Questions

264. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if, in the light of decreases in funding for academic institutions in the United States, his Department has considered an initiative which can attract talent to Ireland’s universities through means such as creating new courses and projects. [67306/25]

265. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Department is supporting Ireland’s digital transformation through research, innovation and tertiary-education initiatives. [67832/25]

624. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a progress update of purpose-built student accommodation projects across all campuses. [66949/25]

625. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to address precarious contracts for teaching staff. [66950/25]

626. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a complete list of funding and access supports made available by his Department to students in the international protection system and students who are beneficiaries of temporary protection; the total number of students who have availed of these opportunities and the total costs incurred for same f…

627. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department, and agencies under the Department’s remit, purchase data on the habits and activities of social media users and other platforms; if so, the reasons for purchasing such data; the amount spent in 2024 and 2025 year to date on such expenditure, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement…

628. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the performance and evaluation framework for the National Demonstration Park for Modern Methods of Construction at Mount Lucas; the date on which this framework will be approved; the baseline data and target indicators that will be used to measure outcomes; the reporting structures that will be …

629. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he is aware there are no pathways for professional advancement for emergency service personnel that can be undertaken alongside full-time work in the field (details supplied); and his plans to address this. [71235/25]

366. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a breakdown of all consultants engaged with his Department; the costs associated with their services, by year, and name of consultant, in each of the years 2012 to 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70439/25]

367. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the mechanisms for students who are taking the Baccalaureate in Ireland to access the CAO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70462/25]

368. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70525/25]

369. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider expanding the free fees initiative for college students studying a four year early childhood education courses at Marino Institute of Education (details supplied) considering it an associated college with Trinity College where students are eligible for the SUSI grant; and if he will m…

370. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that tutors who are long-term employed in Further education (details supplied) and who hold existing contracts of indefinite duration are offered additional hours before new appointments are given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70567/25]

371. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there have been any communications between his Department and a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70789/25]

372. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the necessary funding will be provided to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70790/25]

373. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will establish a priority system for allocations under the national training fund following the enactment of the National Training Fund (Amendment) 2025 Bill. [70845/25]

374. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the work of his Department towards enabling the delivery of student accommodation. [70846/25]

1085. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if her Department intend to include a review of the existing culinary apprenticeship scheme in the review of the apprenticeship programme in 2026; the steps her Department is taking to increase participation in this scheme; and if he will ma…

1086. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to expand apprenticeship and further education opportunities in Laois, particularly through Laois–Offaly Education and Training Board; if she will ensure young people have pathways into skilled employment locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70333/25]

1087. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the fact that apprentice hairdressers are currently paid as little as €7 per hour, with no incremental increases over the four-year duration of the apprenticeship; if he considers this consistent with the Government's stated ambition to expand and professionalise the apprenticeship sector;…

1088. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentice hairdressers are currently unable to access funding supports for tools and equipment essential to their training; if he will consider the creation of a dedicated equipment grant for apprentices in the hairdressing sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69021/25]

1089. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason apprentices, including apprentice hairdressers, are deemed ineligible for SUSI grants on the basis that they are "working", despite earning training-level pay far below a living wage; if he will review eligibility criteria to ensure apprentices are not financially penalised; and if he will r…

1090. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he recognises that hairdressing is a high-skill, future-proof profession unlikely to be replaced by automation or artificial intelligence; the way in which his Department plans to invest in and support such apprenticeships, which provide long-term, human-centred employment; and if he will make a sta…

1091. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has assessed whether low apprentice pay, lack of equipment supports, and ineligibility for education grants disproportionately impact female apprentices in sectors such as hairdressing; if he will commit to addressing these inequities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6…

1092. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to review correspondence (details supplied); if he will address the concerns raised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [69093/25]