Parliamentary questions

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]

Research Funding

Pádraig O'Sullivan

66. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the ongoing PhD review; if it will include wider stakeholder engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15594/23]

Courses Accreditation

Aindrias Moynihan

67. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on any problems being reported surrounding the online safe pass renewals; his further views on past success rates on the in-house safe pass renewal courses versus the current pass rates on the online system now in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15555/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Pádraig O'Sullivan

68. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is confident that apprenticeship training will help meet the targets of the national retrofitting scheme; if he will provide an update on a recent report on the analysis of skills for residential construction and retrofitting 2023 to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15593/23]

Departmental Funding

Verona Murphy

69. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the Budget for the near zero energy building training centres of excellence; if that budget has been drawn down; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10516/23]

Student Accommodation

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

70. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the provision of student accommodation in Carlow; if his Department has plans to expand the offering of accommodation to students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15710/23]

Third Level Education

Violet-Anne Wynne

71. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide for a veterinary school to be located in the University of Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15779/23]

Veterinary Services

James O'Connor

72. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details for a new veterinary college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15705/23]

Third Level Education

Violet-Anne Wynne

73. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he has taken to ensure that regional universities and technological universities and institutions will be equipped to train the offshore renewable energy workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15778/23]

Third Level Admissions

Peadar Tóibín

74. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Government undertakes any analysis of the number of people from the Traveller community who enter third-level education per year; and if so, if he will provide data on same. [15230/23]

Third Level Education

Gino Kenny

75. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the national review of State supports for PhD researchers; if he will commit to continuing the examination of the working status of PhD researchers, including consultation with all stakeholders and an examination of international comparators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15757/23]

Disability Services

David Stanton

76. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way his Department is providing assistance to young adults with disabilities, in particular those with intellectual disabilities, to travel to training centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15761/23]

Further and Higher Education

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

77. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the integration of Carlow College into St. Patrick's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15709/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

78. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department continue to ensure a steady stream of graduates to meet the demand in education, health and engineering, given the demands likely to emerge now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15698/23]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

79. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science given the recent recognition by the Minister for Health that Ireland needs to approximately double the number of healthcare professionals it is training, the steps that are being taken to deliver increased provision of healthcare education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15732/23]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

80. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will commit to the abolition of all third-level and postgraduate fees in budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15749/23]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intends to allocate the necessary funds in budget 2024 to meet the demands of an organisation (details supplied) for a living wage for all PhD researchers, regardless of funding source; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15751/23]

Veterinary Services

Rose Conway-Walsh

82. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on veterinary provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15731/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Richard Bruton

83. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the participation to date by the public service and the multinational sector in traditional apprenticeships and new apprenticeships; and the initiatives planned to promote greater participation. [14944/23]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

84. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 66 of 14 February 2023, if he will provide a status update on the proposed new further education college in Galway city; the status of the development of the preliminary business case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15752/23]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

85. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he has taken, in conjunction with the HSE and the Higher Education Authority, to identify capacity gaps within children's disability network teams and provide additional places on third-level courses to fill these gaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15775/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Paul McAuliffe

86. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships registered to date in 2023; his plans to promote apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15744/23]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Smith

87. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional places in further education will be provided in 2023 and 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15760/23]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Bruton

88. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has data on the take-up of learning opportunities by people after their first job in higher education programmes, and further education programmes; and the initiatives planned to promote greater participation. [14945/23]

Third Level Costs

Alan Dillon

89. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being put in place to assist students who are facing huge pressures in living costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15667/23]

Third Level Education

Willie O'Dea

90. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of medical places available in universities in Ireland; if there are plans to increase this; the number of places on these courses are taken by non-EU students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7504/23]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

91. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if student fees will be maintained at the level of €2,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15734/23]

Education and Training Provision

Cathal Crowe

92. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way he is tackling the skills shortages in the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15664/23]

Education and Training Provision

Bernard Durkan

93. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which provision continues to be made for increasing the supply of graduates at technical level in sufficient numbers to meet the demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15697/23]

Third Level Education

James O'Connor

94. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding Ireland's application to join the CERN programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15706/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Catherine Connolly

95. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of any engagement he has had with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine with a view to further expanding apprenticeships in the agricultural sector, for example, in the wool sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15753/23]

Education and Training Boards

Brendan Griffin

96. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the up-to-date position and timelines for the redevelopment of the former Pretty Polly site in Killarney as an education centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15786/23]

Education and Training Boards

Ruairí Ó Murchú

97. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on any progress made to resolve the terms and conditions of employment of personal assistants who work in some education and training boards; if he will provide a timeline for when the issue is expected to be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15102/23]

Third Level Education

Aindrias Moynihan

98. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the issues raised by the chief financial officer at University College Cork surrounding the funding of third-level universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15556/23]

Departmental Funding

Brendan Smith

99. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of capital funding available to his Department in 2023; the general areas which will benefit from such investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15759/23]

Education and Training Provision

Ruairí Ó Murchú

100. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to introduce the teaching of human skills, also known as soft skills, into further and higher education courses in the State, as employers increasingly seek them from graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15669/23]

Educational Disadvantage

Peadar Tóibín

101. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons that availed of the third-level access course in each year since it was established. [15229/23]

Education and Training Boards

Cathal Crowe

102. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the ongoing engagement between his Department and the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform regarding the position of adult tutors in education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15663/23]

Technological Universities

Brendan Griffin

103. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the up-to-date position and timelines for the construction of the new STEM building at Munster Technological University, Tralee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15787/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Rose Conway-Walsh

104. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline his plans to ensure access to public service pensions for research staff in all higher education institutions across the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15735/23]

Departmental Reviews

Rose Conway-Walsh

105. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the ongoing PhD review; if he will consider bringing forward emergency measures to help PhD researchers deal with the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15733/23]

Third Level Fees

Bernard Durkan

253. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which the higher education grant or similar payment can be made available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16038/23]

Education and Training Provision

Bernard Durkan

254. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which efforts continue to be made to ensure the availability of adequate qualified staffing levels to meet the requirements of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9180/23]

Construction Industry

Peadar Tóibín

255. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to ensure there is a sufficient number of construction workers to meet demand. [11119/23]

Third Level Fees

Anne Rabbitte

256. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether students will have to pay full student fees for the 2023-24 academic year; if there is any reduction in costs for students not in receipt of a grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15815/23]

Third Level Admissions

Maurice Quinlivan

257. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline his plans to increase the number of places for those wishing to study veterinary medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15825/23]

Education and Training Provision

Bernard Durkan

258. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if this jurisdiction is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15888/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Bernard Durkan

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of apprentices currently available; the extent to which this is sufficient to meet requirements; his plans to introduce new apprenticeship programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15889/23]

Education and Training Provision

Bernard Durkan

260. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to liaise with the technical sector with a view to ensuring adequate provision in respect of graduates in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15890/23]

Education and Training Provision

Bernard Durkan

261. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to liaise with the academic sector with a view to ensuring adequate provision in respect of graduates in this sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15891/23]

Education and Training Provision

Bernard Durkan

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to research future requirements in the education sector with a view to ensuring an adequate supply of graduates throughout; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15892/23]

Education and Training Provision

Bernard Durkan

263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will indicate, arising from his discussions with the academic and technical sectors, the extent to which he is satisfied that adequate provision continues to be made in both areas with a view to meeting demand and job specifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15893/23]

Education and Training Provision

Bernard Durkan

264. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department is focused on the health sector in terms of ensuring a steady supply of graduates with a view to ensuring the filling of the maximum possible number of posts in the health services in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15894/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to indicate the extent to which his Department continues to monitor incidents of professional bullying throughout the higher education system; the extent to which bullying is evident in colleges throughout the country; the action taken or being taken to counter this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15895/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure continued access to third level for all students seeking to avail of education at this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15896/23]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

267. 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. [15897/23]

Third Level Staff

Claire Kerrane

149. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on engagement between an organisation (details supplied) and his Department regarding pensions for staff in the technological university sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15513/23]

