Parliamentary questions

Brexit Issues

Danny Healy-Rae

407. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has finalised the agreement with colleges in the UK to ensure that Irish students do not have to pay higher fees or be considered as international students if they apply to UK colleges for courses, including postgraduate courses for 2021 to 2022, due to Brexit. [43552/20]

Technological Universities

Matt Shanahan

408. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the technological university resources will now be rebalanced to align with the aspirations of Project Ireland 2040 to support regional growth given that the university sector has grown by 40% since 2000 and the institute of technology sector has grown by 3% which is feeding the perception that Dublin, with its multiple universities, is sucking the life out of the rest of the country. [43568/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Thomas Pringle

409. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students living here and attending university in Northern Ireland who are not in receipt of the SUSI grant are eligible to receive the €250 once off grant; if so, the way in which a student (details supplied) can apply for the grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42858/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Thomas Pringle

410. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if postgraduate students are eligible to receive the €250 once off payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42859/20]

Student Accommodation

Paul Murphy

411. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when universities will implement his policy statement of 6 December 2020 (details supplied) that any college-owned accommodation refunds should be provided for; if such rent refunds will be backdated; if so, the date from which they will be backdated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42944/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Claire Kerrane

412. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 697 of 1 December 2020, if students who had to return to college in order to carry out placements (details supplied) which were cancelled due to Covid-19 and have not had to pay fees for 2020 are included in the small number of cases in which alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the moneys to students given the disruption caused to them in having to return to college due to Covid-19. [43040/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Cormac Devlin

413. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports in place for postgraduate students given Covid-19 regulations around face-to-face learning, and in particular if institutions will consider a refund of fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43045/20]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

414. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures and supports that have been put in place for third-level students with dyslexia and other conditions that secured them supports at second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43284/20]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

415. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the independently appointed consultants conducting the economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education under the European Commission DG Reform Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43285/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Bríd Smith

416. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in relation to SUSI grants, a student who qualified for the special rate support grant in their first year on an undergraduate course can be subsequently removed from this rate if their parent comes off the qualifying payment (details supplied); if this can happen regardless of the household’s income, which continues to be under €24,500; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43286/20]

Student Accommodation

Denis Naughten

417. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if third-level institutions will provide rent refunds to students in on-campus accommodation for which courses are now being delivered online for the 2020-2021 academic year; if he has had discussions with the institutions on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42227/20]

Third Level Fees

Denis Naughten

418. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if third level institutions will provide refunds to students for which courses are now being delivered online for the 2020 to 2021 academic year; if he has had discussions with the institutions on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42228/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

David Stanton

419. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports in place for students attending third level institutions for the first time, who may be struggling to adjust to the lack of college and course interaction due to current restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43356/20]

Nursing Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

420. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a payment or bursary system for students of nursing and midwifery in the interests of encouraging more students to study nursing and midwifery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43417/20]

Nursing Education

Richard Boyd Barrett

421. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine a payment or bursary system to ensure that nursing and midwifery graduates are not graduating with high levels of debt given the high level of emigration by graduate nurses and midwives; if he will address the lower level of pay for these graduates compared to graduates of other healthcare disciplines with whom many of them share classes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43422/20]

Third Level Fees

Richard Boyd Barrett

422. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rationale for charging fees of over €15,000 per year for graduate entry medicine courses, which means that many students who finish the course leave university with loans of up to €100,000, and in turn results in emigration and exacerbates staff shortages in medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43423/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Claire Kerrane

423. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if financial support will be given to a person (details supplied) in the high-risk category for Covid-19 who is taking part in an online masters degree course and has been refused a SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43558/20]

Further and Higher Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

424. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of full-time further education students by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43563/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Rose Conway-Walsh

425. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the decline in numbers of apprenticeship entrants to full-time education courses as a result of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43564/20]

Third Level Costs

Michael Ring

318. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the structure that is in place and the support that will be given to students that have paid deposits and full accommodation costs with almost all of their learning being online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42548/20]

Third Level Education

Neale Richmond

319. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will reconsider and allow the self-employed to avail of the free or subsidised third-level courses as included under the Jobs Stimulus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42557/20]

SOLAS Administration

Seán Haughey

320. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) has requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State bodies to Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas; if SOLAS has a dedicated email address in place for Oireachtas Members as is the case with many other State organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42559/20]

