Parliamentary questions

Information and Communications Technology

Louise O'Reilly

498. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 15 May 2024, the capital investment by his Department in computer and data infrastructure projects, by investment in each of the years since 2011, in tabular form. [23615/24]

Grant Payments

Chris Andrews

499. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if grants are available for a person who is studying general nursing in a college (details supplied). [23636/24]

Grant Payments

Ged Nash

500. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if and when SUSI grants will be made available to students on part-time third-level courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23742/24]

Information and Communications Technology

Louise O'Reilly

501. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 15 May 2024, the capital funding provided by his Department to organisations or agencies under the remit of his Department for investment in computer and data infrastructure, by investment in each of the years since 2020, in tabular form. [23616/24]

Information and Communications Technology

Louise O'Reilly

502. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 145 of 15 May 2024, the capital funding provided to the Irish Centre for High End Computing since 2020. [23617/24]

Third Level Education

Verona Murphy

503. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans for a future third level institute in Portlaoise town; the scoping and research advance work done by his Department and his Department’s planning unit; the advance work research and Proposals by the HEA; the planned commencement date of any such Institute; the subjects to be taught; the proposed level of staffing; the plans for student housing to accompany any such institute;- his views on the optimum status of Portlaoise as a well serviced location for a third level institute; and if he will provide any further information in relation to such plans. [23780/24]

Third Level Education

Imelda Munster

504. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether a statutory instrument can be altered to include Ballyfermot College of Further Education as an approved provider of third level programmes for SUSI maintenance grant purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23936/24]

Residency Permits

Holly Cairns

505. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will work with his Cabinet colleagues about furthering the recent extension of the stamp 1G permissions to cover spouses of non-EU PhD students. [23987/24]

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]

Employment Rights

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

2. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the review on the status of PhD researchers, that is, classification as either students or employees, has not yet been published; the reason there is a delay in it being published; when we can expect it to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23132/24]

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]

Third Level Education

Thomas Gould

9. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that PLC graduates looking to progress to a relevant third-level course are included in a lottery for limited places, regardless of grades or previous attempts to enter third level. [23338/24]

Further and Higher Education

Niamh Smyth

10. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the funding allocation to date and timeframe for the development of Cavan Institute as a hub for further education and training. [22976/24]

Student Accommodation

Marian Harkin

11. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is putting in place to alleviate the student accommodation crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23173/24]

Third Level Education

Pádraig O'Sullivan

12. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement his Department has had with the Higher Education Authority regarding financial deficits at universities in Ireland; his views on whether there should be greater transparency between the Higher Education Authority and other third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19706/24]

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]

Student Accommodation

Brian Stanley

15. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total available student accommodation in or adjacent to schools or colleges; to detail the projected student accommodation shortfall for the coming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22904/24]

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]

Student Accommodation

Brian Stanley

20. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details on new builds for student accommodation, the number of units, and the timeline for their completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22905/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Richard Bruton

21. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate the growth of take-up by the public service and by the multinational sector of the new model of apprenticeships; if he considers that new initiatives are necessary to promote them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23314/24]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

22. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on the curtailment and punishment of student protests in Trinity College Dublin. [23133/24]

Education Policy

Darren O'Rourke

23. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the labour constraints identified in various reports (details supplied) that Ireland faces in order to meet our 2030 targets; the measures being taken by his Department to address those labour constraints; the measures being taken to equip the labour force with the necessary skills to reach our 2030 targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23269/24]

Student Accommodation

Niamh Smyth

24. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he and his Department are taking to support students who are being asked to pay for accommodation for 52 weeks of the year, despite only being in college for nine months of the year (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22977/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

25. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of new apprentice registrations in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23292/24]

Middle East

Matt Carthy

26. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with the European Commission seeking a suspension of Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe. [23274/24]

Student Accommodation

Robert Troy

27. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to enable technological universities to borrow for the purpose of providing student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23177/24]

Third Level Education

Cathal Crowe

28. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the progression of plans for a new veterinary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23041/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Griffin

29. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current position regarding the development of the old Pretty Polly facility in Killarney as a new training centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23281/24]

Technological Universities

Cathal Crowe

30. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of plans to open new campus facilities for the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest at Coonagh, Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23042/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Gould

31. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of delays in apprenticeship completion in Cork; and how he plans to resolve this. [23337/24]

Further and Higher Education

Matt Carthy

32. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to develop and support further and higher education in County Monaghan. [23275/24]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

33. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to make a statement on student protests and higher education institutions and their financial ties and investments in Israeli companies. [23134/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Pauline Tully

34. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has plans to increase the funding for apprenticeships that are offered by education and training boards and technological universities to meet future training requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23287/24]

