Questions

161. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the development of a new Galway college of further education by Galway Roscommon Education and Training Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6869/26]

165. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the work that Irish institutes are involved in with CERN. [7010/26]

168. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the broad services provided in Macroom FET Centre; the number of attendees for each of the years 2023-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6776/26]

1168. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the concrete steps being taken to ensure equity of access in further and higher education, including support for students with disabilities, care leavers, and low-income backgrounds; the way progress will be measured and reported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6244/26]

332. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if measures will be introduced to ensure the availability of more places for Irish students in dental schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4518/26]

1072. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a detailed breakdown of how the €4.55 billion investment in research and innovation will be spent year-by-year; how progress will be measured; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3718/26]

2614. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department can address the serious issue of long-term (CID) contract holders at FET institutes (details supplied) who are not getting the requested additional hours they are entitled to, before new appointments are advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1866/26]

777. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the decision to place adult education tutors on the Youthreach resource person incremental payscale; the number of persons impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73349/25]

778. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify on contracts of employment for coordinators and resource persons in Youthreach as to what is meant by “closures” with regard to provisions for “Hours of Attendance” and “Annual Leave”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73350/25]

779. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to support the higher education sector during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73564/25]

780. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to support the further education sector during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73565/25]

781. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to support and expand student accommodation during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73566/25]

782. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to enhance and expand apprenticeships during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73567/25]

783. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to boost Ireland’s research capacity during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73568/25]

784. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to make higher education more affordable during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73569/25]

785. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposals there are to increase the availability of places in further and higher education to provide training and skills for people in cybersecurity for both the private and public sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73594/25]

786. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason ETB tutors have been told they cannot work more than 20 hours per week (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73608/25]

787. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of meetings that have taken place between the Higher Education Authority and University College Cork (UCC) subsequent to the submission by UCC of its report of a matter under Section 64 of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022; if the Higher Education Authority is still monitoring UCC; and if any …

788. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current status of a €50 million loan provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to University College Cork for the development of a new business school; whether his Department or the Higher Education Authority has received correspondence from the EIB regarding the loan; the amount of the loan drawn dow…

789. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department funds drug addiction prevention initiatives in further and higher education institutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73685/25]

204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Department is positioning Ireland’s education, research and skills system as the “economic Ministry” he often refers to and to that end driving national competitiveness, productivity and long-term prosperity. [67812/25]

206. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to ensure that the link between industry and the education and training sector is supported in order to facilitate the workforce in adapting to the changing needs of the economy. [67600/25]

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 allocations and timeline…

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]