Parliamentary questions

Springboard Programme

Seán Haughey

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

Student Grant Scheme

Róisín Shortall

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

Third Level Admissions

Danny Healy-Rae

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

Student Grant Scheme

Richard Boyd Barrett

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

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

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

Student Support Schemes

Richard Boyd Barrett

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

State Examinations

Niamh Smyth

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

Further and Higher Education

Robert Troy

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

Further and Higher Education

Robert Troy

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

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

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

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

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

State Examinations

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

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

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Louise O'Reilly

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

State Examinations

Rose Conway-Walsh

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

Third Level Admissions

Cian O'Callaghan

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

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

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

State Examinations

Ged Nash

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

State Examinations

Rose Conway-Walsh

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

Student Support Schemes

Bernard Durkan

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

State Examinations

Paul Murphy

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

State Examinations

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

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

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

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

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gary Gannon

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

Further and Higher Education

Seán Canney

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

Scientific Research

Louise O'Reilly

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

Student Support Schemes

Mick Barry

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

Apprenticeship Programmes

Louise O'Reilly

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

Third Level Fees

Colm Burke

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

Third Level Fees

Colm Burke

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

Further Education and Training Colleges

Pádraig O'Sullivan

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

Further Education and Training Colleges

Pádraig O'Sullivan

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

Student Grant Scheme

Darren O'Rourke

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

Third Level Admissions

Éamon Ó Cuív

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

Third Level Institutions

Bernard Durkan

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

Third Level Admissions

Gary Gannon

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

Third Level Education

Holly Cairns

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

Ministerial Briefing

Holly Cairns

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

Third Level Admissions

Michael Creed

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

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

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

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

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

Student Assistance Fund

Richard Boyd Barrett

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

Third Level Admissions

Denis Naughten

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

Third Level Fees

Dara Calleary

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

Student Universal Support Ireland

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

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

Student Universal Support Ireland

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

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

Third Level Admissions

Pádraig O'Sullivan

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

Third Level Admissions

Jim O'Callaghan

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

Third Level Admissions

Bernard Durkan

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

Third Level Admissions

Cormac Devlin

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

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

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

Third Level Admissions

Pearse Doherty

544. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a third level institution will further extend the date for submitting a driver licence for a student (details supplied) for a paramedic studies courses in which the delay in test dates is outside the control of the applicant and due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24000/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

545. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will share the legal advice he has received that has led to him deciding not to ring-fence places for CAO applicants who sat the leaving certificate before 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23498/20]

Student Assistance Fund

John McGuinness

546. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding for laptops will be extended to include a college (details supplied); if the college can avail of other Covid-19-related funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23501/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Darren O'Rourke

547. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if earnings for 2020 will be taken into account when assessing eligibility for SUSI grants in view of the substantial reduction in income many persons have suffered as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23581/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

548. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports and-or increased funding that has been made available to the further and higher education sectors to deal with the knock-on impact of Covid-19; the increased places in third level to help prospective students excluding planned investments that were already in place to improve or expand further and higher education to deal with demographic changes in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23592/20]

Third Level Institutions

Rose Conway-Walsh

549. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address a matter regarding accusations of serious misconduct alleged against students and staff at Maynooth University (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23603/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Jim O'Callaghan

550. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans in place to reduce the spread of Covid-19 in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23620/20]

Student Support Schemes

Johnny Mythen

551. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the criteria used in accessing the laptop grant scheme; and the reason certain colleges are not included in the scheme although some of their students are receiving grants from SUSI and BTEA. [23703/20]

Third Level Admissions

Neale Richmond

552. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a decision not to award an eligible student (details supplied) a place on the HEAR CAO programme will reviewed based on the circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23705/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

553. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships that have been furloughed; the number that have been made redundant as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23717/20]

Student Support Schemes

Malcolm Noonan

554. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the exclusion of students of Carlow College, the second oldest higher education institution in Ireland, from his Department’s recently announced laptop scheme and additional mental health services; and his views on same. [23726/20]

Third Level Fees

Cian O'Callaghan

555. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request that the universities provide a fee waiver or other financial support for the students in the doctorate in clinical psychology programme who were unable to complete their required clinical placements due to HSE Covid-19 redeployments and as a result may be liable for an additional year of doctorate fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23794/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

556. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of third level students who receive each level of SUSI support such as full maintenance grants, full fees, 50% fees and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23842/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Gary Gannon

557. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if SUSI will alter the process of classifying students at their first point of entry to an approved post-leaving certificate course or an approved higher education course in view of the fact it disadvantages students that move out of the family home that is become independent unless they take a break from pursuing their education for five years; his views on the solution required for students negatively affected in 2020 as a result of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23856/20]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

558. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are special allocations or preferences given to persons with specific or special needs such as autism in the application for on-campus student accommodation in University of Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23921/20]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

559. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the public health advice and justification for students living on campus to not be allowed visitors in their residence for the duration of the 2020-21 academic year; his views on whether it is fair to expect students to pay the full amount for accommodation in view of the fact they are being asked to live under such restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24013/20]

Third Level Admissions

Cathal Crowe

560. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he plans to provide sufficient places on third level courses for the commencement of the 2020-021 academic year for persons who sat the leaving certificate in summer 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24055/20]

Student Support Schemes

Mark Ward

561. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding a report (details supplied) that stated that 17,000 students would be able to avail of free laptops; when they can apply; the process for applying; and when the first student will receive a laptop. [24065/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

562. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that students from Northern Ireland will not be requested to pay non-EU fees to study here regardless of ongoing Brexit negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24117/20]

