Parliamentary questions

Technological Universities

Ruairí Ó Murchú

94. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the work being done to help progress technological university status for Dundalk Institute of Technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6876/23]

Education and Training Provision

Holly Cairns

95. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline his engagement with the Minister for Education concerning the provision of higher education training courses for special needs assistants. [6624/23]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Bruton

96. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the present intake into courses catering to the key areas of health needs; and if he will indicate whether there are plans for new initiatives to meet recruitment bottlenecks through new places or flexible programmes such as Springboard. [6756/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Catherine Connolly

97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for details of any engagement he has had with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with regard to increasing the uptake of apprenticeships in construction-related trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6946/23]

Third Level Education

Mairéad Farrell

98. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the terms of reference for the consideration of the location of the proposed new veterinary school and the international accreditation that will be used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6905/23]

Third Level Education

Pearse Doherty

99. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has given consideration to the location of a new veterinary school; and his views on whether any newly established courses will be internationally accredited. [6885/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Richard Bruton

100. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will indicate the total intake onto apprenticeships in the past 12 months, distinguishing between those going into new apprenticeships and those entering traditional apprenticeships; and the initiatives being taken to drive employer engagement with the new fields. [6755/23]

Education Policy

Michael Healy-Rae

445. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6428/23]

Education Policy

Pádraig O'Sullivan

446. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the Programme for Government to support access routes and inclusive education initiatives to learners with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6436/23]

Departmental Schemes

David Cullinane

447. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and details of compensation or redress schemes put in place by his Department since 1998, in tabular form; the number of claims made; the total cost of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6463/23]

Rental Sector

Patrick Costello

448. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 84 of 1 February 2023, if he will undertake to provide rental supports for PHD students who are excluded from tax credit scheme (details supplied). [6482/23]

Education and Training Provision

Rose Conway-Walsh

449. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing the number of undergraduate new entrants in pharmacy by 25%, broken down by the number of additional new entrants a 25% increase would achieve and the total number of new entrants following a 25% increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6708/23]

Nursing Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

450. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new entrants into all nursing courses on the Mayo campus of ATU for each of the past three years including 2022-2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6775/23]

International Students

Darren O'Rourke

451. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new EU undergraduate entrants into Trinity College on a full-time basis since 2016, in tabular form. [6988/23]

Further and Higher Education

Pauline Tully

452. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional places that are planned to come on stream in further and higher education facilities in the 2023/2024 academic year to study speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology; in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7010/23]

Further and Higher Education

Pauline Tully

453. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of additional places that are planned to come on stream in further and higher education facilities in the 2023/2024 academic year to study social work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7011/23]

Departmental Data

Pauline Tully

454. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of third level graduates in speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy and psychology in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7012/23]

Departmental Consultations

Pauline Tully

455. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question 632 of 18 October 2022, if the workshop between higher education providers and the Department of Health to discuss workforce requirements and placement issues took place; if so, to detail the finding of the workshop; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7014/23]

Third Level Costs

Fergus O'Dowd

456. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on matters raised by a person (details attached) in respect of the financial pressures on medical graduates; if there are any financial supports that can be drawn down in such a situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7047/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

457. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the baker apprenticeship which was one of the 24 apprenticeship proposals that were approved development funding by the Apprenticeship Council in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7056/23]

Departmental Strategies

Cian O'Callaghan

458. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the new international education strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7085/23]

Further and Higher Education

Denise Mitchell

459. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration is being given to establishing part-time courses in social work that are CORU approved in order to address the current recruitment and retention crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7165/23]

Health and Safety

Robert Troy

460. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address an issue with regard to Safe Pass online courses which may slow the number of applicants successfully obtaining a Safe Pass; and if he is aware that there are 500 possible Safe Pass questions and no written information booklet for applicants to revise. [7194/23]

Third Level Costs

Colm Burke

461. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding which has been introduced to help students deal with the cost-of-living since 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7276/23]

Third Level Fees

Colm Burke

462. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures introduced to support students and parents with the cost of college fees since 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7277/23]

