Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic

Bernard Durkan

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which challenges arising in the course of the Covid-19 crisis have identified the need for specific educational response at third and fourth level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22975/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which the higher level education sector is in discussion with business and enterprise with a view to matching requirements in the workplace with suitable graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22976/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he has identified the areas in which most opportunities are likely to arise for graduates throughout the various employment sectors in both the public and private sectors; if he has received indications showing specific requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22977/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the areas in the higher education sector likely to be in most need of adapting to new challenges with particular reference to the scientific, innovation and research sectors meeting requirements now and in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22978/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps needed in the higher educational sector to ensure an adequate supply of suitably qualified personnel to ensure the attainment of the highest number of employment positions at home and abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22979/20]

Higher Education Institutions

Bernard Durkan

227. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which adequate college places remain available to meet the requirements of a changing workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22980/20]

Third Level Education

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

228. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of students that will be enrolled in higher education in the 2020/2021 academic year; the number enrolled at further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23003/20]

Technological Universities

Ged Nash

229. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the fact that Dundalk Institute of Technology is the only institute of technology not to have formally linked into a consortium to obtain technological university status; the actions he and the Higher Education Authority will take to advance technological university status for the institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22857/20]

Student Accommodation

Ged Nash

230. 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 regarding the provision of flexible arrangements for the 2020-2021 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23022/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Ged Nash

231. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of reducing apprentice fees by 20%, 50% and 100%, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23023/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ged Nash

232. 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 45km to 24km; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23024/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Ged Nash

233. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of students that will 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. [23025/20]

Departmental Correspondence

Brendan Griffin

833. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if assistance will be provided in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21196/20]

Education and Training Boards

Ged Nash

834. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the basis by which LMETB has agreed to use county council premises; if same has been approved by her Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21216/20]

Higher Education Institutions

David Cullinane

835. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of recruiting an additional psychologist for institutes of higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21409/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Seán Sherlock

836. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the five-year waiting period will be waived or reduced in order for SUSI grants to be allowed for those that did not complete studies in previous years. [21601/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Niamh Smyth

837. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase the holiday threshold allowance for students (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21874/20]

Community Training Centres

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

838. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the venues used by community education providers that deliver courses and training, for example, community employment schemes can be regarded as education facilities in order that numbers in the classroom can be over six persons; and the maximum number of persons which some of the local community venues utilised to deliver the courses are insisting on being complied with. [21880/20]

Protected Disclosures

John McGuinness

839. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a protected disclosure (details supplied) given to his predecessor in May 2017; and if a series of matters in relation to the disclosure will be addressed. [22020/20]

School Costs

Joe O'Brien

840. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the campaign of an organisation (details supplied) for a reduction in school fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22100/20]

Adult Education Provision

Joe McHugh

841. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the necessary regulation for adult learners in adult education settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22236/20]

Departmental Correspondence

John Lahart

842. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place for students relying on grades received in previous years to access college courses in 2020 in view of the fact that access points for many CAO courses are likely to rise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22301/20]

Departmental Correspondence

Brendan Griffin

843. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a matter raised by a person (details supplied) in correspondence in relation to the leaving certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22439/20]

Departmental Correspondence

Éamon Ó Cuív

844. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to ensure a level playing field for the estimated 20,000 entering third-level education in 2020 based on the leaving certificate results of 2018 and 2019 in the event the 2020 estimated grades over the whole cohort of students are higher than previous years’ results; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22620/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Rose Conway-Walsh

845. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of expanding eligibility for mature independents maintenance grants to include all mature applicants that have been forced to live with their parents for financial reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22674/20]

School Costs

Pearse Doherty

846. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to offer a concession in respect of third-level fees in view of the Covid-19 pandemic in which many third-level students will not be physically attending third-level Institutions as much as in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22678/20]

Third Level Institutions

James Lawless

847. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the Grand Canal innovation district; the status of the project; if he has had engagements with Trinity College Dublin with regard to the status of the district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21301/20]

Departmental Functions

Seán Sherlock

848. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the location in which his Department will be situated; his functions; the budget of his Department in tabular form; the areas his Department covers; his policy responsibilities as Minister; and the delegated functions of the Minister of State in his Department. [21732/20]

