Parliamentary questions

Further and Higher Education

Fergus O'Dowd

618. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a response will issue to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of their employment contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23488/22]

Pharmacy Services

Ivana Bacik

197. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the need for a new pathway for experienced pharmacy technicians to become fully qualified; and if he envisages the introduction of part-time qualification courses. [22518/22]

Third Level Education

Ivana Bacik

198. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the need for an increase in the number of Irish university places for pharmacy. [22519/22]

Gender Proofing of Policies

Neasa Hourigan

343. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the funding allocations in budget 2023 will be gender equality proofed and in accordance with wellbeing budget indicators; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21692/22]

Education and Training Provision

Pauline Tully

344. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in psychology at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21706/22]

Education and Training Provision

Pauline Tully

345. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in clinical nutrition at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21707/22]

Education and Training Provision

Pauline Tully

346. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in occupational therapy at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21708/22]

Education and Training Provision

Pauline Tully

347. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in paediatrics at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for children with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21709/22]

Education and Training Provision

Pauline Tully

348. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in psychiatry at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21710/22]

Education and Training Provision

Pauline Tully

349. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in social work at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21711/22]

Education and Training Provision

Pauline Tully

350. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland’s skills strategy being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in intellectual disability related nursing at third-level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review by the OECD has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21712/22]

Education and Training Provision

Jim O'Callaghan

351. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is proposed to increase the number of university places in Ireland for pharmacy positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21725/22]

Research Funding

Thomas Pringle

352. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that his Department has taken to develop public-public research partnerships (details supplied) in Ireland excluding within the EU horizons framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22226/22]

Departmental Staff

John Lahart

353. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of secondments from his Department to the university third level sector over the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22252/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

354. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage and total number of both craft and consortia-led apprentices that will access off-the-job training in 2022 and the anticipated figures for 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22272/22]

EU Directives

Catherine Murphy

355. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a schedule of fines and totality of the amount paid in respect of fines issued by the EU on his Department for failing to transpose EU directives; if he will include the directive that was not transposed on time; and if he will indicate the directives that are still not fully transposed for the past 25 years to date in 2022. [22327/22]

Education and Training Boards

Danny Healy-Rae

238. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of facilities (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21515/22]

Further and Higher Education

Matt Shanahan

239. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the delay in carrying out of a cost-benefit analysis in relation to the expansion of the footprint of Waterford Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21505/22]

Third Level Costs

Michael Creed

240. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will consider additional financial support for postgraduate students; the minimal level of support individual universities can provide for this category of students; if support will be targeted in the first instance at those who are in receipt of higher education grant aid; if a scheme similar to the living wage pilot scheme for artists will be considered in this context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21552/22]

Departmental Transport

Catherine Murphy

241. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of electric vehicles and-or hybrid vehicles in his allocation of ministerial vehicles; and if he will provide the make and model of all vehicles in his allocation of ministerial vehicles by the year registration. [21608/22]

Further and Higher Education

Neale Richmond

242. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will explore options to allow students in Northern Ireland to receive full access to the Erasmus programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21633/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

243. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of an apprentice employer grant application by a person (details supplied); if assistance will be provided in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21644/22]

Education and Training Provision

Holly Cairns

244. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to address the shortage of safe pass courses. [21652/22]

Education and Training Provision

Holly Cairns

245. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons who have participated in safe pass courses monthly since 1 January 2019, in tabular form. [21653/22]

Education and Training Provision

Paul Murphy

113. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to streamline the safepass renewal process to remove the requirement for renewal courses given that under the Further Education and Training Act 2017, SOLAS is an administrative body and no longer a training authority. [21318/22]

Education and Training Provision

Paul Murphy

114. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that the management of SOLAS between 2017 and 2019 have deviated from or gone beyond the ministerial order to demand that candidates for Safe Pass take a course to renew their safepass, ignoring the High Court and its own counsel and legal advice. [21319/22]

Education and Training Provision

Paul Murphy

115. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SOLAS is entitled to run apprenticeship and construction courses as an administrative body under section 38 of the Further Education and Training Act 2017. [21320/22]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

116. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average annual cost of studying part-time at 'undergraduate and postgraduate level in public institutes of higher education; the total number of part-time undergraduate and postgraduate students in public institutes of higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21354/22]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

117. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of reducing part-time undergraduate and below course fees by €500, €1000 and abolishing them completely in public institutes of higher education for EU students; the cost of reducing postgraduate fees by €500, €1000 and abolishing them completely in public institutes of higher education for EU students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21356/22]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

118. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total current reserve of the National Training Fund at the end of 2021; the projected expenditure and income to the fund for 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21357/22]