Further and Higher Education

John McGuinness

463. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Springboard and Springboard+ programmes managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Education are funded by the Government and the European Union; if it is within the rules of the scheme that educational and-or professional bodies which are headquartered in the UK should benefit commercially from the scheme post Brexit; if he is aware that Springboard and Springboard+ programmes involve professional and or educational partners that are clearly UK-based and yet are in receipt of subscription, examination and tuition income which is funded by the Government and the European Union; if such arrangements are permitted under the funding rules; if the HEA is monitoring the situation where the beneficiaries of any Irish and-or EU funds are based outside of the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7282/23]

Education and Training Provision

Alan Farrell

464. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress being made under Skillnet; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7346/23]

Third Level Fees

Robert Troy

465. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the third level fee supports which are currently in place for students who came to the country as asylum seekers and have been granted permission to remain through the regularisation scheme, if there are any plans to make such students eligible for SUSI supports for the coming academic term; and if he is aware of any specific scholarships which such students could avail of. [7384/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

466. 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. [7400/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

467. 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. [7401/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

468. 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. [7402/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

469. 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. [7403/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

470. 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. [7404/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

471. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects to be in a position to continue to influence the higher education system to ensure the ongoing availability of a steady stream of highly qualified technicians and academics on par with the best in the world, thus providing a workforce competent in the skills now required in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7405/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

472. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which higher education costs have increased over the past number of years; the extent to which the proportion of the national budget under that heading has varied in the past ten years; his plans to ensure continued access to third level for all students seeking to avail of third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7406/23]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

473. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role he sees for the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sectors in the current year and future years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7407/23]

Further and Higher Education

Bernard Durkan

474. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he and his Department have identified particular requirements in terms of apprenticeships or higher qualifications in education throughout the country to meet such requirements in the short-term with particular reference to the construction sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7408/23]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

475. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which students with a technical qualification at a higher-level are becoming available to meet the market requirements throughout the country in sufficient numbers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7409/23]

Education and Training Provision

Michael Lowry

476. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the courses now available at the Further Education and Training Centre in Archerstown, Thurles, County Tipperary; the number of students enrolled in each; if he will outline and report on the measures that he will facilitate to further develop the FET centre in Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7417/23]

Student Accommodation

Michael Lowry

477. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on his Department's activities in assisting third-level institutions in the construction of student accommodation; his projected schedule for implementing suggestions relating to a new model in which the State would assist in the provision of student accommodation; if he and his Department will fund the construction of student accommodation for Mary Immaculate College, Thurles and for students attending the TUS Campus at Thurles and Clonmel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7418/23]

International Bodies

Denis Naughten

478. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress to date on Ireland becoming a member of CERN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7419/23]

Education and Training Boards

Holly Cairns

479. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure that ETB tutors are given full-time contracts including holiday pay cover. [7431/23]

Education and Training Boards

Holly Cairns

480. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure that the remuneration received by ETB tutors is allotted on an incremental basis comparable with other educational professionals and reflecting experience and years of service. [7432/23]

Third Level Education

Brendan Smith

481. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional third level places will be made available for students wishing to study pharmacy in view of the shortage of community pharmacists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7438/23]

Third Level Education

Brendan Smith

482. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if additional third level places will be made available across different disciplines in health and social care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7439/23]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Griffin

237. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is financial support available to employees who return to college part-time (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6288/23]

Social Media

Neasa Hourigan

304. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of social media videos posted on his Department's social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under the remit of his Department, that included closed captioning or subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, inclusive. [5571/23]

Education Policy

Richard Bruton

305. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered supports for persons to change career into a teaching role; if he will consider waiving the rules for grant aiding at a level of study previously undertaken, in view of the particular value of attracting people with wide career experience into teaching; and if he will indicate whether this issue arose in his consultation on the future of support for higher level education. [5630/23]

Teacher Training

Michael Healy-Rae

306. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a training allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5965/23]

Third Level Fees

Robert Troy

307. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify whether students studying for a masters or postgraduate degree would qualify for the reduced fee contribution of €1,000. [6027/23]

