Questions

281. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason EU social funds are not being used to provide modular, machine-specific safety training for the thousands of self-employed and transitioning workers in the landscaping sector. [44447/26]

2488. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the long term plans for St Patricks College Carlow ; the plans for the building and site if the college closes; the courses that will be protected; the job protections can be given to the staff currently facing uncertainty. [42460/26]

2492. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will comment on the proposed takeover of a college (details supplied); the costs for the State on this takeover; the financial benefits to the State; if staff from the college will be employed by SETU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42755/26]

2493. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can comment on the proposed takeover of ,or if he is aware that the humanities course offered by a college (details supplied); the plans he has made to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42756/26]

2494. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline of the negotiations that took place between SETU prior to the decision of 19 May 2026 to wind down operations of a college (details supplied) over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42757/26]

1347. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the decision to end or substantially reduce ESOL provision for Ukrainians and other learners in County Donegal from March 2027, including classes delivered in community and resource centre settings; if he will provide the ESOL allocation to Donegal ETB in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2…

1348. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the arrangements that will apply for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine who are already enrolled in higher education, further education, PLC, Springboard, adult learning or upskilling courses in the 2026/2027 academic year; whether existing students will be supported to complete the…

271. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress being made in expanding tertiary education pathways between further education and higher education institutions; and how these pathways will support regional access and lifelong learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35623/26]

273. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being considered to ensure that rapidly growing regional populations are matched by adequate higher and further education infrastructure, apprenticeship provision and student supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/26]

156. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way his Department is aligning higher education courses with current and projected skills shortages in Ireland; if he will provide details of any new initiatives in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34803/26]

161. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions being taken to improve access to higher education in regional areas, particularly in the midlands; and if additional funding is being allocated to institutions serving these regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34802/26]

162. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that there are sufficient higher education places in STEM disciplines in Cork to meet projected regional demand over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34332/26]

169. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the application of SUSI's "equivalent or lower qualification" rule in cases where a Level 9 psychology conversion programme serves as an alternative to an undergraduate psychology degree, resulting in students being ineligible for support for the next required stage of training; and if …

171. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the work his Department is doing to encourage careers in the ORE sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34808/26]

180. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the new Offshore Renewable Energy Career Chart will support delivery of the skills pipeline identified in the Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan 2024, particularly in meeting Ireland’s offshore wind targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34847/26]

187. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the creation of a loan scheme for healthcare students that would see their debts written off if they choose to stay working in Ireland after graduation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34601/26]

190. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the initiatives being taken to incentivise Irish graduates to remain or return to Ireland, particularly in the medical and engineering professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34856/26]

193. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to align higher education course provision in Cork with the needs of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland-backed employers located in the Cork region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34331/26]

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]

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]

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]

1277. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the roll that the Grangegorman Development Agency will undertake in developing capital projects in the Further Education Sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34839/26]

470. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify whether SOLAS plans to increase the duration of machinery-related training courses; if so, the assessment that has been made of the impact on employers who must release and pay staff while attending such training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31779/26]

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]

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]