Parliamentary questions

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

105. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the €118.5 million of non-voted Covid-19 expenditure from the National Training Fund in 2021; the total expenditure from the National Training Fund for 2021 including the €118.5 million; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60609/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

106. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the €105 million Covid-19 expenditure in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60610/21]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

107. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has co-funded higher education institution owned student accommodation in 2020 or 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60611/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Rose Conway-Walsh

108. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the spending of the €500,095,000 capital budget for 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60612/21]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

109. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of the 4,550 retrofit and nearly zero energy building standard places to be provided by the end of 2022 that will be one, two, three and four-day courses, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60625/21]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

110. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the anticipated opening date for the enrolment for the three additional retrofit centres of excellence in counties Cork, Limerick, Clare, Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim; the location and anticipated enrolment capacity in each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60626/21]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

111. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 671 and 672 of 2 November 2021, if he will provide a list of the 50 plus green skills and sustainability programmes already running across the tertiary sector aimed at construction professionals in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60627/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

112. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of removing the exemption of apprenticeships to the National Minimum Wage Act 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60628/21]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

113. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expenditure under the green skills action programme in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60629/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

114. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total allocated each year under the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme since it began; the total actual expenditure to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60712/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

115. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of craft apprentices currently on waiting lists to access off-the-job training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60713/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

116. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total capacity of phase to off-the-job training of craft apprentices in 2019; the total enrolled capacity of phase to off the job-training in September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60714/21]

Third Level Examinations

Rose Conway-Walsh

117. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students returning from placements in healthcare settings such as student nurses will be expected to sit in-person exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60832/21]

Further and Higher Education

Paul Murphy

417. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timescale for the introduction of online safe pass renewal; and the reason for the delay. [60351/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Christopher O'Sullivan

418. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures his Department is considering in order to incentivise the hiring of first-year apprentice construction workers, such as block layers, plasterers and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60531/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Alan Farrell

419. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will issue Covid-19 safety guidelines to third-level institutions in relation to in-person Christmas exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59879/21]

Protected Disclosures

Mairéad Farrell

420. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of protected disclosures made to him concerning his Department and bodies under its aegis in 2018, 2019 and 2020. [59913/21]

Social Enterprise Sector

Brendan Smith

421. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of funding to be provided by his Department in 2022 for the promotion and support of the social enterprise sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59938/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Neale Richmond

422. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts being made to encourage more persons to undertake apprenticeships in logistics and to qualify as drivers to alleviate the shortage of heavy goods vehicle drivers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60093/21]

Further and Higher Education

Neale Richmond

423. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts being made to encourage more students to undertake a foreign language as part of their higher education course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60094/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

424. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he last met with a union (details supplied) to discuss its concerns regarding the ending of the current craft apprenticeship model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60324/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Claire Kerrane

425. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all third-level students will be given the option to take scheduled exams online in circumstances in which students are concerned regarding ongoing public heath guidelines; if he will advise in the case of a specific institution (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60366/21]

Third Level Education

Ivana Bacik

426. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the funding disparity between counselling doctorate programmes and clinical psychology doctorate programmes in third-level institutions; and if he will allocate emergency funding to the counselling doctorate programme in Trinity College Dublin for the 2022-2023 academic year to address that disparity. [60390/21]

Further and Higher Education

Seán Sherlock

155. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who registered for the academic year in 2020-2021 but removed themselves from their course per institution in tabular form. [59546/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Róisín Shortall

156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to include homecare workers in his Department’s apprenticeship system in view of the homecare staffing crisis; if he has engaged with industry stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59675/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Catherine Murphy

157. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on lighting and heating costs in tabular form. [59704/21]

Departmental Properties

Catherine Murphy

158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he has taken to improve ventilation in the office buildings of his Department; if air cleaning and or purification systems have been installed in 2021; and if not, the plans to install same in 2022. [59722/21]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Éamon Ó Cuív

135. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is planned to introduce health regulations in relation to the holding of in-person third-level examinations between the end of November and Christmas 2021 in view of the risk that they might become super-spreader events and cause Covid-19 to be reintroduced by students returning home for Christmas to households throughout the country including parents, vulnerable family members and grandparents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59380/21]

