Parliamentary questions

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

172. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his actions to increase the number of disability support staff in further and higher education institutions to reflect the increase in the number of disabled students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52066/22]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

173. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the ratio of disability support staff to disabled students in further and higher education institutions from 2016/2017 academic year to the 2020/2021 academic year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52067/22]

Disability Services

Pauline Tully

174. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views that the disability support staff should be aware of the different types of disability and the supports required for each of these disabilities; if he has plans to introduce training for disability support staff to ensure they have knowledge of a broad range of disabilities and the supports required for each of these disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52068/22]

Technological Universities

Jim O'Callaghan

175. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what his Department intends to use the Technological University of Dublin, Aungier Street premises for in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52074/22]

Early Childhood Care and Education

Mairéad Farrell

176. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons who have achieved QQI qualification in childcare, early childhood education and care, or montessori, by NFQ level, in each of the years 2000 to 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52159/22]

Legislative Programme

John Paul Phelan

177. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will set out a timeline to publish a general scheme of a new research Bill in the context of the Impact 2030 strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52265/22]

Technological Universities

Rose Conway-Walsh

178. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the plan for moving TU Dublin students from the Aungier St. campus to Grangegorman; the plans for the building once the students have been relocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52311/22]

Grant Payments

Robert Troy

179. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student has to repeat a year in college due to ill health will receive the €1,000 cost-of-living payment of tuition regardless of the SUSI position on issuing grants for a repeat year. [52322/22]

Further and Higher Education

Patricia Ryan

180. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the availability of third level places for pharmacy students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52347/22]

Further and Higher Education

Patricia Ryan

181. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that Maynooth University terminated the construction of the new student centre project; the status of levies paid by students to fund the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52348/22]

Grant Payments

Paul Kehoe

182. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that third level students from a college (details supplied) are not entitled to the €1,000 rebate on their college fees announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52392/22]

Tax Reliefs

Rose Conway-Walsh

80. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and the Minister for Finance on extending the renters' tax rebate to students and parents as well as PhD researchers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51723/22]

Third Level Costs

Richard Boyd Barrett

81. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he recognises the need to remove all fees for and financial barriers to further and higher education given the shortage of graduates and postgraduates across multiple sectors of Ireland’s economy and public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51823/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Rose Conway-Walsh

82. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated total expenditure from the National Training Fund in 2022; the allocated expenditure for this coming year as part of budget 2023; the estimated reserve in the National Training Fund by the end of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51724/22]

Technological Universities

Matt Shanahan

83. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the quantum of capital funding which he envisages will be available to draw down over a timeframe to deliver on the aspirations to halt the brain drain in the south east as part of this framework; the new courses, new disciplines and new buildings that are being put in place as part of South East Technological University configuration; the timeframe for this achievement given that he has made great efforts to deliver amalgamation of the new university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52079/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Pringle

84. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021–2025, particularly regarding participation of employers and retention rates of apprentices with their training employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51822/22]

Further and Higher Education

Gary Gannon

85. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a full breakdown of the number of PhDs who are funded through State or State-funded bodies (details supplied) and an estimate of privately-funded PhDs registered at Irish universities. [51684/22]

Children in Care

Peadar Tóibín

86. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that are being taken by his Department to assist young people in aftercare, that is persons who have left Tusla residential or foster care placements at the age of 18 years, who are in further or higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51338/22]

Third Level Fees

Violet-Anne Wynne

87. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason mature students who are studying blended learning courses will be ineligible to receive the €1,000 reduction in fees announced in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51632/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Steven Matthews

88. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the initiatives that he plans to encourage the recruitment of apprentices in the renewable energy sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51441/22]

Grant Payments

Paul Kehoe

89. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who will benefit from the double payment of student grants per county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51092/22]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

90. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address the inequity experienced by PhD researchers who are excluded from the €500 one-off payment; if the PhD researchers excluded are on average on lower stipends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51727/22]

Further and Higher Education

David Stanton

91. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans, if any, for the further development and expansion of local training initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51633/22]

Grant Payments

Catherine Connolly

92. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to extend the SUSI grant to part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51699/22]

