Parliamentary questions

Third Level Education

Steven Matthews

574. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he will take with regard to one-year masters courses that have practical laboratory work at their core that have not held in-person classes; if these classes will be facilitated outside the formal academic year when it is safe to do so; and if the inability to complete essential aspects of these courses will be acknowledged. [8412/21]

Third Level Institutions

Rose Conway-Walsh

575. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding in third-level institutions by student; the way it compares to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8453/21]

Education and Training Provision

Rose Conway-Walsh

576. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown between expenditure on training for those seeking employment and in employment training; the way in which apprenticeships are categorised; the percentage spent on funding apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8462/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

577. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 589 of 10 February 2021, if by taking the step to support students from Northern Ireland and maintain the number of students accessing Erasmus+ from the island of Ireland while simultaneously losing the capacity of universities in Northern Ireland to host incoming students from across the EU will require higher education institutions in this jurisdiction to host additional Erasmus students from elsewhere in the EU; if this will have financial implication for HEIs; if so, the funding that will be available to ensure HEIs can facilitate this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8634/21]

Education and Training Provision

James Lawless

578. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration will be given to matters raised (details supplied) concerning unemployment and skills upgrading; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8679/21]

Institutes of Technology

Joe McHugh

579. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of progress of capital works at Letterkenny Institute of Technology which were secured under the previous Government; the progress in relation to university status for the institute which also received a commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8722/21]

EU Funding

Marian Harkin

580. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proportion of the European Social Fund allocated to each NUTS 3 region in Ireland during the 2014-2020 programme; the proposed allocation to each NUTS 3 region during the 2021-2027 programme; if the European Commission's downgrading of the northern and western region has been taken into account in his Department's planning for the 2021-2027 programme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8841/21]

Departmental Contracts

Seán Sherlock

581. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the contracts for public relations advice and consultancy entered into by his Department over the cost of €10,000 since January 2021; the nature of the contract; and the length of the contract in tabular form. [8893/21]

Technological Universities

Matt Shanahan

220. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the workstreams activity agreed regarding the new technological university for the south east development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7533/21]

Technological Universities

Matt Shanahan

221. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposed new name for technological university for the south east (details supplied); the location of the administration of same; the location of the new registration of the temporary entity for public service access and for the postal address of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7534/21]

Technological Universities

Matt Shanahan

222. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposed structure of a new governing board of the technological university for the south east; the proposed number of members; the process for member selection; his plans to have representatives from counties Kildare, Laois and Wicklow on the board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7535/21]

Student Support Schemes

Brendan Griffin

223. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department can assist a student (details supplied) who is having difficulties in securing student finance in the UK due to confusion about their time in college in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7669/21]

Third Level Fees

Denis Naughten

224. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if pro rata refunds of registration fees for student services will be issued by third level institutions to students who have not been on campus to avail of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7723/21]

Student Accommodation

Éamon Ó Cuív

225. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he or his Department has had discussions with University of Limerick on its policy of not offering refunds to students who cannot use their on-campus accommodation due to Covid-19; if his attention has been drawn to the hardship this is causing students, many of whom have also lost the part-time work they engaged in, and many of whose parents have also seen a decrease in income due to Covid 19; if he or his Department has had these discussions, the result of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7732/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

226. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the action plan for apprenticeships will be published. [7811/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

227. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the specific measures proposed within the action plan for apprenticeships to promote apprenticeships as a viable option for school leavers. [7812/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

228. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the action plan for apprenticeships requires public sector employers to employ apprentices; and if the action plan will set targets for public sector employers, including semi-State companies, agencies and local authorities. [7813/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

229. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the action plan on apprenticeships has specific measurable targets and actions to encourage women to become apprentices. [7814/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

230. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the action plan on apprenticeships has specific measurable targets and actions to encourage persons with disabilities to become apprentices. [7815/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

231. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the action plan on apprenticeships has specific measurable targets and actions to encourage minority and disadvantaged groups to become apprentices. [7816/21]

Education Policy

Ruairí Ó Murchú

576. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans regarding increasing digital literacy among citizens and businesses, as detailed in the programme for Government.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6430/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Ruairí Ó Murchú

577. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement between his Department, CORU and education providers regarding social care students and their difficulties in relation to mandatory hours of placement; and the identified solutions and timeframe for implementation. [6483/21]

