opportunity and protect the human rights of its staff and the persons to whom it provides services, including trans students.
While my Department has enhanced support for learner-focused supports and services in higher education institutions, no specific funding streams have been put in place along the lines identified by the Deputy.
1464. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of enabling students to access GP care through their campus, and for this to be funded through ring-fenced funding from his Department and the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36911/23]
View answerHigher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018 as appropriate.
As autonomous bodies they are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of student services which is a matter for the individual institution. Specific funding for GPs is not provided by my Department. The introduction of a such services would be a matter for individual Higher Education Institutions within the context of their overall student support services and on this basis costings are not available from my Department.
1465. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of reducing the student to counsellor ratio to 1 counsellor to 1,000 students from the current 1 to 1,500 ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36912/23]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the Deputy with actual costings to reduce the student to counsellor ratio as all higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and may have different methods of providing counselling services.
As part of its broader sectoral objective of supporting students on their journey to success, in and through higher education, my Department has allocated €20.9 million through the Higher Education Authority to Higher Education Institutions since 2020 for mental health and wellbeing supports.
This funding consists of core core allocation of €2m, as well as an additional €3m, which has been provided to help alleviate pressures in the area of student mental health arising from COVID-19. The additional €3m is in place for the 23/24 academic year.
This funding is to assist HEI's in meeting the mental health and wellbeing needs of their student population and in implementing the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework (2020).
In 2022 an additional €900,000 was made available for supporting Ukrainian students registered in Irish HEIs and who are in Ireland under a temporary Section 60 order.
In 2022, the HEA formally took over the implementation of the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework. This Framework aims to embed health and wellbeing more broadly within institutions and provides strategic direction on developing a whole-campus approach to health and wellbeing.
HEIs in receipt of additional funding are encouraged to distribute it in support of specific student-facing areas, such as:
Recruitment of additional Student Counsellors
Recruitment of additional Assistant Psychologists
Head of Service posts
Training of staff to enable them to support and refer students to appropriate services
Raising awareness among students of mental health and wellbeing services available, including through student outreach activities
The majority of new posts created through this funding have been counsellors, reflecting the capacity building phase of the implementation of the Framework.
HEIs have reported a breadth of positive impacts, from a reduction in engagement times to an increase in the number of sessions provided.
Table:
|
Year |
Total |
|
2020 |
€5m |
|
2021 |
€5m |
|
2022 |
€5.9m* |
|
2023 |
€5m |
|
Grand Total 2020-2023 Inclusive |
€20.9m |
*includes additional €900,000 was made available for supporting Ukrainian students registered in Irish HEIs and who are in Ireland under a temporary Section 60 order.
1466. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department provides specific funding for institutions to have a campus psychiatrist and mental health nurse; if so, the amount; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36914/23]
View answer1467. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected cost for all higher education institutions to be able to draw on Government funding for a campus psychiatrist and mental health nurse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36915/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1466 and 1467 together.
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006, and the Technological Universities Act 2018 as appropriate.
As autonomous bodies they are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of student services is a matter for the individual institution. Specific funding for campus psychiatrists and mental health nurses is not provided by my Department. The introduction of a such services would be a matter for individual Higher Education Institutions within the context of their overall student support services and on this basis costings are not available from my Department.
€20.9 million will be allocated by my Department through the Higher Education Authority to Higher Education Institutions for the years 2020-2023 for mental health and wellbeing.
This funding consists of a core allocation of €2m, as well as an additional €3m which was provided in recent years to help alleviate pressures in the area of student mental health arising from COVID-19. This additional €3m is also available for the 2023/2024 academic year.
The funding being delivered by the Higher Education Authority targets the support of student mental health and wellbeing, with a specific focus on the provision of counselling services. The funding is also integral to the implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework launched in 2020, Ireland’s first-ever national approach to address student mental health and suicide prevention.
HEIs in receipt of additional funding are encouraged to distribute it in support of specific student-facing areas, such as:
Recruitment of additional Student Counsellors
Recruitment of additional Assistant Psychologists
Head of Service posts
Training of staff to enable them to support and refer students to appropriate services
Raising awareness among students of mental health and wellbeing services available, including through student outreach activities.