Student Support Schemes

Holly Cairns

563. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when laptops ordered to assist students with online and blended learning will be available to Cork Institute of Technology students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24186/20]

Departmental Projects

Ged Nash

564. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Exchequer-funded projects over €1 billion overseen by his Department; the expected rise in cost in both numerical amount and percentage terms in tabular form, and delays as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24311/20]

Third Level Admissions

Colm Burke

147. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students that have taken a gap year from their studies following the leaving certificate 2019 will receive support from his Department in the CAO process to ensure comparability between an unprecedented 2019 and 2020; if there are substantial increases in CAO points in the leaving certificate 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Robert Troy

148. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the recourse available in the case of a person (details supplied). [23101/20]

Third Level Admissions

Holly Cairns

149. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provisions being made for students applying to the CAO in 2020 based on leaving certificate results from previous years. [23152/20]

Third Level Admissions

Paul Murphy

150. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if arrangements are being put in place to support CAO reapplicants disadvantaged by the grade inflation due to calculated grades in 2020 (details supplied). [23189/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Rose Conway-Walsh

151. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost to the Exchequer if SUSI grant eligibility was calculated on gross income rather than net income if the income threshold remained at the same numerical value; the cost if SUSI grant eligibility was calculated on gross income rather than net income if the numerical value of income thresholds were increased by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23062/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard O'Donoghue

152. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the obstacles facing persons of diminished industries due to Covid-19 trying to secure third-level placements; and if exemptions will be made to accommodate the persons. [23063/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Rose Conway-Walsh

153. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are persons with severe medical condition that are in the high risk categories such as those with cystic fibrosis that are denied SUSI grants on the grounds that they are online; the steps he will take to address the situation in view of the risk to these persons from Covid-19 and the fact that many traditional courses are now online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23064/20]

Technological Universities

Ged Nash

154. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the fact that Dundalk IT is the only institute of technology not to have formally linked into a consortium to obtain technological university status; the actions his Department and the HEA will take to advance technological university status for Dundalk IT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23067/20]

Student Accommodation

Ged Nash

155. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the discussions that have taken place with the private purpose-built student accommodation providers in relation to providing flexible arrangements for the 2020-2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23068/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ged Nash

156. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated of cost of reducing apprentice fees by 20%, 50% and 100%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23069/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ged Nash

157. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to decrease the qualifying criteria for the non-adjacent rate of the SUSI grant from 45 km to 24 km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23070/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ged Nash

158. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of students that would be affected by changing the SUSI adjacency rates from 45km to 25km, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23071/20]

Further Education and Training Programmes

David Stanton

159. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of local training initiatives in operation in 2018, 2019 and 2020; the number of participants for each of these years in tabular form; his plans for the further development of the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/20]

Third Level Admissions

Holly Cairns

160. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his engagement with colleges and universities to enable the provision of additional places in high demand courses. [23149/20]

Third Level Fees

Holly Cairns

161. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the campaign by an organisation (details supplied) to reduce student contribution fees in 2020 by €500. [23150/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Holly Cairns

162. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on amending the student grant statutory instrument to enable students reclassify as their personal circumstances relevant to the classification change. [23151/20]

Social Media Monitoring

Holly Cairns

163. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department or bodies working on behalf of his Department are monitoring social media for those that criticise government policy. [23153/20]

Third Level Education

Denis Naughten

164. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with not-for-profit education, information technology and credit organisations such as organisations (details supplied) on the roll out of laptops to third-level students prior to the announcing the €15 million for student devices with a view to maximising the number of devices to be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23187/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

20. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is fair to expect students to pay the highest fees in the EU at a time when many students have lost work and many households have seen a drop in their income, particularly if courses are to be conducted partially or completely online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22244/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Holly Cairns

21. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on providing targeted funding for colleges and universities to establish hubs or micro-satellite campuses to enable rural students to complete courses online; and if he will provide further funding for students to access existing rural digital hubs. [22805/20]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

22. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is fair to expect students to pay the highest fees in the European Union at a time when many students have lost work and many households have seen a drop in their income, particularly if courses are to be conducted partially or completely online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22596/20]

Third Level Costs

Mattie McGrath

23. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason full fees are applicable for students in third level institutes when full services are not available to the students, for example, access to libraries and printing facilities; the supports available to students who struggle with online learning due to limited broadband facilities; if he will work with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to introduce protections for students in student accommodation in terms of deposits and refunds in view of the difficulties encountered by many as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22958/20]

Mental Health Services

Thomas Pringle

24. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding which will be made available to each of the third level colleges and institutions to address potential mental health issues that may have arisen in students from the Covid-19 situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22957/20]

Technological Universities

Verona Murphy

25. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline for the amalgamation of Institute of Technology Carlow and Waterford Institute of Technology to form the Technological University for the South East Ireland. [22600/20]

Mental Health Services

Brendan Smith

26. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to provide additional mental health supports to students returning to higher and further education. [22632/20]

Student Support Schemes

James O'Connor

27. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the dilemma for candidates applying to the SUSI system for doctoral funding as an independent candidate who cannot claim to have been living independently from the previous October due to circumstances in relation to Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22639/20]

Student Support Schemes

Marian Harkin

28. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports being put in place to support third level students returning to education to ensure their health and well-being during these challenging times. [22644/20]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

29. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to abolish third level registration fees in view of the fact that many students will not be attending lectures as normal, will have extra IT costs due to online learning and will find it more difficult to find work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22648/20]

Third Level Education

Thomas Gould

30. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to incentivise young persons typically excluded from higher education due to socioeconomic status to engage in education past school in view of the high youth unemployment rates. [22606/20]