Parliamentary questions

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1136. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average age of new apprentices since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14932/21]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

1137. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and percentage of college dropouts since 2011 at third-level; the number and percentage of those in receipt of Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, support in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14933/21]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

1138. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the most recent North-South cross-Border enrolment figures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14934/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1139. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a full list of apprenticeship consortia will be provided; the number of apprentices enrolled under each by new recruits and existing staff and the number of employers under each consortia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14935/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1140. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the apprentices enrolled per year since 2006; the new registrations per year since 2006, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14936/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1141. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the minimum rate an apprentice can be paid; the lowest rate an apprentice is currently being paid; the average wages for each industry in which apprentices are trained for each year of their training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14937/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1142. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the most recent figures for the average cost of a craft apprentice and of a new consortia-led apprentice, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14938/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1143. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average share of the cost of a craft apprentice that goes towards allowances during off-the-job training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14939/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1144. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average share of the cost of a consortia-led apprentice that goes to the consortia to run the apprenticeship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14940/21]

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards

Louise O'Reilly

1145. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions being taken to help social care students reach the necessary work placement hours in order to register with CORU. [14986/21]

Technological Universities

Brendan Griffin

1146. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to ensure that the Institute of Technology Tralee and Cork Institute of Technology merger to Munster Technological University is balanced and fair; if reassurance will be given to all stakeholders that both former institutes are fairly represented now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15073/21]

Departmental Transport

Duncan Smith

1147. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of vehicles owned or leased and operated by his Department and agencies and semi-State companies under his remit broken down by the number of ICE and non-ICE vehicles and fuel category, that is, petrol, diesel, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, electric and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15121/21]

Third Level Admissions

Ged Nash

1148. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the approximately 20,000 college applicants who applied for courses in 2021 on the basis of leaving certificate results achieved in previous years and who consequently may have been disadvantaged with respect to CAO points required for entry to their given courses due to disproportionate grade inflation relative to other years; if he is making provisions for those students who may have been denied a placement under such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15186/21]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

1149. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students that enrolled in third-level courses prior to sitting the leaving certificate in November 2020 will be refunded the fees paid; if it will impact their access to the free fees initiative and SUSI supports in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15228/21]

Education and Training Provision

John Brady

1150. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the annual training and innovation fund designed to encourage training and education relevant to future skills and issued through his Department is only available to educational institutions and or educational training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15284/21]

Education and Training Provision

John Brady

1151. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the annual training and innovation fund designed to encourage training and education relevant to future skills and issued through his Department is available to all businesses and organisations involved in the provision of training and education in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15285/21]

National Training Fund

Rose Conway-Walsh

1152. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he plans to publish the National Training Fund expenditure report for 2020; if there has been a delay to the usual publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15297/21]

Health and Social Care Professionals Registration Boards

Ged Nash

1153. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider reducing the number of placement hours, currently 300, in order for social care students to be registered under CORU and to be able to work in a social care setting after graduation in view of current Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15333/21]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

1154. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students with dyslexia in further and higher education; the supports that are in place for such persons; the additional supports provided due to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15371/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

1155. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students will see their SUSI grants negatively impacted as a result of receiving the pandemic unemployment payment; the estimated number of students anticipated to be affected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15372/21]

National Training Fund

Rose Conway-Walsh

1156. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional Exchequer expenditure was transferred into the national training fund in 2020 or 2021; if so, the details of such transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15423/21]

Project Ireland 2040

Alan Dillon

1157. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the project execution, project budget or cost delivery for the repair of the roof and other building fabric at the GMIT Castlebar campus following €2 million funding announced on 14 September 2018 as part of a major package of investment in education under Project Ireland 2040; his future plans for capital development projects for 2021 to 2023 for the GMIT Mayo campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15440/21]

Regional Development

Rose Conway-Walsh

1158. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocated to regional skills fora in each year since 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15443/21]

National Training Fund

Rose Conway-Walsh

1159. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocated to enterprise focused higher education provision in each year since 2017, in tabular form; if there are measurable objectives associated with the funding; if it is intended only to move Exchequer funding of recurring costs from the Exchequer to the national training fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15444/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1160. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average development cost of a new apprenticeship programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15445/21]

Third Level Admissions

Eoghan Murphy

1161. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional places created for those intending to study medicine this academic year in order to manage the unintended consequences arising from the calculated grade process inter alia grade inflation; and the number that will be created for the students entering university in September 2021. [15475/21]

