Parliamentary questions

Departmental Legal Cases

Paul Murphy

210. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of public money that has been spent to date defending the actions of a person (details supplied) against serious accusations of wrongdoing reported from 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21935/23]

Adult Education Provision

Martin Browne

211. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made in resolving the situation of adult education tutors employed by education and training boards for whom a pay offer based on a recommendation by the Labour Court has yet to materialise; if there is a working timeline for the conclusion of discussions between his Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform with a view to finalising the offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22052/23]

Adult Education Provision

Martin Browne

212. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline his commitment to ensuring that adult education tutors claim for proper public service contracts with an incremental salary scale, recognition of prior service and improved conditions is delivered upon; the progress being made on same and on securing pay parity for those recruited after 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22053/23]

Departmental Funding

Catherine Murphy

213. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the process for allocating the approximate €1 billion surplus in the National Training Fund with the sanction of the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Delivery Plan Delivery and Reform; and if he will clarify whether this is an annual allocation and the process by which projects are selected for allocation of funds. [22105/23]

Education Policy

Jim O'Callaghan

719. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the principle of academic freedom and parity of esteem can be embedded in the Research and Innovation Bill 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21072/23]

Information and Communications Technology

Ciarán Cannon

720. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if officials from his Department are using an application (details supplied) to conduct business; if his Department has had official meetings regarding the use of the application by officials; if his Department has assessed the risk of using the application by Department officials and the input of Government-related data into the application; if his Department is using or is considering using other forms of artificial intelligence; if his Department is considering banning the use of the application by Department officials; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21090/23]

Third Level Fees

Mairéad Farrell

721. Deputy Mairéad Farrell 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 2023-2024, and subsequently to abolish these fees in 2024-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21115/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

722. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total estimated yearly cost to the Exchequer of abolishing apprenticeship registration fees, broken down by consortia-led and craft; the average cost per apprentice, broken down by craft and consortia-led apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21116/23]

Departmental Expenditure

Rose Conway-Walsh

723. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Government expenditure on the free fees initiative contributes towards calculations of Government spending on research and development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21149/23]

Legislative Reviews

Carol Nolan

724. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will list all reviews of Acts carried out by his Department in line with the provisions of the Act in question from 2000 to date; if a summary will be provided of any substantive amendments of the Act in question that occurred on foot of each review and the amending legislation, if any, in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21185/23]

Research and Development

Paul Murphy

725. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the potential dangers of a commercially driven research system in the name of innovation in the Research and Innovation Bill 2023, if he considered that the national research funding agency will be solely driven by enterprise and industrial initiatives, which will lead to under-investment in all research other than those that may deem to have immediate commercial benefits and the potential for profiteering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21271/23]

Research and Development

Paul Murphy

726. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the Research and Innovation Bill 2023, if he considered the under-representation of research and researchers in the arts and humanities and social sciences, given that most western countries have specific funding agencies and programmes for social sciences and humanities research; the reason this Bill appears to have the intention of eradicating them altogether; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21272/23]

Research and Development

Paul Murphy

727. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science given that the Research and Innovation Bill 2023 appears to place extraordinary power in the sitting Minister in appointing board members and directing public funds in research, and considering this Bill can lead to irrecoverable damages to the research and higher education systems the reason the decision was made to have no consultation process for such an important development in Irish research (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21273/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Catherine Connolly

728. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships currently being undertaken in each local authority area; the disciplines in which those apprenticeships are being undertaken; the number of apprenticeships offered in each local authority area, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21595/23]

Education and Training Boards

Patrick Costello

729. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science about his policy in relation to internal transfers within the City of Dublin Education and Training Board, specifically in relation to (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21608/23]

Student Accommodation

Cian O'Callaghan

730. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason there have been no progress reports on the National Student Accommodation Strategy since 2019; if he will provide an update on progress since 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21637/23]

Departmental Funding

Paul Kehoe

285. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when funding for an organisation will be released (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20909/23]