Third Level Costs

Danny Healy-Rae

321. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the provision being made for the third-level students who had paid accommodation fees before the announcement was made that the colleges would not reopen given many have not been refunded the accommodation fees paid up to Christmas 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42632/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Bríd Smith

322. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if professional fees are paid by his Department on behalf of employees; if so, the total number involved; and the amount of each fee. [42702/20]

Nursing Education

Denis Naughten

323. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will introduce a mechanism for fourth year student nurses not in receipt of SUSI to receive the €250 refund in view of the fact that they will not be on campus in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42738/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

324. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he hopes to encourage participation in third and fourth-level education throughout the country regardless of socioeconomic background; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42827/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

325. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects to generate increased interest in the technical side of education in order to ensure the ready availability of a highly-qualified workforce in preparation for an increasingly competitive workplace market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42828/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

326. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which the number of students taking up fourth-level education can be encouraged into the technical area with increased emphasis on apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42829/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

327. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of third-level places available academic and technical places available for students in each of the past five years to date; the extent to which changes are likely in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42830/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

328. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects third and fourth-level courses to cater for the needs of students or postgraduates in the area of research with particular reference to the future requirements of the economy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42831/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

329. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which adequate places have been available in the current years for students pursuing academic or technical courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42832/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

330. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the means by which innovative education at third or fourth-level can be expected to meet the challenges of the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42833/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

331. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role he sees for advancement in science in the technical and academic areas in the future with particular reference to identifying the need for a balanced third and fourth-level educational sector in line with the likely requirements of employment in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42834/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

332. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the advancement of educational programmes to meet the scientific needs of the economy in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42835/20]

Third Level Costs

Bernard Durkan

333. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an agreement has been reached with all third-level institutions in respect of the refund of the accommodation element of SUSI grants in which students could only opt for virtual class attendance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42836/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

334. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which discussions continue in respect of a fair and equitable third and fourth-level access to the education system given the difficulties of other jurisdictions with the administration of student loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42837/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

335. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that all second-level school leavers have a reliable opportunity to access third-level education given the increasing requirements and competition in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42838/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

336. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places available for third and fourth-level students in the technical and academic sectors currently; his proposals to improve on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42839/20]

Departmental Budgets

Bernard Durkan

337. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he is satisfied that the budget for his Department is adequate to meet the anticipated requirements throughout 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42840/20]

Third Level Admissions

Bernard Durkan

338. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which reform of the CAO system is contemplated with a view to ensuring increased interest by students in courses in which an increase in the number of graduates is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42841/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

339. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the proportion of students opting for third and fourth-level education on an annual basis over the past five years can be addressed in the future by ensuring an increase in third-level places most likely to impact positively on the availability of graduates where required most in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42842/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

340. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which participation in third-level education continues to be attractive to all students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42843/20]

Third Level Education

Bernard Durkan

341. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which male and female students continued to be attracted in equal proportions to participation in the sciences; if a corrective measure or inducement is needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42844/20]

Further and Higher Education

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

171. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of alternative education settings including Youthreach and related schemes that have a kitchen by county in tabular form. [42169/20]

Further and Higher Education

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

172. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of alternative education settings including Youthreach and related schemes that have a kitchen. [42174/20]

Further and Higher Education

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

173. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of alternative education settings including Youthreach and related schemes that have a canteen by county in tabular form. [42178/20]

Further and Higher Education

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

174. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage of alternative education settings including Youthreach and related schemes that have a canteen. [42183/20]

Institutes of Technology

Niamh Smyth

175. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason second and fourth year examinations are being planned in Letterkenny IT (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42220/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Brendan Griffin

176. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a postgraduate student (details supplied) who is a long-term recipient of a Department of Social Protection payment is not eligible for the special rate of student grant; if the matter will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42292/20]

Third Level Staff

Róisín Shortall

177. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 2 December 2020, if he will provide clarification regarding his policy in relation to university teaching assistants being separated into two separate roles which are paid different hourly wages but are required to do the same work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42386/20]

Nursing Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

178. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of student nurses and midwives from each county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42396/20]

Student Universal Support Ireland

Sorca Clarke

179. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will request SUSI to specifically deal with the issue of estrangement in Article 21(3)(b) of the student grant scheme 2020 to more accurately reflect the reality for many families. [42465/20]

Departmental Bodies Data

Mairéad Farrell

180. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the bodies under the aegis of his Department; and the composition of their respective board memberships, disaggregated by appointments through the Public Appointments Service or ministerial appointments in tabular form. [42480/20]

