Results 9,881-9,900 of 10,622 for speaker:Patrick O'Donovan

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (3 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: My Department is engaging extensively with the Department of Health, the HSE and the Universities to expand provision in radiation therapy programmes. The recruitment of appropriately qualified staff as Practice Tutors is, in the first instance, a matter for the HSE and the Department of Health, as the employer. I am aware there is a skills shortage in this area and will continue to actively...

Written Answers — Department of Education and Skills: Education and Training Provision (3 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Expanding the number of places available on Health and Social Care Profession (HSCP) programmes, including radiation therapy, is a priority for my Department. Currently there is one undergraduate programme in Trinity College Dublin, and a post graduate programme in University College Cork. Both Universities have met with officials in my Department and the Department of Health and the HSCP...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: I thank the Chairman. I thank the committee for rescheduling this meeting, which was due to be held in the summer but was postponed due to a bereavement. I thank my officials for joining me today. My Department is committed to supporting the success of all learners and drive improvements in the overall performance of the tertiary education system as well as providing continued support...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: In the three-year period between 2021 and 2023, 1,526 were recorded as having left their apprenticeship. The total apprenticeship population-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: There was €77.4 million investment to grow apprenticeships. This funding represents an increase of approximately €39 million from 2024-2025, a 13% increase. The funding will provide for 6,800 craft registrations forecast in 2025. There is €5.9 million to grow the consortia-led apprenticeship, €4 million to enable transition to the single system of apprenticeship...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The registrations for craft in 2023 were 6,588, for consortia-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Well, no, from 2023 to 2024 we hope to have the capacity in the system to allow for growth of 34%.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: We are also using the money, as I said on the day I spoke in the Dáil, with regard to the €77.4 million-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: We had a backlog, as the Deputy will be aware.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: We have cleared that backlog substantially, and this represents a more than a 30% increase in the capacity we were able to deliver in 2023 versus 2025.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: As the Deputy and other colleagues have raised in the Dáil on many occasions-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: -----we had a backlog problem. We have invested heavily in that and cleared that backlog, as she is aware. The capacity in the system will allow us to deliver in excess of 30% more. With regard to the ETBs alone, the training capacity in the ETBs has increased by 34%, from 5,600 places in 2023 to more than 7,500 places in August 2024.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: Yes. I do not have a breakdown with me of the backlog, but I can get it.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: The ambition of the Department is spelled out by me. It is spelled out in the quantum of investment we are setting aside to-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: If the Deputy is talking about ambition and what the Department has done with regard to clearing the backlog, building capacity, employing more tutors, increasing more spaces-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and Skills: Current and Future Plans for Further and Higher Education: Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science (9 Oct 2024)

Patrick O'Donovan: -----with regard to growing the number of craft and other apprentices, it is clear we are making substantial progress in this area. The investment I have set aside for 2025 demonstrates that.