Questions

1039. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will honour the contract between GRETB and a person (details supplied) that was to run until 20 June 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21469/26]

1040. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding or funding grants provided by the Department to Galway-Roscommon ETB for the year 2025; whether any aspects of these funding grants were ring-fenced for specialised programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21543/26]

1041. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the planned amounts of funding or funding grants to be provided by the Department to Galway-Roscommon ETB for the year 2026; whether any aspects of these funding grants are to be ring-fenced for specialised programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21544/26]

1042. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he will reverse funding cuts to Galway-Roscommon ETB which are causing the cancellation of classes and a reduction in the number of teaching posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21545/26]

1043. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration would be given to the inclusion of paid clinical placements for student veterinary nurses, similar to students in the HSE who receive approximately €21,399 (pro-rata) for their 36-week degree placements, while student veterinary nurse students complete months of full-time unpaid clinical work…

1044. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on implementing a minimum entry requirement for courses such as level 8 counselling and psychotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21577/26]

1045. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a tender process for a new multi-supplier framework agreement for ETBs was recently cancelled; the issues that arose in the process; when the process will be relaunched; the supports available to ETBs in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21812/26]

1046. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the full breakdown of expenditure by his Department on St. Patrick’s Day related activities; the details of any travel abroad; the number of officials that travelled; the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21824/26]

1047. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of heads of government, heads of state, ministers, governors, mayors or other senior elected officials he and Ministers of State in his Department met for the St. Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year. [21903/26]

1048. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of Irish diaspora groups, including but not limited to sporting and cultural organisations, as well as emigrant organisations he and Ministers of State in his Department met for the St. Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year. [21921/26]

1049. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of businesses and business representative organisations he and State Ministers of State in his Department met for the St. Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year. [21939/26]

1050. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the value of trade and tourism respectively, between Ireland and the states visited by him and by Ministers of State in his Department for the St Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21957/26]

1051. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 603 of 5 March 2026, the percentage and numbers of those studying within each discipline (in which these numbers are recorded) in higher education institutions in the State at present and in each year since 2020 who are Irish-based students, EU (other including GB) and n…

1052. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking ahead of the next academic year to expand affordable student accommodation, particularly in light of rising cost-of-living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22128/26]

1053. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made towards meeting the Government’s apprenticeship targets for 2026; the sectors in which new apprenticeship programmes will be launched in 2026; and the measures being taken to increase employer participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22129/26]

1054. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which Springboard+, HCI Pillar 1 and other upskilling initiatives will be expanded in 2026 to support workers transitioning from sectors affected by technological change and climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22130/26]

1055. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current status of Ireland’s participation in Horizon Europe as the programme enters its final phase; the actions being taken to increase the success rate of Irish researchers and institutions; and the expected timeline for forthcoming funding calls; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22131/…

1056. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place for 2026 to enhance regional access to further education and training through ETBs; the investment being made in new campuses, digital learning infrastructure and community-based provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22132/26]

1057. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to prepare regional economies, including the Midlands, for the impact of artificial intelligence and digital transformation on employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22133/26]

1058. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place to sustain the education, skills and regional innovation initiatives in the Midlands that have been supported under the EU Just Transition Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22134/26]

1059. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent of further and higher education and research links between Ireland and Japan; and the way in which those links will be further enhanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22288/26]

1060. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht when he will write to the Minister for Transport regarding speed signage in Gaeltacht areas that continue to display speed limits in English only; and if the Minister for Transport will take steps to overturn the rules laid out by the Department on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21397…

1061. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the criteria used in deciding on including an area under the CLAR programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21409/26]

1062. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the full breakdown of expenditure by his Department on St. Patrick’s Day-related activities; the details of any travel abroad; the number of officials who travelled; the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21829/26]

1063. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of heads of government, heads of state, ministers, governors, mayors or other senior elected officials he and Ministers of State in his Department met for the St. Patrick's Day engagements overseas this year. [21908/26]