Third Level Education

Carol Nolan

578. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the implementation of the Cassells report; the number of potential funding options including the deferred payment of student fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6485/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Carol Nolan

579. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address concerns that those engaged in apprenticeship studies are facing prolonged delays due to the completion of their apprenticeships through an inability to access placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6486/21]

Further and Higher Education

Róisín Shortall

580. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to research and science students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6563/21]

Technological Universities

Fergus O'Dowd

581. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made to date on Dundalk Institute of Technology becoming a technological university under the Technological Universities Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6567/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Mick Barry

582. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for students in third-level institutions who are required to undertake a certain number of placement hours to obtain their qualifications, such as those studying social care in TU Dublin (details supplied), but who have been hindered because of the Covid-19 restrictions; the steps he will take to ensure that those with work, childcare and other commitments who will face difficulties rearranging placements for the summer will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6572/21]

Science Foundation Ireland

Catherine Murphy

583. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of vacancies by job title in Science Foundation Ireland; the length of time each post has been vacant; and the estimated full year cost of filling each vacant post in tabular form. [6624/21]

Institutes of Technology

Catherine Murphy

584. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the major refurbishment works on the north and south block buildings at Dundalk Institute of Technology has commenced; the estimated cost of works; and when these works will be completed. [6625/21]

Youthreach Programme

Darren O'Rourke

585. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Youthreach coordinators in the Louth and Meath Education and Training Board who have received payment above their annual salaries and qualification allowances since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6668/21]

Education and Training Boards

Darren O'Rourke

586. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of external training contractors running courses in County Meath under the Louth and Meath Education and Training Board in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6669/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

587. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he had with Minister for the Economy, Diane Dodds and the Department for Economy in Northern Ireland on the Erasmus+ scheme and its extension to students in Northern Ireland beyond Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6783/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

588. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices that have been stopped from qualifying or advancing to the next year due to the disruption to off-the-job training; the contingency plans in place to deal with the backlog as soon as it is safe for apprentices and staff to return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6795/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

589. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to allow students from Northern Ireland to continue to access the Erasmus+ programme; if the cost includes financial support for colleges to host more Erasmus students from across Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6796/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

590. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the funding for Erasmus+ applicants from Northern Ireland will contribute to the overall Erasmus funding allocation in exchange for permission for applicants from Northern Ireland to be eligible; if not, if it will be funded on a per students basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6797/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Fergus O'Dowd

591. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6920/21]

Ministerial Meetings

Neale Richmond

592. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of his latest engagement with EU research ministers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7005/21]

Research and Development

Neale Richmond

593. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place for a European research area forum for transition; the priorities of the research area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7006/21]

Student Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

594. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a situation (details supplied) has been brought to his attention; the engagement he has had with this particular institution with a view to allowing the students to have a refund of their campus rent for the time they do not spend physically on campus due to Covid-19 restrictions; if his attention has been further drawn to similar situations in other third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7051/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Brendan Griffin

595. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if pandemic unemployment payments will be assessed as reckonable income for special rates of SUSI grants in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7103/21]

English Language Training Organisations

Richard Boyd Barrett

596. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the International Education Mark will be implemented; when his Department will publish details on the implementation process including the commencement date, details of the public consultation process and other actions that will need to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7104/21]

Student Grant Scheme

Cormac Devlin

597. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to support students enrolled in graduate medical programmes during the pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7114/21]

Student Grant Scheme

Cormac Devlin

598. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider approving institutions (details supplied) for the purposes of SUSI or the back to education schemes for mature students who would otherwise be eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7115/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Claire Kerrane

599. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 287 of 21 January 2021, if third-level students from Ireland studying in Northern Ireland and not in receipt of a SUSI grant cannot access the once-off payment of €250 for students. [7174/21]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

Neale Richmond

600. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects SOLAS to make its classes, including those for the Safe Pass card, available for remote learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7303/21]

Student Grant Scheme

Brendan Griffin

601. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if student grant income thresholds will be increased for the 2021-2022 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7342/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Sorca Clarke

157. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the communication and consultation he has had with CORU regarding the 15 week placement requirement for final year social studies students; and the flexibility that was discussed regarding those due to graduate this semester. [6074/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Sorca Clarke

158. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI grants will be available to students in circumstances in which a final year social care student cannot take up placement due to Covid-19 restrictions and is required to repeat the placement module. [6075/21]

