Ceisteanna Parlaiminte

Special Educational Needs

Róisín Shortall

201. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Education the teacher/student ratio for special needs schools in each of the years since 2019, by school, in tabular form. [23479/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

202. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media the total costs incurred by her Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23455/24]

Grant Payments

Seán Sherlock

203. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position with replacing or improving the terms and conditions for the housing aid and housing adaption grants as operated by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23357/24]

Grant Payments

Seán Sherlock

204. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the amount drawn down by each local authority for the housing aid, housing adaption and mobility grants; if the moneys have been paid for this year; if local authorities are seeking additional funding; the breakdown, by each local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23358/24]

Local Authorities

Patrick Costello

205. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if extra resourcing will be provided to local authorities to allow for the hiring of additional dog wardens; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23387/24]

Local Authorities

Patrick Costello

206. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will consider creating a centralised funding mechanism for the dog warden service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23392/24]

Building Regulations

Patrick Costello

207. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what additional steps he has taken in relation to the recommendations of the ‘Respiratory Health Among Residents of Oliver Bond House’ report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23397/24]

Wind Energy Guidelines

Éamon Ó Cuív

208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the last time the wind energy development guidelines were updated; if it is intended to issue revised guidelines, taking into account the increasing size of wind turbines and the need to ensure these guidelines cover offshore wind farm developments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23434/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

209. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23449/24]

National Parks and Wildlife Service

Brendan Griffin

210. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of residences the NPWS owns in Killarney, County Kerry; the number of these that are currently occupied, unoccupied or uninhabitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23464/24]

State Bodies

Róisín Shortall

211. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage what is required of officials working for An Bord Pleanála in respect of disclosing any connections they, either through themselves or through family members, may have to organisations or companies involved in planning or housing construction; the measures currently in place to ensure that members of An Bord Pleanála disclose any potential conflicts of interest; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23471/24]

Wastewater Treatment

Brendan Smith

212. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the up-to-date position regarding an application submitted by a local authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23482/24]

Housing Provision

Bernard Durkan

213. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the total number of affordable/rentable houses likely to accrue to Kildare County Council through Part 8/Part 5 of the planning process; the number of such houses completed or near completion; if 10% or 20% is the appropriate number of houses likely to be available for reletting by the planning authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23511/24]

State Pensions

James Lawless

214. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for deductions to pensions (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23329/24]

Social Welfare Payments

Michael Healy-Rae

215. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if an issue in relation to an overpayment (details supplied) will be examined and resolved; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23335/24]

State Pensions

Bernard Durkan

216. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason under the new total contributions approach for the State pension a person (details supplied) appears not to qualify for any payment; if the case will be reviewed as a matter of urgency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23348/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

John McGuinness

217. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Social Protection if full carer’s allowance will be approved and back dated in the case of a person (details supplied) as they are currently on half carer's; and if the matter will be expedited. [23400/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Robert Troy

218. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will extend eligibility for LAA and fuel allowance to people in receipt of carer's allowance. [23425/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Robert Troy

219. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will introduce a requirement that when a person signs on for jobseekers for the first time, as part of the process, their last employer will be contacted to make sure their job ceased to exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23426/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

220. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total costs incurred by her Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23453/24]

Social Welfare Eligibility

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

221. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the differences, if any, that exist between an application for benefits and entitlements for a person with autism under 18 years versus a person with autism over 18 years, with specific regard to assessment criteria. [23467/24]

Pension Provisions

Bernard Durkan

222. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if consideration might be given to the existence of a partnership in the case of a person (details supplied) whose pension entitlements do not allow them qualify for a pension in their own right notwithstanding extended correspondence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23509/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

223. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment might be considered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23510/24]

Social Welfare Benefits

Bernard Durkan

224. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a carer’s support grant will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23517/24]

Pension Provisions

Bernard Durkan

225. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a pension top-up might be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23522/24]

Social Welfare Rates

Bernard Durkan

226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 210 of 16 May 2024, if the case of a person (details supplied) can be urgently reviewed with a view to granting full entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23523/24]

