Parliamentary questions

Departmental Meetings

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

1554. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Minister of State within his Department visited University of Pittsburgh during his recent visit to the US for St, Patrick's Day events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12570/24]

Departmental Funding

Pádraig O'Sullivan

1555. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding will be made available to a college (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12708/24]

Departmental Funding

Robert Troy

1556. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12721/24]

Departmental Meetings

Carol Nolan

1557. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings that he or officials from his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have had with an organisation (details supplied) including its representatives from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12741/24]

Departmental Schemes

Richard Bruton

1558. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is a shortage of training places in Dublin for those wishing to do apprenticeships, which is requiring people to train far away from home; and if he plans to roll out more facilities in Dublin to meet the need. [12918/24]

Departmental Schemes

Seán Sherlock

1559. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the 2024/2025 SUSI application process will open. [12953/24]

Departmental Strategies

Violet-Anne Wynne

1560. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the national student accommodation strategy will be published; its current status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12995/24]

Departmental Funding

Violet-Anne Wynne

1561. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will comment on his decision to provide zero capital funding for technological universities, preventing them from building and borrowing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12996/24]

Departmental Inquiries

Violet-Anne Wynne

1562. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the situation that students often find themselves in when renting digs, such as curfews being imposed, no privacy and issues with accessing communal areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13002/24]

Departmental Policies

Patricia Ryan

1563. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, with regard to the advanced healthcare assistant, QQI level 6 (details supplied), if any plans are being considered to have the same course rolled out across the TU campuses and covered by the SUSI system, considering the benefits to be gained from it by both healthcare providers and their employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13159/24]

Departmental Administrative Arrangements

Ged Nash

1564. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason personal assistants in the further and higher education sector are paid monthly and not bi-weekly as compared to those who are employed in the broadly analogous role of SNA at primary and second-level education; the reason the personal assistant role and salary scale does not include annual increments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13165/24]

Public Private Partnerships

Rose Conway-Walsh

1565. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details on all planned PPP projects and ongoing PPP contracts; the status of each project; the anticipated or known capital cost; the anticipated or known cost to the Exchequer over the lifetime of the contracts; the annual total payment of PPP unitary charges and the percentage share of the total capital budget for his Department and all public bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13197/24]

Departmental Data

Michael Healy-Rae

1566. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to report on adult education classes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13220/24]

Student Accommodation

Violet-Anne Wynne

1567. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reasons for the delays in publishing progress reports on the National Student Accommodation Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13307/24]

Student Accommodation

Violet-Anne Wynne

1568. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the rising cost of student campus accommodation in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13309/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Frankie Feighan

436. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a Leitrim based apprentice (details supplied) who trained under SOLAS are not recognising the time he spent working at an accredited company from July 2020 to May 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11373/24]

Further and Higher Education

Matt Carthy

437. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his engagements with Irish institutes of higher education regarding their ongoing collaboration with counterparts in Israel; and if he has raised any concerns with University College Dublin related to their Israeli counterpart fundraising for student reservists that took part in the Israeli assault on Gaza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11400/24]

EU Agreements

Matt Carthy

438. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, given the request of the Taoiseach that the European Commission urgently review whether Israel is complying with its obligations to respect human rights in Gaza under the EU-Israel Association Agreement, he has similarly sought review of Israel’s participation in Horizon Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11401/24]

Departmental Staff

Carol Nolan

233. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the number of redundancies, or so called ‘exit-packages’, that have been paid to staff or personnel at any level of seniority in his Department, or in any agency or body under the aegis of his Department, from 2018 to date; the value of each and the total value, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10987/24]

Departmental Staff

Catherine Murphy

234. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis, and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €200,000 and above in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will provide the amount of same, body, name and year. [11016/24]

Departmental Staff

Alan Kelly

235. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to list all staff/management exit packages for staff/management in their Departments that they sanctioned since 2016 (details supplied). [11161/24]

Third Level Education

Marian Harkin

795. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proportion of international students to Irish students in the Royal College of Surgeons for the last five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9959/24]

Disability Services

Marc MacSharry

796. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the effectiveness of Section 25 of the Disability Act as it applies to wheelchair users, including electric and power wheelchair users, accessing Higher Education Institution facilities; if there are plans to improve access to higher education institution facilities for wheelchair users, including electric and power wheelchair users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10033/24]

