Parliamentary questions

88. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans within his Department to develop a further and expanded phase of programme for access to higher education, PATH, 4 funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6868/26]

89. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being considered for 2026 to support students with accommodation and living costs, including any planned adjustments to SUSI thresholds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6882/26]

90. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made in expanding apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities; whether additional measures are planned to increase participation and completion rates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6757/26]

91. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has examined the impact of the current means-testing arrangements for the SUSI grant on adult and mature applicants who, due to the lack of available or affordable housing, continue to reside in the family home and are therefore assessed on parental income; his plans to review the SUS…

92. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to address the long commute times for university students in Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6872/26]

93. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he is taking to ensure enforcement of regulations in a sector (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6535/26]

94. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to reduce university fees; if the Government is committed to fully abolishing university fees; when this will be realised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6908/26]

95. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the capital funding available to his Department for developments in the further education sector in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6900/26]

96. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work being undertaken by his Department to secure pathways to further and higher education for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5970/26]

97. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science an nglacann sé go bhfuil ag teip ar na hinstitiúidí tríú leibhéal a ndóthain cúrsaí as Gaeilge sna hábhair éagsúla a chur ar fáil chun a chinntiú go mbeidh go leor céimithe ar fáil chun an 20% d’fholúntais sa státchóras a líonadh faoi 2030; cad atá déanta ag a Roinn chun cuidiú…

98. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science Ireland’s current position in international research funding competitiveness; the steps he is taking to ensure that Irish universities and research centres attract and retain top researchers, particularly in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and biomedical …

99. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to remove financial obstacles to further and higher education in Budget 2027, and over the lifetime of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6919/26]

100. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of communication between his Department and third level educators with industries to ensure that courses stay relevant and topical to the job market; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6966/26]

101. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm that the necessary finance will be provided to Cork Dental Hospital to enable it to open a community-based outreach dental centre in Cork city, in accordance with the proposals already submitted to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6895/26]

102. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the new veterinary colleges will have a particular focus on farm animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6991/26]

103. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has carried out any recent assessment of the way rising living costs, including food, transport and accommodation, are impacting student access, retention and completion rates across the higher education sector; if he will publish the findings; and if he will make a stat…

104. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm the work he and his Department have undertaken to ensure greater cooperation, engagement and links between universities and third level institutions in the Republic of Ireland and in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6896/26]

105. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to ensure that students will be insulated from disproportionate rent increases under the new tenancy legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5969/26]

106. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the new student accommodation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5472/26]

107. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on measures being taken to support the continued development of a college (details supplied), including capital investment, student capacity and facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7000/26]

108. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to incentivise employers to take on greater numbers of apprentices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7007/26]

109. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on supports to be provided to graduate medicine students who receive no SUSI grant, no Government support, and no access to student loans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6395/26]

110. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to ensure that students seeking accommodation in Irish cities do not fall victim to online scams relating to housing and tenancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5983/26]

111. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has plans to reduce the student contribution fee for the academic year 2026/27, in line with Programme for Government commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6846/26]

112. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the plans to increase numbers of apprenticeships in key industries that are experiencing labour shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6917/26]