Student Support Schemes

Eoghan Murphy

1162. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports he is considering for students visiting Ireland that came on the understanding that there would be blended and in-person delivery of their course and in view that there has not been access to libraries or adequate study facilities and no prospect of a part-time job due to the closure of the hospitality sector for same while the universities continue to charge full fees (details supplied). [15476/21]

Departmental Correspondence

Ged Nash

1163. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on correspondence received by his Department from a union (details supplied) on 16 March 2021 in respect of the proposed new apprenticeship action plan; his further views on whether the critical role played by the trade union movement in the delivery and operation of an internationally recognised best practice apprenticeship system ought to be a central feature of the revised system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15502/21]

Third Level Fees

Michael Fitzmaurice

1164. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will sanction a refund or partial refund of fees for college students that are not attending college due to Covid-19 and learning remotely due to the fact that they are not actually attending colleges or universities at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15562/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1165. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of travel and accommodation supports for both craft and post-2016 apprentices; the expenditure in this regard; the number of recipients; the average amount allocated; the criteria used for allocating support; the way in which it compares to the real cost of travel and accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15716/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1166. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the draw on the NTF or cost to the Exchequer of increasing funding allocated to travel and accommodation support for apprentices by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15717/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1167. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of removing the annual student contribution for all apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15736/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1168. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 458 of 28 July 2020, if there are more up-to-date figures; if this incorporates the cost of the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15760/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1169. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost in 2021 of increasing the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme in line with that which is offered in Northern Ireland (details supplied); the effect it would have on the average cost per apprentice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15762/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1170. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expenditure on apprenticeships in 2020; the percentage of the national training fund allocated to apprenticeships; the estimated expenditure in 2021; the estimated percentage allocation of the national training fund of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15763/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1171. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average cost to the State per apprentice for off-the-job training excluding allowances; the estimated cost of putting in place the necessary capacity to clear the current backlog and end waiting times for apprentices to access training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15775/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1172. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices that have been employed across the public sector in each of the years 2004 to 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15818/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

1173. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average cost per apprentice for off-the-job training excluding allowances; the estimated cost of putting in place the necessary capacity to clear the backlog and end waiting times for apprentices to access training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15842/21]

Third Level Education

Holly Cairns

1174. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to prevent a surge in points for high demand courses due to students deferring college places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15901/21]

Departmental Expenditure

David Cullinane

1175. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total Covid-19-related spend in 2020 by his Department, agency and budget line item; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16275/21]

Departmental Administrative Arrangements

Emer Higgins

1176. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the payment options available for persons to pay fines, charges or bills by his Department; and if there are plans to provide further online payment facilities. [16294/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Pa Daly

162. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the consideration that has been given to prioritising the reopening of training courses for professions deemed essential. [13612/21]

Ministerial Meetings

Paul Murphy

163. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will meet with an organisation (details supplied) in view of his statement in Dáil Éireann on 15 December 2020 in relation to same; and if he has responded to correspondence from the organisation of 25 January 2021. [13629/21]

Student Support Schemes

Seán Haughey

164. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a range of financial supports will be provided to students in private colleges undertaking a professional masters of education in primary teaching given that students on these courses in other universities receive these financial supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13648/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Pádraig O'Sullivan

165. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration will be given to centralising the website that advertises apprenticeship vacancies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13719/21]

Student Support Schemes

Catherine Murphy

166. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify the circumstances in respect of increased thresholds and grants for further and or higher education (details supplied). [13789/21]

Student Unions

Paul Donnelly

167. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the funding cuts by TU Dublin to the student union that has resulted in four less key student adviser staff; and if he will request that TU Dublin reverse these cuts immediately. [13811/21]

Student Support Schemes

Réada Cronin

168. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the precise date on which the increase in the reduced SUSI grants (details supplied) and thresholds of eligibility for same announced by him in Budget 2021 for postgraduate students will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13821/21]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he hopes to encourage participation in third and fourth-level education throughout the country regardless of socioeconomic background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13846/21]

Third Level Education

Thomas Pringle

658. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the pandemic unemployment payment will be taken into consideration as income when assessing HEAR applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12484/21]

