Parliamentary questions

Education Policy

Paul Murphy

602. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a detailed breakdown of the way in which the €307 million figure contained in the funding the future policy document would be spent, with a specific comment on any funds dedicated to improving the conditions of PhD researchers and other staff members on temporary, contingent and or precarious contracts. [51749/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Niamh Smyth

603. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the importance of apprenticeships in society moving forward; the steps that his Department is taking to increase staffing levels in areas that have seen a reduction in apprentices since Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44956/22]

Departmental Staff

Paul Murphy

604. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of the names of each special advisor employed by his Department since 2015, the relevant Minister they worked under and the date that their employment with the Department/Minister ceased where applicable. [51781/22]

Education Policy

Seán Canney

605. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason part-time students are excluded from the reduction in student fees outlined in the recent Budget; if has attention has been drawn to the fact that many students are trying to progress their careers in difficult circumstances by pursuing part-time education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51809/22]

Education and Training Boards

Joe Flaherty

606. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on plans for the development of the Longford Westmeath Education and Training Board further education campus on the Battery Road, Longford. [51821/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Richard Boyd Barrett

607. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, as an urgent measure, he will look into reforming the need for social work students to do four months unpaid full-time placements, especially in view of the need for more social workers in the country and the current cost of-living-crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51831/22]

Education Schemes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

608. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the new Innovate for Ireland scheme will be open for applicants; if he will clarify the criteria potential applicants will need to meet in order to be eligible for the scheme. [51833/22]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

609. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin 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. [51834/22]

Education and Training Provision

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

610. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a full breakdown of numbers of PhDs who are funded through State or state-funded bodies (IRC, SFI, HRB, Bord Bia, National Arts Council and so on and an estimate of privately funded PhDs registered at Irish universities. [51835/22]

Education Policy

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

611. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will update the Postgraduate Workers Alliance of Ireland on his promise to consult PGWA in various relevant committees convened from within his Department, including fund the future committees. [51838/22]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

612. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department possesses counts of PhDs researchers who have dropped out of their studies every year for the past five years. [51839/22]

Cost of Living Issues

Jackie Cahill

613. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the various cost-of-living measures for postgraduate and PhD students and researchers that were announced in Budget 2023 will be provided; if he will provide details of these payments and when they will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51844/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Catherine Murphy

614. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details of the capital expenditure provided to University College Dublin since 2018, in tabular form. [51858/22]

Sport and Recreational Development

Chris Andrews

615. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science with respect to the sale of a large site in Dublin city centre (details supplied), if his Department will consider including a clause in the sale whereby the provision of sports and recreational facilities be included in the development owing to the fact that there is a chronic lack of such facilities in the inner-city area. [51900/22]

Budget 2023

Seán Sherlock

616. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the exact process that will operate for the refund process as announced in Budget 2023 and the criteria for the refund of fees, in each third level institution; and if refunds are dependent on funds being deposited in each institution before refunds are paid to students. [51901/22]

Third Level Costs

Duncan Smith

617. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a college course (details supplied) qualifies for a SUSI grant; if it qualifies for the €1,000 repayment as recently announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51906/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

618. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of progress achieved the main stakeholders in providing an adequate supply of suitably qualified graduates for the marketplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51982/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

619. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of graduates required in both the public and private sectors in academia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51983/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

620. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of graduates required in both the public and private sectors in the technology sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51984/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

621. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to identify the most acute areas of shortages of graduates available to the workforce; his ongoing plans to meet such shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51985/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

622. 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 number of posts in the health services in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51986/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

623. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of graduates in the technological area likely to emerge for their respective colleges/apprenticeships on an annual basis over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51987/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

624. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of graduates in the area of academia likely to emerge for their respective colleges on an annual basis over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51988/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

625. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science 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. [51989/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

626. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects science to play an increased role in the higher education sector with particular reference to ensuring an adequate number of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51990/22]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

627. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure the 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. [51991/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

628. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to coordinate opportunities to emphasise the sciences, innovation and research, with a view to ensuring the maximum level of preparedness to graduates through such channels having particular regard to the needs in an ever-increasingly competitive marketplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51992/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

629. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects third and fourth level student numbers to increase at academic and technical level in the future, in line with demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51993/22]

