Parliamentary questions

Adult Education Provision

Éamon Ó Cuív

1060. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there has been a change since September 2022 in relation to the provision of adult education classes being provided by ETB towards only funding courses leading to accreditation and moving away from an emphasis on those who only wish to acquire a skill for their own use and fulfilment and do not need or focus on accreditation; if this change of direction has been instructed by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2337/23]

Third Level Education

Holly Cairns

1061. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science 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. [2427/23]

Departmental Schemes

Sorca Clarke

269. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when applications will be accepted for Innovate for Ireland, a new partnership between industry and the Government to recruit and retain research talent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62845/22]

Education and Training Boards

Darren O'Rourke

270. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of guidance counsellors directly employed by the Louth-Meath Education and Training Board in each of the years 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [62922/22]

Departmental Reviews

Éamon Ó Cuív

271. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made to date with the review of the terms and conditions of employment of PhD worker students; when it is expected that contact will be made with the various PhD stakeholders such as two groups (details supplied) to seek their views; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62938/22]

Educational Disadvantage

Éamon Ó Cuív

272. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider fully funding further education courses for persons on disability allowance and invalidity pension to enable them to upskill and re-enter the workplace with new skills; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62940/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Alan Dillon

273. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) will be called to progress their electrical apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62948/22]

Education Welfare Service

Róisín Shortall

274. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the programme for Government commitment to provide additional supports for school and college students who are homeless, resident in family hubs or in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63091/22]

Third Level Admissions

Brendan Smith

275. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional third level places will be provided for all therapy courses, in view of the difficulties in recruiting therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63126/22]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

276. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the initiatives that will be undertaken to promote student mobility North-South and South-North; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63128/22]

Third Level Costs

Bernard Durkan

277. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63129/22]

EU Data

Thomas Pringle

198. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of all fines, including the amounts, that his Department or agencies under the remit of his Department, have paid since the start of the 33rd Dáil term to the European Commission relating to cases for infringements of European Union law or failure to transpose EU law in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62422/22]

Research and Development

James Lawless

199. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in the research and innovation sectors since 27 June 2020; the new initiatives undertaken; and the additional funding provided for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62479/22]

Student Accommodation

Neale Richmond

200. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the qualifications of affordable rents that third level institutions must abide by if they are to receive State funding for the building of student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62540/22]

Third Level Staff

Neale Richmond

201. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update into the review of PhD stipends; when a report can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62541/22]

Third Level Costs

Neale Richmond

202. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that students of graduate entry medicine cannot receive funding from private banks or the SUSI grant; if he is taking steps to find alternative funding streams for these students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62543/22]

Grant Payments

Neale Richmond

203. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether there is room for progress in the SUSI application process for those students who are estranged from their parents or are from single-parent households; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62544/22]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

204. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 288 of 8 December 2022, if he will also request the presidents of social care providers in receipt of public funding to provide an update on the CORU accreditation status of each course to his Department to ensure adequate oversight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62552/22]

Education and Training Boards

Rose Conway-Walsh

205. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 8 December 2022, if six ETBs (details supplied) spanning nine counties have no personal assistants employed either directly or indirectly; the impact that this may have in terms of supporting people with disabilities accessing further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62554/22]

Education and Training Boards

Rose Conway-Walsh

206. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 8 December 2022, the average annual cost to an ETB of employing a personal assistant; the average cost of employing a personal assistant via external providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62555/22]

Grant Payments

Jackie Cahill

207. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) who is doing a repeat year of study is entitled to the €1,000 cost-of-living support grant to reduce their college fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62613/22]

Third Level Education

Thomas Gould

208. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the college campus on the north side of Cork city. [62657/22]

Park-and-Ride Facilities

Thomas Gould

209. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to reports that there is no park-and-ride service for college students on the northside of Cork city. [62658/22]

Departmental Data

Thomas Gould

210. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of citizen science projects funded through his Department to date in 2022. [62659/22]

Third Level Admissions

Thomas Gould

211. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students from the northside of Cork city attending Munster Technological University and University College Cork. [62660/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Gould

212. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of the current pay grades for apprentices; and if he intends to review these. [62661/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Gould

213. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices by phase in Cork, both city and county in tabular form. [62662/22]

Social Media

Seán Sherlock

214. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent on social media advertising in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form; and the amount spent per platform. [62806/22]

Third Level Costs

Brendan Smith

215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 630 of 18 October 2022 and 511 of 4 October 2022, when students studying in Northern Ireland and Britain will be able to avail of the once-off €1,000 State financial support towards undergraduate fees; if his attention has been drawn to a commitment that An Taoiseach gave in Dáil Éireann that this issue would be reviewed; if his attention has been further drawn to reports that many of the students studying outside the State, despite excellent Leaving Certificate results, were unable to secure places on their courses of choice in colleges in Ireland; if he agrees that obstacles should not be put in the way of students studying in Northern Ireland, or likewise students from Northern Ireland studying in the State and that one should be encouraging the movement of students on an all-Ireland basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62821/22]

Construction Industry

Bernard Durkan

468. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which efforts continues to be made to meet staff shortages throughout the construction sector with particular reference to housebuilding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62313/22]

Education Policy

Jim O'Callaghan

469. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61651/22]

Third Level Fees

Denis Naughten

470. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to extend the reduction in the student contribution of €1,000 to students who have changed college course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61663/22]

Third Level Fees

Michael Healy-Rae

471. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that a student (details supplied) is not entitled to the Government contribution fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61762/22]

Education Policy

James Lawless

472. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made in the further and higher education sectors since 27 June 2020; the new initiatives undertaken; and the additional funding provided for them. [61814/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Catherine Murphy

473. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the training capacity of each college of further education per apprenticeship type; and the total increase since 2020, in tabular form. [61873/22]

Third Level Fees

Réada Cronin

474. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will examine the situation of students in circumstances (details supplied) and admit them to the relief scheme of €1,000. [61969/22]

Grant Payments

Pearse Doherty

475. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science why supporting documents were not accepted as evidence by SUSI for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61998/22]

Disabilities Assessments

Fergus O'Dowd

476. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any explanation can be given to students suffering from a diagnosis of dyscalculia where they are having to source and pay a psychologist to complete an assessment report in order to apply for the DARE scheme, when required assessments for dyslexia and other assessment are undertaken by the school; if he will provide details; if there are any plans to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62011/22]

Third Level Admissions

Cathal Crowe

477. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Ukrainian students, living in Ireland, who will sit their senior cycle high-school state examinations in April 2023 that is the Ukrainian equivalent of the Irish Leaving Certificate examinations can apply to enter undergraduate courses in Irish third level colleges via the common application system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62042/22]

Flexible Work Practices

Sorca Clarke

478. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff who have applied to work from home on a part-time or permanent basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62141/22]

Further and Higher Education

Paul Donnelly

479. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated total capital expenditure on further education; and the technological sector and universities in 2023, in tabular form. [62182/22]

Third Level Fees

Paul Donnelly

480. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that the €1,000 reduction in college is not applicable to those doing so-called part-time courses. [62190/22]

Third Level Education

Paul Murphy

481. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a document produced by a representative body (details supplied); and if he will urgently review this document and engage with the body in relation to its requests. [62240/22]

Education and Training Provision

Cormac Devlin

482. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in skills and apprenticeships since 27 June 2020; the new initiatives undertaken; and the additional funding provided for them. [62322/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Jackie Cahill

284. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the grant supports that are available to those carrying out apprenticeships for various trades required for the building of houses; the supports that he intends to introduce to make the training in these trades more attractive and financially viable to prospective apprentices; his targets for the training of apprentices in the coming five years in each profession in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61433/22]

Third Level Fees

Réada Cronin

285. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will examine the issue of the reduction of third-level fees for a student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61439/22]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

286. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 142 of 1 December 2022, if he will instruct the Higher Education Authority to include a criterion of regional balance as part of the expression of interest for delivering increased numbers in veterinary medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61468/22]

Education and Training Boards

Rose Conway-Walsh

287. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of personal assistants employed, both directly and indirectly, by each ETB in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61469/22]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

288. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of all the social care courses available and their status with regard to CORU registration in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61470/22]

