Parliamentary questions

1058. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place to sustain the education, skills and regional innovation initiatives in the Midlands that have been supported under the EU Just Transition Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22134/26]

1059. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent of further and higher education and research links between Ireland and Japan; and the way in which those links will be further enhanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22288/26]

522. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the process for foreign language providers and their courses to be approved by his Department so that people signing up to these courses can claim tax relief (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21238/26]

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]

524. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to ensure that adequate funding is made available to third level institutes so that research centres can remain open, following concerns raised by an organisation (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21057/26]

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]

526. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to reports that Galway and Roscommon ETB (GRETB) intend not to renew several further education teaching contracts after Easter 2026, affecting multiple staff who are approaching eligibility for a contract of indefinite duration, and resulting in the early t…

527. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a list of capital works projects under the remit of the Department that received EU funding in 2025 and to date in 2026, in tabular form. [21285/26]

2234. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the future plans for the general arts courses in University of Galway; the meaning of “reimagining” courses; whether any reduction in courses or places is envisaged; if he will instruct the university to engage with students and their unions before decisions are made; when…

2235. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff from his Department seconded to other Departments or agencies in the Civil Service, per annum from 2022 to date in 2026; and the details of the Department or agency, in tabular form. [18594/26]

2236. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff from his Department seconded to a firm in the private sector, per annum from 2022 to date in 2026; and the details of the company, in tabular form. [18612/26]

2237. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of staff from his Department seconded from a firm in the private sector, per annum from 2022 to date in 2026; and the details of the company, in tabular form. [18630/26]

2238. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to visit the East Coast of the United States during Quarter 2 in 2026. [18657/26]

2239. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of WTE qualified architects employed by his Department as of 27 February 2026, in tabular form. [18658/26]

2240. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rationale behind the recent changes to the literacy and community education budget allocations for the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), including GRETB; the factors that led to the reported €20 million reduction in funding; the number of fixed term or non permanent staff affecte…

2241. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider expanding eligibility criteria for the free fees Initiative to students who were born in and are citizens of Ireland but have not lived here for three of the previous five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18734/26]

2242. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent on the Build Back Home campaign annually since its launch, broken down by year and by spending on international and national advertising; the tracking exercise being undertaken to count the number of workers returning home; the data being used to evaluate the efficacy of …

2243. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total anticipated costs associated with his foreign travel for St Patricks Day; the delegation size; and if a breakdown can be provided on these costs including on accommodation and flights. [18893/26]

2244. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship places that were created under the Action Plan for Apprenticeships 2021-2025; his views on the success of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18908/26]

2245. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when funding will be released for on-site student accommodation for a university (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18909/26]

2246. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has received any communication from organisations (details supplied) regarding the specific building conditions reported on 25 February 2026; his views on reports that students and staff at the Waterford campuses are working in environments with black mould, bracket…

2247. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether students enrolled in full-time programmes delivered by Teagasc are eligible to access supports under the fund for students with disabilities; whether Teagasc may apply for FSD funding on behalf of it’s students; if so , the mechanism by which such applications should be made;…

2248. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to cuts to the number of adult education teachers working in the Galway-Roscommon ETB network particularly those who have not received a contract of indefinite duration (details supplied); if his attention has been drawn to cuts to classes available within…

2249. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has made changes to funding to the Galway-Roscommon ETB for Adult English language classes; if he is aware of cuts to the number of Adult Education Teachers working in the Galway-Roscommon ETB network and how many teaching roles have been cut; if he is aware of cuts …

2250. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to enhance the supports that are provided to learners with special educational needs in further education, specifically within Youthreach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19350/26]