Third Level Costs

Brendan Smith

630. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 4 October 2022, if he will give further consideration to the need to provide the once-off €1,000 State financial support towards fees for students attending college outside the State, taking into account the substantial increase in costs for such students studying in Northern Ireland and Britain (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52026/22]

Further and Higher Education

Pauline Tully

631. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the number of places in further and higher education facilities in the 2023/2024 academic year to study speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, psychology and physiotherapy courses; the level that each of these additional courses will be delivered in tabular form;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52077/22]

Departmental Consultations

Pauline Tully

632. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagements that his Department has had with the Department of Health, the HSE and the Higher Education Authority since July 2020 to identify skills shortages in health and social care and the need for additional further and higher education courses in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52078/22]

Judicial Reviews

Catherine Murphy

339. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of judicial reviews taken against his Department in the past ten years to date in 2022, in tabular form; if he will indicate in the reply the body and or person that initiated judicial review proceedings; the number of judicial reviews that remain open and or active; and the totality of costs incurred by his Department as a result of judicial reviews over that time period. [50758/22]

Third Level Fees

Richard O'Donoghue

340. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will reconsider and give mature students the approved one-off reduction of €1,000 for the student contribution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50929/22]

Budget 2023

Éamon Ó Cuív

341. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all third level students, undergraduate and postgraduate will be eligible for the reduction in fees of €1,000 announced in Budget 2023; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50993/22]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

342. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a refusal by SUSI of a higher education grant in the name of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed and who was deemed ineligible for whatever reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51082/22]

Third Level Fees

Claire Kerrane

126. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a fee reduction can be made available to part-time students given the announcement of a €1,000 fee reduction for undergraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50394/22]

Third Level Fees

Martin Kenny

127. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on when the circular related to partial refunds on fees paid before the €1,000 reduction came into effect can be expected by institutions of further and higher education. [50441/22]

Third Level Fees

Martin Kenny

128. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on when a person (details supplied) can expect their partial refund of fees paid before the €1,000 reduction announced in Budget 2023. [50442/22]

Departmental Staff

Catherine Murphy

129. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of the number of staff by grade who are assigned on a full-time basis to liaise and provide support to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in order for that Department to fulfil its areas of responsibility in respect of providing for the needs of those seeking international protection and persons categorised by virtue of the temporary protection directive by the European Union; and if he will provide a schedule of the services that his Department provides to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in that regard. [50451/22]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

130. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the provision of pathways for social care students studying at a college (details supplied) into the profession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50479/22]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

131. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €40 million to address sustainable funding for higher education as outlined in the Budget 2023 Expenditure Report is a first or full-year costing; if it is a first-year costing, and the estimated full-year costing; if this is fully separate from €37 million allocated for central pay agreement provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50480/22]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

132. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that the €40 million allocated under non-core additional Covid-19 will be spent; if the €40 million is a first or full-year costing; the value in full-year costings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50481/22]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

133. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that the €21 million allocated under non-core additional National Recovery and Resilience Plan allocation will be spent; if the €21 million is a first or full-year costing; the value in full-year costings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50482/22]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

134. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that the €21 million allocated under non-core additional Brexit Adjustment Reserve allocation will be spent; if the €21 million is a first or full-year costing; the value in full-year costings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50483/22]

Grant Payments

Gino Kenny

135. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address issues (details supplied) in relation to recognising students in the SUSI application system who started college under age 23 years and who live independently from their parents; and if the matter will be examined and the issues addressed. [50525/22]

Budget 2023

Rose Conway-Walsh

136. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in Budget 2023 the non-pay allocation is €1,607.4 million whereas this was set at €1,612.2 million in the 2022 Expenditure report; the reason this is the case given the €98 million in additional resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50536/22]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

137. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the reduction in the allocation of expenditure from the National Training Fund given that it is €682.5 million in 2023 expenditure report and was €716.4 million in 2022; the areas in which the reductions will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50537/22]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

138. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that the core capital allocation is €568 million given the National Development Plan anticipated €579 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50538/22]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

139. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to provide support to higher education institutions to deliver affordable student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50539/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

140. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of apprentice in each type and phase; the total number of apprentices awaiting access to off-the-job training in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50543/22]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

141. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of PhD researchers; the percentage of PhD researchers who will receive the €500 stipend increase; the total number who will likely receive the increase in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50544/22]

Further and Higher Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

142. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement that he has had with Maynooth University regarding the cancellation of the student centre (details supplied); the obligations that are on the university to those who paid the increased levy now that the project has been cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50545/22]

Further and Higher Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

143. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the reduction in fees for third-level students will apply to students attending part-time courses such as the part-time BA in Social Care in Galway University; and the supports that will be provided for part-time students. [50551/22]

Further and Higher Education

Pádraig O'Sullivan

144. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) in a third-level institution can transfer courses while still availing of the free fees' initiative; if there is a certain timeframe in such instances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50558/22]

Further and Higher Education

Eoin Ó Broin

145. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that PhD students who are not funded by SFI and IRC have been excluded from receiving the bonus payment announced in Budget 2023; if this will be reconsidered and amended to include all PhD students given the current cost-of-living situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50662/22]

Further and Higher Education

Eoin Ó Broin

146. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to some PhD students who have been deemed ineligible to receive the SUSI postgraduate grant due to their date of birth at the time of application, despite being financially independent of their parents in advance of the application and despite their turning 23 years of age in advance of beginning their PhD studies; and if this will be reviewed given the financial pressures experienced by PhD students. [50663/22]

Further and Higher Education

Gary Gannon

147. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of appeals heard by the independent student grants appeal board in 2021; and if he will provide a breakdown of the number of appeals that were upheld, partially upheld, overturned and withdrawn in 2021. [50744/22]

Departmental Transport

Eoin Ó Broin

550. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is a policy regarding the appropriate use of domestic flights in his Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department. [50120/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Martin Browne

551. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available to apprentices facing economic hardship; and if there are plans to raise the apprentice rates of pay. [49460/22]

Third Level Education

Catherine Murphy

552. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline his progress to date in developing an education stream and-or awareness campaigns in third level education settings that addresses gender based violence and related matters [49500/22]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

553. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students from the North will be eligible for the €1,000 fee reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49522/22]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

554. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if post-graduate students on special rate SUSI will be eligible for the €1,000 fee reduction in fees if their fees exceed the €6,270 fee limit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49523/22]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

555. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students undertaking a further education and training course (details supplied) at NFQ level 8 will benefit from the €1,000 fee reduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49525/22]

Third Level Fees

Catherine Connolly

556. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to extend the reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution announced in budget 2023 to all postgraduate students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49604/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Lowry

557. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the Government intends to introduce a minimum wage for the apprenticeship sector in line with national minimum wage guidelines given that some first-year apprentices can earn on average only €7 per hour or approximately €274 for a full working week (details supplied); the measures that are being taken to alleviate these income irregularities in the apprenticeship sector compared with the national minimum wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49607/22]

Grant Payments

Violet-Anne Wynne

558. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will exercise discretion in the matter of a person (details supplied) in receipt of a SUSI grant. [49668/22]

Grant Payments

Violet-Anne Wynne

559. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that a person in receipt of a SUSI grant, who is classed as a dependant, at the beginning of their studies cannot become independent during their studies without requiring a three-year break; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49669/22]

Grant Payments

Violet-Anne Wynne

560. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the factors that are used to determine distance from the recipient’s home to a higher educational institute in calculating the rate of a SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49670/22]

Grant Payments

Violet-Anne Wynne

561. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process that is employed in appealing a decision made on a SUSI grant; the person who presides over the decision-making process in both the first and second instance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49671/22]

Official Engagements

Richard Boyd Barrett

562. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will meet delegates from a representative body (details supplied) in October; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49746/22]

Third Level Education

Cathal Crowe

563. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that will be taken to ensure that there is adequate financial support for students commencing third level education in 2023. [49797/22]

Grant Payments

Cathal Crowe

564. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consult SUSI about raising the income threshold to ensure that middle-income earners who are struggling can access third level grants from 2023. [49798/22]

Further and Higher Education

Joe McHugh

565. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the financial projections of the national training fund up to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49816/22]

Third Level Fees

Richard O'Donoghue

566. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that students attending the University of Limerick are being charged €3,700 a year due to their being part-time students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49838/22]

