Parliamentary questions

2. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he expects specific capital funding to be allocated and announced to establish a new constituent campus in Wexford town for the Southeast Technological University; when the masterplan for the site will be published; when he expects SETU to have access to the new site and construction w…

3. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science research, innovation and science the details of the missed targets in the last accommodation strategy; the reason this occurred; the reason no mention was made of this in budget 2026; the targets currently; and if new funding will be put in place for same. [56421/25]

4. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the assessments that were carried out in relation to the impact the €500 increase in third level fees would have on accessibility to third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56129/25]

5. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the further actions he intends to take to increase craft apprenticeship participation given the additional funding announced in budget 2026 and the urgent need to increase the number of people qualified in the trades; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56315/25]

6. D'fhiafraigh Deputy John Connolly den Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science cad iad na beartais agus gníomhartha atá á ndéanamh ag a Roinn chun cur le líon agus raon na gcúrsaí trí mheán na Gaeilge atá ar fáil do mhic léinn sna forais ardoideachais; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56314/25]

7. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science given the value he places on clusters of third level institutions and innovation hubs, if there are clear pathways and supports in place for establishing and expanding such hubs in the west of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56014/25]

8. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the role of the ETBs in higher education, and where they sit in the education hierarchy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56040/25]

9. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the cost of third level fees in 2024 and 2025. [54973/25]

10. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of new resources from budget 2026 allocated specifically to further education and training provision, community education, Youthreach and community training centres; the capital and current funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55972/25]

11. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his proposals to ensure the adequate provision of accommodation for students. [54974/25]

12. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to expand apprenticeship and skills training opportunities in rural areas such as County Galway, where access to approved training centres remains limited; if consideration will be given to establishing mobile or satellite training hubs in partnership with ETBs to redu…

13. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the method used to calculate commuting distance for the SUSI adjacency grant eligibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56002/25]

14. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of units of student accommodation that are owned by the universities at present in the State; the number that are planned to be acquired or constructed by them within the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54659/25]

15. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions his Department is undertaking to increase access to student accommodation in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54815/25]

16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the major building project for Cavan Institute at Cathedral Road, Cavan town will be progressed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55939/25]

17. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the student contribution fee will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55507/25]

18. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the major capital projects that will be progressed in 2026 in the further education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55938/25]

19. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the work being carried out to create a single application process for apprenticeships, further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54993/25]

20. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a disparity in pay exists in the way in which some craft apprentices are supported during their off-the-job phases of training, that is, engineering craft apprentices are paid according to outdated 2016 training allowance rates, while construction craft apprentices receiv…

21. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider setting out a target for the level students studying through the medium of Irish language at third level, considering the very low proportion at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55564/25]

22. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the Mitchell Scholarship and the funding for it; if he is supportive of the aims and continuation of this fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54868/25]

23. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has examined the opportunities of greater promotion of engineering careers to ensure there is a pivotal pipeline of engineering talent which is necessary to deliver key infrastructure in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55834/25]

24. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is possible to ensure apprentices are offered taught phases in facilities close to their home as often as possible. [55307/25]

25. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to develop co-operation and relationships between third level institutions and industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56041/25]

26. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to provide further and higher education counselling through his Department for young adults seeking to progress into further education, outside of the current structures provided through third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56055/25]