Topics / Further and Higher Education

A subject heading for parliamentary questions

Further and Higher Education

415 questions from 87 TDs, between 22 January 2025 and 6 October 2026.

415
questions
398 written, 17 oral
87
TDs have asked
9
parties and groups
Independents counted together
7
departments asked

Questions per month

The record holds no questions for August, when the Dáil does not sit.

Jan 2025Oct 2026
Show as a table
MonthQuestions
January 20251
February 20254
March 202548
April 202511
May 202575
June 202515
July 202554
August 20250
September 202511
October 202519
November 20258
December 202532
January 202620
February 202613
March 20268
April 202622
May 202617
June 202614
July 202624
August 20260
September 202614
October 20265

Who asks, by party

The party each TD belonged to on the day, in alphabetical order. Parties differ a lot in size, and members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them, so this shows who raised it, not how much a party cares about it.

  • Aontú8 from 2 TDs · 2 seats today
  • Fianna Fáil92 from 21 TDs · 48 seats today
  • Fine Gael115 from 20 TDs · 38 seats today
  • Green Party3 from 1 TD · 1 seat today
  • Independent29 from 8 TDs · 15 seats today
  • Labour Party18 from 7 TDs · 11 seats today
  • People Before Profit-Solidarity17 from 3 TDs · 3 seats today
  • Sinn Féin107 from 19 TDs · 39 seats today

The TDs who asked most

Members of the Government answer questions rather than ask them. Each question counts once.

  1. 50
  2. 40
  3. 17
  4. 15
  5. 13
  6. 12
  7. 12
  8. 11

The questions

Aidan Farrelly Written 16 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh Written 10 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students who have withdrawn from higher education courses during their first year of study in each of the past five academic years; the reasons identified; and the measures being taken to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]
Séamus McGrath Written 10 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Donna McGettigan Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Mark Wall Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Mark Wall Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Catherine Callaghan Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn Written 19 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2…
Pádraig Mac Lochlainn Written 19 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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 supported to complete the…
William Aird Written 13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
William Aird Written 13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Tony McCormack Oral 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Tony McCormack Oral 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Pádraig O'Sullivan Oral 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Naoise Ó Cearúil Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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 of training; and if …
Naoise Ó Muirí Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Naoise Ó Cearúil Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Ruairí Ó Murchú Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Edward Timmins Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Pádraig O'Sullivan Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
193. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he is taking to align higher education course provision in Cork with the needs of the IDA and Enterprise Ireland-backed employers located in the Cork region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34331/26]
Joe Neville Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
209. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there are any planned large-scale investments in higher education infrastructure at Maynooth University; the predicted benefits of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34851/26]
Barry Ward Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
211. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the merits of requiring all third level institutions to install solar panel installations to support the operation of the institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34392/26]
Brendan Smith Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
215. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the projects in the Further and Higher Education Sector that will progress under his Department's Capital Programme in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34849/26]
Brendan Smith Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
1277. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will outline the roll that the Grangegorman Development Agency will undertake in developing capital projects in the Further Education Sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34839/26]
Eamon Scanlon Written 30 Apr 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
470. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will clarify whether SOLAS plans to increase the duration of machinery-related training courses; if so, the assessment that has been made of the impact on employers who must release and pay staff while attending such training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31779/26]