Technological Universities

David Stanton

93. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the further development of the technological universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51634/22]

Further and Higher Education

David Cullinane

94. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional medical, nursing, midwifery, and health and social care undergraduate places across further and higher education courses which will be added across higher education institutes State-wide in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51639/22]

Grant Payments

Alan Farrell

95. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeframe for when the double payment of student grants will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51358/22]

Third Level Fees

Aindrias Moynihan

96. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his engagement with private third level institutions on the one-off €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students to ensure their inclusion in this measure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51645/22]

Third Level Fees

Colm Burke

97. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the process for contribution fee refunds in 2022; when students can expect a refund of their contribution fee in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51686/22]

Healthcare Policy

Rose Conway-Walsh

98. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the provision of health and social care places, and veterinary places to address the crisis in vacancies seen across these sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51728/22]

Further and Higher Education

Niamh Smyth

99. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the development of Cavan Institute; the investment that his Department is allocating; and the works that will be carried out. [51141/22]

Technological Universities

David Cullinane

100. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the additional investment in the South East Technological University Waterford campus which he will make available in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51640/22]

Student Accommodation

Mick Barry

101. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the measures that he intends to take to make student accommodation affordable given that it is a major barrier to people taking up college places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51658/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Christopher O'Sullivan

102. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Solas painting and decorating apprentices have to travel to Dublin to complete their classroom-based training due to nowhere else in the country being able to facilitate this (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51719/22]

Student Unions

Mick Barry

103. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on any meetings with student unions in relation to the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51657/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Paul Phelan

104. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the future farming apprenticeships which he plans to announce in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51225/22]

Education and Training Boards

Matt Carthy

105. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of applications for green cert places available through education and training boards in the academic years beginning in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51335/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Colm Burke

106. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department plans to introduce additional funding for apprentices to support them to continue in their apprenticeships in view of the increase in the cost of living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51687/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

107. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which students are encouraged to study medicine, veterinary medicine and similar professions currently suffering from a dearth of graduates at a time of population growth; if an adequate supply can be maintained in these areas in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51638/22]

Grant Payments

Brendan Griffin

108. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will increase the SUSI grant qualification threshold further for the next relevant academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51626/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

109. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of women who are currently completing apprenticeships across Ireland; the steps that are being taken to continually increase participation rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51010/22]

Further and Higher Education

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

110. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that his Department is taking in order to address the shortage of educational psychologists in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51630/22]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

111. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he intends to take to address the inequality in and the inadequacy of stipends across PhD research students which is now exacerbated by the recent Budget 2023 increase of €500 only to those in receipt of SFI and IRC stipends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51700/22]

Student Accommodation

Holly Cairns

112. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage concerning the shortage of accommodation for students attending third level courses. [51319/22]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

113. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the implementation group for the delivery of the new further education and training funding model; the membership of the group; the terms of reference of the group; the number of times that the group has met to date; the dates of these meetings; if minutes are taken in respect of the meetings of the implementation group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51698/22]

Grant Payments

Fergus O'Dowd

114. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration is currently being given with respect to part-time students and their access to the SUSI grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51223/22]

Third Level Fees

Joe Carey

115. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who will benefit from the €1,000 reduction in student contribution fee per county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51162/22]

Student Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

116. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address the chronic shortage of affordable accommodation for students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51703/22]

Grant Payments

Pádraig O'Sullivan

117. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with SUSI about the possibility of raising the income threshold to ensure that middle income earners who are struggling financially will be able to avail of third level grants in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51495/22]

Third Level Education

Gary Gannon

118. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has examined the possibility of extending the €500 cost-of-living payment and stipend increase announced in Budget 2023 to PhDs funded outside of the IRC and SFI; and if a mechanism similar to the pandemic-related payments to students has been considered for this cohort. [51683/22]

Student Accommodation

Pa Daly

119. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on student accommodation providers charging a full month’s rent to students where they have not spent a full initial month upon moving into their accommodation. [51607/22]

Third Level Education

Thomas Gould

120. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has met with universities in Cork to discuss the potential of a northside campus. [51643/22]

