Questions

1197. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which he plans to ensure that people in lower socioeconomic backgrounds can train to become counsellors/therapists given that the cost of these courses are several thousand euro, before the added expense of textbooks, personal therapy, supervision; and if he will make a statement on the matte…

1198. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of participants from County Offaly in skills development and training programs funded by his Department in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7527/26]

1199. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated total cost of the proposed national online AI and digital skills platform intended to upskill up to one million people; the funding source for this initiative, including whether funding will be drawn from his Department’s Vote, the National Training Fund, or another source; the multi-annual bud…

1200. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the delivery model proposed for the national AI and digital skills upskilling platform; whether delivery will be provided directly by the State, through SOLAS, or via contracted private or third-party e-learning providers; the procurement process envisaged for selecting any such providers; and the governance…

1201. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the specific target cohorts for the proposed AI and digital skills platform; whether participation will be open to workers, jobseekers, SMEs, the self-employed, and those outside the labour force; the measures planned to ensure accessibility for people with low baseline digital skills; and if he will outline…

1202. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the proposed micro-credential framework referenced for the AI and digital skills platform; how stackability and formal recognition of qualifications will operate; whether these micro-credentials will align with the National Framework of Qualifications; and what engagement has taken place with e…

1203. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the evidence base used to support the target of upskilling one million people in AI and digital skills; the data sources relied upon, including reports from Ibec, OECD and the National Skills Council; and whether the Department has set interim targets or timelines for delivery. [7637/26]

1204. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the functions, staffing complement, and annual operating cost of the proposed National Skills Observatory; how it will operate within SOLAS; the nature of the labour-market intelligence and forecasting it will provide; and how its outputs will inform policy and funding decisions. [7638/26]

1205. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science how the proposed AI and digital skills initiatives will address regional and sectoral skills gaps; whether specific provision will be made for construction, manufacturing, retail, and SMEs; and how regional disparities identified by the National Skills Observatory will be acted upon. [7639/26]

1206. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the agencies and bodies under the aegis of his Department; the contact information of each available to members of the Oireachtas as per the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 25/2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7767/26]

1207. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a grant scheme is available for undergraduates granted a position in a four-year undergraduate course in an American university; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7776/26]

1208. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department or any body under its remit has any contracts with an organisation (details supplied); or has contracted work from that organisation within the past two years. [7931/26]

1209. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department or any body under its remit has any contracts with an organisation (details supplied); or has contracted work from that organisation within the past two years. [7949/26]

1210. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Government is funding interdisciplinary research into the intersection of digital technology, mental health, and societal violence to inform evidence-based policy across the departments of Health, Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and Culture, Communications and Sport; and if he will make a sta…

1211. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the work underway to support third level institutions to actively support students to develop digital and AI skills to better equip the workforce of future. [8249/26]

1212. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the publication of his Department's Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8314/26]

1213. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the point at which, and level at which his Secretary General and Deputy Secretary General is at in respect of the civil service pay scales; the duration for same; and the plans to revise current remuneration arrangements. [8468/26]

1214. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline grants and funding opportunities that are available for people pursuing counselling and psychotherapy qualifications, in particular for course with (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8569/26]

1215. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans to increase AI training places on Springboard+, Skillset, and Solas micro-credential courses in 2026. [8741/26]

82. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the student accommodation strategy will be released, and whether it will contain proposals to allow the providers of private student accommodation to hike rents more often than for those in purpose-built student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7343/26]

83. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to investigate the significant overspend on the new SUSI IT system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6842/26]

84. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of applicants who applied for SUSI grants in each of the years between 2020 and 2025; the number that were unsuccessful in their applications; the measures he will enact to the appeals process to maximise the number of applicants who are successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter…

85. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to support students that are estranged from family, to access SUSI and other supports on campuses. [7275/26]

86. Deputy Charles Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the means test for SUSI grants for households impacted by the defective concrete crisis, in order that essential outgoings such as mortgages and rent are taken into consideration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7279/26]

87. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of extra college places being created in September 2026 and September 2027 to ensure adequate supply of new speech and language therapists and occupational therapists, to meet the increasing demands of the care system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7277/26]