Questions

913. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason student representatives were not present at the launch of the Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035; the engagement; his plans to include student representative bodies in the review and implementation process of same; and if opposition spokespersons were notified in advance of the launch on 24 M…

914. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available to third level students who are attending private colleges and will there be an expansion to those supports. [28547/26]

915. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made on each of the individual Programme for Government commitments assigned to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28659/26]

916. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider the introduction of paid clinical placements for student veterinary nurses, in line with other healthcare training programmes, in recognition of the significant financial and workload pressures they face; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28685/26]

307. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035 does not include the reported 10,000 new student-specific beds to be delivered through rent-a-room scheme over the lifetime of the strategy or any specific targets; the way in which he will increase the supply of beds available through the scheme by…

379. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to develop formal apprenticeship and certification pathways for barbers; the way in which such programmes will ensure consistent quality and safety standards nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27396/26]

380. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the lack of financial support available for students pursuing essential master’s degrees, particularly in healthcare-related fields, in private college (details supplied). [27473/26]

381. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason cuts have been made by an organisation (details supplied) impacting learners at another organisation; if he will examine this and reverse these cuts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27485/26]

382. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for recent reductions in SOLAS funding allocations to education and training boards, including GRETB; the extent to which these reductions have resulted in the cancellation of adult literacy, disability support and ESOL programmes (details supplied); the assessment that has been made of the impac…

3426. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department will take to sanction a pay increase of 9.25% for instructors, clerical staff and management of training centres (details supplied) who have not received a pay increase since 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26136/26]

3427. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reasons his Department did not previously agree to the proposal regarding a 9.25% pay increase sought by instructors, clerical staff and management of training centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26137/26]

3428. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to support non-teacher graduates in accessing PME courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26983/26]

3429. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason SUSI decides on the means test for self-employed families, that have depreciation, not the basis of the notice of assessment, (the basis of Revenue’s taxation of the family) but on the pre depreciation figure (details supplied). [23656/26]

3430. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the means test does not give a disregard for student earnings during term time (details supplied). [23657/26]

3431. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason farm assist is means tested for SUSI while the working family payment is not. [23659/26]

3432. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason HAP and RAS is disregarded for the SUSI means test while mortgage repayments are not. [23660/26]

3433. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the HEA is stating that it is not responsible for the financial student assistant fund when, according to the TUS, the student assistant fund is managed by the HEA. [23664/26]

3434. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to urgent correspondence sent to his office (details supplied); the actions he will take to ensure that this is addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23752/26]

3435. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total amount currently held in the National Training Fund; the reason a surplus of approximately €2 billion has accumulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23802/26]

3436. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of National Training Fund resources allocated annually over the past five years; the proportion of these funds directed towards in-employment training and upskilling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23803/26]

3437. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures in place to ensure that National Training Fund expenditure is aligned with identified skills shortages in sectors such as construction, healthcare and technology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23804/26]

3438. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place to deploy the current surplus in the National Training Fund; the expected timeframe for this expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23805/26]

3439. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the legislative or administrative barriers that have limited the drawdown of National Training Fund resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23806/26]

3440. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent to which employers contributing to the National Training Fund are consulted on its allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23807/26]

3441. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proportion of National Training Fund expenditure allocated to higher education institutions as opposed to direct workforce training;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23808/26]