Parliamentary questions

197. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he acknowledges the economic difficulties facing-third level students and their families; and the actions he will take to lessen the burden on them in the coming academic year. [34733/26]

198. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update as of May 2026 on the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34347/26]

199. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to combat sexual harassment and abuse in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34806/26]

200. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify if reductions made in student fees in previous budgets will remain in place for the next academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34729/26]

201. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has engaged with the NTA to ensure that there is sufficient bus and train routes, and capacity for students who commute to college particularly at peak times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34850/26]

202. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the work of his Department in making graduate entry medicine courses more accessible; and if his Department is considering any new initiatives, schemes or bursaries to this end. [34831/26]

203. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his proposals to ensure adequate provision of accommodation for students. [34825/26]

204. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details of the primary school teaching course now offered by the National Tertiary Office to include the number of places that will be available this year; the selection process for prospective students; the cost to students of the course; and if he will make a statement on …

205. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will cut college fees for third level students before September 2026. [34732/26]

206. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the proposed major building project at Cavan Institute will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34848/26]

207. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to update the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34829/26]

208. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made to date by the Government in reducing the student contribution fee; to confirm that it remains Government policy to continue reducing the fee over the lifetime of the current Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34690/26]

209. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are any planned large-scale investments in higher education infrastructure at Maynooth University; the predicted benefits of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34851/26]

210. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline proposals to introduce a loan scheme for those undertaking graduate entry medicine courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34809/26]

211. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the merits of requiring all third level institutions to install solar panel installations to support the operation of the institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34392/26]

212. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on plans to deliver new, permanent accommodation for Dunboyne College of Further Education, Dunboyne, County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34339/26]

213. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has had engagement in relation to policies in HEIs that allow for students who have suffered sexual violence or harassment to be supported in the continuation of their studies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34399/26]

214. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the targeted reskilling or upskilling programmes that are currently being developed or expanded for workers in sectors most exposed to AI-driven automation; the way in which affected workers are being identified and supported to access these programmes; and if he will make a statemen…

215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the projects in the Further and Higher Education Sector that will progress under his Department's Capital Programme in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34849/26]

216. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on student accommodation in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34710/26]

217. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to improve pay and working conditions for apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34854/26]

218. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science given his comments (details supplied), the steps he is taking to ensure enforcement of regulations in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34561/26]

219. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on his plans for a new funding scheme for students on graduate entry medicine programmes. [34390/26]

1247. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a case related to the provision of school for a child (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure that this child is provided with the necessary school supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34688/26]

1248. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the training model where nearly 50% of dental places at UCC and Trinity are sold to non-EU students for over €60,000 per year; to provide an update on the proposed Dental Outreach Centre for north Cork; and to confirm the funding for this project (details supplied). [34977/26…