Disability Services

Marc MacSharry

797. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reasoning behind public bodies being exempt from Section 25 of the Disability Act; the process for which a higher education institution as a public body can apply for an exemption; the designated person(s) responsible for applying for the exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10034/24]

Third Level Education

Holly Cairns

798. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the phase 6 training for electrical and instrumentation in SETU Carlow is still scheduled for April 2024; why notification of the training has not been issued yet; and if he will give a date by which notification of training will be issued to apprentices so they can plan accordingly. [10053/24]

Third Level Staff

Neasa Hourigan

799. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a report (details supplied); his views on its recommendation for the implementation of employee status and university contract model for all PhD researchers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10203/24]

Third Level Education

Carol Nolan

800. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects the new UCC dental school project to begin construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10298/24]

Third Level Education

Kathleen Funchion

801. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person (details supplied) can avail of any further SUSI supports; if so, what assistance can be provided for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10331/24]

An Teanga Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

802. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cé mhéid airgid a chaitheann an Rialtas in aghaidh na bliana chun tacú le hAcadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge. [10379/24]

An Teanga Gaeilge

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

803. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta cé mhéid airgid a chaitheann an Rialtas in aghaidh na bliana chun tacú le soláthar cúrsaí trí Ghaeilge i bhforais tríú leibhéal. [10380/24]

Departmental Properties

Matt Carthy

804. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the ground rents payable by his Department or agencies under its remit, by named property, by name of landlord and by amount payable, in the years 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10416/24]

Third Level Education

Mairéad Farrell

805. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 1 of 27 February 2024, if it is now his position that the refurbishment grant for which he sought Cabinet approval will be provided to universities in order that they can purchase vacant properties on the market; if so, if they will apply through the vacant property refurbishment grant under the croí cónaithe towns fund as mentioned; when he will publish the criteria on how this will operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10616/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Paul McAuliffe

806. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a breakdown of the average wait time for apprenticeships for each phase of their apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10764/24]

Third Level Education

David Cullinane

807. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects the new UCC dental school project to begin construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10774/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

808. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether any consideration has been given to supports to people transitioning from full-time jobs, who may have costs such as mortgages, to allow them to take up apprenticeships, but are concerned they could not meet their financial obligations. [10835/24]

Education and Training Boards

Mairéad Farrell

333. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a breakdown of the total number of craft apprentice education tutors in ETBs in the years 2022 and 2023, broken by craft apprenticeship type, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9760/24]

EU Funding

Holly Cairns

334. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a breakdown of all EU funding made available to his Department which has not yet been allocated; and the purpose for which this funding has been made available by the EU. [9807/24]

Third Level Fees

Michael Healy-Rae

335. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9847/24]

Institutes of Technology

Fergus O'Dowd

198. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can comment or advise on the best route for intellectual disability students in Dundalk Institute of Technology under St John of God Hospital (details supplied) who have been faced with serious placement obstacles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9546/24]

Further and Higher Education

Michael Healy-Rae

199. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views with regard to the new National Training Fund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9620/24]

Further and Higher Education

Marian Harkin

200. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the independent evaluation of the specialist training provision carried out by SOLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9651/24]

Further and Higher Education

Marian Harkin

201. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will agree to ensuring that a threshold of core funding is put in place to enable supported training organisations such as the National Learning Network to carry out their vital role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9652/24]

Further and Higher Education

Alan Dillon

202. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on capital investment projects in the ATU Mayo campus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9736/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Alan Dillon

203. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on measures to improve the backlogs in craft apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9737/24]

Student Accommodation

Mairéad Farrell

1. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the new student accommodation policy for which he sought Cabinet approval, if he can he provide details of the refurbishment grant which he had outlined. [9106/24]

Student Accommodation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

2. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the introduction of mandatory 51-week leases by private student accommodation providers; the actions he intends to take on these leases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9077/24]

Student Accommodation

Mairéad Farrell

3. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science following on from his confirmation that his officials were examining the issue of 51-week leases for purpose-built student accommodation, if he can update on same. [9105/24]

