Questions

2251. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans to redevelop the old swimming pool on the South Campus of Maynooth University as a critical piece of local infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19382/26]

2252. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of ETB teachers that have been laid off; the number of others that will follow due to changes in tendering processes; to outline the anomalies and inconsistencies uncovered by the EPS which led to the decision to change the processes; the number of ETB classes that will be cancelled as a resu…

2253. Deputy Natasha Newsome Drennan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will carry out a review of travel subsistence allowance provided by Education Training Boards; into the need for a supplementary allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19463/26]

2254. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department or any body under it’s aegis made a disclosure under Revenue's recent disclosure opportunity to regularise misclassification of self-employment; if so, to provide details of the numbers of workers affected and the amount paid to Revenue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19498/…

2255. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to consider the creation of an academy for the fine arts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19588/26]

2256. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will review the residency criteria for the Free Fees Initiative and EU fee status as it applies to the children of Irish citizens who were forced to emigrate for economic reasons (details supplied); if he is aware of the significant financial barrier the 'three of the last five years' …

2257. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm that there are NCI courses which are not eligible for the free fees initiative; to confirm the number of these; the reason they are not covered; if he will reassess the courses so they are covered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19871/26]

2258. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the effects the pause on the use of the Education Procurement Service (EPS) will have on the provision of ETB courses; whether any scheduled classes / education programmes that were meant to be provided through this procurement service have been cancelled; the measures that have been implemented to ensure c…

2259. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the effects the pause on the use of the Education Procurement Service (EPS) will have on the education system; whether any scheduled classes / education programmes that were meant to be provided through this procurement service have been cancelled; the measures that have been implemented to ensure continuit…

2260. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason for the closure of the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) since 3 February 2026; who made the decision to close the programme; the basis on which the decision was taken; and what has changed to allow students to return on a restricted timetable; and if he will make a statemen…

2261. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether the decision to close the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) was based on a formal engineering report, risk assessment or other professional advice; if so, when the advice was received; if he will provide details of the findings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2…

2262. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a full record of all closures, restricted timetables, or reduced provision affecting the Youthreach programme at a location (details supplied) during the 2025/2026 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20278/26]

2263. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science who authorised the restricted timetables and early closures affecting the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) during the period August to November 2025; the reason these measures were implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20279/26]

2264. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science who authorised the two-week period of half-day provision at the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) in November 2025 related to the canteen issue; and the alternative arrangements were considered to maintain a full programme timetable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2028…

2265. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the oversight or intervention that was undertaken by SOLAS and the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board when it became apparent that the Youthreach centre at a location (details supplied) was experiencing repeated closures and restricted provision; and if he will make a statement on th…

2266. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps that will be taken to ensure that students attending the Youthreach centre in at a location (details supplied) are not academically disadvantaged due to the loss of programme time during the 2025/2026 academic year. [20282/26]

2267. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expected date on which the performance and evaluation framework for the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction will be formally approved; whether the framework will be published; and whether it will include measurable targets relating to housing output, training capacity, and cons…

2268. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the membership of the Project Advisory Group overseeing the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction; the entities that have entered into Memoranda of Understanding governing the development of the Park; and whether those agreements will be published. [20400/26]

2269. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether a written risk assessment or project assurance review was undertaken prior to the decision to commence capital works on the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction before the performance and evaluation framework had been finalised; and if so, whether he will publish or summaris…

2270. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total capital allocation approved to date for the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction; the expenditure incurred to date; and the projected total cost of completion. [20402/26]

2271. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the rationale for removing the ringfenced allocation of €20 million for the provision of English language classes (ESOL) across the ETB network; whether he is aware of the cuts to class provision and the cuts to adult education teaching positions as a result of this removal of funding; and if he will make a…

2272. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to concerns related to the lack of provision of online versions of course material in some college courses that are supported under SUSI, for prospective students with medical conditions that prevent them from attending in person classes; if this is under review; and if he will…

2273. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied) with a medical condition that has been prevented them from pursuing a college course due to the lack of online options in the SUSI sponsored course; the actions he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the…

2274. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of carbon that will be emitted on all transport and related actions undertaken by him and all members of his staff during their St Patrick’s Day trips in 2026. [20609/26]

2275. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of carbon that will be emitted on all transport and related actions undertaken by all Junior Ministers in his Department and their members of staff during their St Patrick’s Day trips in 2026. [20627/26]