Brexit Issues

Thomas Pringle

461. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the professional qualifications that will be affected from January 2021 when the transitional period for Brexit is completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41340/20]

English Language Training Organisations

John Lahart

462. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to an apparent anomaly that appears to request those involved in the English language education in Ireland to return to live in-person lectures on 1 December 2020 which is not a level 3 rule (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41595/20]

Institutes of Technology

David Cullinane

463. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to fractured industrial relations in Waterford Institute of Technology that are resulting in a large number of cases in the WRC and courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41165/20]

Institutes of Technology

David Cullinane

464. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent over the past four years by Waterford Institute of Technology or on behalf of the Institute or Department on legal fees, awards and settlements associated with staff grievances and lawsuits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41166/20]

Institutes of Technology

David Cullinane

465. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent over the past four years by Waterford Institute of Technology or on its behalf on consultants for improving industrial relations and increases in insurance premiums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41167/20]

Institutes of Technology

David Cullinane

466. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if fractured industrial relations at Waterford Institute of Technology pose a risk to the timely achievement of a technological university for the southeast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41168/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

467. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 315 of 26 November 2020, the circumstances in which alternative arrangements will be made for the payment of the monies to the students; if the alternative arrangements will involve a cash payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41171/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Jackie Cahill

468. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if families who paid for private student accommodation for third-level students prior to the announcement that all third-level education would be online this semester will be provided with some form of financial support, tax break, compensation or other for the accommodation that is not required or being used; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41209/20]

Third Level Education

Rose Conway-Walsh

469. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the economic evaluation of the funding options presented in the Report of the Expert Group on Future Funding for Higher Education by the European Commission DG Reform Programme; when he expects the evaluation to be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41345/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Catherine Connolly

470. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 319 of 3 November 2020 (details supplied), if the €250 payment will also be extended to all Irish citizens currently undertaking undergraduate or postgraduate studies in other EU countries; the details of any cost analysis of same carried out by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41349/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Peadar Tóibín

471. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department has spent to date on student supports and grants. [41450/20]

Departmental Expenditure

Peadar Tóibín

472. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department has spent since it was established; and the breakdown on the spending. [41451/20]

Third Level Fees

Kathleen Funchion

473. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the funding inequality that exists for graduate entry medical students (details supplied); and the supports in place to help students that find themselves in this position. [41708/20]

Student Support Schemes

Kathleen Funchion

474. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to overhaul the current SUSI grants system and investigate and implement a student loan system similar to the UK and Australia (details supplied). [41709/20]

Third Level Fees

Cathal Crowe

475. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to reduce college fees for third-level students who are experiencing less on-campus time due to the current Covid-19 restrictions. [41762/20]

Third Level Fees

Ruairí Ó Murchú

476. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of his engagements with a union (details supplied) on its campaign; the consideration given to the commitments outlined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41789/20]

Institutes of Technology

Matt Shanahan

477. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether programmes delivered as collaborative provision in association with the Institute of Technology Carlow satisfy the QQI guidelines on cyclical review and annual institutional quality reporting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41903/20]

Institutes of Technology

Matt Shanahan

478. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that the number of students enrolled on collaborative provision programmes within the Institute of Technology Carlow meet the eligibility criteria under section 28 of the Technological Universities Act 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41904/20]

Institutes of Technology

Matt Shanahan

479. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the list of programmes offered by Institute of Technology Carlow by number of students registered, full or part-time status; the percentage of delivery provided by staff of the institute in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41905/20]

Institutes of Technology

Matt Shanahan

480. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 26 November 2020, the breakdown of the 3,682 part-time enrolled students of Institute of Technology Carlow, by course, location of campus, the name of the collaborative provision partner if there is one, the NAQI level and the e enrolment and full-time equivalent of that enrolment in tabular form [41906/20]

Institutes of Technology

Matt Shanahan

481. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 313 of 26 November 2020, the county of domiciliary origin of the 3,682 part-time students enrolled in the Institute of Technology Carlow in tabular form. [41907/20]

Adult Education Provision

Brendan Griffin

482. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when his consideration of the Labour Court recommendation on regularising the terms and conditions for adult education tutors employed by educational training boards will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42130/20]

Third Level Institutions

Gary Gannon

483. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the instructions, guidelines or recommendations made to institutions participating in the graduate medical programmes to support and facilitate the participation of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds given SUSI is not available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42136/20]

