Questions

371. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the decision making process behind the merger with Carlow College and SETU; the assessment that was undertaken on this decision to close Carlow College altogether and make the staff redundant; if other alternatives and options were considered as part of the merger; and if he will make a statement on the matte…

372. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that adequate protections are in place for staff affected by the planned closure of Carlow College, including redundancy arrangements, recognition of years of service, and access to future employment opportunities within the higher education sector; and if he will make a statement on the ma…

276. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the consultation process with the staff of Carlow College ahead of its closure in 2028; the reasons they are not being redesigned posts in SETU as part of the move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44201/26]

2475. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can assist a student's education funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41627/26]

2476. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has reviewed the operation of SUSI dependency classification rules as they apply to mature students who subsequently become financially independent after commencing third-level education; whether any mechanism exists to permit reclassification during the course of a degree programme; a…

2477. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of mature students assessed as dependent applicants under SUSI in each academic year since 2020; the number of requests received seeking reclassification from dependent to independent status after course commencement; the number granted or refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4…

2478. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has considered amendments to SUSI eligibility criteria to ensure that mature students living independently and receiving no parental financial support are assessed based on their own financial circumstances rather than historic parental income; and if he will make a statement on the ma…

2491. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the targeted practical upskilling measures in place or planned through the National Training Fund for older workers facing disruption from climate policy, the green transition, technological change and market shifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42634/26]

2496. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm the current requirements for an adult education tutor to be awarded a contract of indefinite duration (CID); whether there are any Department circulars which outline these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43092/26]

2497. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current status of the theoretical examinations for the electrical apprenticeship programme following the recent review by Quality and Qualifications Ireland into the security and implementation of assessment procedures for the craft electrical apprenticeship; whether any changes are planned to the str…

2503. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding supports available to Irish postgraduate students undertaking a postgraduate course in another EU country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43678/26]

296. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken by his Department to broaden access to graduate entry medicine programmes across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40470/26]

297. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports available to prospective students of graduate entry medicine programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40471/26]

298. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places offered to but subsequently not accepted by prospective students of graduate entry medicine programmes in the period of 2022-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40472/26]

299. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the further and higher education courses, programmes and access pathways currently available for persons with intellectual disabilities across universities, technological universities, colleges of further education and other State funded education providers; the number of places available in each instituti…

300. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has assessed the geographical gaps in further and higher education opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities, particularly in areas where no dedicated inclusive programmes currently exist; the steps being taken to improve regional access for students and families; and …

301. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding currently provided to universities, technological universities and further education providers to support students with intellectual disabilities and additional needs; whether additional funding or targeted expansion measures are being considered to increase the number of places and supports av…

1335. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); if he will provide an update on the SUSI grant application in question; if the records held by the HEA can be amended to accurately reflect the applicant's attendance history; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37097/26]

266. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a student who remained registered as a full-time student until the end of February 2026, following an official extension of their course by their institution, has been refused SUSI maintenance payments for January and February 2026 despite providing documentation from the college confirming contin…

268. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he will consider exempting applicants for a Professional Master of Education from SUSI eligibility criteria that require applicants to be progressing to a higher level of qualification than they already hold, in light of the significant demand for teachers across Ireland; and if he will make a stat…

270. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to increase the number of training places in key professions experiencing workforce shortages, including healthcare, construction, engineering and advanced manufacturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35622/26]

154. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the progress in providing third level courses through the medium of Irish across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34976/26]

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]

1254. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has considered extending eligibility for Springboard courses to those not currently in employment who are not in receipt of State supports, such as those who have retired early. [32081/26]

220. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the engagement there has been with his Department, Dundalk IT and Queen’s University Belfast in relation to their partnership to create Dundalk university college; the work being carried out by his Department to resolve cross-Border further and higher education issues and the anomal…