Third Level Education

Paul Murphy

121. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of PhD researchers who have dropped out of their studies in recent years; and if any research has been done on the reason they dropped out. [51673/22]

Student Accommodation

Matt Carthy

122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he has taken to maximise the availability of accommodation for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51336/22]

Qualifications Recognition

Rose Conway-Walsh

123. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on pathways to CORU registration for social care students studying in the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51729/22]

Research Funding

Patrick Costello

124. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that his Department provides for research for new antibiotics; his views on whether this is sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51005/22]

Student Accommodation

Pa Daly

125. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagements that he has had recently with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to student accommodation. [51608/22]

Departmental Priorities

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

126. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that his Department is taking in order to ensure that there is an available and sufficient workforce with the requisite skills and expertise for the new green economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51631/22]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

127. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will abolish the fees for graduate entry medicine programmes, given the chronic shortage of doctors across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51701/22]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

128. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that are being taken to unlock the 3,000 student accommodation beds in college-owned projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51725/22]

Student Accommodation

Aindrias Moynihan

129. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his engagement with third level student accommodation providers to ensure that the €600 electric credits announced in Budget 2023 are passed onto students in form of reduction of rent which includes their utilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51646/22]

Third Level Fees

Neale Richmond

130. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to further reduce student contributions in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51363/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Steven Matthews

131. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the initiatives that he has facilitated to encourage the recruitment of apprentices to the construction sector in order to achieve construction targets as set out in Housing for All; if he is considering any additional measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51440/22]

Third Level Education

Patrick Costello

132. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide additional funding per registered PhD student to each university to allow them to pay an increased stipend, bringing their income in line with the €28,000 paid to individuals on the PhD Innovate for Ireland programme. [51670/22]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Griffin

133. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students can expect their student contribution fees to be further reduced beyond 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51625/22]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

134. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that all postgraduate psychology students are provided with funded doctorate programmes and to end the discrepancies in funding between clinical, educational and counselling psychologists; if he will abolish all fees for these programmes to address the chronic shortage of these professionals across the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51702/22]

Grant Payments

Peadar Tóibín

135. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons that have qualified for a SUSI grant this year; the number of persons whose applications for a SUSI grant have been rejected and the number of students for whom a decision has yet to be reached on their grant application. [51337/22]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

136. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he recognises the need to remove all fees for and financial barriers to further and higher education given the shortage of graduates and postgraduates across multiple sectors of Ireland’s economy and public services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51704/22]

Budget 2023

Neale Richmond

137. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports he has provided in Budget 2023 to help with the costs of going to college both in terms of fees and grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51362/22]

Student Accommodation

Thomas Gould

138. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding that he has provided to University College Cork and Munster Technological University to build student accommodation in 2023. [51644/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

139. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which arrangements continue to be made whereby an adequate supply of apprentices or graduates in the most urgently required areas continue to be available, having regard to the public demand and the need to provide for the future in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51637/22]

Education and Training Boards

Marian Harkin

140. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of regularising the terms and conditions of adult education tutors employed by education and training boards; the timeline to address the outstanding commitments, recommendations, awards and claims within the terms of the quantum of the sectoral bargaining fund available for agreed sectoral bargaining units; if an agreed approach with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has been reached; and when a proposal will be made to staff representatives with a view to resolving outstanding issues. [51641/22]

Third Level Fees

Alan Dillon

141. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if those who are currently preparing to sit their Leaving Certificate in the next two years expect their student contribution fees to be further reduced beyond 2024 given the cost-of-living crisis and the increasing rates of rent being experienced by current third level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51677/22]

Ukraine War

Rose Conway-Walsh

142. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement that he has had with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth in relation to ensuring that Ukrainian refugees are supported in attending further and higher education, particularly in relation to accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51726/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Fergus O'Dowd

143. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he and his Department plan to expand apprenticeship offerings in the north-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51224/22]

Veterinary Services

Kieran O'Donnell

144. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the need to establish a veterinary college in the province of Munster; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51222/22]