Student Grant Scheme

Matt Carthy

159. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to make additional financial supports available to students re-entering higher education at the same QQI level as they had previously finished due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6247/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects science to play an increased role in the higher education sector with particular reference to ensuring an adequate number of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6271/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he remains satisfied that science graduates in Ireland are on par with or above the skills emanating from third level institutions in other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6272/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects the third level educational system here to deliver adequate and suitably qualified graduates to meet the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6273/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects to promote innovation in the third level educational sector with a view to creating the highest possible standard sufficient to meet international challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6274/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which his Department continues to see innovation as a key element in the development of the third level education sector here to the best international standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6275/21]

Research and Development

Bernard Durkan

165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which his Department continues to liaise with the business sector with a view to the maximisation of the use of innovation in manufacturing, marketing and services in Ireland in the future with particular reference to the need to achieve standards and opportunities on par with the best globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6276/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department continue to encourage research in education with a view to a beneficial knock-on to industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6277/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which the second and third level education sectors continue to be geared towards research with a view to ensuring maximum competence in this area in a highly competitive global workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6278/21]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he remains satisfied that the second and third level education system in Ireland remains sufficiently open to the encouragement of the highest possible level of expertise, efficiency and competitiveness in the global context; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6279/21]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

169. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department propose to broaden the higher education opportunities for undergraduates with a view to maximisation of their opportunities in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6280/21]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and his Department have identified specific issues likely to contribute to further improvement and achievement in the further and higher educational sectors with a view to establishing a reputation equal to the best globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6281/21]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which his Department continuously evaluates the performance of third and fourth level education with a view to identifying the greatest possible opportunities and the minimisation of weaknesses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6282/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Alan Dillon

172. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he expects courses to go 100% remote learning for the upcoming semesters (details supplied); the percentage of in-class students versus online learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6323/21]

Student Support Schemes

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

517. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will investigate the possibility of paying the once-off €250 grant to PhD students now rather than on graduation, as is the case for SUSI recipients and final-year students who do not have any outstanding fee payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5952/21]

Student Accommodation

Brendan Howlin

518. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the protections being provided for students in the 2021-2022 academic year in relation to the payment of accommodation on or near campuses; if students who are required to pay for accommodation in advance will have their payments refunded if the accommodation cannot be availed of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5022/21]

Student Retention Rates

Peadar Tóibín

519. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who have dropped out of college to date in the 2020-2021 academic year. [5073/21]

Work Placement Programmes

Martin Browne

520. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place for social care students who undertake placements as part of their courses (details supplied). [5075/21]

Student Retention Rates

Peadar Tóibín

521. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to an increase in the number of first year students dropping out of college in the 2020-2021 academic year. [5076/21]

Third Level Admissions

Peadar Tóibín

522. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who opted to defer their studies in the 2020-2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5078/21]

Higher Education Institutions

Fergus O'Dowd

523. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to city and guild courses delivered through institutes of further education (details supplied) that have to date not been able to transfer their examinations online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5095/21]

Work Placement Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

524. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps social care students (details supplied) should take in relation to completing the academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5107/21]

Student Support Schemes

Neale Richmond

525. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered additional financial supports for PhD students in receipt of a scholarship that do not benefit from the €50 million once-off Covid-19 payment scheme for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5109/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Seán Sherlock

526. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention had been drawn to the taxable nature of the €250 SUSI rebate given in November 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5165/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Seán Sherlock

527. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students that drew down the €250 SUSI rebate by county and educational institution. [5166/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Seán Sherlock

528. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €250 SUSI rebate will be considered income for SUSI applications for the 2021-2022 academic year. [5167/21]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Seán Sherlock

529. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will publish his correspondence with the Revenue Commissioners on the taxable nature of the €250 SUSI rebate payment he authorised in November 2019. [5168/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Rose Conway-Walsh

530. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a list will be provided of higher education institutions that continue to charge repeat exam fees for modules taken during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5170/21]

Student Accommodation

Marc MacSharry

531. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to assist the large number of third-level students who paid for student accommodation and were subsequently directed to stay at home under Government guidelines (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5425/21]

Third Level Fees

Matt Carthy

532. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to waive the fee for an institute (details supplied) for medical professionals who studied in the UK in view of the fact that mutual recognition of qualifications is an EU competence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5430/21]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

533. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students enrolled in a graduate entry medical course can secure a loan for their fees if their parents are not in a financial position to guarantee the loan; if he will provide details of the other options available to students struggling to afford the €16,000 fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5526/21]