Student Support Schemes

Seán Sherlock

849. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the qualifying criteria for technology assistance for students. [21733/20]

Further Education and Training Programmes

David Stanton

850. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the local training initiatives in operation in 2019 and 2020; the location and number of participants in each; his views on further developing the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21734/20]

School Curriculum

Holly Cairns

851. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if guidance will be provided on when the new academic year will commence for colleges and universities in view of the delay of the leaving certificate results. [21736/20]

School Costs

Holly Cairns

852. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a €500 reduction to the student contribution charge to ease the financial pressure caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. [21737/20]

Student Unions

Holly Cairns

853. 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) published by a group; and his views on the budgetary requests contained in same. [21738/20]

Further Education and Training Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

854. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the 35,000 further and higher education places announced in the July stimulus package; the estimated cost of each place; the breakdown of the number of places between further and higher education; when the first additional new place will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21739/20]

Departmental Functions

Rose Conway-Walsh

855. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role his Department will play in terms of direct research funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21740/20]

Third Level Reform

Rose Conway-Walsh

856. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Cassells report has been sent to the European Commission for review; when he expects the Commission to respond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21741/20]

Sustainable Development Goals

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

857. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which Ireland's commitment to the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plan 2020-2025 of his Department; the way in which progress towards achieving the goals will be monitored and reported annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21742/20]

Third Level Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

858. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of each student enrolled as an undergraduate full-time, part-time, remote and FETAC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21744/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Sorca Clarke

859. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the procedures in place for a pipe fitter and welder to obtain recognition of prior learning. [21745/20]

English Language Training Organisations

John Lahart

860. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the English language education sector is a major employer and worth as much to the economy as the university sector; if a ring-fenced fund will be made available to the sector in view of the fact that universities received €100 million in assistance funding; when same will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21747/20]

English Language Training Organisations

John Lahart

861. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether the recently announced reduction in the wage subsidy scheme will put English language education providers in further difficulty. [21748/20]

Nursing Education

David Cullinane

862. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of nurses that graduated in each of the years 2017 to 2019; the institutions from which they graduated; the number that entered jobs in the public health service in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21750/20]

Student Support Schemes

Mark Ward

863. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a response will issue to matters raised in a media article (details supplied); the status of the promised €2 million directed in 2019 to mental health and well-being services in the higher education sector; the way in which the funding is drawn down; the amount that has been allocated; and the colleges that have received the funding. [21751/20]

International Students

Róisín Shortall

864. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of overseas students that have enrolled in Irish universities for the autumn term; the provisions in place to ensure that students coming from abroad adhere to the two-week self-isolation period; the person or body responsible for overseeing these provisions and monitoring students’ compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21787/20]

Student Accommodation

Róisín Shortall

865. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of student accommodation across Ireland which would be considered a congregated setting according to the definition in which ten or more persons are accommodated in a single living unit or in which persons are placed in accommodation that is campus-based; the number of students housed in each setting; the control measures in place to prevent a spread of Covid-19 in these settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21788/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Peadar Tóibín

866. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated number of emails his Department received concerning students that had issues with their SUSI grant application and grant refusal. [21935/20]

Student Support Schemes

Róisín Shortall

867. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the qualifying criteria that applies to students and the definition of disadvantage being used further to the announcement of a €15 million fund to help disadvantaged students with the cost of information technology equipment. [21971/20]

Student Support Schemes

Róisín Shortall

868. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process for the way in which students in specialist training provision in the further education and training sector can access and apply for the fund further to the announcement of a €15 million fund to help disadvantaged students with the cost of information technology equipment; if he will further set out the process through which this funding is being distributed to universities, colleges and specialist training providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21972/20]

Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme

Colm Burke

869. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if VTOS payments will continue past the initial extension date of August 2020 due to uncertainty in relation to the date on which students will return to college; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21996/20]

Third Level Institutions

Joe McHugh

870. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of plans to progress university status in the north-west; his further plans to continue the momentum in relation to cross-Border collaboration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22107/20]