Student Visas

Gary Gannon

4. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and his Department will consider removing the eligibility criteria exclusion of the category of parents of an Irish citizen for SUSI applications in relation to persons with permission to remain under a stamp 4 visa. [9088/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

5. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to tackle the growing backlog of apprenticeship off the job training. [9107/24]

Third Level Education

Colm Burke

6. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what progress has been made to date to increase radiation therapy course places in Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9085/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brendan Griffin

7. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the up-to-date position regarding the development of a facility in Killarney (details supplied) as a new training centre of excellence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9011/24]

Education and Training Provision

Richard Bruton

8. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to develop Skillnet Ireland in its capacity to accelerate adaptation to the challenges of sustainability and digital transformation of business models. [9082/24]

Education Policy

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

9. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking in 2024, the European Year of Skills, to increase the uptake of lifelong learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9084/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

10. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Ireland is likely to experience a shortage of graduates in the future within a particular area to meet the demand of the corresponding workforce; his plans to address same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9019/24]

Student Accommodation

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

11. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on his Department's work on the borrowing framework for technological universities; the proposed timeline for when such a framework will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9079/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Aindrias Moynihan

12. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the up-to-date position on improving pathways between second level education and apprenticeships to ensure that apprenticeships are seen as a very attractive career pathway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9025/24]

Adult Education Provision

Ruairí Ó Murchú

13. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are plans to include courses for adults with intellectual disabilities such as the level 3 certificate in skills for independent living at Dundalk IT under the SUSI grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8724/24]

Further and Higher Education

Robert Troy

14. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the centre of excellence for electric vehicles in Mullingar; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9075/24]

Further and Higher Education

Richard Bruton

15. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered the role that further and higher education could play in the future in supporting the contribution of people after they retire from full-time work both from their past experience and empowering them for a third age; and if he will consider evolving a new strategy in this sphere. [9081/24]

Education and Training Provision

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

16. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to report on the Departmental subgroup on education in prisons that was proposed to be established; if it has been established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8220/24]

Legislative Programme

Rose Conway-Walsh

17. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the legislative programme. [3496/24]

Education and Training Provision

Mairéad Farrell

18. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the dentistry school for Cork, for which the ground was broken, but has yet to be delivered. [9109/24]

Education and Training Provision

Darren O'Rourke

19. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of recent reports (details supplied) that highlight critical skills and labour gaps in order to meet our 2030 targets as part of Ireland's energy transition; the corrective measures he will take in order to fill these gaps; the timeline for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8986/24]

Further and Higher Education

Michael McNamara

20. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on his Department’s plans to expand the provision of education in veterinary medicine in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8629/24]

Third Level Costs

Bernard Durkan

21. 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 or fluctuated over the past number of years; the extent to which the proportion of the national budget under that heading has varied in the past six years; if continued access to third level education for all students seeking to avail of it will be ensured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9018/24]

Departmental Reviews

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

22. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the review of the status of PhD researchers, that is, their classification as either students or employees, will be published. [9078/24]

Further and Higher Education

Brian Stanley

23. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the University of Limerick's recent purchase of social housing units in Rhebogue, County Limerick. [8903/24]

Traveller Education

David Stanton

24. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way his Department is supporting young people from the Traveller community to become apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8809/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

David Stanton

25. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way his Department is incentivising people from disadvantaged backgrounds to become apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8808/24]

Further and Higher Education

Mairéad Farrell

26. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work that has been carried out to fast track the delivery of the proposed new veterinary school. [9111/24]

Student Accommodation

Gary Gannon

27. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he has engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in relation to restrictive 51-week tenancies for the 2024-25 academic year announced by some operators of student accommodation in Dublin. [9090/24]

Third Level Costs

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

28. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the increases to the PhD stipend that he announced as part of budget 2024 will be operational; and when PhD researchers will see this change take place. [9080/24]

Student Accommodation

Mairéad Farrell

29. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work his Department has carried out to promote the new guidelines in relation to student digs accommodation. [9110/24]

Education and Training Boards

Pauline Tully

30. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will deliver decent public sector work contracts for the 3,500 adult education tutors who are employed by the education and training boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9132/24]