Citizenship Applications

James Lawless

227. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Justice the fees for citizenship applications for persons (details supplied); and the process and path to citizenship in each case. [23481/24]

Visa Applications

Bernard Durkan

228. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which work permit-related visas continue to be issued in line with the requirements of those seeking such visas; if a quick turnaround can be managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23498/24]

Prison Service

Peadar Tóibín

229. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the plans to alleviate the crisis of prisoner overcrowding for prisoners and staff where there has been a substantial increase in the prison population in all prisons countrywide, and in view of the plans for Thornton Hall to be used for IPAS, which was originally intended as a site for a new prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23343/24]

Prison Service

Peadar Tóibín

230. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of male and female prisoners in each prison; the number of prison rooms per each prison; and the number occupying each prison room in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [23344/24]

An Garda Síochána

Patrick Costello

231. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of applications to join An Garda Síochána to date this year; the number of recruits currently in training; the number of recruitment offers made to date this year; the projected number of new gardaí to be recruited this year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23395/24]

Road Traffic Offences

Patrick Costello

232. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the number of fixed charge speeding notices issued and paid, by Garda division, by month, for 2023 and to date in 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23410/24]

Peace Commissioners

Éamon Ó Cuív

233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice the process involved in appointing peace commissioners, including the application process and the method by which these positions are advertised; the number of peace commissioners in the State, broken down by county; if it is intended to amend the law in relation to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23435/24]

Prison Service

Éamon Ó Cuív

234. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice when the enquiries into the death of a prisoner in custody (details supplied) will be completed; the nature of these enquiries; when she expects to receive a report on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23436/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

235. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the total costs incurred by her Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23450/24]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

236. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the procedure to be followed in order to renew expired Stamp 4 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23507/24]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

237. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the procedure to be followed to regularise residency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23508/24]

Family Reunification

Bernard Durkan

238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if and when the son of a person (details supplied) might be allowed to join them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23512/24]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the current and expected residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23519/24]

Immigration Status

Bernard Durkan

240. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the reason for refusal under the long-term undocumented migrant scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23524/24]

Forestry Sector

Brendan Smith

241. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if assistance will be given to farmers who do not have a forest plantation or are not availing of any forestry schemes to have ash dieback trees removed where such trees pose a danger to public safety due to their locations along public roads; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23332/24]

Forestry Sector

Robert Troy

242. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will urgently examine an expansion to the ash dieback scheme whereby all farmers and landowners would be eligible to receive support in removing dangerous roadside trees and replacing them with fresh plantings at alternative hedgerows away from the roadside. [23360/24]

Inshore Fisheries

David Stanton

243. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department is supporting inshore fishermen in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23380/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

244. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23439/24]

Agriculture Schemes

Michael Ring

245. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding applications by a person (details supplied) considering that all evidence regarding proof of entitlement to claim a parcel of land has been submitted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23483/24]

Home Help Service

Michael Healy-Rae

246. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if assistance will be reinstated for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23385/24]

Home Help Service

Pat Buckley

247. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) cannot return to their home, despite being promised 32 hours a week home care and is at present residing in a community hospital for the elderly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23341/24]

Disabilities Assessments

Seán Sherlock

248. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children waiting on an assessment of need in each health area; the number of children for last year waiting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23355/24]

Departmental Reports

Pauline Tully

249. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the children's disability network team staff census and workforce review 2023 has been published; if not, the reason for the delay in publication; the timeframe for publication of this document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23359/24]

Departmental Reports

Patrick Costello

250. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the CDNT National Report 2023 will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23386/24]

Youth Services

Paul Kehoe

251. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the €2.5 million for universal youth work services; if that has been distributed or used; if so, what it has been allocated to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23437/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

252. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23440/24]

Departmental Data

Thomas Pringle

253. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of childcare identifier code key (chick codes) that were issued by the national childcare sponsorship scheme in 2023; the number of these codes that were activated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23458/24]