Third Level Costs

Bríd Smith

289. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 525 of 29 November 2022, if funding allocated to the student assistance fund can be used or applied for to help repeat students cover their fees and registration costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61520/22]

Social Welfare Benefits

Jackie Cahill

290. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) is entitled to the €1,000 cost-of-living support payment for third level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61524/22]

Departmental Funding

Patrick O'Donovan

291. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding that was provided to Limerick from his Department in 2022, broken down by project in tabular form. [61579/22]

Further and Higher Education

Aindrias Moynihan

93. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the application by Cork Education and Training Board under the strategic infrastructure investment fund for the development of a new centre for Youthreach in Macroom, County Cork; if his Department has finalised a site acquisition process to be applied in respect of this development; if such a process is required; when his Department will notify Cork Education and Training Board of its decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61189/22]

Third Level Fees

Ged Nash

94. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rationale for not including third-level students who are repeating first year in the scheme whereby student fees were reduced by €1,000 as part of the Government's cost-of-living support package; if he will provide a costing for the 2022-2023 academic year; if students in this category were to be included in the measure; if he plans to review the policy decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61259/22]

Third Level Fees

Fergus O'Dowd

95. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a response will issue to correspondence from a person (details supplied) in respect of third level fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61281/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

96. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of newly qualified apprentices to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61390/22]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

97. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a full list of all approved undergraduate courses for application under SUSI provided in the State to which the free fees scheme does not apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61391/22]

Language Schools

David Stanton

425. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to regulate English language schools and the employment of staff in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60784/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Lowry

426. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter regarding a person who is having difficulty gaining apprenticeship college placement closer to their place of residence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60221/22]

Departmental Data

Rose Conway-Walsh

427. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students in public institutes of higher education each year since 2011 including the 2022/2023 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60227/22]

Departmental Data

Rose Conway-Walsh

428. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of part-time undergraduates and postgraduate students in each public institute of higher education each year since 2011 including the 2022/2023 academic year in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60228/22]

Departmental Data

Rose Conway-Walsh

429. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of part-time third level students by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60229/22]

Departmental Data

Rose Conway-Walsh

430. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of guidance counsellors employed directly by each ETB; the number contracted in each year since 2016, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60230/22]

Further and Higher Education

Jackie Cahill

431. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the circumstances in which a student would not benefit from the €1,000 student contribution reduction announced in Budget 23; the criteria that a student must meet in order to benefit from the reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60251/22]

Third Level Fees

Cormac Devlin

432. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) has been brought to her attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60270/22]

Further and Higher Education

Violet-Anne Wynne

433. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports his Department has in place in respect of further education and training centres under the auspices of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60336/22]

Third Level Staff

Jackie Cahill

435. 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. [60420/22]

Third Level Staff

Jackie Cahill

436. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects the election of the NUI Senate to take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60421/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Colm Burke

437. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of apprenticeships that have been approved for the year ending 31 December 2019, 31 December 2020, 31 December 2021 and to the 30 November 2022, if he is satisfied that sufficient opportunities are available for people to take up apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60678/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Colm Burke

438. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the new action his Department taking to entice students to take up apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60679/22]

Third Level Reform

Colm Burke

439. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions his Department is taking to entice those who are unemployed to enter the education system and upskill in order to pursue employment thereafter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60680/22]

Ministerial Staff

Catherine Murphy

440. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of the employment status in the civil service of each civilian driver who has been replaced by an official Garda driver in his Ministerial driver corps; if VER payments have issued; and if any cases have been presented to the WRC to date on foot of the changes. [60719/22]

Nursing Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

441. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the quotas for nursing students in both the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 academic years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60728/22]

Departmental Staff

Mairéad Farrell

442. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of the categories of public sector workers and civil servants under his Department whose contracts fall under the Croke Park Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60736/22]

Third Level Costs

Bríd Smith

443. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 525 of 29 November 2022, if there are plans to allow students who have to repeat a year apply to the student assistance fund for help to cover fees in view of their exclusion from the reduced registration fees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60766/22]

Grant Payments

Peadar Tóibín

444. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of SUSI applications that were rejected on the basis that the pandemic unemployment payment brought their income over the threshold in each of the past 12 months. [60818/22]

