Parliamentary questions

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

558. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are special allocations or preferences given to persons with specific or special needs such as autism in the application for on-campus student accommodation in University of Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23921/20]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

559. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the public health advice and justification for students living on campus to not be allowed visitors in their residence for the duration of the 2020-21 academic year; his views on whether it is fair to expect students to pay the full amount for accommodation in view of the fact they are being asked to live under such restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24013/20]

Third Level Admissions

Cathal Crowe

560. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he plans to provide sufficient places on third level courses for the commencement of the 2020-021 academic year for persons who sat the leaving certificate in summer 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24055/20]

Student Support Schemes

Mark Ward

561. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding a report (details supplied) that stated that 17,000 students would be able to avail of free laptops; when they can apply; the process for applying; and when the first student will receive a laptop. [24065/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

562. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that students from Northern Ireland will not be requested to pay non-EU fees to study here regardless of ongoing Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24117/20]

Student Support Schemes

Holly Cairns

563. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when laptops ordered to assist students with online and blended learning will be available to Cork Institute of Technology students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24186/20]

Departmental Projects

Ged Nash

564. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Exchequer-funded projects over €1 billion overseen by his Department; the expected rise in cost in both numerical amount and percentage terms in tabular form, and delays as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24311/20]

Third Level Admissions

Colm Burke

147. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students that have taken a gap year from their studies following the leaving certificate 2019 will receive support from his Department in the CAO process to ensure comparability between an unprecedented 2019 and 2020; if there are substantial increases in CAO points in the leaving certificate 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Robert Troy

148. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the recourse available in the case of a person (details supplied). [23101/20]

Third Level Admissions

Holly Cairns

149. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions being made for students applying to the CAO in 2020 based on leaving certificate results from previous years. [23152/20]

Third Level Admissions

Paul Murphy

150. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if arrangements are being put in place to support CAO reapplicants disadvantaged by the grade inflation due to calculated grades in 2020 (details supplied). [23189/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

151. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost to the Exchequer if SUSI grant eligibility was calculated on gross income rather than net income if the income threshold remained at the same numerical value; the cost if SUSI grant eligibility was calculated on gross income rather than net income if the numerical value of income thresholds were increased by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23062/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard O'Donoghue

152. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the obstacles facing persons of diminished industries due to Covid-19 trying to secure third-level placements; and if exemptions will be made to accommodate the persons. [23063/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Rose Conway-Walsh

153. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are persons with severe medical condition that are in the high risk categories such as those with cystic fibrosis that are denied SUSI grants on the grounds that they are online; the steps he will take to address the situation in view of the risk to these persons from Covid-19 and the fact that many traditional courses are now online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23064/20]

Technological Universities

Ged Nash

154. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the fact that Dundalk IT is the only institute of technology not to have formally linked into a consortium to obtain technological university status; the actions his Department and the HEA will take to advance technological university status for Dundalk IT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23067/20]

Student Accommodation

Ged Nash

155. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the discussions that have taken place with the private purpose-built student accommodation providers in relation to providing flexible arrangements for the 2020-2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23068/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ged Nash

156. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated of cost of reducing apprentice fees by 20%, 50% and 100%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23069/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ged Nash

157. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to decrease the qualifying criteria for the non-adjacent rate of the SUSI grant from 45 km to 24 km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23070/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ged Nash

158. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of students that would be affected by changing the SUSI adjacency rates from 45km to 25km, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23071/20]

Further Education and Training Programmes

David Stanton

159. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of local training initiatives in operation in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the number of participants for each of these years in tabular form; his plans for the further development of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/20]

Third Level Admissions

Holly Cairns

160. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his engagement with colleges and universities to enable the provision of additional places in high demand courses. [23149/20]

Third Level Fees

Holly Cairns

161. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the campaign by an organisation (details supplied) to reduce student contribution fees in 2020 by €500. [23150/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Holly Cairns

162. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on amending the student grant statutory instrument to enable students reclassify as their personal circumstances relevant to the classification change. [23151/20]

Social Media Monitoring

Holly Cairns

163. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department or bodies working on behalf of his Department are monitoring social media for those that criticise government policy. [23153/20]

