Written Answers Nos. 602-613
602. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review correspondence from a person (details supplied); if he will assist with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43695/23]
View answerHigher education institutions are academically independent and regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes. The Universities Act, 1997 confers on universities autonomy with regards to the internal day to day running of the institution, the administrative processes, and the academic and operational affairs of the institution. It is therefore not under my remit to intervene in this matter.
603. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the funding of on-campus student accommodation that was announced for Maynooth University in November 2022 (details supplied). [43713/23]
View answerOn 29 November 2022, I received Government approval for a new policy to provide state assistance to stimulate the development of new and additional student accommodation for public higher education institutions. This landmark policy response will, for the first time, see the State providing financial support in the construction of student accommodation, and underpins the policy commitments set out in Housing for All.
To date, the Government has approved a total of up to €61 million in capital and current funding to unlock the development of circa 1,000 beds, including 116 beds at Maynooth University. These developments have planning permission but have stalled as a result of increased construction costs. My officials are also examining additional proposals for potential developments within the HEI sector.
My Department and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) are actively working through the financial and governance due diligence process for these projects in line with the Public Spending Code. It is anticipated that the due diligence process for the Maynooth University project will be completed successfully this week, with the project progressing to tendering stage thereafter, subject to approval.
Work is underway on site on an additional 583 private beds spaces in Maynooth. Planning permission has been granted for 241 public beds with a further 260 beds awaiting a planning decision.
604. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Higher Education Authority owns properties or sites which are vacant or derelict; if so, the number and addresses of such properties; if they are recorded on the vacancy or dereliction registers; and the reason for which they are vacant or derelict, in tabular form. [43860/23]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for this question relating to property or sites in the ownership of the Higher Education Authority and whether any of them are vacant or derelict.
My Department has checked with the Higher Education Authority (HEA) on this matter and they have confirmed that the HEA does not own any sites or properties which are vacant or derelict. The HEA has further confirmed that they do in fact not own any properties or sites. I hope this clarifies this matter for the Deputy.
606. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if future supports for PhD students will be distributed equitably amongst students, including students who conduct research under Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine-funded projects. [43922/23]
View answerIn November 2022, I appointed Dr. Andrea Johnson and Mr. David Cagney to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This reflects the objective, under the dedicated Talent Pillar of Impact 2030, Ireland’s national research and innovation strategy, for a consistent research student experience across funders, institutions and research disciplines.
The Review Terms of Reference comprised examination of:
• Current financial supports for PhD researchers,
• The adequacy, consistency and equity of current arrangements,
• The status of PhD researchers (employee/ student) including a review of international comparators,
• Impact on the funding of research programmes of any adjustments to current supports,
• Graduate outcomes, including return on investment,
• Visa requirements and duration for non-EU students.
The Co-Chairs’ first review report was published on 26 June 2023 and is available on www.gov.ie. The following elements of the terms of reference required further analysis prior to recommendations being made due to their particular complexity:
• Consistency and equity of approaches in how PhD researchers are supported;
• The status of a PhD researcher, i.e. classification as either a student or an employee
The Co-Chairs have now submitted their final report. Their independent recommendations are currently being considered by my officials and myself. An 18-month programme to implement appropriate recommendations is under development.
Matters in relation to stipend levels, will be announced later in the week.
607. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43967/23]
View answerIn November 2022, I appointed Dr. Andrea Johnson and Mr. David Cagney to undertake an independent National Review of State Supports for PhD Researchers. This reflects the objective, under the dedicated Talent Pillar of Impact 2030, Ireland’s national research and innovation strategy, for a consistent research student experience across funders, institutions and research disciplines.
The Review Terms of Reference comprised examination of:
• Current financial supports for PhD researchers,
• The adequacy, consistency and equity of current arrangements,
• The status of PhD researchers (employee/ student) including a review of international comparators,
• Impact on the funding of research programmes of any adjustments to current supports,
• Graduate outcomes, including return on investment,
• Visa requirements and duration for non-EU students.
The Co-Chairs’ first review report was published on 26 June 2023 and is available on www.gov.ie. The first report addressed the issue of stipends in particular and recommended an increase to achieve a optimum level of €25,000, subject to the availability of funding, conscious of the potential implications of any stipend change on the public finances.
The Co-Chairs have now submitted their second and final report. The totality of their recommendations - both financial and non-financial – are currently being considered by my officials and myself. Financial recommendations are being managed through the normal budgetary processes. An 18-month work programme to implement appropriate recommendations is under development by my Department.
608. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details on studying in the UK (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43969/23]
View answer609. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43972/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 609 together.