Third Level Fees

Richard Bruton

150. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the budgeted cost of the increase in the income threshold for the 50% student contribution grant from €55,240 to €62,000 per year, which is scheduled to come into effect this autumn. [15517/23]

Third Level Fees

Richard Bruton

151. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the budgeted cost of the €500 reduction in the student contribution charge for families earning between €62,000 and €100,000 per annum, and the estimated annual cost of doubling this reduction to €1,000. [15518/23]

Third Level Fees

Richard Bruton

152. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing the postgraduate SUSI fee grant by €1,000 to €5,000 based on the current enrolment numbers. [15519/23]

Third Level Fees

Richard Bruton

153. Deputy Richard Bruton 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, which is currently €24,500, to €30,000, €40,000 and €45,000, respectively. [15520/23]

Third Level Education

Alan Kelly

542. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of legal cases that related to staff HR issues that are currently ongoing in each of the Irish universities; the number of these that have been ongoing for five years or longer; and the number of these cases that relate to issues with female university staff. [14637/23]

Third Level Education

Brendan Howlin

543. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm that funding under the mitigation against educational disadvantage fund will be made available this year for an important social project (details supplied); if he accepts that this project provides a valuable sports outlet and training for leaders and instructors to be self-sustaining over a period of years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14702/23]

Public Procurement Contracts

Peadar Tóibín

544. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of all procurement competitions, if any, in which companies (details supplied) won contracts from his Department since 2016. [14725/23]

Official Travel

Peadar Tóibín

545. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total costs of accommodation and travel expenses associated with his recent foreign trip, or foreign trips by Ministers for State at his Department, for St Patrick's Day; and if a breakdown can be provided on travel costs, accommodation costs, country/state visited, number of departmental staff accompanying him, and the duration of the trip, in tabular form. [14743/23]

Official Engagements

Paul Donnelly

547. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the dates in 2023 that he has visited Dublin City University; the purpose of each visit; and when he is next scheduled to visit DCU. [14989/23]

Third Level Education

Robert Troy

548. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if assistance is available to a single parent who is studying part-time and working part-time; and if there is a payment that persons on low income who are studying to improve their situation can avail of. [15010/23]

Third Level Education

Brendan Griffin

549. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports available to a US student with an Irish passport who wishes to complete her third-level studies in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15034/23]

Qualifications Recognition

Steven Matthews

550. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding any initiatives targeted at assisting Ukrainian refugees to convert their employment qualification certificates or academic degrees to be recognised in an Irish context, and other measures that would assist in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15037/23]

Third Level Education

Michael Lowry

551. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the University of Limerick's proposed new veterinary school (details supplied); if he has received a report from the HEA expert panel concerning the relative capacities of UL for the provision of extra veterinary training places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15226/23]

Third Level Fees

Mick Barry

552. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a prospective student (details supplied) who is resident in Ireland, and whose deceased stepfather was an Irish citizen, satisfies the nationality condition for eligibility for the "free fees" scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15258/23]

Qualifications Recognition

Thomas Gould

553. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when students in MTU were told they need to work two years in the field after graduation for their qualification to be recognised. [15327/23]

Qualifications Recognition

Thomas Gould

554. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way graduates in 2024 and 2025 and in subsequent years are expected by MTU to gain two years’ employment in the field before the grandparenting process closes in November 2025, if MTU Cork does not secure CORU approval. [15328/23]

Third Level Education

Jackie Cahill

555. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects the election of the University of Limerick Governing Authority to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15500/23]

Third Level Education

Jackie Cahill

556. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science hen he expects the election of the NUI Senate to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15501/23]

Student Accommodation

Colm Burke

317. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of beds that are available in purpose-built student accommodation in Cork, Dublin, Limerick and Galway; the number of new beds which have been made available in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; the current number of units that are currently under construction, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14391/23]

Further and Higher Education

Michael Lowry

318. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the new dental school at University College Cork; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14415/23]

Further and Higher Education

Pauline Tully

319. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the courses related to health and social care that are covered by the accelerated graduate programme; the number of students who graduated from each course in each of the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14481/23]