Capital Expenditure Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

119. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated total capital expenditure on further education, the technological sector and universities in 2022, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21376/22]

Third Level Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

120. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of a 1% increase in the Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, maintenance grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21378/22]

Third Level Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

121. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of extending the income threshold increase announced as part of budget 2022 to the special rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21379/22]

Third Level Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

122. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of extending SUSI to support students from the South who study at approved institutions (details supplied) in the North of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21380/22]

Departmental Data

David Cullinane

1167. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of first-year medical enrolments for 2021-2022, by domicile group, in tabular form; the number of places that will be provided for 2022-2023; the cost of the CAO and EU entrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19398/22]

Third Level Staff

David Cullinane

1168. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process followed for the appointment of the Chief Medical Officer as a professor at Trinity College, Dublin; if his attention has been drawn to similar posts appointed in this manner across Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19399/22]

Departmental Expenditure

Carol Nolan

1169. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of his Department’s capital and non-capital expenditures including research grants through the Higher Education Authority, Science Foundation Ireland and other agencies providing third-level funding supports which were provided to Trinity College Dublin since 2018 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19406/22]

Education and Training Provision

David Cullinane

1170. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the manner in which quotas for places on medical courses are set for EU and non-EU students; the way in which this is managed or altered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19429/22]

Third Level Costs

Ivana Bacik

1171. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the need to increase the SUSI grant in the context of the cost of living crisis. [19512/22]

Departmental Staff

Marc MacSharry

1172. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the details of the name, salary, position and roles of persons who are being paid for by his Department for secondment to another public, private or semi-private entity, in tabular form, following the announcement that the salary of a person (details supplied) being seconded to Trinity College, Dublin will be paid by the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19550/22]

Education and Training Provision

Michael Healy-Rae

1173. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to issues (details supplied) with SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19620/22]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

1174. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons employed by his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department with a rate of pay below the living wage of €12.30; the role that those persons occupy within his Department or relevant body; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19630/22]

Departmental Policies

James Lawless

1175. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if graduate-entry medicine students will be included in the grant for the 2022-2023 academic year; if there are plans in place for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19658/22]

Qualifications Recognition

Joe McHugh

1176. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that information on the different vocations of Ukrainian citizens arriving in Ireland will be collated and made available to various sectors that wish to help in fast-tracking mutual qualification recognition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19663/22]

Third Level Fees

Richard O'Donoghue

1177. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for reviewing fees at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19713/22]

Departmental Policies

Patrick Costello

1178. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if clarity will be provided regarding the role of guidance counselling in colleges of further education in the context of the establishment of a national policy group for lifelong guidance (details supplied). [19733/22]

Third Level Staff

Mattie McGrath

1179. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if new professorship positions in universities should be advertised and filled through open competition; the reason that the professorship of public health strategy and leadership in Trinity College Dublin was not advertised and put to open competition; the remuneration that is being offered for this position; the funding that is being made available for this position; if full details of this arrangement between Trinity College and his Department will be made available; the educational requirements to become a professor within Irish universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19734/22]

Departmental Staff

Sorca Clarke

1180. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the salaries and expenses paid to advisers, Ministers and-or Ministers of State in his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [19747/22]

Departmental Staff

Mattie McGrath

1181. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline all of the secondment arrangements within his Department; the conditions related to such secondments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19870/22]

Third Level Costs

Catherine Connolly

1182. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to extend the SUSI grant scheme to students of graduate-entry medicine; the expected timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19890/22]

Departmental Staff

Holly Cairns

1183. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department, and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit facilitate internships by students engaged in full-time or part-time further and higher education courses; if so, the number of interns his Department, and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit accept annually; if any or all of these interns receive remuneration of any kind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20008/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

1184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person (details supplied) can be called for phase 2 of their apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20038/22]

Education and Training Boards

Mairéad Farrell

1185. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science , further to Parliamentary Question No. 569 of 5 April 2022, the way that the multi supplier framework agreement and services contracts affected the cost of delivery for typical training programmes; the way that it has affected the number of courses delivered, cost of courses delivered and numbers of participants trained in the case of the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20045/22]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

1186. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons currently employed in his Department who have been seconded from the public sector; the number of departmental officials seconded where the moneys are recouped from the body the person is seconded to or where the Department pays for the person with no recoupment from the other organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20063/22]

Third Level Fees

Niamh Smyth

1187. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) will be urgently reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20097/22]

Departmental Budgets

Rose Conway-Walsh

1188. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the budget line under which mental health supports in higher education are currently drawn; if recent increases will be put on a more permanent footing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20126/22]

