Parliamentary questions

Springboard Programme

Seán Haughey

163. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if sole traders registered with the Revenue Commissioners can be made eligible for free Springboard courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25772/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Róisín Shortall

164. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider reviewing the residency clause of the Student Support Act 2011 in order that the children of returning Irish emigrants are not discriminated against by not being in the State for three out of the previous five years prior to their student grant application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25853/20]

Third Level Admissions

Danny Healy-Rae

599. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the exceptions being made for those that had sat their leaving certificate in 2019 and applied for college places in 2020 given that average grades across all subjects increased by 4.4% in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24719/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Richard Boyd Barrett

600. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing student grants to their highest historical levels. [24808/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

601. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who missed out on their first choice CAO courses. [24839/20]

Student Support Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

602. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider increasing the number of higher education places available through the HEAR and DARE schemes in order to provide students experiencing educational disadvantage the opportunity to obtain their preferred third-level places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24853/20]

State Examinations

Niamh Smyth

603. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a student (details supplied) will be reviewed; and the steps the family can take in relation to the matter. [24952/20]

Further and Higher Education

Robert Troy

604. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a recent appeal by a person (details supplied) to the external appeals office will be investigated. [25069/20]

Further and Higher Education

Robert Troy

605. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of students (details supplied) will be examined and a resolution expedited in relation to a student grant issue. [25085/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

606. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the 2020 CAO entrance points will be applied to the leaving certificate 2020 cohort that will be resitting exams in November 2020. [25281/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

607. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the HPAT results from 2020 will carry over to 2021 for leaving certificate 2020 students reapplying to medicine courses for entry in 2021 that are resitting some of their leaving certificate exams in November 2020. [25282/20]

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

608. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students whose calculated leaving certificate grades increase on appeal will be guaranteed a place on their desired course that they had missed out on. [25286/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Louise O'Reilly

609. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if dedicated sector-specific supports will be provided to English language schools in view of the fact that the Covid-19 crisis has significantly affected this sector. [25456/20]

State Examinations

Rose Conway-Walsh

610. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of the approximately 8,000 students that sat the leaving certificate in 2019 or before that were directly affected by the increase in entry points received and CAO offer; the number that accepted their CAO offer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24727/20]

Third Level Admissions

Cian O'Callaghan

611. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science The steps he is taking to address the number of students with deferred college applications that received no CAO offers in 2020 or otherwise missed out on their CAO choices as a result of the significant points increase for 2020/2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24767/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

612. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the specific courses given extra places from the 2,225 additional third-level places; the number of courses that had unfilled places in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24780/20]

State Examinations

Ged Nash

613. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed in relation to their CAO application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24814/20]

State Examinations

Rose Conway-Walsh

614. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students accepted to study medicine here from 2008 to 2020; the number that came through the CAO application system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24860/20]

Student Support Schemes

Bernard Durkan

615. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding options available to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24951/20]

State Examinations

Paul Murphy

616. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the health professions admissions test rules will be amended in order that the HPAT grades achieved in 2020 can be used for university entry to study medicine in 2021 and students do not have to repeat the HPAT tests. [24973/20]

State Examinations

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

617. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students that did not receive an offer for their CAO level 8 choices in 2020; the number of students that did not receive an offer for their level 8 CAO choices in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25053/20]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

618. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process to be followed by a student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25079/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

619. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the consideration and support for international students studying here prior to Covid-19 that may struggle to pay fees due to not being able to work over the summer period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25190/20]

Further and Higher Education

Seán Canney

620. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the difficulties facing medical students here which is creating a situation whereby doctors that achieved their education through graduate entry programmes are defaulting on student loans due to the high education costs they face here which incentivises them to work abroad; his views on the introduction of a HSE style bursary for clinical years three and four; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25236/20]

Scientific Research

Louise O'Reilly

621. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of associate membership of CERN. [25313/20]

Student Support Schemes

Mick Barry

622. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures will be put in place to ensure that students that were born here and or have been long term resident in Ireland but are not Irish, UK, EEA or Swiss citizens will be able to avail of the free fees scheme and apply for SUSI grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25385/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Louise O'Reilly

623. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if apprentices’ off-the-job training can be scheduled in a way that means they will be closer to home in view of Covid-19; and if not, if additional funding will be provided for their accommodation allowance. [25466/20]

Third Level Fees

Colm Burke

624. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if financial supports or subsidies will be provided to students whose third level course is delivered primarily or totally online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25514/20]

Third Level Fees

Colm Burke

625. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if student contribution fees will be reduced for third-level students whose course is delivered primarily or totally online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25650/20]

Further Education and Training Colleges

Pádraig O'Sullivan

146. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding available to further education colleges to support students with disabilities; the mechanism by which the funding is accessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24485/20]

Further Education and Training Colleges

Pádraig O'Sullivan

147. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that funding for students with disabilities is adequate to support the needs of students attending further education colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24486/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Darren O'Rourke

148. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding supports available for students undertaking graduate entry medicine; if the SUSI grant or other grants are available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24526/20]

Third Level Admissions

Éamon Ó Cuív

149. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to provide further extra places on third-level first year courses in 2020 in view of the higher points achieved by students in the leaving certificate 2020 compared to previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24542/20]

Third Level Institutions

Bernard Durkan

150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of incidents of bullying, intimidation or harassment including sexual harassment reported in each of the past five years to date in third-level institutions; the extent to which such allegations were investigated; the action taken arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24572/20]

Third Level Admissions

Gary Gannon

151. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there was a difference between the number of CAO first preference offers in 2020 between candidates using 2020 predictive leaving certificate grades and those that completed their leaving certificate in other years in tabular form. [24575/20]

Third Level Education

Holly Cairns

152. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a document (details supplied); his views on its budgetary requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24647/20]

Ministerial Briefing

Holly Cairns

153. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the briefing for Ministers he received on commencing his role will be made publicly available. [24649/20]

Third Level Admissions

Michael Creed

103. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the approach he will take to equalise the position of students who sat their leaving certificate in 2019 and deferred their CAO application until 2020 in view of both grade and course inflation arising from the Covid-19 and the leaving certificate of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24239/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

104. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department predicts a decline in the number of students travelling to abroad to study at third-level; the estimated increase in students accepting CAO offers as a result of a predicted decline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24369/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

105. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new university places made available as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24388/20]

Student Assistance Fund

Richard Boyd Barrett

534. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a college (details supplied) is on the list of colleges eligible for funding for the Government assistance fund for students to assist them with laptops and other forms of technology; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23286/20]

Third Level Admissions

Denis Naughten

535. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the specific provisions he is putting in place in conjunction with third level colleges for CAO applicants who sat their leaving certificate examinations in a year prior to 2020 to ensure that they have an equal opportunity to access a college place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23399/20]

Third Level Fees

Dara Calleary

536. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider reducing third level tuition fees in view of the fact that the majority of courses will be taught through blended learning and in many cases exclusively online for the 2020-21 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23520/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

537. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI legislation will be reviewed regarding the criteria for independent students; the reason persons over 23 years of age are being assessed under their parents' income levels in cases in which they can prove independence for some years; and her views on whether there should be a process that allows the appeal of the status of a person from mature dependent to fully independent (details supplied). [23579/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

538. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a postgraduate student (details supplied) will be considered as an independent student and therefore entitled to a SUSI grant. [23580/20]

Third Level Admissions

Pádraig O'Sullivan

539. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of leaving certificate students that received their first preference choice of course in 2020 in comparison to 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23612/20]

Third Level Admissions

Jim O'Callaghan

540. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures can be introduced to ensure that students who sat the leaving certificate in 2019 or earlier are not subjected to the obvious unfairness caused by grade inflation in the 2020 leaving certificate results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23619/20]

Third Level Admissions

Bernard Durkan

541. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a review can be undertaken in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23709/20]

Third Level Admissions

Cormac Devlin

542. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process in place for students who deferred their CAO applications until 2020; the way in which they will be dealt with under the standardised grade system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23834/20]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

543. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to take action to assist students and their families that are trying to receive refunds for rent paid for student accommodation that was not used from mid-March 2020 due to the lockdown; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23986/20]