Education and Training Boards

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

136. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a project (details supplied) and the fact that an arts programme is now at risk with the recruitment process happening for a new manager and community education facilitator for the centre with no mention of the arts programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59495/21]

Education and Training Boards

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

137. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the job description for the community education facilitator position to manage a centre (details supplied) was advertised without mention of one of the central parts of that person’s and the centre’s work, namely the performing arts programme including the theatre; and the reason no mention was made of the need for it being desirable for an applicant for the post to have appropriate skills in the arts. [59497/21]

Education and Training Boards

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

138. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a job description for the community education facilitator position to manage a centre (details supplied) was advertised without taking into account one of the key aspects of the region, the adjacent Gaeltacht region and therefore the need for an applicant for the position to have proficiency in Gaeilge to enable them to communicate with and deliver for the Gaeltacht community. [59499/21]

Education and Training Boards

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

139. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Bord Oideachais agus Oiliúna Chiarraí has advertised for a manager and facilitator for a centre (details supplied) without specifying that the person appointed would have any responsibility for ensuring an arts programme is provided as set down when the funding of his Department was used to restore the old school in 2006, including the provision of a 99-seat theatre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59501/21]

Education and Training Boards

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

140. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the advertisement for a manager and community education facilitator for a centre (details supplied) left ealaíona pobail nó as Béarla community arts out of the title of the centre; if it was, deliberate as a sign of what is to come; if not, if it was in error; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59503/21]

Further and Higher Education

Jennifer Whitmore

141. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of persons that achieved a QQI level 5 qualification, or higher in childcare or early childhood education and care or montessori in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021. [59140/21]

Third Level Fees

Mick Barry

142. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the practice of third-level institutions passing on student debt arising from unpaid fees to debt collectors; if he will introduce regulations to prevent the practice and to prevent the selling on of such debt to third-parties;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59213/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Michael Lowry

143. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts being made by his Department to increase the number of apprenticeship places in higher education institutes to allow persons in an apprenticeship to complete their off-the-job college training and development in a timely manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59276/21]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

144. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 135 of 24 November 2021, the time duration of the each Nearly Zero Energy Building Standard (NZEB) course (details supplied) in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59334/21]

Institutes of Technology

Rose Conway-Walsh

145. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 297, 298, 299 of 25 November 2021, the overall cost of the extension to the central campus EO1 project at Sligo IT; and if it is contained in the Investment Programme Tracker October 2021 which was released as part of the NDP launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59335/21]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

146. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund has concluded or if additional calls will be made in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59336/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Rose Conway-Walsh

147. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocated and spent under the Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Programme; the details of each project in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59337/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Rose Conway-Walsh

148. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding allocated and spent under the Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme; the details of each project in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59338/21]

Departmental Expenditure

Rose Conway-Walsh

149. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the anticipated capital expenditure for higher education and the capital project expenditure to date; the anticipated capital project investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59341/21]

Project Ireland 2040

Rose Conway-Walsh

150. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he remains committed to the Project Ireland 2040 commitment of Exchequer investment of €2.2 billion in Ireland's higher education infrastructure over the period to 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59342/21]

Third Level Costs

Rose Conway-Walsh

55. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the increase in expenditure in the current academic year on SUSI, the student assistance fund and mental health supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59094/21]

Third Level Costs

Ivana Bacik

56. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the student protests which took place on 23 November 2021 led by a union (details supplied): the way he plans to reduce the cost of the student contribution and student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59096/21]

Third Level Examinations

Rose Conway-Walsh

57. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students will have a remote option for end of semester exams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59095/21]

Student Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

58. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to deal with the issue of student poverty and, in particular, the chronic shortage of affordable student specific accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58585/21]

Technological Universities

Peter Fitzpatrick

59. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the likely timeline by which Dundalk Institute of Technology will attain technological university status as part of the technological university project which has transformed higher education across the State (details supplied); and if he will ensure that the institute will not continue to be left behind. [59076/21]

Third Level Education

Ciarán Cannon

60. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the funding allocated under the student assistance fund in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58567/21]

