Parliamentary questions

214. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he will introduce a sectoral minimum wage of at least €30,000 for PhD researchers. [67836/25]

215. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progression pathways in place for disabled people who have completed their apprentices and are ready for employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67259/25]

216. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase delivery of student accommodation in Thurles; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67823/25]

217. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions being taken to strengthen mental health supports in higher education institutions, given the increasing demand for counselling services and the implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework; and if he will provide details of funding allo…

218. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to address the severe shortage of affordable student accommodation, given that demand for beds is projected to reach 90,000 this year while supply remains at approximately 50,000, and only 116 of the 3,700 promised beds have been delivered since 2022; and if he wi…

219. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made on the provision of the personal assistants initiative for persons with a disability in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67834/25]

220. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which recent budget reforms to student supports, including the SUSI system and cost-of-education measures, reflect his approach to targeted support for learners from all backgrounds. [67827/25]

221. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the further actions he will take to increase craft apprenticeship participation given the additional funding allocated in Budget 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66416/25]

222. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the investment that will be delivered under the INSPIRE Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67785/25]

223. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the €750 million INSPIRE programme for research infrastructure will be distributed across universities; and if additional measures will be introduced to expand postgraduate scholarship opportunities under the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme, given…

224. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the date for the publication of the updated National Student Accommodation Strategy (2025-2035), which he committed to publish in 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67789/25]

225. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress his Department is making in supporting research that assists in meeting climate goals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67786/25]

226. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail the planned operation of the new veterinary colleges, and what it will mean for Irish students and for regional growth and activity. [67771/25]

227. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to report on progress in securing and deploying the €4.55 billion capital envelope under the National Development Plan 2026–2030, including delivery of both a new research infrastructure programme and new higher and further education infrastructure projects nationwide. [67813/25]

228. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding available to his Department in 2026 for capital development in the further education sector; the projects that will progress in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67811/25]

229. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to accelerate delivery of new FET infrastructure given the growing demand for apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67802/25]

230. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline Ireland's progress in international research collaboration during 2025, including developments on CERN and the EU Quantum Pact. [67776/25]

231. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a college (details supplied) will be considered eligible for capital investment support; if his Department has examined options to align the college with an appropriate public body or higher education institution in order that it may access such funding; if he will consider facilitating…

232. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science ask the Minister his views on the need to create a student finance model that would provide interest free loans to students that do not qualify for SUSI grants, to support the associated costs of attending third level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66812/25]

233. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2025 to 2035 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67564/25]

234. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to extensive waiting lists for mental health supports in third level institutions; the actions he will take to address these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66813/25]

235. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the up-to-date position on reducing delays for craft apprenticeships under phases 4 and 6 off-the-job training placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67563/25]

236. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions he has taken to ensure apprentices can receive off-the-job training at a location near their home. [67565/25]

237. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to expand affordable student accommodation in the Cork region, especially for learners commuting long distances to Cork city or undertaking courses in regional further-education colleges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67778/25]

238. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to increase student accommodation delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67822/25]