Departmental Data

Rose Conway-Walsh

1189. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the drop-out rate of clinical counselling and educational psychologists and psychotherapy in each of the years since 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20127/22]

Third Level Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

1190. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to plans for a bank (details supplied) to discontinue providing student loans to graduate-entry medical students; the steps he is taking to address the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20171/22]

Departmental Data

Rose Conway-Walsh

1191. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of EU students enrolled in graduate-entry medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20172/22]

Third Level Costs

Paul Murphy

1192. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Bank of Ireland is currently the only financial institution in Ireland that offers a suitable loan for students linked directly to graduate-entry medicine courses (details supplied); If his attention has been further drawn to the fact that current students have been advised by the bank that this loan is being discontinued from 31 July 2022; and the plans of his Department to find an urgent replacement or alternative for this loan scheme. [20191/22]

Third Level Costs

Cian O'Callaghan

1193. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that will be put in place for graduate-entry medicine students given that a bank (details supplied) is withdrawing its tailored loan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20200/22]

Departmental Strategies

Pauline Tully

1194. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland's skills strategy, which is being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in speech and language therapy at third level institutions here to service the annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20218/22]

Departmental Strategies

Pauline Tully

1195. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland's skills strategy, which is being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in audiology at third level institutions here to service the annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20219/22]

Third Level Costs

Catherine Connolly

1196. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place to assist graduate-entry medicine students from lower socio-economic backgrounds to avail of the medicine degree at the Royal College of Surgeons, against the backdrop of the removal of the one loan that exists in this field (details supplied). [20222/22]

Research and Development

Thomas Pringle

1197. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that his Department has taken to develop public research partnerships in Ireland excluding within the EU horizons framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20283/22]

Energy Usage

Neasa Hourigan

1198. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the special measures his Department is taking to reduce energy usage in the scenario in which members of the public are being asked to do the same. [20295/22]

Third Level Costs

Neasa Hourigan

1199. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether the discontinuation by a bank (details supplied) of its loan specifically for general-entry medical students will limit access to the programme; his plans to ensure financial barriers do not limit access to the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20366/22]

Departmental Funding

Michael Ring

1200. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding (details supplied) that has been allocated has been drawn down and spent; if there has been a follow-up or appraisal of the funding given under the various programmes or headings; if any of the allocated funding has been recouped or unspent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20397/22]

Third Level Education

Thomas Gould

1201. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons who graduated without completion of placement hours in speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and occupational therapy in the past three years. [20413/22]

Third Level Costs

Richard Bruton

1202. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the cost of graduate-entry courses to medicine and the lack of loan options for students to fund the cost; and if he will consider support for the cost in order to promote a greater supply of graduating doctors. [20438/22]

Departmental Strategies

Pauline Tully

1203. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland's skills strategy, which is being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in physiotherapy at third level institutions here to service the annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20459/22]

Departmental Strategies

Pauline Tully

1204. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the review of Ireland's skills strategy, which is being undertaken by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, incorporates an examination of whether there is currently a sufficient number of places available in public health nursing at third level institutions here to service annual HSE recruitment needs under the Progressing Disability Services model for both children and adults with a disability; if this review has commenced; the timeframe for its publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20460/22]

Departmental Bodies

Bríd Smith

1205. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the €112,000 debt write-off facilitated by SOLAS to a charity (details supplied); if such was discussed by SOLAS with his Department; if any concerns were raised on the matter; if he believes there should be a Garda investigation both into the collection of the funds by a charity in Waterford from two educational training boards and the spending of moneys by the charity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20544/22]

Third Level Costs

Michael Lowry

1206. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a bank (details supplied), which is currently the only financial institution in Ireland that offers a suitable loan linked directly to the graduate-entry medical course, will no longer offer this service from 3 July 2022; if he will provide details of the other options available to students struggling to afford the €16,000 fees for the graduate-entry medical course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20557/22]

Third Level Costs

Neale Richmond

1207. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a bank (details supplied) will cancel its loan system for students of graduate-entry medicine; if he has engaged with universities on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20614/22]

Departmental Bodies

Matt Shanahan

1208. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the oversight or review bodies that were involved in ascertaining the value of land (details supplied) prior to purchase; the individual activities undertaken by these bodies in terms of cost-benefit analysis, independent land price review and adherence to college strategic funding plans; the degree of variance that existed between these bodies or agents reports recommendations and the final price paid; the way that these processes intersect with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Higher Education Authority oversight; the length of time this process takes from its inception date; the way that the process concluded ultimately closing out the acquisition at this price range; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20624/22]

