Parliamentary questions

Student Accommodation

Mairéad Farrell

1. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress being made with regard to student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23472/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

3. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress being made with regard to the current challenges in the apprenticeship system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23473/24]

Student Visas

Gary Gannon

4. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the lack of eligibility to access student grants for persons who hold stamp 4 visas; and, if so, if he and his Department are evaluating expanding the criteria. [23525/24]

Student Accommodation

Mairéad Farrell

5. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has any plans as regards the area of student digs regulation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23474/24]

Education Costs

Richard Boyd Barrett

6. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is considering further funding to abolish higher education tuition fees and move to a fully free public education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19521/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

7. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the major capital projects that will be progressed this year in the further education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23273/24]

Artificial Intelligence

Richard Bruton

8. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has assessed the potential impact of artificial intelligence on the content of the jobs of those currently in the workforce, and the reskilling that may be necessary to ensure the capacity of workers to adapt; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23310/24]

Further and Higher Education

David Stanton

13. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to further expand and develop further education courses for people with disabilities and those seeking to avail of second-chance education and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23290/24]

Nursing Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

14. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional places that have been added to nursing and medicine since 2020 for Irish and EU students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23293/24]

Dental Services

David Stanton

16. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is proposing the provision of a new University College Cork dental school and hospital facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23271/24]

Further and Higher Education

Pádraig O'Sullivan

17. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on his plans to enhance disability supports for students in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19707/24]

Further and Higher Education

Ruairí Ó Murchú

18. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the review of disability supports for students at further and higher education centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23180/24]

Third Level Education

Seán Canney

19. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a decision will be made on the selection of the two locations for the new veterinary schools it is proposed to establish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23174/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

205. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 5 of 27 February 2024 (details supplied), if he can confirm how much of the €67 million in additional funding that was provided for the apprenticeship system was allocated toward the national recruitment campaign of craft apprentice instructors; the number of instructors hired to date; can he provide a breakdown of the course areas they are instructing on (i.e., electrical, plumbing, carpentry, etc.); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23031/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

206. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if specific targets have been set for the national recruitment campaign to hire an additional 100 craft apprentice instructors per ETB; if so, the number of instructors it is hoped to hire per ETB; the areas of teaching that is, electrical, carpentry and so on, they will be engaged in, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23040/24]

Employment Rights

Joe Flaherty

207. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if adult literacy tutors that opt not to convert to adult educator under the terms of the new contract being offered by the Department will maintain their current entitlement to sign on for unemployment benefit during periods when they are not timetabled to deliver courses in the adult literacy service run by education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23049/24]

Education Policy

Aindrias Moynihan

208. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had directly with secondary schools in promoting traditional trades and apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23079/24]

Student Accommodation

Aindrias Moynihan

209. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to ensure sufficient supply of student accommodation for third level students for 2024/2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23080/24]

Departmental Funding

Aindrias Moynihan

210. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an increase in funding to third level institutions under the student assistance fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/24]

Public Sector Pay

Michael Creed

211. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of an anomaly with regard to staff employed at a location (details supplied) regarding apprenticeship education; if he accepts that the principle of equal pay and allowances for equal work should apply in respect of all staff doing the same work; if, in the circumstances, he can indicate how this issue might be satisfactorily addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23095/24]

Public Sector Pay

Jennifer Whitmore

212. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that subsistence paid to further education and training staff working as external authenticators is subject to tax, that tax does not apply to the same subsistence paid to staff engaged directly by the State Examinations Commission; the reason for the disparity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23143/24]

Grant Payments

Louise O'Reilly

213. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 701 of 23 April 2024, to provide further detail in relation to the upcoming roll-out of the SUSI grant pilot scheme for part-time courses; the number of courses that will be eligible for the scheme; which courses or range of courses will be covered; when the scheme will open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23147/24]

Education and Training Boards

Paul Donnelly

214. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how many instructors are employed by Dublin-Dún Laoghaire Education Training Board to conduct cybersecurity associate level 6 apprenticeship training in the years of 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form.
[23242/24]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Paul Donnelly

215. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the 2023 and 2024 Capital Budget allocation to the Higher Education Authority for works projects under the higher education capacity building process; and the amount and percentage of the 2023 Capital Budget allocation that was actually spent. [23243/24]

Public Sector Pay

Holly Cairns

216. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there exists a discrepancy in how travel and subsistence payments are taxed for those carrying out examinations as part of FET, as compared with those working for the State Examinations Commission; and if so, to provide a reasoning for these arrangements. [23283/24]

