Questions

1161. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total amount of student assistance fund, funding his Department has provided to universities (details supplied) for the academic years 2023-2024, 2024-2025 and 2025-2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62200/25]

1162. Deputy Kevin Boxer Moran asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when discussions regarding the alignment of the Youthreach calendar year with the second level calendar year will be concluded; when an announcement will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62221/25]

491. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount spent in the past five years on advertising campaigns to encourage Irish emigrants to return home, by year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60729/25]

492. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of alignment discussions on the Youthreach calendar year with the second level calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60771/25]

493. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of first-year intake places approved by his Department in the past three academic years for undergraduate psychology-related programmes, including honours bachelor degrees in psychology, conversion courses and so on, across higher education institutions; the number of graduates for the same period…

494. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his position on institutes (details supplied); and the way in which he will ensure that academic freedom and independence is ensured in such institute [60763/25]

495. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will address the concerns regarding the student assistant fund raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60835/25]

202. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for a list of the community training centres, colleges of further education and Youthreach centres in Dublin south central. [60211/25]

203. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if approval will be granted for a SUSI application for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60232/25]

204. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to examine the case for a review of the limits for the SUSI grants (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60282/25]

2090. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider making Irish-medium education a strategic priority for his Department; whether he will create a comprehensive policy that deals specifically with Irish-medium education at third level; and if he will work on a cross-Departmental basis to formulate a joined-up policy for Irish-m…

2091. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will engage with the Minister for Education & Youth on coordinated action regarding introducing the CEFR for the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57691/25]

2092. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review staff to pupil ratios in Youthreach facilities across the State, as in many cases the staff to pupil ratio exceeds the health and safety and child protection guidelines; and the funding that has been provided in Budget 2026 to provide additional staff at these centres. [57720/25]

2093. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he believes that the 225-day calendar poses serious industrial relations risks due to long standing disparities in contracts, entitlements and workload between Youthreach staff and their post primary counterparts. [57721/25]

2094. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he believes that the 225-day calendar poses serious industrial relations risks due to long standing disparities in contracts, entitlements and workload between Youthreach staff and their post primary counterparts. [57722/25]

2095. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to provide a guaranteed routine for neurodivergent learners in Youthreach, particularly when routine is looser during the summer months. [57723/25]

2096. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if rather than enforcing the full programme during the summer months, he would consider if this time could be used more strategically to allocate resources where they have the greatest impact, such as optional targeted supports for high-needs learners in Youthreach centres. [57724/25]

2097. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason some Youthreach centres remain open during midterm breaks and summer, while others close; and the measures he is taking to ensure that all Youthreach centres have a uniformed approach to opening and closing days. [57725/25]

2098. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason the SUSI rate was changed for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57939/25]

2099. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding granted to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) by his Department over the past five years; and if the relevant NGOs have submitted reports or other documentation outlining the way in which the funding has been spent, in tabular form. [57994/25]

2100. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on discussions regarding the alignment of the Youthreach calendar year with the post-primary level calendar year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58022/25]

2101. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if funding supports, bursaries or Government-backed schemes will be introduced to help Irish healthcare professionals train in critical-need areas such as speech and language therapy abroad with a firm commitment to returning to work in Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the…

2102. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the programme of research undertaken by his officials in partnership with the Economic and Social Research Institute, ESRI, to better understand student decision-making and influencing factors [58194/25]

2103. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has conducted an independent review of SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office’s performance in delivering construction apprenticeships; and if so, to provide a copy of the review [58219/25]

2104. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the performance metrics used to assess the success of SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office in delivering construction apprenticeships; and to provide the most recent performance data available [58220/25]