Written Answers Nos. 409-423
409. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Health when she expects the free hormone replacement therapy scheme will be rolled out; if reimbursements will be made backdated to January 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14900/25]
View answer410. Deputy Ciarán Ahern asked the Minister for Health when the free HRT scheme, which was committed to in Budget 2025, will commence; if she will arrange for women who should have benefited from the scheme since 1 January 2025 to be reimbursed any expenses accrued up to the formal commencement of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14902/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 410 together.
As Minister for Health, I am committed to the implementation of the Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) measure announced in Budget 2025 and reaffirmed in the new Programme for Government: Securing Ireland's Future.
My Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE) has engaged extensively with the Irish Pharmacy Union in relation to the practical rollout of this measure.
When operational, this measure will cover any HRT medications and products which are reimbursable by the HSE, which have been prescribed for the purposes of alleviating the symptoms of menopause.
Reimbursement support for this new HRT measure will be available to participating pharmacies from the date the measure formally commences.
I am actively engaged on the matter with the goal to introduce this measure as soon as possible.
411. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures he will take to address the funding crisis in higher education institutions to reduce the reliance on student contributions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14927/25]
View answerThe Funding the Future Framework published in May 2022, outlines the vision for how higher education will be funded and how this will support students, employers and wider society. The Framework identified an amount of €307 million as representing the quantum of increase in core funding required to deliver enhanced performance, strategic reforms and strengthened quality of outcomes.
The enhanced higher education system performance to be delivered in return for increased investment under Funding the Future is to be aligned to strategic priorities defined in the framework, alongside parallel efforts to address the cost of education as a barrier to participation.
Over the three budgets since the publication of Funding the Future, an additional €164.4 million has been secured in exchequer and employer funding with a commitment to deliver a further €100 million by 2030 from the National Training Fund (NTF). The €164.4 million figure includes €58.7 million that was secured in Budget 2025 for Funding the Future.
It is anticipated that further additional exchequer funding will be secured in future estimates processes to deliver on Funding the Future commitments, including on priorities such as healthcare places and tertiary programmes. I also remain fully committed to easing the financial burden on students and families in a financially sustainable way.
412. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the means by which he will support research and innovation in Irish universities to ensure Ireland remains competitive on the global stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14928/25]
View answerThere is a comprehensive and ambitious set of commitments for research and innovation in the new Programme for Government. This work will be progressed via a number of national policies and strategies, under the national research and innovation strategy Impact 2030.
Under Budget 2025, additional funding was announced for Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, with its total budget funding research in the Irish Third Level system now standing at €309.2 Million. This also includes funding to increase its PhD stipend level to €25,000.
The formation of Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland in August 2024 is designed to build a more effective and cohesive national research and innovation system. Taighde Éireann will be working with the Higher Education Authority (HEA), IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, and others to ensure a continued pipeline of a highly skilled research workforce which are critical to delivering on Ireland's knowledge economy objectives. Researchers, research talent and excellence, will be cornerstones of the new agency in supporting a vibrant research base and building Ireland’s global reputation as a research and innovation leader across all disciplines. Research Ireland funds and champions research excellence and talent to maximise impact, ensuring that funding opportunities meet the needs of the research and innovation ecosystem, whilst delivering sustainable economic, societal, cultural, and environmental impact. Taighde Éireann funds partnerships of all scales, from curiosity-driven research across all disciplines and career stages, including early-career researchers, to large-scale research and innovation mechanisms.
Research Ireland Centres link researchers in partnerships across academia and industry in areas of strategic focus, consistently delivering groundbreaking research. The Frontiers for the Future Programme enables independent investigators to conduct highly innovative, collaborative research. The Co-Centre Programme provides opportunities for researchers to build strategic collaborative partnerships across Ireland, Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The National Challenge Fund incentivises researchers to develop solutions to key challenges in the areas of Green Transition and Digital Transformation. The ARC Hub Programme seeks to establish a new model for regional innovation and entrepreneurial training. The Pathway programme supports talented postdoctoral researchers from all research disciplines to develop their track record and transition to become independent research leaders. These examples demonstrate the breadth and scope of the agency's engagement with the research and innovation ecosystem, including a highly collaborative relationship with the Higher Education Authority.
As part of Budget 2025, a National Training Fund funding package of nearly €1.5 billion over a six-year period was agreed for the tertiary sector. This includes €650m in a core funding package for the higher education institutions, to utilise as they deem appropriate, consistent with the need to secure the most beneficial, effective and efficient use of those resources. This additional investment will ensure that Ireland remains competitive on the global stage.
In line with the Programme for Government and the Government's continued support for the development of the Technological Universities (TU) sector, under TU Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise (TU RISE), a fund of €83.68m will be made available to higher education institutions in the technological sector to support research capacity building with a focus on enhancing engagement with regional enterprises. TU RISE will enhance central research functions within the technological university sector to further institutions’ engagements with their regions.
