Further and Higher Education

919. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that places on a range of specialist training courses operated by the National Learning Network are capped, due to cuts to City of Dublin Education and Training Board funding; if funding was made available then specialist training places for young adults would open up; …

920. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the status of the review of specialist training programmes; when will this review be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47158/26]

922. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department or the Higher Education Authority holds data on the nationalities of academic teaching staff employed in higher education institutions; if so, the number of such staff by nationality in each of the years 2020 to 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a sta…

535. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether Ukrainian students under temporary protection will be treated as EU or non-EU students for college places, fees and grants in the 2026/27 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46476/26]

539. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether Ukrainian students who have completed Leaving Certificate or QQI/PLC courses in Ireland will be eligible for SUSI or other supports for third-level study in 2026/27; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46477/26]

542. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the buildings and lands associated with St. Patrick's Carlow College have been valued; and if so, the estimated value. [46729/26]

1037. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the extent of further and higher education and research links between Ireland and Singapore; and the way in which those links will be further enhanced. [45233/26]

280. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who have withdrawn from higher education courses during their first year of study in each of the past five academic years; the reasons identified; and the measures being taken to improve retention rates. [44353/26]

281. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason EU social funds are not being used to provide modular, machine-specific safety training for the thousands of self-employed and transitioning workers in the landscaping sector. [44447/26]

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]

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]

1347. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the decision to end or substantially reduce ESOL provision for Ukrainians and other learners in County Donegal from March 2027, including classes delivered in community and resource centre settings; if he will provide the ESOL allocation to Donegal ETB in 2021,…

1348. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the arrangements that will apply for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine who are already enrolled in higher education, further education, PLC, Springboard, adult learning or upskilling courses in the 2026/2027 academic year; whether existing students will be suppo…

271. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress being made in expanding tertiary education pathways between further education and higher education institutions; and how these pathways will support regional access and lifelong learning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35623/26]

273. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being considered to ensure that rapidly growing regional populations are matched by adequate higher and further education infrastructure, apprenticeship provision and student supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/26]

156. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way his Department is aligning higher education courses with current and projected skills shortages in Ireland; if he will provide details of any new initiatives in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34803/26]

161. Deputy Tony McCormack asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions being taken to improve access to higher education in regional areas, particularly in the midlands; and if additional funding is being allocated to institutions serving these regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34802/26]

162. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that there are sufficient higher education places in STEM disciplines in Cork to meet projected regional demand over the next five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34332/26]

169. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review the application of SUSI's "equivalent or lower qualification" rule in cases where a Level 9 psychology conversion programme serves as an alternative to an undergraduate psychology degree, resulting in students being ineligible for support for the next required stage …

171. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the work his Department is doing to encourage careers in the ORE sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34808/26]

180. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way the new Offshore Renewable Energy Career Chart will support delivery of the skills pipeline identified in the Offshore Wind Skills Action Plan 2024, particularly in meeting Ireland’s offshore wind targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34847/26]

187. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the creation of a loan scheme for healthcare students that would see their debts written off if they choose to stay working in Ireland after graduation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34601/26]

190. Deputy Edward Timmins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the initiatives being taken to incentivise Irish graduates to remain or return to Ireland, particularly in the medical and engineering professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34856/26]