Further and Higher Education

Violet-Anne Wynne

31. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will comment on his future plans for the expansion of further and higher education in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9115/24]

Climate Action Plan

Darren O'Rourke

32. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the delayed actions his Department is leading on as part of the Climate Action Plan 2023; the proportion that have been completed and delayed, respectively; if any are still outstanding from the Climate Action Plan 2021; the expected timeline for delivery for all delayed actions; the estimated emissions impact of delayed actions; the impact on carbon budgets; the measures he is taking to mitigate these impacts and make up any possible shortfalls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8987/24]

Education Policy

Peadar Tóibín

33. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to encourage persons from disadvantaged backgrounds and ethnic minorities into third level education. [8775/24]

Third Level Reform

Mairéad Farrell

34. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to address the current shortcomings in the provision of mental health supports for third level institutions. [9112/24]

Third Level Staff

Gary Gannon

35. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what actions he and his Department are taking to reduce staff-to-student ratios in higher education, given Ireland was decreed to have one of the worst ratios in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. [9089/24]

Departmental Priorities

Brendan Griffin

36. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his priorities for Kerry in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9012/24]

Student Accommodation

Aindrias Moynihan

37. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had to date with private student accommodation providers to prevent the practice of full-year compulsory leases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9024/24]

Third Level Fees

Colm Burke

38. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider putting in place a scholarship programme for radiation therapy students with a signed agreement that they would work for two years in the HSE once qualified, given that University College Cork has a two-year master's programme costing students €12,000 per annum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9086/24]

Further and Higher Education

Joe Flaherty

39. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on plans for development of Longford Westmeath ETB further education campus in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8777/24]

Third Level Education

Peadar Tóibín

40. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the Irish Survey of Student Engagement; and if his Department has any input into the drafting of the questions asked in the survey. [8776/24]

Student Accommodation

Brian Stanley

41. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an up-to-date report on the provision of student accommodation at University College Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin City University and the University of Limerick. [8902/24]

Further and Higher Education

Ruairí Ó Murchú

42. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the plans to enhance disability supports for students at further and higher education centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8725/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

43. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason some of the craft apprenticeship curriculum course syllabuses are almost 15 years old; and the steps he will take to modernise them. [9108/24]

Further and Higher Education

Niamh Smyth

44. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the funding allocation to date and the timeframe for the development of Cavan Institute as a hub for further education and training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8782/24]

Further and Higher Education

Catherine Connolly

45. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 103 of 18 January 2024, the status of the proposed new further education college in Galway city; if the preliminary business case has been completed and submitted to Solas to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8904/24]

Student Accommodation

Robert Troy

46. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the ability of technical universities to borrow funds to provide their own student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9076/24]

Student Accommodation

Niamh Smyth

47. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he and his Department are taking to support students who are being asked to pay for accommodation for 52 weeks of the year, despite only being in college for nine months of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8780/24]

Education and Training Boards

Pauline Tully

48. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider all the issues outlined in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9133/24]

Public Private Partnerships

Marc Ó Cathasaigh

49. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding progress on the public private partnership, bundle 2, specifically with reference to the funding of the engineering building in the Waterford Campus SETU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9083/24]

Student Accommodation

Catherine Connolly

50. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 109 of 18 January 2024, for an update on the plans to provide additional student accommodation units for students at the University of Galway; the timeline for the delivery of the additional units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8905/24]

Qualifications Recognition

Denise Mitchell

634. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of professional added years for a person (details supplied). [8678/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

635. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 581 of 7 February 2024, the breakdown, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8834/24]

Third Level Education

Paul Donnelly

636. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposal to increase the number of places on first year veterinary medicine and dentistry for Irish students for the 2024-2025 academic year. [8875/24]

Further and Higher Education

Paul Donnelly

637. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the capital works projects that received EU funding in each of the years of 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the amount of EU funding that was received for each of the capital works projects in each of the years in question, in tabular form. [8876/24]

Education and Training Boards

Alan Dillon

638. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if grants are available for students who attend modern foreign language courses through ETB's; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8887/24]

Further and Higher Education

Alan Dillon

639. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student (details supplied) can transfer their college course from Letterkenny to Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8979/24]