Grant Payments

Seán Canney

482. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a matter could be investigated as a student (details supplied) is at risk of losing out on a year of SUSI grant through no fault of their own; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20212/23]

Third Level Admissions

Emer Higgins

483. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered the deterring impact of the matriculation requirement of leaving certificate Irish, or in some cases, higher level leaving certificate Irish in order to enter certain level 8 CAO degree courses; if he has considered advocating for the abolition of this requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20387/23]

Education and Training Provision

Francis Noel Duffy

484. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the selection criteria and tendering process for new retrofitting centres; the progress of establishing these new centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20563/23]

Educational Disadvantage

Brendan Howlin

485. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the allocation made to each education and training board under the Mitigating Against Educational Disadvantage Fund, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20788/23]

Departmental Staff

Claire Kerrane

374. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science who funds workers (details supplied) at an organisation; if their pay comes from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20084/23]

Departmental Schemes

Holly Cairns

375. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to reform the student grant scheme. [20052/23]

Period Poverty

Paul Kehoe

376. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of the funding that is going towards period poverty at third level; if he will provide a breakdown of that funding, in tabular form, as the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform has indicated that the funding of implementation measures for period poverty needs to be funded separately via each Department’s vote; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20102/23]

Departmental Contracts

Louise O'Reilly

377. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of contracts his Department currently has with a company (details supplied); and the estimated value of those contracts. [20186/23]

Third Level Costs

Seán Sherlock

635. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has engaged with HEIs on the cost of the Professional Masters in Education; and if so, his views on the cost of the PME. [19030/23]

Third Level Fees

Denise Mitchell

636. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a €1,000 reduction in tuition fees is to be applied for the college academic year beginning 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19067/23]

Education and Training Boards

Holly Cairns

637. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that ETB tutors are given full-time contracts including holiday pay cover and pension entitlements. [19075/23]

Education and Training Boards

Holly Cairns

638. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that the remuneration received by ETB tutors is allotted on an incremental basis comparable with other educational professionals and reflecting experience/years of service. [19076/23]

Education and Training Boards

Fergus O'Dowd

639. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will respond to correspondence (details supplied) in respect of personal assistants in ETBs and their long-term working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19103/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

640. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason an apprentice has not yet been called by Solas to complete their block release training; the avenues that are open to someone in such a position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19128/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

641. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the list of first-year, second-year, third-year and fourth-year apprentices that have completed the requisite on-the-job training for that year, but have yet to be called by Solas to undertake their block release training, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19129/23]

Education Schemes

Rose Conway-Walsh

642. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider expanding eligibility for the SUSI grant scheme to part-time and online courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19153/23]

Education Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

643. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of a 1% increase in the SUSI maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19154/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Lahart

644. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice electricians recorded in the State in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19536/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Lahart

645. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice plumbers were recorded in the State in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19537/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Lahart

646. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice plasterers recorded in the State in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19538/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Lahart

647. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice bricklayers recorded in the State in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19539/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Lahart

648. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice plumbers recorded in the State in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19540/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Lahart

649. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice bricklayers recorded in the State in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19541/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Lahart

650. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice plasterers recorded in the State in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19542/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Lahart

651. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentice electricians recorded in the State in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19543/23]

Education and Training Provision

Chris Andrews

652. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an individual support worker will be made available to a person (details supplied) who is profoundly deaf, to allow them to complete their college course. [19552/23]

Departmental Contracts

Thomas Pringle

653. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and total value of contracts his Department has had over the past 12 months with KPMG; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20031/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

411. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if access to university via the HEAR programme can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18638/23]

Technological Universities

Brendan Griffin

412. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify if a veterinary college will be included under Munster Technological University (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18619/23]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Murphy

413. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports and advance guidance she provides to higher level institutions and 3rd level institutions regarding gambling addiction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18675/23]

Departmental Consultations

Rose Conway-Walsh

414. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of each time his Department, or public bodies under the aegis of his Department, enlisted the services of consultants in 2022; the purpose and value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18733/23]

