Questions

2478. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has considered amendments to SUSI eligibility criteria to ensure that mature students living independently and receiving no parental financial support are assessed based on their own financial circumstances rather than historic parental income; and if he will make a statement on the ma…

2479. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total amount spent by his Department on public procurement in 2025; to provide a breakdown, where available, by goods, services, works procurement expenditure, by expenditure procured directly by his Department and expenditure procured through central purchasing arrangements or frameworks; and if he wil…

2480. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department is fully compliant with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Model Publication Scheme Guidance, issued under section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014, specifically the requirements under section D and section E (details supplied); to publish quarterly the contracts a…

2481. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of bicycle shelters installed across the State by his Department on behalf of Government Departments, local authorities, and State agencies in each of the past five years; the total expenditure incurred in each year; the average cost per unit; and if he will provide a breakdown by Department, lo…

2482. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total amount spent on IT systems and related projects by his Department and agencies under its remit in each of the past five years; to provide a detailed breakdown of all such projects, including original budget, final cost, and delivery timelines; the number and value of projects that exceeded their …

2483. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the case of a person (details supplied); the status of the SUSI application for the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42315/26]

2484. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to appoint a talent and innovation attaché to Australia, Japan and Canada. [42338/26]

2485. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current status of the proposed National Guidelines on Research Security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42374/26]

2486. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a National Contact Point for Research Security will be appointed in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42375/26]

2487. Deputy Cathy Bennett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the staff turnover rate in his Department in the years 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42426/26]

2488. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the long term plans for St Patricks College Carlow ; the plans for the building and site if the college closes; the courses that will be protected; the job protections can be given to the staff currently facing uncertainty. [42460/26]

2489. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding provided or committed for phase 2 apprenticeships under Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board; his plans to expand such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42631/26]

2490. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to make apprenticeships more ambitious and equivalent in status to degree programmes, including expanding the range of apprenticeships in line with best practice in countries such as Germany; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42633/26]

2491. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the targeted practical upskilling measures in place or planned through the National Training Fund for older workers facing disruption from climate policy, the green transition, technological change and market shifts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42634/26]

2492. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will comment on the proposed takeover of a college (details supplied); the costs for the State on this takeover; the financial benefits to the State; if staff from the college will be employed by SETU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42755/26]

2493. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can comment on the proposed takeover of ,or if he is aware that the humanities course offered by a college (details supplied); the plans he has made to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42756/26]

2494. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the timeline of the negotiations that took place between SETU prior to the decision of 19 May 2026 to wind down operations of a college (details supplied) over the next two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42757/26]

2495. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he expects the tuition support scheme for graduate entry medicine committed to in the Programme for Government will be established by the 2027/2028 academic year; whether supports will be backdated so that students who have already began their course are not disadvantaged; and if he will make a statement…

2496. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm the current requirements for an adult education tutor to be awarded a contract of indefinite duration (CID); whether there are any Department circulars which outline these requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43092/26]

2497. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current status of the theoretical examinations for the electrical apprenticeship programme following the recent review by Quality and Qualifications Ireland into the security and implementation of assessment procedures for the craft electrical apprenticeship; whether any changes are planned to the str…

2498. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to reconsider the funding priorities stated in the current Research Ireland Strategy given concerns that have been raised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43430/26]

2499. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the concerns outlined in a letter (details supplied); if he will commit to engaging with the signatories of this open letter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43497/26]

2500. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to expedite the commercial diving centre which is to be established in Cahersiveen, County Kerry; to provide an up-to-date progress report on progression to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43523/26]

2501. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether their Department, the Higher Education Authority, or any body under their aegis has undertaken an assessment of the number of Irish-qualified graduates working abroad in healthcare and other critical skills sectors; whether estimates are available by profession, qualification type and destination cou…

2502. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether their Department has considered, proposed or participated in the development of any national strategy, programme, incentive scheme or interdepartmental initiative aimed at encouraging Irish-qualified graduates working overseas, including healthcare professionals, to return to Ireland; whether any dis…