Third Level Education

Éamon Ó Cuív

308. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the national roll-out of free period products will be completed in all tertiary education and training centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6106/23]

Departmental Budgets

Louise O'Reilly

357. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding allocated to the climate ready programme: talent for Ireland’s green economy, in 2021, 2022, and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5363/23]

State Bodies

Violet-Anne Wynne

174. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to reports that the staff at SOLAS have not returned to the office and continue to work remotely without access to many files, creating backlogs for service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5245/23]

Departmental Advertising

Peadar Tóibín

175. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent by his Department on online advertising in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023, in tabular form; if he will provide details in relation to this spending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4853/23]

Departmental Advertising

Peadar Tóibín

176. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to any instances where the public relations unit and or press office of his Department undertook to create social media accounts under false names, which were operated in order to further the messaging or communications of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4871/23]

Third Level Fees

Thomas Pringle

177. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) who has been living in Ireland for longer than five years will be considered eligible for EU fees rather that fees for an international student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4960/23]

Third Level Fees

Michael Healy-Rae

178. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the case of a student (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5059/23]

Third Level Education

Ivana Bacik

179. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that the location selection process for the proposed new veterinary school is transparent and based on the input of veterinary experts. [5125/23]

Third Level Costs

Violet-Anne Wynne

180. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to reports that a bank (details supplied) has ceased its loan arrangements with medical students. [5242/23]

Third Level Fees

Matt Carthy

541. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made on the Government commitment to fund access for third-level students from the North of Ireland to the EU's Erasmus study abroad programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3988/23]

Education and Training Provision

Pearse Doherty

542. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine a query relating to a Springboard course for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3995/23]

Third Level Education

Colm Burke

543. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he intends to put additional supports in place to assist third level students in dealing with changing to alternative college courses, and those considering dropping out of college altogether, given that there has been an increased dropout rate for third level college courses among students who completed their Leaving Certificate during the Covid-19 pandemic in June 2020 and June 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4011/23]

Departmental Staff

Mairéad Farrell

544. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the names of any advisers who have taken up employment in his Department since the Government rotation in December 2022; the annual salary they are being paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4125/23]

Education Costs

Michael Creed

545. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the financial supports or tax relief available to individuals returning to education, in particular with costs associated with their education fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4229/23]

Official Travel

Carol Nolan

546. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide data associated with his Department’s air travel and air travel associated with agencies under the aegis of his Department (details supplied) from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4249/23]

Third Level Costs

Niamh Smyth

547. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that a student (details supplied) did not get the full SUSI grant; if this could be looked into further; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4342/23]

Adult Education Provision

Aindrias Moynihan

548. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of an appeal request by a person (details supplied) for a HEAR application decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4560/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Healy-Rae

277. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a location (details supplied) of an apprenticeship can be changed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3777/23]

Further and Higher Education

Anne Rabbitte

278. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a student grant application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3881/23]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Griffin

143. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if assistance will be provided in relation to a matter (details supplied) regarding student fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3435/23]

Education and Training Boards

Michael Healy-Rae

438. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the case of a person (details supplied) regarding an ETB course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2710/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Paul Donnelly

439. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated full-year cost of a 10% increase in the apprentice travel allowance and accommodation allowance for off-the-job training. [2813/23]

Third Level Fees

Ged Nash

440. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if young refugee students from Ukraine who are due to sit State examinations in 2023 and 2024 and will soon be making CAO applications and seeking SUSI support students will be treated as EU or Ukrainian citizens in the calculation of their college fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2914/23]

Third Level Admissions

Ged Nash

441. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Irish third level institutions will be able to admit refugee students from Ukraine who are resident in Ireland, engaged in distance learning with a Ukrainian institution and with credit for modules already completed in a comparable course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2915/23]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

442. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide the total allocation under the Student Assistance Fund provided to each higher education institution for the past three academic years, including 2022-2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2949/23]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

443. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider extending the €1,000 fee reduction to students who have moved courses and were required to pay higher fees as a result of repeating a year at undergraduate level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2950/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

444. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if plumbing apprentices who fail the colour vision test are unable to continue with the apprenticeship even if they can benefit from corrective lenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2951/23]