Third Level Staff

Sorca Clarke

415. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of vacant lecture positions per National University and subject in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [18809/23]

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Colm Burke

181. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what progress has been made to date on the building of a new dental school and hospital in Curraheen, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18363/23]

Dental Services

Colm Burke

182. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action his Department is taking to increase the number of available places to dental students at the two dental schools in University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin; if consideration would be given to the provision of additional funding to invest and expand the two dental schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18364/23]

Dental Services

Colm Burke

183. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action his Department is taking to increase the number of available places for dental hygienist students in the two dental schools in University College Cork and Trinity College Dublin, in view that approximately 25 dental hygienists graduate from the two dental schools annually which as per a report (details supplied) is not enough graduates annually to address the dental workforce crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18365/23]

Dental Services

Colm Burke

184. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what action his Department is taking to address the current shortage of qualified dental nurses in the dental workforce nationally; if consideration would be given to the allocation of additional training places for dental nurses to deal with this shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18366/23]

Student Accommodation

Pearse Doherty

185. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports in place for students who cannot secure necessary living accommodation to complete third-level courses; if online facilities will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18386/23]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

1801. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on capital works on the Charlestown ETB building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16517/23]

Departmental Staff

Denis Naughten

1802. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff within his Department who are based and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities presently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16561/23]

Third Level Fees

Brian Stanley

1803. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intends to bring a proposal to Cabinet to reduce third-level fees as part of a sustainable funding model for higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16572/23]

Student Accommodation

Brian Stanley

1804. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans being developed to increase student accommodation units for the 2023/2024 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16573/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Róisín Shortall

1805. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the proposal to establish a NFQ level 5 healthcare assistant apprenticeship, as outlined in the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025; the engagements he has had with the HSE, Education and Training Boards and other stakeholders regarding this proposal; the timeline he is working towards; if he intends to pilot this apprenticeship first; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16591/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Fitzmaurice

1806. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what progress has been made on the access to public service pensions in some higher education institutions for researchers since March 2022, to give them equal status with their colleagues who can avail of this access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16610/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Michael Fitzmaurice

1807. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the potential difficulties in the recruitment and maintaining of staff in the research area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16611/23]

Fishing Industry

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

1808. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what engagements he has had with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will examine education and training schemes for fishermen to allow for transferability of skipper licenses for use between the fishing and wind energy industries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16705/23]

Fishing Industry

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

1809. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what examinations education bodies in the State have carried out to introduce training and upskilling courses that would allow transferability of fishing skipper licences for use in the offshore wind energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16706/23]

Research and Development

Bríd Smith

1810. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details (details supplied) in relation to a research centre hosted by University College Dublin. [16712/23]

Education Policy

Brendan Howlin

1811. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out how he intends to differentiate between community education facilitators working directly in the area of community education, and other employees of education and training boards who have the title of community education facilitator but work in other areas of further education and training, having regard to Government strategy for higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16734/23]

Education Policy

Brendan Howlin

1812. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out in tabular form, the number of employees of education and training boards working directly in the area of community education; the number of employees of education and training boards with the title of community education facilitator; the number of employees of education and training boards with the title of community education facilitator who work in areas outside of community education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16735/23]

Education Policy

Brendan Howlin

1813. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the process he plans to undertake in the grade realignment of community education facilitators employed by education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16736/23]

Qualifications Recognition

Steven Matthews

1814. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 550 of 28 March 2023, his views on whether there is sufficient engagement between his Department and professional bodies and third level institutions to ensure that consistency and fairness is applied to the conversion of professional and academic qualifications held by Ukrainian refugees to their Irish equivalent; if a one-stop shop could be established to assist this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16756/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Denis Naughten

1815. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 208 of 22 March 2023, if the business case document has been completed; if not, the proposed timeframe for completion; if the business case has been submitted to the Department of Finance for review; if not, when this is expected to happen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16820/23]

Education and Training Provision

Emer Higgins

1816. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will prioritise the establishment of an alternative learning service in the south Clondalkin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16842/23]