Public Sector Pay

Holly Cairns

217. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of FET examiners currently available to carry out examinations; and to provide a numerical list of available examiners between 2021 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [23284/24]

Education Schemes

Michael Creed

648. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a HEAR grant application (details supplied) has been turned down; if his Department was aware of the personal circumstances of the applicant when refusing the grant and if the case will be reviewed. [22931/24]

Education Schemes

Michael Creed

649. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of assistance available for a student at third level (details supplied). [22932/24]

Medical Qualifications

Brendan Howlin

650. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 318 of 2 May 2024, if it is his intention, in conjunction with the Minister for Health, to develop a strategic plan to provide the optimum number of healthcare professionals, including dentistry, to serve in the health service; if such a strategy would take account of the number of non-Irish students trained in healthcare in Irish universities who intend to return to their home country after graduation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22354/24]

Grant Payments

Cian O'Callaghan

651. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason SUSI will only reassess an applicant moving applicant class dependent to independent student after there is a three year break in studies, where that student is a mature student and living independently from their parents or guardians; does this policy discourage movement from level 8 to masters study; if this policy will be reconsidered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22381/24]

Grant Payments

Cian O'Callaghan

652. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI has altered their independent living criteria to account for people availing of the rent-a-room scheme where they cannot provide the current necessary proof of residence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22382/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

653. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new apprenticeship registrations in 2023 and to date in 2024, by type and by year in tabular form. [22422/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

654. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship completions between 2014 and 2024, by type and by year in tabular form. [22423/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

655. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship dropouts between 2014 and 2024 by level of completion, by type and by year in tabular form. [22424/24]

Medical Qualifications

Peadar Tóibín

656. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places for medical students in Irish universities for each of the past ten years; and how many of these are used for international students. [22467/24]

Nursing Education

Peadar Tóibín

657. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places for student nurses in Irish universities for each of the past ten years; and how many of these are used for international students. [22469/24]

Third Level Fees

Francis Noel Duffy

658. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of further reducing third level fees to €1,000 in 2024-2025, and subsequently abolish these fees in 2025-2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22577/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Francis Noel Duffy

659. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of abolishing the contribution fee for apprenticeships in higher education in the 2024/2025 academic year. [22578/24]

Departmental Funding

Mairéad Farrell

660. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a breakdown of the allocations from budget 2024 to the various universities of the student hardship fund, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22601/24]

Education and Training Boards

Catherine Murphy

661. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount provided to each education and training board, ETB, for Youthreach programmes in 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024. [22615/24]

Qualifications Recognition

Seán Sherlock

662. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what systems have been put in place to recognise the medical and other professional qualifications of Ukrainian nationals living here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22619/24]

Qualifications Recognition

Seán Sherlock

663. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what systems have been put in place to recognise the medical and other professional qualifications of IP applicants who have been successful in their applications or those who have been granted leave to remain here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22620/24]

Public Sector Pay

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

278. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1695 of 9 April 2024, to report on the progress made with respect to outstanding backdated payments under the section 39 WRC pay agreement; when he expects that any payments still outstanding will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22246/24]

Departmental Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

144. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]

Information and Communications Technology

Louise O'Reilly

145. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the capital investment in computer and data infrastructure, by investment, in each of the years since 2011, in tabular form. [21991/24]

Educational Disadvantage

Paul Kehoe

146. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any efforts are being made to accelerate the approval process for Reach funding to enable applicants to plan community education programmes in advance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22030/24]

Third Level Costs

Claire Kerrane

666. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are any grants outside of SUSI for a student sitting a masters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21197/24]

Further and Higher Education

Ged Nash

667. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the anomaly faced by 60 students attending Ballyfermot College of Further Education who, despite attending classes for a BA honours degree in animation and visual media from Monday to Thursday, on a weekly basis, have their course designated as part-time and therefore not entitled to a SUSI grant; what plans he has to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21683/24]

Third Level Education

John Paul Phelan

668. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the practice in some third level institutions whereby students are automatically signed up as members of the students' union upon enrolment at the institution; his views on whether this arrangement is in accordance with the freedom of association guaranteed in the Constitution; whether current legislation provides adequate protections for students in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21298/24]

Education and Training Boards

Paul Kehoe

669. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he or officials within his Department are aware of a document (details supplied); the steps he will take to address staff retention issues identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21300/24]