Medicinal Products

Patrick Costello

254. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 646 of 30 April 2024, if, given that a recent report (details supplied) found that 69% of transgender people access care abroad, his Department will commit to consulting with the transgender community before making any changes around EEA prescriptions to ensure continuity of their healthcare. [23319/24]

Gender Equality

Patrick Costello

255. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 647 of 30 April 2024, if he is aware that the "relatively new" area of transgender healthcare is over a century old. [23320/24]

Gender Equality

Patrick Costello

256. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 647 of 30 April 2024, if the widespread problem of GPs denying blood tests to their transgender patients is considered out of scope for the new model of care being developed by the HSE. [23321/24]

Food Labelling

Neasa Hourigan

257. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health his plans to alter regulations regarding nutritional labelling for foodstuffs in order that the recommended daily allowances information is expressed in terms of quantities for children as opposed to an adult’s RDA, for foodstuffs that are primarily targeted at children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23322/24]

Mental Health Services

Alan Dillon

258. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for a psychologist assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23328/24]

Health Services

Bernard Durkan

259. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when urgent speech therapy and physiotherapy will be provided in the case of a person (details supplied) who recently suffered a stroke and is relying on these services to regain a normal independent quality of life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23342/24]

Departmental Data

Paul Murphy

260. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health how many is the "growing number" of people contacting the National Gender Service seeking to detransition, as mentioned in a recent newspaper article (details supplied), broken down by year. [23368/24]

Departmental Data

Paul Murphy

261. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when the National Gender Service's meetings with the NHS started; and when was the most recent meeting. [23369/24]

Gender Recognition

Paul Murphy

262. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 252 of 1 May 2024, if there are any clinical differences in the over 45% of those attending the National Gender Service who started gender questioning from late teenage years onwards. [23370/24]

Gender Recognition

Paul Murphy

263. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 252 of 1 May 2024, how clinical practice in the National Gender service takes into account rapid onset gender dysphoria, as mentioned in its approved model of care. [23371/24]

Gender Recognition

Paul Murphy

264. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 252 of 1 May 2024, how important the National Gender Service considers the mentioned report within the field of transgender healthcare. [23372/24]

Gender Recognition

Paul Murphy

265. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 1 May 2024, if the National Gender Service can share medical literature that corroborates their clinical experience that it is very common for neurodiverse people to have their sexual interest emerge a decade or more after puberty. [23373/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

Michael Healy-Rae

266. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23374/24]

Hospital Appointments Status

John McGuinness

267. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if an urgent appointment will be arranged at the orthopaedic department WUH or Kilcreene Hospital, Kilkenny, for a person (details supplied). [23381/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Michael Healy-Rae

268. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23407/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

269. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 2 May 2024, if the review of the model of care for eating disorders planned during 2024 will examine the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders per year, given that the number of first time hospital admissions for eating disorders in 2022 was the highest since 2006; if the review of bed capacity already carried out took into account the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders, or if it focused solely on mental health facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23414/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

270. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 2 May 2024, the status of the review of the model of care for eating disorders; the timeline for the completion of the review; the details of who is carrying out the review; the terms of reference of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23415/24]

Eating Disorders

Catherine Connolly

271. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of hospital admissions for eating disorders in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23416/24]

Health Services Staff

Claire Kerrane

272. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if salaries of Section 39 organisations are paid by the State/his Department; if so, how many organisations have this in place; how this is determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23417/24]

Departmental Funding

Claire Kerrane

273. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health the grounds on which an organisation (details supplied) was granted funding; if this will be extended to other similar organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23418/24]

Departmental Funding

Claire Kerrane

274. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if consideration will be given for the State/his Department to take on the payment of salaries of two staff members of an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23419/24]

Departmental Funding

Claire Kerrane

275. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an organisation (details supplied) which is providing essential supports and services to cancer patients and their families and receive an amount; his views on this funding amount; his views on whether it is adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23420/24]