I have also announced the allocation of Performance Funding Awards totalling €5 million to five higher education institutions. Each institution is being awarded €1 million in recognition of their exemplary and significant contributions to the delivery of national priorities. The performance funding is awarded on the basis of an evaluation of 14 Impact Assessment Case Studies submitted by higher education institutions (HEIs) to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in September 2024. HEIs were invited to submit case studies describing exemplary initiatives that contributed towards the achievement of national strategic objectives aligned with the higher education System Performance Framework 2023–2028. The submissions were assessed by an independent, international panel of expert evaluators.
Finally, Global Citizens 2030, Ireland’s Talent and Innovation Strategy sets out Ireland’s ambitions to embed excellence in talent and innovation into Ireland’s global footprint and is the first international strategy to encompass the breadth of tertiary education, and research and innovation systems. It builds upon Ireland’s many achievements over the past decade and is intended to confirm Ireland’s place as a first choice destination for international talent and as a thought leader in education, research, innovation and science policy.
413. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science her plans to address the high cost of student accommodation and improve access to affordable housing for third-level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14929/25]
View answerI am conscious that the cost of accommodation can be a challenge for many students and could make the reality of higher education beyond the reach of some. Increasing the supply of student accommodation is a priority for this Government and I. Student reliance on the private market has an impact on overall housing supply; an increase in the provision of student specific accommodation has the added benefit of freeing up beds in the private rental housing market.
A new Student Accommodation Strategy is in development following Government approval of the long-term Policy in January 2024. The Strategy aims to increase supply of state supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery through development of standardised design guidance, promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy, while supporting balanced regional development through a Technological University (TU) Feasibility Study.
The intention of a TU Feasibility Study is to develop a programmatic approach to facilitate future Technological University student accommodation proposals. The results of this programme will determine what opportunities are available to meet the future demand for student accommodation through either new-build PBSA, leasing, acquisition, refurbishing or redevelopment of existing sites. A number of accommodation delivery mechanisms are being examined.
The Standardised Design Study will be key to establishing best practice and value for money for the State, ensuring affordability of additional supply for students. The TU Feasibility Study is progressing in tandem with the Standardised Design Study for student accommodation, to enable a viable design model for state supported student accommodation based on regional needs and feasibility assessments.
The outcomes of these studies will provide a framework of delivery models and funding options to inform the new Strategy and it is intended that the Strategy will be delivered in Q2 2025.
In advance of the new Strategy, the Government approved a capital investment of €100m from the National Development Plan enable the progression of new purpose-built student accommodation beds through the Department’s Short-Term Activation Plan.
Under this measure funding is provided to higher education institutions to activate projects with planning permission that had stalled due to cost viability challenges. Delivery will commence from the 2025/26 academic year.
A percentage of the new beds will be ringfenced for target group students at below market rates. The target group are those considered most disadvantaged by the SUSI, NAP and DARE schemes.
To assist with an immediate supply of accommodation, my department for the second year, ran a promotional campaign to encourage homeowners to rent a spare room to a student. This traditional form of accommodation can provide a suitable and affordable option for some.
Currently, there are over 3,900 digs beds advertised by our higher education institutions. The 2024 rent-a-room campaign resulted in an increase of approximately 1,800 digs beds advertised by our HEIs. This is an additional 2,500 beds when compared to the same period in 2023.
414. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the agreed collaboration between UCD and Boston Northeastern University regarding the new double master’s degree in sustainability engineering leadership; and if will outline the importance of this type of collaboration for the future of innovation in Ireland. [13705/25]
View answerI very much welcome this collaboration between UCD and Northeastern University in Boston. While it is a clear example of leveraging the collective expertise and leadership in both institutions, it also aligns with the ambition and objectives of Global Citizens 2030, which is Ireland’s international talent and innovation strategy.
The nature of skills, both nationally and globally, is constantly changing, particularly as we look to equip people with the skills required for a more sustainable future. Ireland must be innovative in its approach to ensure it can play its part in this matter. Collaboration of this nature will serve as models for other Irish Higher education Institutions to build their capacity to develop the skill required to serve, not just the Irish economy, but the wider global context.
415. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is planning to disband the Retail Forum Digitalisation and Skills Subgroup; if so, to justify this decision in light of the Programme for Government commitments to invest in digital skills at all levels and to increase basic digital intensity among SMEs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14646/25]
View answerAs this question is more appropriate to DETE, my officials have been in contact with the Deputy to advise contacting DETE directly.
416. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of actual and attempted cyberattacks on his Department during each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024, the countries of origin of those attacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14692/25]
View answer417. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total sum spent on cybersecurity measures within his Department during each of the years 2022, 2023 and 2024. [14674/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 416 and 417 together.
The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) is an operational arm of the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), and is the primary cyber security authority in the State. The NCSC provides a range of cyber-security services to operators of Critical National Infrastructure, including all Government Departments and Agencies.
The Department has previously been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) that, for security reasons, not to disclose any details of its cyber security operations (including details of commercial relationships, audits/exercises and expenditure) which could in any way compromise the Department’s information security posture. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose any information, which might assist malicious actors to identify potential vulnerabilities.
418. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to give an update on the student accommodation at University College Dublin that is university owned. [14878/25]
View answerTo date, as part of short term response measures, the Government approved in principle up to €100m in funding to unlock the development of approximately 1,000 student accommodation beds across a number of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), including a 493-bed student accommodation project in University College Dublin (UCD).
Supply data from the Higher Education Authority indicates there are 15,532 Public purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) beds nationally, of these 4,187 beds are owned by (UCD)
A new student accommodation strategy is in development following approval of the long-term policy in January 2024. The objective of the new Strategy is to increase the supply of state supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery by developing standardised design guidance, promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy, while supporting balanced regional development by designing a Technological University Student Accommodation Programme.
The output from the Standardised Design Study and the Technological University Student Accommodation Programme will provide a framework of delivery models and funding options to inform the new Strategy and are expected in early 2025. I intend on submitting the Strategy to Government in Q2 2025.
419. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans that have been made to progress student accommodation on or near University College Dublin and the Belfield campus. [14879/25]
View answerMy Department is progressing both short and longer term student accommodation policy responses under the Housing for All plan.
A capital investment of €100m from the National Development Plan windfall allocation has enabled the progression of new purpose-built student accommodation beds through the Department’s Short-Term Activation Plan.
This funding enabled activation of University College Dublin (UCD) student accommodation project for delivery of 493 beds. Construction is planned to commence on this project in 2025 subject to successful completion of due diligence assessments and the tender process.
Under this measure funding is provided to higher education institutions to activate projects with planning permission that had stalled due to cost viability challenges.
A percentage of the new beds will be ringfenced for target group students at below market rates. The target group are those considered most disadvantaged by the SUSI, NAP and DARE schemes.
A new student accommodation strategy is in development following approval of the long-term policy in January 2024. The objective of the new Strategy is to increase the supply of state supported student accommodation, reduce the cost of delivery by developing standardised design guidance, promote efficient use of existing building stock through refurbishment and an examination of vacancy, while supporting balanced regional development by designing a Technological University Student Accommodation Programme.
The output from the Standardised Design Study and the Technological University Student Accommodation Programme will provide a framework of delivery models and funding options to inform the new Strategy and are expected in early 2025. I intend on submitting the Strategy to Government in Q2 2025.
420. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the continuing fallout of a cyber attack to SETU IT operations; the steps and schedule in place to restore student and staff access to the IT network, which is hampering provision of classes and course delivery; if the minister will outline his awareness of the issue and the schedule to its full remediation following four months where students and lecturers are unable to access the IT network and associated services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14893/25]
View answer421. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of his awareness of the continuing lack of IT access to SETU Waterford campus and the continuing negative effect this is having on course provision and review. [14894/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 420 and 421 together.
South East Technological University (SETU) continues its recovery from the cyber incident which occurred last October. The majority of classrooms and laboratories are now fully restored, although there are challenges in some locations due to legacy infrastructure from it's IoT phase. SETU continues its efforts to support university activities across teaching, research and academic administration during this period of recovery. With support from my Department and the HEA, the Technological Sector Advancement Fund (TSAF), SETU has been able to put in place a dedicated cybersecurity unit.
Both my Department and the Higher Education Authority continue to observe the situation at SETU and will provide any and all assistance as required. The deputy should note however, that technological universities are autonomous institutions and consequently, the management of their day to day functions, including internal IT management and policies, are matters for the individual institution in the context of their governance structures and policies.
422. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide the total quantum of funding broken down by capital and current expenditures from his Department that will be allocated to the overall TU network in 2025; to provide similar expenditure capital and current heads for each national university for comparison in 2025 estimates, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14895/25]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy for 2025 is not currently available. Current funding is allocated to universities by the Higher Education Authority annually through the Recurrent Grant Allocation Model (RGAM). Under this model, funding is predicated on a number of variables, including student numbers and competitive calls which becomes available late in the year. Meanwhile, capital funding is predicated on capital project progression throughout the year.
423. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the up to date progress with the Pretty Polly site in Killarney, County Kerry as a centre for training and education. [14974/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. Kerry ETB are currently being supported by SOLAS in developing their Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Killarney under the Further Education and Training (FET) College of the Future Major Projects fund. The development of a robust PBC is fundamental to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. The proposal put forward by Kerry ETB is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund.
Kerry ETB’s proposal is expected to encompass the transformation of FET provision in the area by developing a state-of-the-art campus focussing on skills development in Hospitality Training, while supporting Renewable Energy and Sustainable Green Technologies. SOLAS are currently engaging with Kerry ETB in relation to the site and further engagement is planned with representatives from Kerry ETB, Kerry County Council and SOLAS.
SOLAS and officials from my department will continue to support Kerry ETB in the development of its' proposal. My department and I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet the needs of FET learners and teaching staff in Kerry and the wider south east region.