Third Level Education

Denis Naughten

164. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with not-for-profit education, information technology and credit organisations such as organisations (details supplied) on the roll out of laptops to third-level students prior to the announcing the €15 million for student devices with a view to maximising the number of devices to be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23187/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

20. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is fair to expect students to pay the highest fees in the EU at a time when many students have lost work and many households have seen a drop in their income, particularly if courses are to be conducted partially or completely online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22244/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Holly Cairns

21. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on providing targeted funding for colleges and universities to establish hubs or micro-satellite campuses to enable rural students to complete courses online; and if he will provide further funding for students to access existing rural digital hubs. [22805/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

22. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is fair to expect students to pay the highest fees in the European Union at a time when many students have lost work and many households have seen a drop in their income, particularly if courses are to be conducted partially or completely online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22596/20]

Third Level Costs

Mattie McGrath

23. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason full fees are applicable for students in third level institutes when full services are not available to the students, for example, access to libraries and printing facilities; the supports available to students who struggle with online learning due to limited broadband facilities; if he will work with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to introduce protections for students in student accommodation in terms of deposits and refunds in view of the difficulties encountered by many as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22958/20]

Mental Health Services

Thomas Pringle

24. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding which will be made available to each of the third level colleges and institutions to address potential mental health issues that may have arisen in students from the Covid-19 situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/20]

Technological Universities

Verona Murphy

25. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the amalgamation of Institute of Technology Carlow and Waterford Institute of Technology to form the Technological University for the South East Ireland. [22600/20]

Mental Health Services

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to provide additional mental health supports to students returning to higher and further education. [22632/20]

Student Support Schemes

James O'Connor

27. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the dilemma for candidates applying to the SUSI system for doctoral funding as an independent candidate who cannot claim to have been living independently from the previous October due to circumstances in relation to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22639/20]

Student Support Schemes

Marian Harkin

28. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports being put in place to support third level students returning to education to ensure their health and well-being during these challenging times. [22644/20]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to abolish third level registration fees in view of the fact that many students will not be attending lectures as normal, will have extra IT costs due to online learning and will find it more difficult to find work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22648/20]

Third Level Education

Thomas Gould

30. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to incentivise young persons typically excluded from higher education due to socioeconomic status to engage in education past school in view of the high youth unemployment rates. [22606/20]

Technological Universities

Verona Murphy

31. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the progress of the Connacht and Ulster alliance of Sligo Institute of Technology, Galway and Mayo Institute of Technology and Letterkenny Institute of Technology on forming a technical university. [22602/20]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

32. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the number of suitably qualified science and technical graduates to meet the continued requirements of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22626/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Éamon Ó Cuív

33. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the arrangements that have been made for the college sections of apprenticeship programmes due to the effect of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22383/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Niamh Smyth

34. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when laptops ordered to assist students with online and blended learning will be available to students in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22630/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Pa Daly

35. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider changing the criteria for calculating SUSI grant eligibility to include whether a parent is in receipt of the working family payment. [22386/20]

Third Level Examinations

Catherine Connolly

36. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with the president of NUI Galway on waiving the €295 repeat exam fee in view of the difficulties faced by students as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22641/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Éamon Ó Cuív

37. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional funding provided to third-level sector in 2020 as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; the number of additional places made available by the third-level institutions for the 2020/2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22382/20]

Oireachtas Joint Committee Recommendations

James Lawless

38. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the recommendations of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Business, Enterprise and Innovation report entitled, The Case for Irish Membership of CERN, will be implemented. [22635/20]

Third Level Institutions

Marian Harkin

39. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the response that has been put in place to deal with the issue of sexual harassment and gender-based violence on third-level campuses in view of a recent survey carried out by the Active Consent Programme in NUI Galway in collaboration with a union (details supplied) highlighting the issue. [22645/20]

Third Level Fees

Paul Murphy

40. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the continuation of the full €3,000 student contribution fees can be justified in the context of the Covid-19 crisis, the loss of income for many students and their families and in view of the fact that much third-level education will be provided virtually. [22512/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

41. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether the current thresholds for SUSI grant eligibility are set at an appropriate level to provide real equality of access to third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22245/20]

Third Level Fees

Catherine Connolly

42. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if asylum seekers will be exempted from non-EU and EEA university fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22642/20]

