Parliamentary questions

577. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports available to a student (details supplied) to undertake a one year course in London; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29296/26]

579. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the proposal for the piloting of an incentivisation scheme by Skillnet Ireland to support business engagement in upskilling; the eligibility criteria for participating businesses; the specific budget earmarked for this pilot in 2026; the expected date of commencement; and if …

580. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the date on which the last comprehensive expenditure report on the National Training Fund was published; when his Department plans to publish the next report evaluating National Training Fund expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29355/26]

581. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the National eMobility Capability Centre (NeMCC) announced for Mullingar in 2023; the current status of the project; the amount of funding allocated and drawn down to date; the reasons for any delay; the expected date on which the centre will become operational; the proj…

582. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprentices currently registered with Solas in the motor mechanics and heavy vehicle mechanics apprenticeships, on a year-on-year basis for each of the past five years; the number of qualified motor mechanics in the State who have completed certified EV or high-voltage trai…

583. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on engagement between his Department, SOLAS, the National Standards Authority of Ireland and the Health and Safety Authority in relation to the development of national standards and health and safety regulations governing work on high-voltage components in electric vehicles…

253. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide details of the number of legal actions against his Department that have been resolved without going to court in line with the 2023 State Litigation Principles; if his Department is fully applying the State Litigation Principles in seeking to resolve any current or outstanding le…

254. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of system failures relating to registration issues in TU Dublin, and subsequent delays in the publication of exam results during the first semester and winter exam period; whether he has engaged with the university on this issue; if he can guarantee that this situation will…

255. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of exam result delays in TU Dublin as a result of a transition to a new records system; the date on which all students in TUD can expect their exam results; if he is assured that students will receive their results on time following upcoming summer exams; if his Departmen…

256. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will report on the SUSI thresholds and the availability of SUSI grants for part-time students; if he plans to make SUSI more accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28873/26]

257. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for civil servants in this Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28921/26]

258. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the flexible working and remote working policies in place for staff that work for any agencies under the remit of his Department; if there is any discrepancy in these policies based on seniority; if this policy is under the control of the agency itself or if it is dir…

259. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if any review is ongoing in relation his Department’s policy on flexible working and remote working for civil servants in his Department, particularly in the context of increased fuel prices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28957/26]

901. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on his Department's work in the development of the designation by order process. [27893/26]

902. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm that adequate funding is in place for Research Irelands Postgraduate Scholarship Programme and Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme following reports from an organisation (details supplied) that staff have been informed of a cut to funding; and if he will make a statement on t…

903. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the short-term activation programme; the percentage of newly delivered beds that were reserved for priority groups identified under the national access plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27991/26]

904. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the new supports that will be introduced to ensure that students from target groups can access affordable, student-specific accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27992/26]

905. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to encourage greater participation by Japanese students in third level institutions and continuing educational opportunities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28062/26]

906. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for capital investment in further education facilities in Leitrim over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28063/26]

907. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will confirm whether a decision has been taken to terminate the Postgraduate Scholarship Programme and the Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme administered by Research Ireland; the timeline for this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28088/26]

908. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the consultation undertaken with representative bodies, including organisations (details supplied) prior to the reported decision to end these programmes. [28089/26]

909. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the assessment that has been carried out on the likely impact of ending the Postgraduate Scholarship Programme on PhD stipend levels across higher education institutions; and whether he is concerned that the removal of this benchmark may lead to downward pressure on PhD stipends. [28090/26…

910. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has considered the impact of the proposed funding changes on the working conditions and employment status of PhD researchers; and his plans to introduce employment rights or worker status for PhD candidates. [28091/26]

911. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the 2023 review recommendation to increase PhD stipends to €25,000; and the way in which this recommendation will be upheld in the absence of the existing scholarship programme. [28092/26]

912. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to introduce additional financial supports for students receiving the SUSI maintenance grant due to the increase in fuel costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28248/26]