Parliamentary questions

390. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the lower rate of student contribution fees as applied over the last few years will be applicable for the forthcoming academic year, taking into account the serious costs associated with higher education and financial pressures on students and families; and if he will make a statement…

391. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures that will be introduced to reduce the costs of further and higher education for students and their families, taking into account increased costs of living over recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36897/25]

392. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason those in a certain programme at a higher level institute (details supplied) were previously funded for two years but those starting in September 2025 will only have one year. [36918/25]

279. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason funding to an organisation was cut (details supplied); if he will review the allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36257/25]

280. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason external authenticators for Further and Higher Education are subject to tax on travel and subsistence fees (details supplied), unlike those examiners carrying out similar work from the State Examinations Commission, who are not subject to this tax; and if he will make a sta…

281. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the means by which a SUSI grant applicant (details supplied), who is being accommodated through the rent-a-room scheme, can satisfy the requirement to confirm their independent residency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36274/25]

282. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total Government funding provided for third level research activities in each of the past five years; the Government’s target for increased funding level over coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36331/25]

283. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to create research fellowships to strengthen Ireland’s appeal to top-tier academic and research talent; the expected costs of this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36332/25]

284. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of participants in apprenticeships in each of the past five years; the Government funding provided towards apprenticeships in each year; the Government’s targets and plans to increase the number participating in apprenticeships; and if he will make a statement on the matte…

285. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of participants in Springboard+ programmes in each of the past five years; the Government funding provided to the programme in each year; the Government’s targets and plans to increase the numbers in Springboard+ programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. […

286. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the process of designation of institutes for higher education institutes will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36353/25]

287. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a school (details supplied) is recognised as a ‘designated institute’ will it have access to funding streams like other HEIs within the Higher Education Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36354/25]

288. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a school (details supplied) will be allocated capital development funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36355/25]

289. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures and strategies his Department undertakes in addressing the reasons behind a decline of HEI student numbers in 2023 and 2024 from certain institutes, primarily MTU’s and TU’s e.g. TU Dublin Blanchardstown saw a decline of 225 students in 2024; and if he will make a stateme…

290. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures and strategies his Department undertakes in addressing the reasons behind certain programme or study types in 2023 and 2024 seeing a decline in student numbers, most notably a decrease from 16,085 of students taking up ordinary degrees to a decrease of 15,750 in 2024; and…

291. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in what quarter of 2025 is the Sligo NZETB training centre, MSLETB set to be complete. [36408/25]

292. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures in place to support the Universal Design for Learning in Higher Education Institutions; to list the institutions which received funding under Path 4 Phase 1 of the National Access Plan; and the amount of funding they received. [36409/25]

293. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to list the 11 institutions where students with disabilities can enrol in path 4 phase 2 courses under the national access plan. [36410/25]

294. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the number of currently vacant positions on boards of management of aegis bodies under his Department. [36411/25]

295. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the distribution of new core funding posts under budget 2025, by institution. [36412/25]

296. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of regional dialogue meetings held by his Department in 2023. [36413/25]

297. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students enrolled in each of the 19 programmes under the National Tertiary Office. [36414/25]

298. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress of a further sectoral consultation with providers engaging with the new learner protection fund. [36415/25]

865. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the current proposal to split Erasmus+ into a standalone mobility programme and a skills chapter of the competitiveness fund; the Irish position on this; the discussions that have taken place on this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35205/25]

866. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science what the current administration, teaching, instructor and management grades are in further education and training; what circular letters, if any, correspond to each of these grades; and what the associated pay scales are (for example, CL 44/99 for VTOS co-ordinator); and if he will make a…