Parliamentary questions

217. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on funding cuts to the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29090/26]

218. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current and projected demand for student accommodation in the Dublin region, as identified by his Department and higher education institutions; the actions being taken by his Department to support the provision of student accommodation, including engagement with relevant Departments…

219. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current status of the draft legislation to amend the Technological Universities Act 2018 to facilitate a partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast; the timeline for when a draft Bill will be presented; if IADT is the only other remainin…

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 i…

221. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if supports or grants are available for Irish students undertaking specialist artistic third level training abroad that is not available in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21628/26]

222. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to support and encourage the provision of adult and community education programmes through the medium of Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22067/26]

223. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science an bhfuil sé i gceist aige aon mhaoiniú ar leith a chur ar fáil chun tacú le hinstitiúidí tríú leibhéal cúrsaí a sholáthar trí mheán na Gaeilge; ar phléigh sé riamh an gá atá le breis cúrsaí trí Ghaeilge chun an sprioc 20% earcaíochta faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú),…

224. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline what the fund for students with disabilities covers; the amount that is allocated to each category across all FETs; the amount that is allocated to transport across all FETs, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21799/26]

225. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he has engaged with the Minister for Finance regarding the cost of college fees; the consideration being given, in the context of Budget 2027, to further reducing the student contribution in light of ongoing cost-of-living pressures; and if he will make a statement on the matter…

226. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the implications of a recent decision (details supplied); if the cost of construction is the barrier to the delivery of affordable student accommodation; the steps the Government is taking to support construction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22109/26]

227. 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. [29000/26]

228. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeships the State has taken on each year from 2020 onwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22012/26]

229. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science an bhfuil sé ar an eolas faoin imní atá léirithe nach mbeidh inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge anois ag Uachtarán, Meabhránaí ná Rúnaí Ollscoil na Gaillimhe nó ag an Déan Feidhmiúil atá freagrach as an nGaeilge san ollscoil ar a bhfuil dualgais ar leith maidir leis an nGaeilge agus freag…

230. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the recently published National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29011/26]

231. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to address projected construction-sector labour shortages over the coming years, in order to ensure that national housing and infrastructure delivery targets remain achievable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17540/26]

232. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to make the cost of third level education more affordable for families. [22103/26]

233. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase delivery of student accommodation in Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22077/26]

234. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in expanding apprenticeship programmes beyond traditional sectors; the targets set for new apprenticeship registrations over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22107/26]

235. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to consider introducing additional educational supports for learners with special educational needs within Youthreach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22076/26]

236. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide greater legal protections to students living in digs accommodation as more students find themselves in this situation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29087/26]

237. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement that has taken place between his Department and the Department of Health regarding workforce planning for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy; whether projected higher education training places are aligned with workforce demand identified by …

238. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has concerns about negative impacts of AI on further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20375/26]

239. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has engaged with the Department of Health regarding a universal GP visit card for third-level students in order that more students particularly those experiencing mental-health and wellbeing challenges can access medical and primary care without financial barriers; and…

240. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action that will be taken to increase the percentage of places available on the dental training course in UCC given that less than half are currently occupied by Irish students, that there is a need for more dentists to reduce public waiting list in the south-west region; and if he will…

241. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of demand for specific courses particularly in health services, inclusive of medicine, nursing and dentistry; the number of applicants who apply for a particular course that will be granted a place on the course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22015/26]