Further and Higher Education

784. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to make higher education more affordable during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73569/25]

785. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the proposals there are to increase the availability of places in further and higher education to provide training and skills for people in cybersecurity for both the private and public sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73594/25]

786. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason ETB tutors have been told they cannot work more than 20 hours per week (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73608/25]

787. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of meetings that have taken place between the Higher Education Authority and University College Cork (UCC) subsequent to the submission by UCC of its report of a matter under Section 64 of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022; if the Higher Education Authority is still monitor…

788. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current status of a €50 million loan provided by the European Investment Bank (EIB) to University College Cork for the development of a new business school; whether his Department or the Higher Education Authority has received correspondence from the EIB regarding the loan; the amount o…

789. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department funds drug addiction prevention initiatives in further and higher education institutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73685/25]

204. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Department is positioning Ireland’s education, research and skills system as the “economic Ministry” he often refers to and to that end driving national competitiveness, productivity and long-term prosperity. [67812/25]

206. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to ensure that the link between industry and the education and training sector is supported in order to facilitate the workforce in adapting to the changing needs of the economy. [67600/25]

217. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions being taken to strengthen mental health supports in higher education institutions, given the increasing demand for counselling services and the implementation of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework; and if he will provide details of funding allo…

219. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the progress made on the provision of the personal assistants initiative for persons with a disability in third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67834/25]

220. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which recent budget reforms to student supports, including the SUSI system and cost-of-education measures, reflect his approach to targeted support for learners from all backgrounds. [67827/25]

226. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to detail the planned operation of the new veterinary colleges, and what it will mean for Irish students and for regional growth and activity. [67771/25]

228. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding available to his Department in 2026 for capital development in the further education sector; the projects that will progress in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67811/25]

229. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to accelerate delivery of new FET infrastructure given the growing demand for apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67802/25]

231. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a college (details supplied) will be considered eligible for capital investment support; if his Department has examined options to align the college with an appropriate public body or higher education institution in order that it may access such funding; if he will consider facilitating…

240. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on a new building for Dunboyne College of Further Education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67258/25]

252. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on plans to expand further education and training provision in Macroom, particularly in light of the town’s growth following the bypass; if his Department will prioritise new courses and facilities to support local employment and enterprise; and if he will make a stateme…

259. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to report on the retrofitting of the FET sector; to provide the breakdown of the €8 million allocation that was recently announced that has been awarded; the amount that has been drawn down; the number of projects this will fund; the average value of each award; the targets including the numbe…

260. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which his Development of the Swords FET College fit into his Department’s wider strategy for the FET College of the Future initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67801/25]

261. Deputy Naoise Ó Cearúil asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the criteria that will be used to prioritise institutions for capital investment under the national training fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67835/25]

198. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Education and Youth her views on whether migrants and refugees will be discouraged from accessing education, training and upskilling supports that require people to be in receipt of a social welfare payment in light of proposals from the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to penalise migrants and refugees who rely on essential social we…

367. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the mechanisms for students who are taking the Baccalaureate in Ireland to access the CAO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70462/25]

370. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to ensure that tutors who are long-term employed in Further education (details supplied) and who hold existing contracts of indefinite duration are offered additional hours before new appointments are given; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70567/25]

545. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students attending private tutorial colleges (details supplied) are eligible to apply for SUSI grants; the criteria governing eligibility for students enrolled in such institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68926/25]

700. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to improve access to higher education for students in north and mid-Cork; and if he will consider increased supports for rural students. [67285/25]