Departmental Schemes

Gary Gannon

145. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the new Innovate for Ireland scheme will be open for applicants; and the criteria that potential applicants will need to meet in order to be eligible for the scheme. [51682/22]

Further and Higher Education

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

146. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has had any contact with Carlow College St. Patrick's with regard to bringing about the full integration of Carlow College St. Patrick’s into the higher education system in the south east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51571/22]

Technological Universities

Pádraig O'Sullivan

147. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of plans to upgrade the 1974 building in Munster Technological University, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51496/22]

Further and Higher Education

Niamh Smyth

148. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the development of Cavan Institute as a hub for further education and training. [51140/22]

Education Schemes

Michael McNamara

582. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive their Solas safepass card given that this one-day course was completed on 29 September 2021;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51117/22]

Education Costs

Mairéad Farrell

583. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has plans in view of the reduction in the student contribution charge for undergraduate students for a corresponding reduction in the prices of fees for postgraduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51156/22]

Education Costs

Mairéad Farrell

584. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has plans in view of the recent changes announced to the SUSI eligibility criteria to expand eligibility for those who already hold a degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51157/22]

Education Schemes

Bernard Durkan

585. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a higher education grant in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51163/22]

Cybersecurity Policy

John Lahart

586. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total spend by his Department and the agencies under his remit on cybersecurity measures since 2019 to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51174/22]

Cybersecurity Policy

John Lahart

587. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proportion of his Department’s IT data that is stored in the cloud; the proportion of the data held by all agencies and subsidiaries of his Department in the cloud; if this represents an improvement; if so, the development that has been made towards cloud storage since 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51198/22]

Education Schemes

Richard Bruton

588. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to undergraduate students in the Marino Institute of Education not being eligible for the recent supports which he announced for students in the free undergraduate programmes; and if he will consider extending the arrangements to this not-for-profit college. [51212/22]

Departmental Staff

Mairéad Farrell

589. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the names of all special advisors working in his Department; the Minister and Junior Minister who each advisor is associated with and their respective salaries, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51257/22]

Agriculture Industry

Aindrias Moynihan

590. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that are being taken to increase and encourage women to pursue a career in farming through education and agriculture courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51659/22]

Education Policy

Gary Gannon

591. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update to an organisation (details supplied) on his promise to consult it in various relevant committees convened from within his Department, including fund the future committees. [51695/22]

Education Standards

Gary Gannon

592. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of PhD researchers who have dropped out of their studies in the past three years in tabular form. [51696/22]

Education Schemes

Catherine Connolly

593. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to extend the free fees scheme to students attending part-time courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51732/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Catherine Connolly

594. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships currently waiting to start off-the-job training; the expected timeline for the clearing of the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51733/22]

Departmental Schemes

Rose Conway-Walsh

595. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the new Innovate for Ireland scheme will be open for applicants; the criteria that potential applicants will need to meet in order to be eligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51735/22]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

596. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department have examined the possibility of extending the €500 cost-of-living payment and stipend increase announced in Budget 2023 to PhDs funded outside of IRC and SFI specifically, if a mechanism similar to the pandemic-related payments to students had been considered for this cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51736/22]

Departmental Schemes

Paul Murphy

597. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the new innovate for Ireland scheme will be open for applicants and the criteria potential applicants will need to meet in order to be eligible for the scheme. [51742/22]

Third Level Education

Paul Murphy

598. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has examined the possibility of extending the €500 cost-of-living payment and stipend increase announced in Budget 2023 to PhDs funded outside of IRC and SFI and if a mechanism similar to the pandemic related payments to students had been considered for this cohort. [51743/22]

Education Policy

Paul Murphy

599. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of PhDs that are funded through State or State-funded bodies (details supplied); and the estimated number of privately funded PhDs registered at Irish universities. [51744/22]

Education Policy

Paul Murphy

600. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will update an organisation (details supplied) on his promise to consult it in various relevant committees convened from within his Department including fund the future committees. [51747/22]

Third Level Education

Paul Murphy

601. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department possesses counts of PhD researchers who have dropped out of their studies in recent years. [51748/22]