Qualifications Recognition

Cian O'Callaghan

445. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to tackle the barriers in place that prevent QQI and FETAC graduates in nursing, physiotherapy, speech and language therapy and so on from accessing university level education and progressing into their chosen field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2975/23]

Equality Issues

Holly Cairns

446. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a report (details supplied) concerning students with disabilities on placement. [3124/23]

Third Level Education

Thomas Pringle

447. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the assessment procedures to be used in relation to the submissions from colleges to establish the proposed new school of veterinary medicine in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3172/23]

Third Level Education

Thomas Pringle

448. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the assessment criteria upon which the decision to establish the proposed new school of veterinary medicine in Ireland is based; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3173/23]

Third Level Education

Thomas Pringle

449. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is envisaged that the proposed new school of veterinary medicine in Ireland will be capable of achieving accreditation by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the UK, American Veterinary Medical Association, the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council and the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education; the way that he will ensure this is achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3174/23]

Grant Payments

Gary Gannon

450. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there have been any updates on the previously discussed topic of the lack of eligibility for student grants by persons who hold stamp 4 visas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3360/23]

Business Supports

Louise O'Reilly

451. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total monetary amount of non-repayable moneys provided by his Department through grants, funding supports, tax breaks or other means to businesses in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [3383/23]

Third Level Costs

Joe Flaherty

278. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to make SUSI grant supports available to those who have obtained stamp 4 residence permits via the regularisation of the long-term undocumented persons' scheme. [2473/23]

Third Level Costs

Joe Flaherty

279. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to make SUSI grant supports available to those who have obtained stamp 4 residence permits via the regularisation of the long-term undocumented persons scheme. [2474/23]

Third Level Education

Mark Ward

280. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current number of dieticians who are due to graduate from third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2495/23]

Third Level Education

Cathal Crowe

281. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will give consideration to a proposal (details supplied) to establish a panel of experts to oversee work on setting up a new veterinary school. [2497/23]

Third Level Fees

Colm Burke

282. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if serious consideration will be given to a proposal (details supplied) in relation to the €1,000 fee reduction for undergraduate students in view of the huge additional cost incurred in repeating or changing courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2504/23]

Healthcare Policy

Cathal Crowe

283. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects the worry-free period product campaign to be expanded to cover all ETBs and voluntary institutions. [2513/23]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Dara Calleary

284. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason corrective lenses are not permitted for candidates on plumbing apprenticeships when they fail the colour vision test; if his Department will consider allowing corrective lenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2639/23]

Third Level Education

Steven Matthews

1022. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the review of the conditions of PhD work in Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the demands from an organisation (details supplied) with regards to this review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63156/22]

Legislative Programme

Paul Murphy

1023. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide further details in relation to the National Research Bill 2023. [63300/22]

Third Level Education

Verona Murphy

1024. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the review of the conditions of PhD work in Ireland will be complete; the considerations that he has given to the fair postgraduate workers agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63326/22]

Further and Higher Education

Thomas Pringle

1025. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all sections of all Acts passed in the past ten years have been commenced; the number of sections that are outstanding; the number of Acts that have review periods; if the reviews have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63383/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Pringle

1026. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the situation which many apprentices find themselves in, whereby due to Covid-19 restrictions, off-the-job training phases were cancelled, leaving many without a definitive date for qualification, despite having spent more than four years in training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63435/22]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Thomas Pringle

1027. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to deal with the backlog in off-the-job training phases for apprentices which were cancelled due to Covid restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63436/22]

Third Level Admissions

Rose Conway-Walsh

1028. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline and strategy for delivering the substantial increase in healthcare training (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63450/22]

Departmental Funding

Rose Conway-Walsh

1029. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the income and expenditure from the national training fund for 2021 and 2022 and the allocation for 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63483/22]

Third Level Fees

Noel Grealish

1030. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will change guidelines in order that returning emigrants who have spent at least three of the previous five years in Ireland can change their status to qualify for the free fees initiative for any remainder of the college course that their children are attending; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63490/22]