Third Level Education

Michael Creed

659. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is tracking the number of first year dropouts from third-level courses in the academic year 2020-2021; the consequences of this rate of dropout for the academic year 2021-2022; the CAO application process for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12501/21]

Nursing Education

Neasa Hourigan

660. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to introduce a return of the service arrangement payment for those studying nursing to allow for a waiving of student fees in return for working in the HSE for a set period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12555/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Darren O'Rourke

661. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current plans for third-level institutions for September 2021, for example, if online learning will continue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12591/21]

Third Level Admissions

Fergus O'Dowd

662. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will respond to concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in respect of CAO offers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12595/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

663. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to see third-level students return to campus when it is safe to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12609/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Neale Richmond

664. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the return to campus for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12610/21]

Third Level Admissions

Seán Haughey

665. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a certain amount of college places can be held over in 2021-2022 for students who sat the leaving certificate in 2019 and who wish to pursue a nursing degree but had to defer going to college in 2020-2021 on health grounds; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties that these students now face as a result of the predicted grades process and the increased points required for courses such as nursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12612/21]

Third Level Education

Eoghan Murphy

666. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to increase resources for research into virology on an ongoing basis; and if there will be an increase in funding for relevant college courses. [12746/21]

Brexit Issues

Réada Cronin

667. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Irish students who have been accepted onto master's degree courses in the UK pre-Brexit and deferred their place for an academic year due to Covid-19 will be exempt from international student fees and will be expected to pay the usual EU fees and qualify for student loans on the basis of same due to the CTA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12792/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Peadar Tóibín

668. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the engagement process with social and healthcare course providers and regulatory bodies on the challenges for students required to undertake placements during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12798/21]

Third Level Education

Seán Crowe

669. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work he is undertaking with third-level institutions to develop accredited learning courses for college students with a diagnosis of autism and moderate intellectual disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13571/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Bríd Smith

670. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider allowing first year college students who have particularly struggled during the pandemic to be permitted to repeat first year while retaining all SUSI grants; if he will acknowledge that some students have struggled with having to conduct their entire first year online and have been impacted negatively in terms of mental health and academic achievement; if he will examine the way in which students that are reliant on SUSI grants will be accommodated to repeat first year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12855/21]

English Language Training Organisations

Pádraig O'Sullivan

671. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to concerns raised by a group (details supplied) in relation to English language education here; the supports that have been made available to the group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12865/21]

English Language Training Organisations

Michael Moynihan

672. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if specific supports will be introduced to assist the English language sector in Ireland considering that this sector is wholly dependent on international travel and has no domestic demand to depend on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12898/21]

Departmental Internships

Louise O'Reilly

673. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who undertook work experience or internships with State and semi-State agencies under his aegis in 2019; the cost in terms of wages and allowances; and the estimated numerical capacity of State and semi-State agencies to provide work experience and internships on an annual basis. [12956/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Mick Barry

674. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures will be put in place to give regard to the arrangements for those preparing for their final apprenticeship exams in view of the Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13027/21]

Third Level Education

Cathal Crowe

675. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the requirement for students embarking on paramedic studies degrees in the 2021-2022 academic year to have a grade C1 licence by the end of year 1 will be reviewed in view of the delays to driver test appointments at present and the knock-on delays that are expected. [13143/21]

SOLAS Administration

Verona Murphy

676. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions being put in place to move the Safepass training course online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13191/21]

Third Level Fees

Peadar Tóibín

677. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a situation in National University of Ireland Galway in which a student fails to pay the student levy fee of €224 by 31 December 2020 in any given academic year, the fee is automatically doubled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13209/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Peadar Tóibín

678. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 671 of 24 February 2021, if SUSI is seeking repayment from the 743 students that were initially awarded SUSI grants but subsequently had the grants withdrawn upon review. [13210/21]

Student Accommodation

Kathleen Funchion

679. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department requested all IT colleges to suspend the collection of rental income from businesses on their campuses during the public health emergency and while the campuses are closed. [13213/21]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

680. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students that accept a place to study medicine each year through the CAO system since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13218/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Gould

681. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the location in which guidance counsellors can access information on apprenticeship vacancies. [13375/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Gould

682. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans to develop a portal for prospective apprentices to explore apprenticeship vacancies. [13376/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Michael Ring

683. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the pandemic unemployment payment, PUP, will be assessed by SUSI for the coming academic year in relation to third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13432/21]