Departmental Bodies

Matt Shanahan

1209. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the terms of a leaseback (details supplied); the monetary agreement that exists for extending use to the club; the period under agreement for which the club continues to enjoy access to the landholding; the capital plan available or published by Galway and Mayo Institute of Technology that outlines an estimated start date for new construction on this site; the details of the construction plan; the build tender dates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20625/22]

Land Issues

Matt Shanahan

1210. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position of land (details supplied) on a mean average price per acre applicable to capital acquisitions in the university and IT sector over the past three years; if he will be extending approvals to other new technological universities to pay up to such a rate for new land acquisitions; if he plans to make transparent reimbursement to such universities in circumstances in which they acquire development land for less than this per acre sum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20626/22]

Public Expenditure Policy

Matt Shanahan

1211. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of capital public expenditure at the National University of Galway campus and all capital public expenditures at Galway and Mayo Institute of Technology over the past 10 years; the individual projects supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20627/22]

Land Issues

Matt Shanahan

1212. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the delay in approving funding to purchase a landholding (details supplied) in County Waterford to expand the Waterford institute of Technology and South East Technological University footprint on which sale negotiations with WIT began in March 2021 with a sale agreement in principle reached in September 2021; the reason for any disparity in the evaluation treatment or process of acquiring this land-holding in Waterford versus the capacity to purchase lands at Galway Mayo Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20628/22]

Departmental Staff

Mary Lou McDonald

1213. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff within his Department who availed of a secondment from January 2019 to date on the basis that it was not the intention of the staff member to return to his or her position within the Department. [20643/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Brendan Howlin

1214. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the information requested in Parliamentary Question No. 704 of 22 March 2022 will be provided to the person concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20677/22]

Medical Research and Training

Denis Naughten

1215. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to offer sponsorship programmes for those studying medicine in Ireland which would contract them to work for the HSE for a specified term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20733/22]

Third Level Costs

Peadar Tóibín

1216. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to source an alternative financial lender for general-entry medicine students following the announcement by Bank of Ireland that it will discontinue its general-entry medicine loan; if not, if the Government will put in place a loan scheme to maintain the number of medical graduates in the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20736/22]

Third Level Fees

Duncan Smith

1217. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Ukraine refugees are subject to non-EU college fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20810/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1218. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intended to conduct an updated review of the cost of providing consortia-led apprenticeships given the increase from 5,100 in 2015 to an estimated 9,877; the targeted cost once programmes are established and set up cost are no longer a factor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20879/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1219. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that his Department is taking to address low registration levels in certain construction-related trades such as brick-laying and plastering; the apprenticeships that are being targeted in particular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20880/22]

Third Level Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

1220. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of the Exchequer of waiving the student contribution charge for all EU nursing students in the state; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20883/22]

Science Foundation Ireland

Carol Nolan

1221. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the salary package for director general of Science Foundation Ireland for each year from 2018 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20884/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1222. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the training capacity of each college of further education per apprenticeship type and the total increase since 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20912/22]

Departmental Bodies

Rose Conway-Walsh

1223. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding for the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit for the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20929/22]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

1224. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding for the National Open Research Coordinator for the past three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20930/22]

Research Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

1225. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way that the €37.305 million in research funding allocated directly to his Department was spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20932/22]

Departmental Policies

Pádraig O'Sullivan

1226. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the employment control framework is still relevant to the higher education sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20949/22]

Third Level Costs

Róisín Shortall

1227. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the decision by a bank (details supplied) to phase out a loan specifically for general-entry medical students; his views on this decision; the engagements that he has had with the bank; the steps that he is taking to address this gap in financial support for medicine students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21113/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Brian Stanley

1228. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department’s position on the delay in having electrical apprenticeships completed within the normal four-year term due to Covid; if the issue will be addressed in which phase seven is being completed approximately at four years and five months which is creating a backlog and delays in the qualification of much-needed electricians. [21129/22]

Research Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

1229. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of Irish Research Council funding provided to each higher education institute and research-performing organisation in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21171/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Réada Cronin

1230. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will examine the electrician apprentice scheme whereby serious delays in advancing are of concern to participants, for example, the advertised four years is becoming six years in certain cases, since the call to phase 2 advertised as being at six months has persons waiting 18 months and facing possibly 24 months in practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21207/22]

Data Protection

Catherine Murphy

1231. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a piece of surveillance technology (details supplied) is being used by his Department or any agencies under his remit in view of the fact that there are security and privacy concerns associated with the use of same; the data protection policies on the use of artificial intelligence with respect to instances in which this technology is being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21236/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Catherine Murphy

1232. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if apprenticeship trades in the construction sector can be extended beyond the timeframe in which they are advertised to be completed; and his plans to remedy cases as outlined (details supplied). [21245/22]