Parliamentary questions

612. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to expand eligibility for student grants under the student grant scheme; whether consideration is being given to increasing the income thresholds and maintenance grant rates given the rising cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47549/26]

613. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm that appropriate adult guidance is available in each ETB; the qualification requirement expected to be held by such guidance officers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54521/26]

614. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of EU Presidency policy and administrative officers now employed on temporary contracts across his Department, in Ireland and abroad; if these individuals can apply to internal civil service competitions for these temporary contracts; the plans being developed to retain th…

615. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding all actions in each of the Climate Action Plans 2021 to 2025 under the remit of his Department; to provide a breakdown of the legacy actions remaining, broken down by the year of the climate action plan they were initially included in; and the estimated timelines for com…

435. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update in relation to the developments relating to staff cuts and cancellation of English classes in GRETB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53814/26]

436. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of topics covered and the outcome of his discussions in Cork with Members of the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53923/26]

437. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 293 of 7 July 2026, the reason researchers in technological universities are prevented from accessing the single pension scheme; whether their equivalents in universities can access the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54030/26]

438. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students expected to enrol in Cork universities in September. [54165/26]

439. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of purpose built student accommodation units available in Cork city in September. [54166/26]

918. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total cost of the stipend provided to Ukrainian students who are beneficiaries of temporary protection since 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52636/26]

919. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the UK rejoining the Erasmus Programme will affect Irish students presently studying or wishing to study abroad; whether it will be of benefit to Masters students wishing to study in the UK, and particularly in Scotland; the other supports there may be for Masters students s…

920. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is a specific policy within his Department that seeks to preclude those elected to local authorities from any boards that he may appoint; the rationale behind any such policy; the way in which it aligns with encouraging participation in local government; and if he will make a st…

921. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to commit to preparing legislation to not automatically exclude members of local authorities from consideration for appointment to State boards; and to set out the reasons such persons would be excluded. [52874/26]

922. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding access to financial supports for a student seeking to undertake a higher diploma programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52887/26]

923. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the terms of the contract for a company that has to transport disabled persons (details supplied); and the options that are available when the taxi does not show up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53124/26]

924. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a detailed update on his Departments interest in lands at a location (details supplied) for a college of further education; if his Department is purchasing this land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53141/26]

925. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress that has been made in placing ETB employees who accepted adult educator contracts on the correct point of the adult educator salary scale; the timeline for the payment of all outstanding salary arrears due to those employees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. […

926. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of further education and training opportunities available to young persons on leaving school, including leaving school early, in the areas of Gorey and Courtown/Riverchapel, County Wexford. [53233/26]

927. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the range of further education and training opportunities available to young persons on leaving school, including leaving school early, in Arklow, County Wicklow. [53234/26]

928. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a summary on the skills gaps identified in the construction sector; and the number of new construction workers needed to meet housing, social housing and infrastructure targets, by category of construction worker, in tabular form. [53381/26]

929. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of any costs modelled by his Department for the training of new construction workers, including costs currently borne by the trainee themselves, the State, and any employer or sponsor; the breakdown of the approximate full-year cost of training in construction occupati…

930. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated unit cost of training new construction workers, broken down by category of construction worker, in the event all training costs were taken on by the State. [53383/26]

931. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details of all grant schemes currently available through his Department for which individuals or community groups are eligible to apply; the purpose of each grant scheme; the eligibility criteria; the application process; the opening and closing dates for application; and if he wi…

932. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the SUSI application in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53446/26]

933. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to support the higher education sector since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53481/26]