Third Level Fees

Seán Canney

567. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will change the three-year residence rule for children born outside the European Union whose parents have returned to Ireland to allow the children to become eligible for Irish fees as opposed to international fees for third level education; if he will ensure that students who meet the three-year criteria can change from being treated as international students to Irish students during the course of their studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49911/22]

Technological Universities

Matt Shanahan

568. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science her position regarding the future headquarters of the South East Technological University (details supplied) which is irreconcilable with that stated in the minutes of the governing body meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49930/22]

Technological Universities

Matt Shanahan

569. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if she will provide details of what constitutes a quorum with respect to the new governing board of the South East Technological University; the way that decisions at board level stand when taken in the absence of one or more of the primary four regional representatives; if it is by majority vote on the day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49931/22]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

570. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of moving all part-time courses at public higher education institutes under the free fee initiative on a pro-rata basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50042/22]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

571. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of reducing all non-SUSI postgraduate courses by €1,000; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50043/22]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

572. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he is taking to ensure that Ukrainians enrolled in third level courses are supported in accessing student accommodation, where necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50047/22]

Educational Disadvantage

Carol Nolan

573. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider expanding the remit of the mitigating against educational disadvantage fund to provide rent-related funding to support educationally disadvantaged learners in accessing and participating in third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50095/22]

Educational Disadvantage

Carol Nolan

574. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding has been provided under the mitigating against educational disadvantage fund to support educationally disadvantaged learners in counties Laois and Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50096/22]

Further and Higher Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

575. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the chronic shortage of graduates in the veterinary sector; and the efforts that are being made to remedy this deficit. [50144/22]

Third Level Fees

Jennifer Whitmore

576. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the college fee re-imbursement announced in budget 2023 will apply to Irish students studying abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50252/22]

Further and Higher Education

Jackie Cahill

577. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions that are being made available under budget 2023 to assist postgraduate students in relation to the cost-of-living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50257/22]

Further and Higher Education

Jackie Cahill

578. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider expanding the postgraduate grant process in order that more students can avail of these much needed supports; if he will increase the financial assistance and grant rates that are currently being provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50258/22]

Third Level Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

579. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that he will take in relation to the fact that the only graduate-entry medicine specific loan has been removed by a bank (details supplied); if he has discussed the matter with the Minister for Finance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50260/22]

Third Level Fees

Alan Dillon

580. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that he has in place for students who have paid repeat fees (details supplied); if they will be entitled to claim a refund as announced in budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50326/22]

Departmental Properties

Holly Cairns

581. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces within his Department and the workplaces of public bodies and agencies under his remit, including a list of said buildings which do and do not have these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50342/22]

Further and Higher Education

Réada Cronin

308. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will undertake a thorough investigation of a matter at Maynooth University whereby a decision has been taken not to proceed with a long promised student centre and for which levies had been placed on students over several years; if so, if he will publish the findings of such investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49249/22]

Further and Higher Education

Réada Cronin

309. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if former students at Maynooth University who paid levies for the construction of a designated student centre will be refunded those monies paid and with interest due, now that the structure as envisioned is not to go ahead; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49250/22]

Further and Higher Education

Paul Kehoe

310. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the decision by Maynooth University to halt construction of the student centre which has been funded in part by a student levy; the action that he is taking on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49117/22]

Third Level Education

Verona Murphy

311. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of physiotherapists who graduated from third level education in the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49132/22]

Third Level Education

Verona Murphy

312. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of psychologists who graduated from third level education in the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49133/22]

Third Level Education

Verona Murphy

313. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of occupational therapists who graduated from third level education in the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49134/22]

Third Level Education

Verona Murphy

314. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of speech and language therapists who graduated from third level education in the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49135/22]

Departmental Contracts

Mick Barry

315. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has any contracts with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49167/22]

Departmental Bodies

Michael Ring

316. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the name, function and establishment date of all the organisations and agencies that are funded by his Department; the number of employees in each; the salary of the chief executive in each organisation and agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49187/22]

Third Level Education

Paul Murphy

317. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is another route of getting into biological sciences and biomedical sciences if one cannot gain access through the traditional route of the CAO system (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49251/22]

Third Level Education

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

318. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to keep his promise of a furtherance of education for Irish students displaced due to the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49347/22]