Social Media

Catherine Murphy

320. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the protocols and or guidelines he has issued in respect of the use of personal social media accounts by officials in his Department; the number of sanctions imposed by his Department on its own officials in the past ten years to date in respect of social media output by its officials, verbal, written or otherwise; if social media platforms are restricted on his Department’s network; if an application (details supplied) is available to use and or download onto Departmental-issued mobile phones; and if not, if it is barred from use. [14514/23]

Third Level Fees

Mick Barry

205. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person for the purposes of qualifying for the 'free fees' scheme who is not a EEA/UK/Swiss citizen but has a stamp 4 visa and is under 21 years of age and a dependent child of a spouse of an Irish citizen satisfies the nationality condition, if that person would satisfy the nationality condition if the EU citizen spouse of their parent dies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14118/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

206. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of an apprentice date for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14171/23]

Health Services Staff

Holly Cairns

207. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline his engagement with the Minister for Health to increase the number of graduates from clinical therapies, including but not limited to occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and psychology, to address shortages in the health services. [14294/23]

Public Sector Pensions

Denis Naughten

208. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 493 of 7 March 2023, if he will clarify the current stage the process is at; if he can provide a timeline for when it is proposed this matter will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14374/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

209. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide data, if available, on the qualification levels (details supplied) of civil servants in his Department as of 31 December 2022; how educational attainment levels have evolved in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14632/23]

Civil Service

Gerald Nash

210. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average number of days training per grade, in his Department in 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022; how this compares internationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14860/23]

Departmental Funding

Peadar Tóibín

993. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of times funding was moved across budget lines within his Department in a process known as virement; the name and purpose of the fund the money was taken from; the name and purpose of the fund the money was transferred to; the dates upon which he approved of such transfers, since he took office; if the Department of Public Expenditure was consulted prior to the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12270/23]

Third Level Education

Peadar Tóibín

994. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of the third level access programme; the number of persons who have taken part in the programme in each year since it was rolled out, by third level institution, in tabular form; the number of persons from the Traveller community who took part in the course; the number of care leavers who took part; the number of homeless students who took part; the number of migrant students who took part, and so on; if quotas for certain vulnerable groups exist in the programme; if his Department has ever given consideration to a quota system where spaces in the access course are reserved for certain groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12324/23]

Further and Higher Education

Gerald Nash

995. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when retired lecturers who worked in institutes of technology will receive the increases due to them, in terms of their pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12414/23]

Ukraine War

Joe Carey

996. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are any proposals to allow Ukrainian students, who meet the educational requirements, full and automatic access to SUSI supports while they remain in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12432/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Ring

997. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for phase 2 of their electrical apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12435/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Ring

998. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will be called for their second off-the-job training in respect of their apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12436/23]

Third Level Education

Gary Gannon

999. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of SUSI applications submitted for dependents under 23 years of age that applied for irreconcilable estrangement from parents; and the number of applications granted regarding estrangement from parents in each of the years 2017 to 2022, in tabular form [12449/23]

Third Level Education

Duncan Smith

1000. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the provision of a new loan scheme for medical students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12497/23]

Student Accommodation

Emer Higgins

1001. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on plans to provide new student accommodation for students at Dublin City University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12544/23]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Johnny Guirke

1002. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any projects under his remit are on hold due to Capital Funding pressures; if he will indicate the projects, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12628/23]

Grant Payments

Marian Harkin

1003. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he would consider a specific bursary for young carers attending third level institutions, similar to the successful young carer's grant launched in Scotland in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12703/23]

Education Schemes

Marian Harkin

1004. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider further initiatives to support the transition of young carers to further and higher education and apprenticeships via access programmes, similar, but in addition to, the HEAR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12704/23]

Public Private Partnerships

Matt Shanahan

1005. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department carries out any economic or value for money evaluation in respect of the annual €1 million bill for the two Cork PPP projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12717/23]

Further and Higher Education

Matt Shanahan

1006. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will detail the arrangements with respect to the €5 million in emergency funding provided to IT Tralee in 2019/2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12718/23]

Third Level Education

Matt Shanahan

1007. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will detail the impact of rising interest rates on the borrowing of our university sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12719/23]