Topics / Third Level Education

A subject heading for parliamentary questions

Third Level Education

188 questions from 65 TDs, between 22 January 2025 and 20 October 2026.

188
questions
171 written, 17 oral
65
TDs have asked
10
parties and groups
Independents counted together
5
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 20254
February 202510
March 20253
April 202510
May 202535
June 20253
July 20255
August 20250
September 20252
October 20250
November 202511
December 202515
January 202624
February 20261
March 20268
April 20267
May 202613
June 202617
July 202611
August 20260
September 20263
October 20266

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.

  • 100% RDR1 from 1 TD · 1 seat today
  • Aontú5 from 2 TDs · 2 seats today
  • Fianna Fáil30 from 12 TDs · 48 seats today
  • Fine Gael33 from 14 TDs · 38 seats today
  • Independent9 from 5 TDs · 15 seats today
  • Independent Ireland4 from 2 TDs · 4 seats today
  • Labour Party14 from 5 TDs · 11 seats today
  • People Before Profit-Solidarity7 from 3 TDs · 3 seats today
  • Sinn Féin69 from 16 TDs · 39 seats today

The TDs who asked most

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

  1. 19
  2. 16
  3. 11
  4. 9
  5. 7
  6. 7
  7. 6
  8. 6

Asked of

Debated under the same heading

Debates whose official heading is exactly these words.

The questions

Niamh Smyth Written 16 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
1048. 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); if he will provide an update on the SUSI application in question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45402/26]
Liam Quaide Written 11 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
371. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the decision making process behind the merger with Carlow College and SETU; the assessment that was undertaken on this decision to close Carlow College altogether and make the staff redundant; if other alternatives and options were considered as part of the merger; and if he will make a statement on the matte…
Liam Quaide Written 11 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
372. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is satisfied that adequate protections are in place for staff affected by the planned closure of Carlow College, including redundancy arrangements, recognition of years of service, and access to future employment opportunities within the higher education sector; and if he will make a statement on the ma…
Peter 'Chap' Cleere Written 10 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
276. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline the consultation process with the staff of Carlow College ahead of its closure in 2028; the reasons they are not being redesigned posts in SETU as part of the move; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44201/26]
Michael Cahill Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
2475. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he can assist a student's education funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41627/26]
Ken O'Flynn Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
2476. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has reviewed the operation of SUSI dependency classification rules as they apply to mature students who subsequently become financially independent after commencing third-level education; whether any mechanism exists to permit reclassification during the course of a degree programme; a…
Ken O'Flynn Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
2477. Deputy Ken O'Flynn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of mature students assessed as dependent applicants under SUSI in each academic year since 2020; the number of requests received seeking reclassification from dependent to independent status after course commencement; the number granted or refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4…
Ken O'Flynn Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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…
Carol Nolan Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Louis O'Hara Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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]
Paula Butterly Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
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…
Colm Burke Written 9 Jun 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
2503. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding supports available to Irish postgraduate students undertaking a postgraduate course in another EU country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43678/26]
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh Written 27 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
296. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken by his Department to broaden access to graduate entry medicine programmes across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40470/26]
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh Written 27 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
297. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports available to prospective students of graduate entry medicine programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40471/26]
Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh Written 27 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
298. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of places offered to but subsequently not accepted by prospective students of graduate entry medicine programmes in the period of 2022-2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40472/26]
Barry Heneghan Written 27 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
299. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the further and higher education courses, programmes and access pathways currently available for persons with intellectual disabilities across universities, technological universities, colleges of further education and other State funded education providers; the number of places available in each instituti…
Barry Heneghan Written 27 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
300. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department has assessed the geographical gaps in further and higher education opportunities for persons with intellectual disabilities, particularly in areas where no dedicated inclusive programmes currently exist; the steps being taken to improve regional access for students and families; and …
Barry Heneghan Written 27 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
301. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding currently provided to universities, technological universities and further education providers to support students with intellectual disabilities and additional needs; whether additional funding or targeted expansion measures are being considered to increase the number of places and supports av…
Niamh Smyth Written 19 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
1335. 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); if he will provide an update on the SUSI grant application in question; if the records held by the HEA can be amended to accurately reflect the applicant's attendance history; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37097/26]
Willie O'Dea Written 13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
266. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a student who remained registered as a full-time student until the end of February 2026, following an official extension of their course by their institution, has been refused SUSI maintenance payments for January and February 2026 despite providing documentation from the college confirming contin…
Naoise Ó Muirí Written 13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
268. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether he will consider exempting applicants for a Professional Master of Education from SUSI eligibility criteria that require applicants to be progressing to a higher level of qualification than they already hold, in light of the significant demand for teachers across Ireland; and if he will make a stat…
William Aird Written 13 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
270. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps being taken to increase the number of training places in key professions experiencing workforce shortages, including healthcare, construction, engineering and advanced manufacturing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35622/26]
Donna McGettigan Oral 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
154. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the progress in providing third level courses through the medium of Irish across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34976/26]
Noel McCarthy Written 12 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
183. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of third-level applications received by the Central Applications Office, and the non-completion rate for the full duration of a course by applicants in each of the years from 2021 to 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34608/26]
Maeve O'Connell Written 6 May 2026 · to Further and Higher Education
1254. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has considered extending eligibility for Springboard courses to those not currently in employment who are not in receipt of State supports, such as those who have retired early. [32081/26]