Parliamentary questions

151. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the Department’s plan to recruit US researchers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37585/25]

152. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm that he has engaged with both Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork with a view to increasing the number of Irish students that will be accommodated in dental training courses, in view of the fact that over 44% of training positions at the moment are provided to non-…

153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 27 March 2025, if the position remains vacant; the number of positions in the university occupied by a person in an ‘acting up’ capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37608/25]

154. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the target of 10,000 annual apprenticeship registrations by the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37512/25]

155. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to expedite work on a site (details supplied) in Killarney, County Kerry, by developing a state-of-the-art campus focusing on skills development in hospitality training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37610/25]

156. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the programme for Government commitment to ensure student accommodation leases align with the academic year, making it easier for students to secure housing only for the months they need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37313/25]

157. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration is being given to expanding employer placement opportunities as a formal component of university programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37563/25]

158. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount the student contribution fee will be for the 2025-26 academic year and the 2026-27 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37579/25]

159. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 36 of 22 May 2025, for an update on the development of a new campus for further education and training in Galway city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37605/25]

160. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the plans for the student contribution charge for the coming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37619/25]

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

162. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place to increase the number of degree courses for occupational therapy and speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37632/25]

163. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of the expansion of apprenticeships since the publication of the action plan on apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37404/25]

164. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will make specific capital funding commitments to deliver the South East Technological University strategic plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37402/25]

165. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will make a strong case to Cabinet to retain the cost-of-living reduction of €1,000 for student fees in budget 2026 and to making this welcome initiative a permanent feature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37570/25]

166. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to consider Ireland’s potential membership of the European Infrastructure for Translational Medicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37612/25]

167. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline any additional supports being considered to assist students with disabilities in their transition from secondary to third level education, particularly in areas such as academic supports, accessibility, accommodation and mental health services; and if he will make a statement…

168. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the steps being taken to integrate green skills across further and higher education programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37562/25]

169. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the action he is taking to ensure there is an increase in qualified people coming into the workforce, in particular those required in essential services such as dentistry, dental hygienists, radiology and radiation therapists, in order to meet the needs of citizens, in view of the fact the …

170. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the new building for Dunboyne College of Further Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37298/25]

899. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the average length of time for the approval of new apprenticeship programmes from inception to commencement. [37815/25]

900. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider retaining the €1,000 college-fee reduction introduced as part of the cost-of-living measures, in light of the ongoing financial pressures facing families due to the high cost of food, utilities and housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36984/25]

901. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department’s expenditure on hairstyling, make-up, personal grooming, and general cosmetic expenses, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [36996/25]

902. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department’s expenditure on beauticians, make-up artists or hairdressing professionals, stylists or personal shoppers, specifying if such expenditure was on a contract or retainer fee basis, in each of the years 2015 to 2025, in tabular form. [37015/25]

903. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department's expenditure on media training in each of the years 2015 to 2025; the firms contracted to provide training; and the position or grade of those availing of training for example minister, secretary general, principal officer and so on. [37050/25]