Disability Act Employment Targets

Gary Gannon

484. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the percentage or number of staff working with a disability within his Department and the agencies under his aegis in 2018, 2019 and 2020; and the actions being undertaken by his Department to actively recruit and retain persons with disabilities. [42145/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic

Richard Boyd Barrett

485. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it will be ensured that all the requirements of the Work Safely Protocol issued 20 November 2020 are implemented with particular reference to the contents of section D3 (details supplied) in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42604/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Michael Creed

293. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports made available from his Department to students as a consequence of Covid-19, its impact on their studies and additional costs incurred as a consequence. [40794/20]

Third Level Fees

Neasa Hourigan

294. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the restrictions that exist to prevent universities unilaterally without prior notice or agreement increasing fees for students who have already commenced a course of study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40795/20]

Data Protection

Alan Kelly

295. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has been the subject of an investigation by the Data Protection Commission from 2016 to date; the number of specific investigations underway or completed; the dates on which his Department was first notified of the investigation; the details of the investigation; the nature of the complaints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40812/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Gerald Nash

296. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason students who do not receive a SUSI grant will not receive an immediate €250 payment before Christmas similar to SUSI students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40825/20]

Technological Universities

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

297. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a further eligibility criteria sample process review report was prepared by auditors for the Munster Technological University consortium after 28 May 2019 (details supplied); if so, if he will make the report available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40882/20]

Technological Universities

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

298. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if Cork Institute of Technology’s Department of Construction, Centre of Craft Studies, Department of Fine Art, at CIT Crawford College of Art and Design and CIT Cork School of Music were included in the computation of the eligibility criteria set out in section 28 of the Technological Universities Act 2018; and if on foot of his moving of the section 36 order these divisions will be entitled to use the name Munster Technological University. [40883/20]

Third Level Staff

Mairéad Farrell

299. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff members of UCD, TCD and DCU who availed of fee waivers remissions for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in their respective institutions in each of the years 2016 to 2019, in tabular form. [40975/20]

Third Level Fees

Brendan Griffin

300. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40982/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Cathal Crowe

112. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the means-testing criteria of the SUSI grant for third level education can be amended in order that in situations in which one parent is on a disability payment such as an invalidity pension the student is not losing out due to overall household income. [40617/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Éamon Ó Cuív

113. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if income from the pandemic unemployment payment is assessible for the purposes of means assessment for SUSI grants in 2020 in which a student seeks a review of their application based on change of circumstances; if the student grant scheme regulations provides for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40706/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

114. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the re-establishment of painting apprenticeships in Cork city. [40741/20]

Third Level Fees

Rose Conway-Walsh

115. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average cost of part-time courses in public third-level institutions; the average cost per institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40554/20]

Student Accommodation

Denis Naughten

116. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if third-level institutions will provide rent refunds to students in on-campus accommodation whose courses are now being delivered online for the 2020-2021 academic year; if he has had discussions with the third-level institutions on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40570/20]

SOLAS Training and Education Programmes

Bríd Smith

117. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason Solas has increased the price of the safe pass system that is required by all building workers; if he or his Department were informed by Solas that the fee for this pass would be increased by between 100% and 200%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40571/20]

Third Level Staff

Róisín Shortall

118. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his policy in relation to two-tier pay among university teaching assistants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40634/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Matt Carthy

119. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider allowing students of Teagasc agricultural colleges to access student supports such as the student hardship fund and the once-off Covid-19 payment scheme. [40702/20]

Student Grant Scheme

Brendan Griffin

120. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an application for support by a student (details supplied) to complete a course will be reviewed; the reason the full-time course is not recognised for support under the student grant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40744/20]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Duncan Smith

542. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there has been collaboration between his Department and the Defence Forces to promote the Defence Forces as a career for apprentices. [40300/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Pauline Tully

543. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the exclusion of part-time postgraduate students from the one time student grant will be reconsidered in view of the fact that Covid-19 restrictions have prevented these students from being able to find or retain work to allow them to earn the money they need to pay for their studies, accommodation, fees and living expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39526/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

544. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the €250 support scheme for students has not been extended to part-time students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39527/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

545. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the €250 support scheme for students has not been extended to Irish students studying abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39528/20]

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Rose Conway-Walsh

546. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the €250 support scheme will be extended to students who travel to Northern Ireland to attend third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39529/20]