The Memorandum of Understanding on the Education Principles for the Common Travel Area, which I signed in July of 2021, commits the Irish and UK Governments to maintain reciprocal rights of Irish and British citizens to access programmes in higher education institutions in each other's States on terms no less favourable that the citizens of that State.
Students from Ireland therefore, will continue to access higher education on the same basis as they did prior to the withdrawal of the UK from the EU in terms of fees and student support.
In 2020, the Student grant legislation was amended to retain the status quo to allow maintenance grant funding for eligible students attending an approved undergraduate course in Northern Ireland/the UK to continue post-Brexit.
As an Irish citizen attending University in the UK, the student in question would be eligible to apply through the SUSI system for maintenance grant funding.
Additionally, they would be eligible for tax relief at the standard rate of tax for approved courses at approved higher educational institutions in the UK. Further information on this tax relief is available from the student’s local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
It is important to note that that I am not in a position to comment on UK fees, as this is a matter for the UK Higher education institutions.
610. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the full complement of buildings and lands owned by his Department, or by agencies under the aegis of his Department in County Clare; if they are currently in use, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44159/23]
View answerMy Department does not own any buildings or land in County Clare.
The information in respect of public 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 her query.
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 Oireacthas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
Higher Education Authority |
Oireachtas@hea.ie |
Padraic Mellett* |
|
Irish Research Council - Note 1 |
Oireachtas@research.ie |
Padraic Mellett* |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
Communications@ggda.ie |
nora.rahill@ggda.ie |
|
SOLAS |
oireachtasinfo@solas.ie |
Maria Walsh maria.walshe@solas.ie |
|
Skillnets Ltd |
oireachtas@skillnets.com |
t.donnery@skillnets.com |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
ceo@qqi.ie |
ceo@qqi.ie |
|
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
oireachtas@leargas.ie |
fbroughan@leargas.ie |
|
Science Foundation Ireland |
ciara.cotter@sfi.ie |
Ciara Cotter |
Note 1 – In regard to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) as the IRC operates under the auspices of the HEA. Mr. Mellett will address Oireachtas queries for both the HEA and IRC. *Please use Oireachtas@hea.ie and Oireachtas@research.ie respectively to contact Mr. Mellett.
611. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) regarding an apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44189/23]
View answerUnder the Further Education and Training Act (2013), SOLAS has statutory responsibility for planning, funding, and co-ordinating Further Education and Training (FET) in Ireland.
My officials have referred your query to SOLAS for direct reply on this individual matter. If the individual does not receive a response from SOLAS within 30 days, please do come back to my office for further follow-up.
612. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the budget allocation for the Charities Regulator in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [43644/23]
View answerThe Charities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Charities Regulator’) was established in October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The Authority is the State organisation responsible for registering and regulating all of Ireland’s charities, with the mandate to promote good governance practice.
The Charities Regulator also engages in the provision of services to charities, including the authorising of appointments of new charitable trustees, the framing of schemes of incorporation, authorisation of Cy-Près schemes and disposition of lands held upon charitable trusts.
The table below sets out the annual budget allocation for the Charities Regulator, from 2021 to 2023 inclusive. All funding allocated during this timeframe was for current expenditure only.
|
2021 (€ million) |
2022 (€ million) |
2023 (€ million) |
|
|
Charities Regulator |
€4.370 |
€4.490 |
€4.987 |
613. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development her views on the Control of Dogs and Dog Breeding Establishment Miscellaneous Bill; to outline the proposed changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43724/23]
View answerMy Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 and the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 to 2014.
My officials are currently reviewing the existing legislative provisions, taking account of recommendations from, inter alia, the Report of the Working Group on Control of Dogs, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Food, Agriculture and the Marine, consultation with stakeholders and experts in the field, and the outcomes of the public consultation undertaken by my Department in 2019. Updates to the existing legislation are required and it is proposed that amendments will be made through a Control of Dogs and Dog Breeding Establishment Miscellaneous Bill.
Items under consideration include the possibility for dog control notices, the inclusion of additional breeds in the restricted dogs list and updates to definitions contained in the Dog Breeding Establishments Act. However, the issues raised are wide ranging and complex and require in depth analysis and consultation to ensure amendments are not just robust, fit for purpose and implementable but that they also deliver the best outcomes for communities and for dogs themselves.
Furthermore, it is my intention to establish a stakeholder group on the control of dogs issues in the coming weeks, which will also be tasked with consideration of the types of changes that may be necessary. I look forward to engaging with stakeholders throughout the legislative process.
