Questions

111. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will expand the number of third level places related to therapies in the disability sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37651/25]

112. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify his recent comments regarding the student contribution fee, and if he will give clarity on how much students and their families will be paying in September 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37646/25]

113. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to reach the target of 750 apprenticeships in the public service and Civil Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37601/25]

114. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is a detailed plan on how the National Training Fund will be expanded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37309/25]

115. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the work being undertaken by his Department to increase the number of craft apprenticeships nationally, given their importance in meeting national construction and housing retrofit targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37371/25]

116. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of leaving certificate holders who accepted a university place in each of the past ten years; the number of persons who graduated from university in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37510/25]

117. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for the latest update on the implementation of a ‘second chance’ provision to ensure students undertaking a repeat year or changing courses once can still access the free fees initiative, thereby avoiding financial penalties through higher fee rates, as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he …

118. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the development of the Modern Methods of Construction Demonstration Park at Mount Lucas; the number of beneficiaries who will receive near zero energy building and retrofitting training at the centre in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37617/25]

119. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the same income eligibility limits for SUSI grants are applicable for students attending approved colleges and courses outside our jurisdiction, such as in Northern Ireland, Britain or the rest of the EU, as are applicable for students attending approved colleges or courses in this State; and if he will …

120. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the targeted supports he intends to give to families for the upcoming college year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37437/25]

121. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his rationale regarding the change in the student contribution charge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37620/25]

122. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to ensure that the construction of the five new higher education buildings aligns with and supports universities' carbon reduction targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37613/25]

123. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the number of students in receipt of various levels of SUSI grant; his plans to improve access to higher education by expanding the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37373/25]

124. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science about the proposed increase in third level fees, if this proposed increase will be in place for September 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37634/25]

125. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider providing a career pathway for healthcare assistant profession through a third level course, apprenticeship, social care degree or community care degree; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37633/25]

126. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the third level fee supports that are available for graduate medicine students; if he will outline future plans for this if none are currently in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37571/25]

127. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to address the falling rates of literacy, meaning the increase in the percentage of adults aged 16 to 65 in Ireland who are at or below level 1 on the OECD's five-level literacy scale. [37447/25]

128. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to reduce commuting times for students who must travel over county lines to attend third level education. [37635/25]

129. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions his Department is taking to increase access to student accommodation in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37416/25]

130. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the plans there are to reduce third level student fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37555/25]

131. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the progress on implementing the Programme for Government commitment to “Continue to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government to ease the financial burden on students and families at the start of each academic year, in a financially sustainable manner”; and…

132. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the means by which his Department is working to simplify apprenticeship pathways. [37330/25]

133. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm that he has engaged with the president of a school (details supplied) regarding Gaeltacht placement fees for post-primary teachers; if he has considered their request for funding parity with their primary education teaching counterparts; and if he will make a statement on the matter.…

134. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on funding to replace or upgrade basic research equipment in our universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37372/25]

135. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will approve funding for the South East Technological University's health, pharmacy, veterinary and apprenticeship buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37403/25]