Departmental Funding

Claire Kerrane

276. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of an organisation (details supplied) providing much-needed free supports and services to cancer patients and their families across several counties struggling financially to continue providing these supports and services due to a lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23421/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

Brendan Griffin

277. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he is considering new measures in respect of vaping and the use of vaping products; if he is considering an outright ban on vaping; if so, the legal challenges and impediments that exist in this regard; the timelines he anticipates in respect of any actions he is considering; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23430/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

278. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23448/24]

Emergency Departments

Bernard Durkan

279. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if, following a knife attack and attendance at A&E, the A&E charge of €100 is still applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23514/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

280. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a full medical card has not been restored in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23515/24]

Medical Aids and Appliances

Bernard Durkan

281. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an electric wheelchair is available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23516/24]

Hospital Admissions

Bernard Durkan

282. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason the daughter of a person (details supplied) was admitted to Tallaght Hospital on 16 May 2024, without her mother’s knowledge (guardian) and was discharged without any explanation or attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23518/24]

Medical Cards

Bernard Durkan

283. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the determination of an appeal for a medical card in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23520/24]

Tobacco Control Measures

Bernard Durkan

284. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which adequate control and regulation of vape outlets is universally and adequately applied, having particular regard to the concern of those who are anxious to comply with all regulations and the elimination of harmful or addictive ingredients in the products and who have never sold cigarettes at their outlets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23521/24]

Grant Payments

Fergus O'Dowd

285. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to alter the statutory instrument to include Ballyfermot College of Further Education as an approved provider of third level programmes in Ireland for SUSI grant maintenance funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23326/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

286. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of craft instructors recruited as part of his national recruitment campaign to hire an additional 100 craft apprentice instructors. [23351/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

287. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of craft apprentices currently employed by the ESB and Bord na Móna; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23352/24]

Apprenticeship Programmes

Mairéad Farrell

288. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he plans to introduce a special purpose apprenticeship in modern methods of construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23353/24]

Grant Payments

Mairéad Farrell

289. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his future plans with regard to any potential changes in the SUSI grant system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23367/24]

Tax Code

Paul Murphy

290. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the discriminatory practices against further education and training staff in comparison to staff in compulsory education in terms of taxation (details supplied); if he will ensure that this issue is resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23377/24]

State Bodies

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

291. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of planners in SOLAS; and the number of architects in SOLAS as at 17 May 2024. [23413/24]

Departmental Advertising

Carol Nolan

292. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total costs incurred by his Department from 2019 to date relating to the placing of advertisements in online/digital media platforms; the names of the online platforms involved, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23447/24]

Grant Payments

Bernard Durkan

293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken or the steps he proposes to take to assist applicants for higher education courses who are being refused higher education funding or a back to education allowance on the grounds that they have previously studied or completed a course at a similar level on the NFQ, despite the fact that their existing qualification is deemed to be insufficient to meet the requirements of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23487/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

294. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which he expects to influence the higher education system to ensure the ongoing availability of a steady stream of highly qualified technicians and academics on par with the best in the world, thus providing a workforce competent in the skills now required in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23488/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

295. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his vision for the further and higher education, research, innovation and science sector, with particular reference to the need to compete on the international market for available job vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23489/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

296. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which the higher-level education sector is in discussion with business and enterprise, with a view to matching requirements in the workplace with suitable graduates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23490/24]

Bullying in Educational Institutions

Bernard Durkan

297. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department continues to monitor incidents of bullying in the workplace throughout the higher education system; the extent to which action has been taken or is proposed to deal with such issues in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23491/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

298. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which he expects science to play an increased role in the higher education sector, with particular reference to ensuring an adequate number of graduates to meet the demands of the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23492/24]

Third Level Costs

Bernard Durkan

299. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which higher education costs have increased over the past number of years; the extent of financial assistance now available for all students seeking to avail of third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23493/24]

Education Policy

Bernard Durkan

300. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he and his Department have identified any specific obstacles which may impede improvement and achievement in the further and higher educational sectors and impact our ability to continue to establish Ireland’s reputation as equal to the best globally in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23494/24]