Third Level Fees

Holly Cairns

61. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his response to the recent protests by organisations (details supplied) to the rates of fees in third level institutions. [58609/21]

Further and Higher Education

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

62. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the operation of the Speak Out tool for the anonymous reporting of violence and harassment in higher and further education institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58538/21]

Third Level Education

Aindrias Moynihan

63. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress being made on the current review of the student grant scheme; when he expects the final report and the timeframe to implement recommendations therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58651/21]

Third Level Education

Pa Daly

64. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to review the criteria and income thresholds for SUSI grants to ensure that a family qualifying for the working family payment is deemed eligible for a fee and maintenance SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58611/21]

Further and Higher Education

Éamon Ó Cuív

65. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the increases or decreases that have been made to the rates of grant under the SUSI grant scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate students since 2008; the years they were made; if he plans to increase these grants for the 2022–23 academic year; the provision made in the Estimates of his Department for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58580/21]

Grant Payments

Peter Fitzpatrick

66. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there will be an increase in the number of students that will be able to access SUSI support grants due to the increase of €1,000 in the income threshold; the way this will be dealt with; the number of additional applications he anticipates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58614/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Dara Calleary

67. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made under the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 to promote access in apprenticeship for traditionally under-represented groups including women, migrants, those with disabilities and mature applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58626/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

68. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to facilitate the provision of an adequate number of qualified academics and technicians to meet the requirements of the modern workforce; the areas he has identified as requiring special attention; his plans to meet such requirements in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58606/21]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

69. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the specific proposals there are to intensify co-operation in 2022 in the further education sector on a cross-Border and an all-Ireland basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58647/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Dara Calleary

70. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the take-up of the apprenticeship incentivisation scheme; the details of the new grant for employers of apprenticeship participants who are not benefitting from direct off-the-job training allowance payments as announced in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58625/21]

Grant Payments

Peter Fitzpatrick

71. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the scholarship and grant schemes that are currently available to third-level students and for students that are refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58617/21]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

72. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he continues to make provision for an increased supply of higher level graduates throughout the country, with particular reference to the need to meet the requirements of industry and academia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58607/21]

Departmental Funding

Emer Higgins

73. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding provided by his Department to support the wellbeing of students which is particularly important given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. [58540/21]

Third Level Education

Neale Richmond

74. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on how the Speak Out tool for reporting violence and harassment is working since its launch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58553/21]

Further and Higher Education

Neasa Hourigan

75. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to conduct an audit of equity of access to Further Education and Training for those with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58640/21]

Departmental Strategies

Cathal Crowe

76. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made under the Adult Literacy for Life strategy to reduce the proportion of adults in Ireland without basic digital skills from 47% to 20%, including the planned allocation under the Budget 2022 provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58637/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Christopher O'Sullivan

77. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to reduce the lengthy timeframe for completion of apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58657/21]

Departmental Strategies

Richard Bruton

78. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has sought a report from the enterprise agencies on the emerging skill shortages; and if a better integration of the strategies for apprenticeships, work permits and Skillnet under the national and regional skills can be forged to address the emerging challenges. [53163/21]

Third Level Fees

Ruairí Ó Murchú

79. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagements he has with a union (details supplied) on their recent campaign in regard to rising college fees, rising student living and accommodation costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58646/21]

Further and Higher Education

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

80. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made on the integration of Carlow College, St. Patrick's, into the higher education system in the south-east region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58621/21]

Further and Higher Education

Alan Dillon

81. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the work undertaken by SOLAS in the establishment of the further education and training capital and property working group; and the way this forum will support the delivery of capital projects in education and training boards. [58655/21]

Further and Higher Education

Niamh Smyth

82. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the site location and timeline for a new capital build for Cavan Institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58623/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Brian Stanley

83. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress in the midlands regions on increasing the number of apprenticeships for skills in renewable energy, retrofitting homes and energy efficient construction. [58605/21]

Technological Universities

Colm Burke

84. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the development of technological universities including the way that each fits with the strengths economically and otherwise of the region they serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58573/21]