Third Level Fees

Paul Murphy

43. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the abolition of the €3,000 student contribution fees to enable genuinely free education. [22513/20]

Institutes of Technology

Joe Flaherty

44. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the completion of the recently approved STEM building for Athlone IT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22631/20]

Institutes of Technology

Matt Shanahan

45. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans or funding to support for ongoing education at Waterford Institute of Technology in view of the decision by the college to provide nearly all learning remotely due to the inability in capital facilities to provide social distancing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22599/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Gould

46. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to reform the apprenticeship system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22605/20]

Technological Universities

Marian Harkin

47. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the Connacht, Ulster Alliance Technological University application. [22643/20]

Research and Development

Denis Naughten

48. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he plans to take to improve the interface between the wider research community and the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22385/20]

Third Level Fees

Verona Murphy

49. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if student college contributions will be reduced for the 2020/2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22603/20]

Research and Development

James Lawless

50. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to support the development of new career pathways for early-career researchers. [22634/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

51. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the Central Applications Office, CAO, will ensure that students who sat the leaving certificate in 2019 are not disadvantaged by the model used to produce predicted grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22597/20]

Technological Universities

Marian Harkin

52. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of all current technological university applications. [22656/20]

Third Level Institutions

Verona Murphy

53. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a research project has been commissioned on sexual harassment in third-level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22604/20]

Further and Higher Education

Matt Shanahan

54. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the funding requirement for a new X-ray machine for the Waterford Institute of Technology SEAM Technology gateway will be reviewed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22598/20]

Further and Higher Education

Michael Moynihan

55. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when laptops ordered to assist students with online and blended learning will be available to students of further education colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22629/20]

Civil Service

Denis Naughten

56. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a science and technology policy fellowship within the Civil Service to provide opportunities to scientists and engineers to learn first-hand policymaking and contribute their knowledge and analytical skills in policy development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22384/20]

Student Support Schemes

Pádraig O'Sullivan

57. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when laptops ordered to assist students with online and blended learning will be available to UCC students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22627/20]

Technological Universities

Verona Murphy

58. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a new Wexford campus as part of the Technological University for the South-East Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22601/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Martin Browne

59. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the anxiety the delay in the issuing of SUSI is causing to students approved for the 2020/2021 academic year; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some students starting college on 14 September 2020 must wait until 9 October 2020 for their first payment and until the end of October 2020 for their second payment; if his attention has been further drawn to the need for students some of whom are lone parents to secure the grant as quickly as possible due to the outlay they are subject to at the beginning of each academic year; if he will request the prompt payment of the grant to these students ahead of the dates as mentioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22658/20]

Mental Health Policy

Mark Ward

60. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the contingency plan in place to respond to the expected rise in students presenting with mental health issues on their return to the classroom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22614/20]

Mental Health Policy

Mark Ward

61. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the practices and policies in place in universities if an athlete, student or extended staff presents themselves with mental health issues; the number of teachers trained in suicide awareness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22613/20]

Third Level Institutions

Marian Harkin

62. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place to progress a university of the north-west involving Letterkenny IT and Magee College, Derry; and the way in which such plans may impact on the Connacht, Ulster Alliance for a technological university application. [22646/20]

Third Level Admissions

Bernard Durkan

63. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he remains satisfied that adequate third-level places remain available for students seeking such places in 2020; if he foresees difficulties arising from the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22625/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Martin Browne

64. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to instances in which mature and postgraduate students are being denied grants due to the fact they are being assessed based upon their parents’ income even though it does not apply to them; if his attention has been further drawn to students in such a situation being described as mature dependents, even though they are independent of their parents; his plans to address the anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22659/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Pádraig O'Sullivan

65. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will engage with educational institutions, representatives of students and student accommodation providers as colleges and universities return in view of the unique challenges which students and providers face due to Covid-19. [22628/20]

State Examinations

Catherine Connolly

206. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the analysis his Department has carried out with regard to the 20,000 CAO reapplicants whose college places could be jeopardised by inflated leaving certificate grades and the potential knock-on effect of inflated points requirements in 2020; if research has been carried out into inflating reapplicants’ grades to match the bell curve of 2020 leaving certificate grades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22710/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Catherine Murphy

207. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the impact on families in receipt of pandemic unemployment payment that will not be eligible for the assessment of their lower 2020 incomes as qualifying criteria for SUSI grants; his plans to rectify the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22735/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Darren O'Rourke

208. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of a decrease grant in adjacency rates from 45km to 30km. [22894/20]

National Training Fund

Ged Nash

209. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the projected yield from a 0.1% increase in 2021 in the national training fund levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22931/20]

National Training Fund

Ged Nash

210. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the history of increases in the national training fund levy over the past five years in tabular form; the projected yield at budget time of each 0.1% increase in tabular form; the actual yield in the full year following the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22932/20]

Third Level Fees

Holly Cairns

211. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will elaborate on his recent statement that student contribution fees are too high; and the timeline for the reduction of these fees. [22806/20]

Third Level Education

Sorca Clarke

212. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timetable for third level students due to graduate in 2020 but awaiting the completion of their practicum placements; the way in which the matter will be addressed for current third level students particularly those due to commence their final year. [22706/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Catherine Murphy

213. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the issue of eligibility for fee support via SUSI grants in cases in which the pandemic unemployment payment is not classed as a permanent payment as with the jobseeker’s scheme and other schemes (details supplied); his plans to adopt additional fee structure support schemes or reductions in cases in which students have applied for courses, have been accepted and their plans have had to be cancelled due to lack of supports; the number of courses impacted by the issue; the way in which the issue will impact the number of incoming students, retention and progression in third-level courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22733/20]

Third Level Education

Catherine Connolly

214. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which third level students can access financial support to buy laptops for online learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22755/20]

Springboard Programme

Bríd Smith

215. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment cannot be accepted for the Springboard programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22968/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

216. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional supports he plans to provide for mature students and others that are returning or commencing third level and further education courses in 2020 in view of the fact that many will be unable to access an income from employment or casual work in the current economic climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22969/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Bríd Smith

217. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine providing additional supports to those commencing third level and further education in 2020 that are currently on the pandemic unemployment payment or the wage subsidy scheme and are faced with the difficulty of trying to commence the courses with inadequate income supports; if the back to education scheme can be extended to those currently on employment supports that have little if any prospect of returning to normal employment in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22970/20]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his vision for the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sector with particular reference to the need to compete on the international market for available job vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22971/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the development of an enhanced polytechnic equivalent here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22972/20]

Departmental Priorities

Bernard Durkan

220. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role he sees for the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22973/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

221. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his ambition for the development of a ready supply of graduates specialising in research in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22974/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bernard Durkan

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which challenges arising in the course of the Covid-19 crisis have identified the need for specific educational response at third and fourth level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22975/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which the higher level education sector is in discussion with business and enterprise with a view to matching requirements in the workplace with suitable graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22976/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he has identified the areas in which most opportunities are likely to arise for graduates throughout the various employment sectors in both the public and private sectors; if he has received indications showing specific requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22977/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the areas in the higher education sector likely to be in most need of adapting to new challenges with particular reference to the scientific, innovation and research sectors meeting requirements now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22978/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps needed in the higher educational sector to ensure an adequate supply of suitably qualified personnel to ensure the attainment of the highest number of employment positions at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22979/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which adequate college places remain available to meet the requirements of a changing workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22980/20]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

228. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of students that will be enrolled in higher education in the 2020/2021 academic year; the number enrolled at further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23003/20]

Technological Universities

Ged Nash

229. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the fact that Dundalk Institute of Technology is the only institute of technology not to have formally linked into a consortium to obtain technological university status; the actions he and the Higher Education Authority will take to advance technological university status for the institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22857/20]

Student Accommodation

Ged Nash

230. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the discussions that have taken place with the private purpose-built student accommodation providers regarding the provision of flexible arrangements for the 2020-2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23022/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ged Nash

231. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of reducing apprentice fees by 20%, 50% and 100%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23023/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ged Nash

232. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to decrease the qualifying criteria for the non-adjacent rate of the SUSI grant from 45km to 24km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23024/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ged Nash

233. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of students that will be affected by changing the SUSI adjacency rates from 45km to 25km, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23025/20]

Departmental Correspondence

Brendan Griffin

833. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if assistance will be provided in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/20]