Grant Payments

Peadar Tóibín

445. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of SUSI applications that were rejected in each of the past five years and to date in 2022. [60819/22]

Grant Payments

Peadar Tóibín

446. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who had their SUSI grant funding withdrawn from them mid-academic year in each of the past five years and to date in 2022. [60820/22]

Grant Payments

Peadar Tóibín

447. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who applied for SUSI grants by county in each of the past five years and to date in 2022. [60821/22]

Grant Payments

Peadar Tóibín

448. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who qualified for a SUSI grant by county in each of the past five years and to date in 2022. [60822/22]

Grant Payments

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

449. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that in cases in which an applicant is assessed as a dependant applicant upon entry to the SUSI processing system, they are unable to be assessed correctly if their circumstances have changed and they can prove these changes (details supplied). [60835/22]

Grant Payments

Marian Harkin

450. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 801 of 8 November 2022, when funding will be phased in for graduate entry medicine and if a reduction of student contribution fees is expected by September 2023. [60930/22]

Grant Payments

Marian Harkin

451. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 801 of 8 November 2022, if extra Government funding for universities, such as University College Dublin, will be ringfenced to ensure lower student contribution fees going forward. [60931/22]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

88. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the capital funding to unlock student accommodation projects and deliver approximately 3,000 student beds, currently at advanced stages of planning but unable to progress; if he will ensure that this accommodation is affordable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59803/22]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

89. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will engage with the PhD researcher unions (details supplied) to ensure that all PhD research students receive a living wage income or above via their stipend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60122/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

90. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that such little progress has been made in clearing the backlog of apprentices waiting to access off-the-job training in further education colleges and technological universities, given that 4,937 apprentices have currently been waiting over six months to be given a date to begin off-the-job training; the steps that he is taking to facilitate apprentices accessing training close to home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59804/22]

Technological Universities

Seán Canney

91. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that is being made on the delivery of the new STEM building for the Galway Campus of the Atlantic Technology University; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60119/22]

Further and Higher Education

Pádraig O'Sullivan

92. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update regarding the HEA call for expressions of interest to create more places for student vets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59397/22]

Third Level Reform

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

93. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding an announcement of the funding allocations being made available under PATH 4, phase 1; the institutions that have applied for this funding; if the quantum of funding will be sufficient to meet the demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59617/22]

Research Funding

Paul Murphy

94. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will engage with PhD researcher unions (details supplied) to ensure that all PhD research students receive a living wage income or above via their stipend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59820/22]

Disability Services

Ruairí Ó Murchú

95. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will detail the work that is currently being undertaken by his Department in respect of workforce planning and the future training of students in the area of disability services, particularly occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and child psychologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59172/22]

Student Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

96. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure students have access to affordable accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59753/22]

Further and Higher Education

Michael Fitzmaurice

97. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will retain the €1,000 reduction in fees for the 2023-2024 college year given the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59850/22]

Further and Higher Education

Steven Matthews

98. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding an engagement that he has had with the offshore renewable sector; if he is conscious of the need to ensure a steady pipeline of qualified graduates for this sector; if he will consider establishing a training centre of excellence in a college (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59452/22]

Further and Higher Education

Aindrias Moynihan

99. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI criteria of full-time in attendance course could be expanded to include blended courses, for example online and in-person training, given the current student accommodation difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59863/22]

Education and Training Boards

Fergus O'Dowd

100. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views with respect to the campaign for better working conditions and pay led by personal assistants working in institutes for further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59672/22]

Further and Higher Education

Emer Higgins

101. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that his Department is taking to financially support those undertaking PHD studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59309/22]

Further and Higher Education

Pádraig O'Sullivan

102. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the announcement made in July 2022 regarding the additional 50 bursaries of €5,000 for the most disadvantaged students including those with a disability, mature students, lone parents and further education award holders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59396/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bríd Smith

103. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the position of students who must repeat a year of their degree course; if he will ensure that they receive supports available to others such as the reduction in registration fees previously announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59784/22]

Further and Higher Education

Alan Dillon

104. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update surrounding recent announcements on the new further education and training, FET, colleges of the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59840/22]