HEIs have reported a breadth of positive impacts, from a reduction in engagement times to an increase in the number of sessions provided.
Table:
|
Year |
Allocations |
|
Year |
Total |
|
2020 |
€5m |
|
2021 |
€5m |
|
2022 |
€5.9m* |
|
2023 |
€5m |
|
Grand Total 2020-2023 Inclusive |
€20.9m |
*includes €900k for for supporting Ukrainian students registered in Irish HEIs and who are in Ireland under a temporary Section 60 order.
1468. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount the Government currently provides for the healthy campus rollout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36916/23]
View answerThe Healthy Charter and Framework were jointly launched by myself as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research Innovation and Science and Minister of Health, Stephen Donnelly in 2021. Each HEI committed to signing up to the Charter. All HEIs and HECA institutions received seed funding from the Department of Health which was delivered by the HEA.
In total, €715,000 has been provided to the HEA since 2021 to support the ongoing implementation of the Healthy Campus Framework. This includes:-
• Funding for the post of Healthy Campus National Coordinator to coordinate the framework's implementation.
• Seed Funding’ to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in 2021 to be used solely for supporting campuses that committed to the implementation of the Healthy Campus Framework.
• Funding towards the National Student Engagement Programme (NStEP) for a project on Student Engagement, Belonging, and Wellbeing in the context of the Healthy Campus Framework.
1469. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has carried out any assessment of the hidden costs facing students such as software subscriptions; the projected cost of increasing funding to cover the cost for students to pay mandatory software subscriptions for their course across HEIs; what supports are available to creative students who must purchase access a suite of software (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36919/23]
View answer1470. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has assessed the cost of providing a designated materials fund for creative students, and funding to support the purchase of specialised software suites (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36920/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1469 and 1470 together.
The Deputy will be aware that I have made significant investment towards the cost of attending Higher Education such as increases to Student Grants in Budget 2022 and 2023 together with cost of living measures.
The cost of the items referenced above has not been assessed. However, students in publicly funded third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial difficulty can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This fund is available to help with costs including books and class materials, rent, childcare and medical expenses. Applications can be made through the Access Office in the third level institutions attended.
In addition, my Department provides supports under the Fund for Students with a Disability. The purpose of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is to assist higher education institutions in ensuring students with disabilities have the necessary assistance and equipment to enable them access, fully participate in and successfully complete their chosen course of study. Supports for eligible students under this fund include assistive technology equipment and software (including student training) .
1471. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected cost of implementing a €500 maintenance grant for students on mandatory placements as part of their courses; if his Department has considered supports for students undertaking such placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36921/23]
View answer1472. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has assessed the cost of payment of a living wage for students who must undertake a placement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36922/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1471 and 1472 together.
The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding including those which relate to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The 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.
The issue of paid placement is a matter for the relevant Department with responsibility for the related placements. Queries related to placements and financial supports should be addressed to the relevant Department in the first instance. My Department has no role in this matter and therefore no consideration is being given by my Department to either an additional maintenance or wage payment.
However, I can confirm that a student who is in receipt of a maintenance grant will continue to receive payment of their maintenance grant during the academic year while on a placement.
It is also worth noting that the rate of grant (adjacent/non-adjacent rate) may increase as a result of the location of the placement. For example, if a student is receipt if an adjacent rate of grant (home address is less than 30km from their college) and the location of their placement is over 30 from their home address, they may be eligible to receive the higher non-adjacent rate of maintenance for the duration of their placement. In order to receive the change of rate, the placement must be a compulsory part of their course and a minimum duration of one semester.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, my Department also funds the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended and on www.studentfinance.ie . This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
1473. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has assessed the cost of providing for SUSI and other supports to be available specifically for students who must undertake unpaid summer placement as part of their course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36923/23]
View answerI nor my Department have no role in relation to financial supports for students on unpaid summer placements as part of their courses by the relevant higher education institutions. This is a matter for the relevant Department with responsibility for the related placements. Queries related to placements and financial supports should be addressed to the relevant Department in the first instance.