Third Level Education

Denis Naughten

85. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a science and technology policy fellowship within the civil service to provide opportunities to scientists and engineers to learn first-hand about policy-making and contribute their knowledge and analytical skills in policy development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57453/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Brian Stanley

86. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has plans to increase the number of apprenticeships in the Midlands in the area of retrofitting homes, renewable energy and energy efficient construction skills. [58604/21]

Technological Universities

Alan Dillon

87. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the development of the Atlantic technological university; and the level of Exchequer funding that will be provided in 2022 for this technological university. [58656/21]

Further and Higher Education

Niamh Smyth

88. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the advancement of a new campus for Cavan Institute at Cathedral Road, Drumalee, County Cavan; if a report has been submitted to his Department regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58624/21]

Student Accommodation

Aindrias Moynihan

89. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his engagement with third level educational institutes and the various stakeholders to resolve accommodation issues currently experienced by students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58652/21]

Further and Higher Education

Christopher O'Sullivan

90. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the planned allocation of supports for the further and higher education sector announced as part of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58629/21]

Departmental Funding

Alan Farrell

91. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding provided by his Department to support the well-being of students which is particularly important given the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58575/21]

Third Level Education

Denis Naughten

92. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he plans to take to improve the interface between the wider research community and Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57452/21]

Technological Universities

Ciarán Cannon

93. Deputy Ciarán Cannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the development of technological universities. [58568/21]

Technological Universities

Fergus O'Dowd

94. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the development of technological universities including the urgent need to progress TU status in the north-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58547/21]

Cross-Border Co-operation

Brendan Smith

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when details will be available in relation to the provision of skills on a cross-Border basis with financial support from the PEACE PLUS Programme; if such a programme will commence in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58648/21]

Education Schemes

John Brady

96. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a commitment will be given to establish a national training scheme with established qualifications in County Wicklow to service offshore wind energy farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58620/21]

Third Level Education

Pádraig O'Sullivan

97. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he will publish the economic evaluation of the Cassells Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58503/21]

Student Accommodation

Peter Fitzpatrick

98. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place with the shortage of student accommodation on and off campus to help students with the high costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58616/21]

Disadvantaged Status

John Lahart

99. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the strategies to encourage and support students of DEIS schools to access third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58627/21]

Student Accommodation

Rose Conway-Walsh

100. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to create a situation in which universities are able to provide on-campus accommodation at affordable rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58643/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

101. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider protecting the craft apprenticeship model as we move to a unitary system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58644/21]

Student Accommodation

Richard Boyd Barrett

102. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he will put in place to alleviate immediately the pressures that students are under in view of the chronic shortage of student accommodation which has resulted in students living in hotels, couch surfing and travelling long distances to attend lectures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58587/21]

Education Policy

Brian Leddin

103. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress he is making to ensure that Ireland continues to have a supply of quality engineering graduates to meet its future skills needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58608/21]

Apprenticeship Programmes

John Brady

104. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the efforts that are being made to address the backlog of apprentices who are waiting to complete block release training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58619/21]

Grant Payments

Pa Daly

105. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the criteria to establish a SUSI applicant’s independence from their parents in cases in which the applicant is under 23 years of age and is living independently from their parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58612/21]

Third Level Costs

Richard Boyd Barrett

106. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine the challenges facing students of psychology who need to study for up to eight years before they are fully qualified for many disciplines within psychology; if he will consider a particular subvention for these students considering the urgent need for psychologists in both the health and education systems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58589/21]

State Examinations

James O'Connor

107. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to reform the CAO process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58635/21]

Departmental Strategies

Cathal Crowe

108. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made under the Future FET: Transforming Learning 2020-2024 strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58638/21]

Grant Payments

Mick Barry

109. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will increase the SUSI grants to take account of the increase in rents and living expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58654/21]

Third Level Fees

Mick Barry

110. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider the demands raised by a union (details supplied) in its recent demonstrations in relation to the abolition of the student contribution charge given the increase in living costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58653/21]

Third Level Education

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

111. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made regarding the Framework for Consent in Higher Education Institutions: Safe, Respectful, Supportive and Positive: Ending Sexual Violence and Harassment in Irish Higher Education Institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58622/21]