Grant Payments

Robert Troy

35. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intends to review SUSI income thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23178/24]

Student Accommodation

Seán Canney

36. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what funding is in place and available to the Atlantic Technological University to acquire student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23175/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

37. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to report on progress on the actions on which his Department is leading in the 2024 climate action plan annexe of actions; if these actions are proceeding on time; to report on work to develop a framework to oversee emerging skills requirements for e-mobility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23270/24]

Grant Payments

Brendan Griffin

38. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his priorities for further SUSI reform in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23282/24]

Student Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

39. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 50 of 27 February 2024, for an update on the plans to provide additional student accommodation units for students at the University of Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23053/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

40. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the proposed building project at Cavan Institute will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23272/24]

Student Accommodation

Alan Farrell

41. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on efforts to increase the supply of student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22757/24]

Public Sector Staff

Ruairí Ó Murchú

42. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made to resolve the terms and conditions of employment of personal assistants who work in some education and training boards; the timeline for when the issue is expected to be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23179/24]

Student Accommodation

Bernard Durkan

43. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which provision is being made or will be made to meet the full requirement of student accommodation adjacent to schools or colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23226/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which a continuous supply of graduates in the academic and technical areas is provided for in order to meet requirements of industry and education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23227/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Alan Farrell

45. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on efforts to increase the number of apprenticeship spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22756/24]

Technological Universities

Seán Canney

46. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the STEM building planned for the Galway campus of Atlantic Technological University will be proceeding to construction; the timeline for the completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23176/24]

Grant Payments

Pauline Tully

47. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider altering the residency rule for the student grant scheme to enable a person to qualify for the grant is they can show that they have been resident in the State for at least two years out of the five-year period ending on the day before their course starts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23286/24]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

48. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 45 of 27 February 2024, the status of the proposed new further education college in Galway city; the status of the review by SOLAS and his Department of the project proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23052/24]

Grant Payments

Fergus O'Dowd

285. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to alter the statutory instrument to include Ballyfermot College of Further Education as an approved provider of third level programmes in Ireland for SUSI grant maintenance funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23326/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

286. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of craft instructors recruited as part of his national recruitment campaign to hire an additional 100 craft apprentice instructors. [23351/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

287. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of craft apprentices currently employed by the ESB and Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23352/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

288. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he plans to introduce a special purpose apprenticeship in modern methods of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23353/24]

Grant Payments

Mairéad Farrell

289. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his future plans with regard to any potential changes in the SUSI grant system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23367/24]

Tax Code

Paul Murphy

290. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the discriminatory practices against further education and training staff in comparison to staff in compulsory education in terms of taxation (details supplied); if he will ensure that this issue is resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23377/24]

State Bodies

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

291. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of planners in SOLAS; and the number of architects in SOLAS as at 17 May 2024. [23413/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

292. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23447/24]

Grant Payments

Bernard Durkan

293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken or the steps he proposes to take to assist applicants for higher education courses who are being refused higher education funding or a back to education allowance on the grounds that they have previously studied or completed a course at a similar level on the NFQ, despite the fact that their existing qualification is deemed to be insufficient to meet the requirements of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23487/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

294. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects to influence the higher education system to ensure the ongoing availability of a steady stream of highly qualified technicians and academics on par with the best in the world, thus providing a workforce competent in the skills now required in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23488/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

295. 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. [23489/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

296. 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. [23490/24]

Bullying in Educational Institutions

Bernard Durkan

297. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department continues to monitor incidents of bullying in the workplace throughout the higher education system; the extent to which action has been taken or is proposed to deal with such issues in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23491/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

298. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects science to play an increased role in the higher education sector, with particular reference to ensuring an adequate number of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23492/24]

Third Level Costs

Bernard Durkan

299. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which higher education costs have increased over the past number of years; the extent of financial assistance now available for all students seeking to avail of third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23493/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

300. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and his Department have identified any specific obstacles which may impede improvement and achievement in the further and higher educational sectors and impact our ability to continue to establish Ireland’s reputation as equal to the best globally in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23494/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

301. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department have identified particular requirements in terms of apprenticeships or higher qualifications in education throughout the country to meet such requirements in the short term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23495/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

302. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department propose to further broaden higher education opportunities for undergraduates here, with a view to maximisation of their opportunities in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23496/24]

Legislative Measures

Mairéad Farrell

303. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the date he and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform will introduce amending legislation to address the issue of 51-week leases in investment owned student accommodation. [23349/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

304. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of craft apprentices currently waiting to undertake phase 2, 4 and 6 off-the-job training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23350/24]

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]