Parliamentary questions

172. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the cost of third level fees in each of the years 2024, 2025, 2026; if he intends to reduce fees; and the timeframe in which such will be delivered. [34826/26]

173. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to expand the eligibility of the student accommodation assistance scheme to include renter students who fall outside SUSI eligibility and experience financial hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34845/26]

174. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if will review and engage with stakeholders in relation to apprentice wages given the current cost of living crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34345/26]

175. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current number of registered apprentices by apprenticeship programme in north Dublin; the measures being taken by his Department, SOLAS and the education and training boards to expand apprenticeship opportunities and employer participation in north Dublin; the number of apprenticesh…

176. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is planning to abolish college fees this year in light of the worsening affordability crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34807/26]

177. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the proposed €500 cut to student fees will take place in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34606/26]

178. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is giving consideration to a reduction in fees or support grant to assist apprentices who pay a pro-rata registration fee (student contribution), if their off-the-job training takes place within an institute of technology or technological university. [34349/26]

179. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the improvements he has made to student financial supports and SUSI for eligible students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34708/26]

180. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the new Offshore Renewable Energy Career Chart will support delivery of the skills pipeline identified in the Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan 2024, particularly in meeting Ireland’s offshore wind targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34847/26]

181. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to enhance the supports that are provided to learners with special educational needs, specifically within Youthreach services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29159/26]

182. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the progress made under the National Student Accommodation Strategy. [34853/26]

183. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of third-level applications received by the Central Applications Office, and the non-completion rate for the full duration of a course by applicants in each of the years from 2021 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34608/26]

184. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is concerned about the impact of AI tools on third level exam integrity; the measures that are being taken to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34340/26]

185. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the delays with having qualifications recognised and validated by the relevant authority for the purpose of taking up employment in the State that are currently being experienced by individuals who hold third-level degrees from the North of Ireland; the steps his De…

186. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role his Department is playing in ensuring we meet the objective of 20% of recruits to the public sector being competent in Irish by 2030, as set out in the Official Languages (Amendment) Act 2021. [34709/26]

187. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the creation of a loan scheme for healthcare students that would see their debts written off if they choose to stay working in Ireland after graduation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34601/26]

188. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is considering initiatives to support and encourage hybrid teaching models in tertiary education to better equip students with the increasing prevalence of remote work in the workplace. [34832/26]

189. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has plans to reduce third level contribution fees over the course of this Government; to outline his plans for delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34855/26]

190. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the initiatives being taken to incentivise Irish graduates to remain or return to Ireland, particularly in the medical and engineering professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34856/26]

191. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with further and higher education institutions on the impact of AI on further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34348/26]

192. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the current status of the proposed Swords College of the Future; the progress that has been made since the project received Government approval to proceed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34691/26]

193. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to align higher education course provision in Cork with the needs of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland-backed employers located in the Cork region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34331/26]

194. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of consultation that took place with student unions before the announcement of the Student Accommodation Strategy; if any of their specific requests were included in the Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34730/26]

195. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will reduce college fees for the next academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34711/26]

196. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the progress in developing the new further education and training campus in Kilkenny; the expected completion date of the new campus; when the first intake of students will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34805/26]