Official Engagements

Catherine Murphy

1817. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Minister of State within his Department visited University of Malaya during his recent visit to Malaysia for St. Patrick’s Day. [16934/23]

Health Services

Paul Kehoe

1818. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the third-level institutions that have received or introduced free period products or funding for similar initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17084/23]

Student Accommodation

Holly Cairns

1819. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to increase the provision of student accommodation for students with disabilities in County Cork-third-level educational institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17262/23]

Student Accommodation

Holly Cairns

1820. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure further education and training colleges have student accommodation facilities, especially for students with disabilities. [17263/23]

Student Accommodation

Holly Cairns

1821. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to introduce a National Student Accommodation Policy and Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17358/23]

Third Level Education

Holly Cairns

1822. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure that all third level education institutions operate blended learning models; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17373/23]

Departmental Projects

David Stanton

1823. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the progress made to date with respect to the development of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17723/23]

Departmental Staff

Peadar Tóibín

1824. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Departmental staff currently on sick or stress leave; and the number who took stress or sick leave in each of the past five years and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17780/23]

Departmental Staff

Peadar Tóibín

1825. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of allegations of bullying made by departmental staff against departmental staff in each of the past five years, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will detail what actions are being taken by his Department to investigate the allegations, or if they are being investigated. [17798/23]

Departmental Staff

Peadar Tóibín

1826. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Departmental staff dismissed in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [17816/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Holly Cairns

1827. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to increase the percentage rates of pay for apprentices to ensure that they begin on minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17960/23]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Catherine Murphy

1828. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of EU funding received for capital works projects in universities in 2022 and to-date in 2023; and the amount of funding received per works project, in tabular form. [18038/23]

Mental Health Services

Catherine Murphy

1829. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports and advance guidance he provides to higher level institutions and 3rd level institutions regarding gambling addiction [18050/23]

Third Level Costs

Michael McNamara

1830. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what funding options are available for a person (details supplied) in County Clare who has been accepted to study a Masters in Physician Associate Support at the University of Sheffield; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18123/23]

Pension Provisions

Robert Troy

1831. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on his Departments efforts to resolve pension issues across the university sector (details supplied). [18145/23]

Education and Training Provision

Róisín Shortall

1832. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of education and training institutes providing QQI level 5 healthcare assistant; and the cost of these courses respectively in each of the years since 2020, by provider, in tabular form. [18227/23]

Grant Payments

Darren O'Rourke

1833. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing the lower income threshold for the full SUSI grant from €24,500 to €31,000. [18260/23]

Third Level Fees

John Lahart

1834. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will retain the current fees for third level education in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18301/23]

Third Level Fees

John Lahart

1835. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will cap fees for third level education in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18302/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

55. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to increase the number of apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15918/23]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

56. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline his strategy for addressing student accommodation ahead of the next academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15919/23]

Third Level Education

Thomas Pringle

57. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to the recently announced pathway for learners initiative as part of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster, the plans there are for expanding the collaboration within the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15406/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

58. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with the Department of Justice regarding the national review of State supports for PhD researchers in relation to visa and immigration status of non-EEA PhD researchers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15747/23]

Grant Payments

Joe Flaherty

59. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will address an anomaly where recently approved applications under the undocumented scheme are precluded from the SUSI grant support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15551/23]

Third Level Education

Michael Moynihan

60. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of non-EU students taking up medical places in universities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7503/23]

Education and Training Provision

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

61. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans his Department has to celebrate the European Year of Skills this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15560/23]

Third Level Education

Niamh Smyth

62. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which it is expected to match the skill requirement of industry with the skills and qualifications of those exiting education in the current year, based on previous years' experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15657/23]

Education and Training Provision

Niamh Smyth

63. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the work of the National Skills Council; what the council's proposed work plan is for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15656/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

64. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on departmental plans to address inequities that may emerge between State-funded PhD researchers and other PhD researchers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15748/23]

Third Level Education

Alan Dillon

65. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to support the number of college entrants to speech and language courses in the disability and mental health sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15668/23]