Medical Research and Training

Rose Conway-Walsh

534. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the inclusion of a special policy for biomedical research into myalgic encephalomyelitis and other under investigated conditions in the first work programme of Horizon Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5507/21]

Third Level Education

Paul McAuliffe

535. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to assist students who are required to complete a certain number of weeks of laboratory work in order to progress in their degree but are unable to do so due to restrictions on access to university laboratories; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5573/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Francis Noel Duffy

536. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will revise the current proposals by the Higher Education Authority and SOLAS to clear the backlog of apprentices due to finish a job block by teaching on evenings and weekends; if he will consider allowing apprentices to finish the required number of weeks to complete the job block in normal teaching times, given that apprentice students work full-time; if he will engage with the representative organisation (details supplied) on its proposals for teaching arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5594/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

537. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to protect the access of Northern Ireland applicants to the Erasmus programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5623/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Neale Richmond

538. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has engaged with his UK counterpart and relevant EU officials offering a pathway back into the Erasmus+ programme for students in Scotland, Wales and England; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5633/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Neale Richmond

539. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if plans are in place to ensure that third-level students will have access to the Erasmus+ programme in the academic year 2021-2022 despite Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5634/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Neale Richmond

540. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of third-level students who have availed of the Erasmus+ programme in the 2020-2021 academic year; the number of third-level students who abandoned their plans to avail of the Erasmus+ programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5635/21]

Erasmus+ Programme

Neale Richmond

541. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if provisions will be made for third-level students that planned to avail of the Erasmus+ programme in the 2020-2021 academic year but subsequently abandoned their plans to study abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5636/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Bríd Smith

542. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 288 of 21 January 2020, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the inability of SOLAS to provide apprenticeship placements under current circumstances is resulting in delays of 15-plus months to apprentices receiving the necessary qualifications and that as a result their earnings are being severely affected (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that SOLAS is insisting on paying third-year apprentices the second-year rate of payment due to the delay in attaining the previous year's placements and qualifications; if he will request SOLAS to rectify this payment rate and ensure all third-year apprentices receive the hourly rate they are entitled to when on placements; the number of third-year apprentices in the various trades who are currently receiving lower rates of payment than they would ordinarily receive; his plans to address this loss of income for apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5722/21]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

543. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average rent per student in purpose-built student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5723/21]

Third Level Examinations

Gary Gannon

544. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on in-person testing assessments under level 5 restrictions in further and higher education institutions; his views on whether the practice is in line with public health advice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5784/21]

Student Support Schemes

Gary Gannon

545. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of providing the once-off €250 student payment to students in one-year pre-university access courses and foundation courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5785/21]

Higher Education Institutions

Matt Shanahan

546. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the allocation to each of the 23 higher education institutions in respect of the fund announced on 22 January 2021 to assist students with disabilities; the computational method used to determine allocations in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5872/21]

Work Placement Programmes

Cian O'Callaghan

547. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request that CORU give leeway or offer alternatives to the requirement for social care students to complete a 400-hour mandatory work placement, given that students are struggling to find appropriate places due to the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5873/21]

Work Placement Programmes

Réada Cronin

548. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will liaise with CORU to resolve the difficulties for students in level seven degrees where practical placements have been greatly disrupted by the closure of HSE agencies due to the level 5 lockdown, resulting in them being required by CORU to make up these hours in summer 2021 without any term-time alternative being offered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5948/21]

Third Level Fees

Verona Murphy

549. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of tuition fees; if these fees have been finalised for Irish students considering their options to take up third level education in a UK university for the 2021-22 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5967/21]

Work Placement Programmes

Richard O'Donoghue

550. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his position on social protection payments for students who will have to complete course-appointed work placements during the summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6001/21]

Third Level Staff

Willie O'Dea

192. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the employment status of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4715/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Claire Kerrane

193. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if educational courses that require placements are seeking public health advice before asking students to go ahead with such placements; if not, if he will request that such advice be sought on behalf of students to ensure their health and safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4829/21]

Third Level Fees

Réada Cronin

194. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request UCD to accede to the demands of certain master's degree student for a 30% fee cut given the abnormal circumstances of the academic year and financial pressure on their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4589/21]

Third Level Fees

Neasa Hourigan

195. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to introduce a return of service arrangement for those studying graduate entry medicine allowing 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. [4716/21]