Questions

3458. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in light of the recent layoffs of 25 adult education tutors in the Galway Roscommon ETB, to confirm the extent of the reduction in budgets for ESOL and other programmes in adult education across the country; and the number of tutor jobs projected to be lost across all ETBs. [24665/26]

3461. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of eligibility requirements for blended learning veterinary nursing programmes, including those provided by Technological University of the Shannon, which require applicants to be employed in practices with a registered veterinary nurse; if consideration will be given to allowing training…

523. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Minister Of State within his Department has visited a centre (details supplied) in 2025 and to date in 2026; if so, the purpose of each visit, in tabular form. [21049/26]

525. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the current value of the accumulated surplus in the National Training Fund. [21069/26]

1124. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm the differing roles between the LTI coordinator and CTC manager; and if the CTC manager does the work of a tutor, alongside their roles. [14069/26]

1125. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if CTCs are direct employees of his Department, or whether they report to their independent boards of directors; and whether CTC pay conditions rest with the CTC boards. [14070/26]

1259. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when details of Springboard+ 2026 courses will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12136/26]

1198. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of participants from County Offaly in skills development and training programs funded by his Department in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7527/26]

130. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the broad services provided in Millstreet FET Centre; the number of attendees in each of the years 2023-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6775/26]

225. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are free training courses for forklift licenses; if there are arrangements with employers that may permit trainees to obtain free training to secure a forklift licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6727/26]

200. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will engage with Cork Dental Hospital with a view to increasing the number of training places for dental hygienists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2562/26]

201. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will engage with Cork Dental Hospital to increase the number of training places for dental nurses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2563/26]

202. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will provide additional finance to University College Cork and Cork Dental Hospital to increase the number of trainee places for dental students in view of the fact that the number of places currently available is the same number as 20 years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter.…

2582. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with the Minister for Health on workforce planning for speech and language therapy, psychology, oncology, and occupational therapy; the current shortfall of qualified workers in each of those sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74237/25]

2583. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of graduates there were in speech and language therapy, psychology, oncology professions and occupational therapy in 2025 and the previous 3 years with a breakdown by institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74238/25]

2592. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding arrangements for courses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74969/25]

1161. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the courses in English as a second language currently available for EU and non-EU citizens resident in Ireland; the number of adults who have availed of such courses over the past five years before being granted right to remain; and the number of adults who have availed of such courses over the past five year…

1163. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to introduce legislation establishing a permanent cohort of English as a second language teachers in order to better provide for the needs of adult immigrants lacking a fluency in English; and to ensure that such teachers are given a contract that allows for teaching to be done in the evening, as well as duri…

248. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the support his Department provides to Skillnet Ireland. [67599/25]

258. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans to support digital literacy and improve access to online services for older people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [64109/25]

373. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a priority system for allocations under the national training fund following the enactment of the National Training Fund (Amendment) 2025 Bill. [70845/25]

701. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps are being taken to expand lifelong learning, night courses and upskilling opportunities in further education centres across County Cork, particularly for workers in agriculture, manufacturing and the SME sector. [67286/25]

714. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he will take to upskill workers as part of Ireland's renewable energy transition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66531/25]

593. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of Leaving Certificate students opting to undertake third level education, apprenticeships and any other options in each of the years 2021 to 2025. In tabular form. [66801/25]

958. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is working with community organisations, libraries, or Age Friendly Ireland to provide targeted digital literacy training and support, in order that older people can confidently use online services if they wish to, rather than being forced to because there’s no alternative; and if he w…