English Language Training Organisations

Róisín Shortall

684. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to support language schools given the dependence of the industry on international tourism for the uptake of classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13477/21]

Departmental Advertising

Paul Kehoe

685. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent across his Department on advertising in relation to Covid-19 by month and by media outlet (details supplied) from 1 March 2020 to 1 March 2021. [13560/21]

Brexit Issues

Bernard Durkan

160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he proposes to continue to support joint cross-Border activities on the island of Ireland with particular reference to addressing concerns arising from Brexit; if his Department will continue to support initiatives such as apprenticeship training or retraining with a view to addressing issues of social or economic deprivation on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12469/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

161. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if support will continue to be provided through the free fees initiative and SUSI grants for students that have to repeat a year due to the impact of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12217/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

162. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider including the pandemic unemployment payment received by students within the income disregard for the SUSI grant scheme; if his Department has conducted an analysis on the impact pandemic unemployment payments will have on access to SUSI for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12218/21]

Student Support Schemes

Marc MacSharry

163. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the fee arrangements that will be in place for Irish students attending Scottish universities in autumn 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12299/21]

Institutes of Technology

Alan Dillon

164. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the GMIT Mayo campus mid-term review report of the independent assessor; if a date has been scheduled for when the report will be presented to the finance and governance section of the HEA in quarter 1 of 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12332/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Eoin Ó Broin

165. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a university (details supplied) is proceeding with student work placements in food processing plants during the current level 5 restrictions; and if his Department has provided guidance to the university on this matter. [12336/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

166. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average time it is currently taking apprenticeship students to complete their qualifications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12337/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

167. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current wait times for each off-the-job training phase; if this in line with the period of time advised by SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12338/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Louise O'Reilly

168. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding and grants are available for mature students to purchase electronic devices to aid with their studies given courses have moved online due to Covid-19. [12371/21]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Ruairí Ó Murchú

620. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his engagements with the Northern Executive in relation to cross-Border third-level opportunities in the context of the Shared Island Fund. [11806/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Catherine Murphy

621. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 679 of 24 February 2021, if he will clarify the situation further in respect of apprentice trade examinations (details supplied); if exams will be on-site and paper based; and if not, if they will be online only. [12101/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Brendan Griffin

622. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a matter in relation to SUSI reform (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10972/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Seán Sherlock

623. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if pandemic unemployment payments to parents of applicants will be exempted from SUSI considerations. [11022/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Pádraig O'Sullivan

624. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a course (details supplied) will be included in SUSI reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11028/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

James Lawless

625. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to include graduate entry medicine in the SUSI reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11086/21]

Third Level Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

626. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the full economic costings per discipline across the third-level sector will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11113/21]

Third Level Admissions

Marc MacSharry

627. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) who sat the leaving certificate exams in November and December 2020 and gained an additional 70 points as a result, will be offered a higher preference course on their CAO application 2020 despite accepting the offer of a lower preference course in the absence of the additional 70 points they now have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11134/21]

Third Level Education

Matt Shanahan

628. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to increase the places available for sought after third-level courses such as medicine; the level of deferred student results being carried over from 2020 to 2021 CAO applications; the way an increase in applications for available course placements is being planned for (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11152/21]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

629. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when provision will be made for Safepass courses which have been suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic to be resumed; his plans to assist workers with an expired Safepass who are unable to return to work in sectors such as the construction industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11158/21]

Third Level Admissions

Dara Calleary

630. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify the information that appears on the CAO website (details supplied); if students in this circumstance who have become entitled to a higher CAO offer after sitting the leaving certificate examination in 2020 will be charged a student contribution again in 2021-2022 for their new higher offer course; if so, his views on whether it is unfair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11165/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Bernard Durkan

631. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person (details supplied) will have their eligibility for a Student Universal Support Ireland, SUSI, grant reviewed; if technical grounds will be reviewed to facilitate their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11318/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Catherine Connolly

632. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to include graduate entry medicine in the promised SUSI review given that students of this course must pay high fees but are not eligible for SUSI funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11350/21]

Public Procurement Contracts

Mairéad Farrell

633. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of contracts of €25,000 or more that have been awarded by his Department or bodies under his aegis that were found to be non-compliant with procurement guidelines in 2018, 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; the value and nature of the contact work carried out in each case; the year of each contract in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11378/21]