Written Answers Nos. 136-155
136. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a detailed roadmap for implementing the promise in the programme for Government to “Continue to reduce the Student Contribution Fee over the lifetime of the Government”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37581/25]
View answer139. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to reduce the student contribution fee over the lifetime of the Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37637/25]
View answer158. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount the student contribution fee will be for the 2025-26 academic year and the 2026-27 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37579/25]
View answer160. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to clarify the plans for the student contribution charge for the coming academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37619/25]
View answer165. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will make a strong case to Cabinet to retain the cost-of-living reduction of €1,000 for student fees in budget 2026 and to making this welcome initiative a permanent feature; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37570/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 136, 139, 158, 160 and 165 together.
I am acutely conscious of the financial challenges facing students and the need for the progressive implementation of measures to address costs as a barrier to education. I am committed to easing this burden for students and their families in a financially sustainable way.
Almost all full-time undergraduate students have their tuition fees paid in full by the State through the Free Fees Initiative; additionally, almost half of all students have their Student Contribution Fee paid in full or in part by the State. In addition, a variety of supports are available through SUSI.
The base rate for the student contribution remains at €3,000 and this is paid by free fees eligible students when attending Higher Education Institutions, with many benefiting from a subvention in whole or in part from SUSI, depending on their eligibility, as set out above.
A once-off €1,000 reduction to this contribution has been provided for as part of cost-of-living packages for students over the last three budgets. I am keen to continue supporting measures however it has been confirmed in recent weeks that no “cost of living” ancillary package will be provided from central government in the current year. On that basis, I need to look at various policy options available to me ahead of Budget 2026.
I hosted a cost of education event in early April to better inform the decisions on this issue and to meet with representative groups. This event was attended by key stakeholders from the tertiary education sector. The event served as an opportunity for all to have their say on the key cost of education issues.
The Programme for Government commits to reducing the student contribution in a financially sustainable manner over the lifetime of this Government. I fully intend to progress this, starting from the base figure of €3,000 and advancing measures to reduce that over time in a way that is equitable, funded, and fair, and less reliant on temporary subventions which, whilst providing welcome relief, remain uncertain from year to year.
Ahead of Budget 2026, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This paper will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2026.
While I cannot confirm specific items that will be included in the next Budget, I can assure the Deputy that options to support students and reduce financial barriers will be a key consideration for me as part of Budget negotiations.
137. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the up-to-date position on the new student accommodation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37622/25]
View answerI will publish a new student accommodation strategy later this year, which aims to build a fairer, more sustainable system, where cost and availability are no longer barriers to entry or progression through higher education.
My focus is on delivering targeted and effective interventions that promote equitable access to higher education across the country. This means addressing the challenges that may prevent students from progressing to or through third-level education due to difficulties in securing or affording suitable accommodation.
To effectively address the challenges in student accommodation, we are employing four key tools: the development of standardised design approaches to improve efficiency and reduce costs; the use of enhanced supply and demand data to inform planning and investment decisions; the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme to support regionally balanced, institution-specific delivery models; and the national student accommodation survey to capture the lived experiences and needs of students across the country.
138. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to extensive waiting lists for mental health supports in third level institutions; the actions he will take to address these delays; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36979/25]
View answerMental health and wellbeing of our third-level students is an ongoing priority for this Government and my Department and I remain committed to enhancing mental health supports across the sector.
My Department has allocated a total of nearly €32 million to support higher education institutions in meeting the mental health and wellbeing needs of students since 2020. I am pleased to indicate that from 2025, €5 million annually is being allocated on a recurrent, sustainable basis to mental health initiatives. As autonomous bodies, institutions can also allocate resources to this area from within their overall Exchequer and other funding sources.
This funding supports institutions in directly meeting the needs of students through counselling services as well as delivering the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework.
As autonomous institutions, the exact disbursement of the funding is a matter for each institution depending on their own prioritisation of needs. They have been advised to distribute it in support of specific student-facing areas, such as recruitment of additional Student Counsellors and assistant psychologists, head of service posts, training and awareness-raising.
The majority of new posts created through this funding have been counsellors, reflecting the capacity building phase of the implementation of the Framework.
The funding also supports a range of national and institutional projects. Examples include:
• the National Student Counselling Database Implementation Project which will facilitate the identification of trends in the mental health needs of students attending student counselling services and identify areas that need attention;
• TogetherAll – a 24/7 peer support platform;
• Support for the work of the Psychological Counsellors in Higher Education Ireland;
• Co-ordination of research on suicide and self-harm;
• development of a screening tool for selecting the most appropriate person-centred intervention for students with mental health presentations, as well as tracking the wellbeing outcomes of the students who engage with their institution’s student support service
• development of a national health and wellbeing assessment tool to enable institutions to implement and progress the Healthy Campus Charter and Framework.
An ongoing review of the National Student Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Framework has identified that there remains a need to develop an appropriate indicator to measure the ability of institutions to provide adequate levels of mental health supports to students.
Following the publication of the review report and recommendations shortly, the Framework will be revised in consultation with the HEA Student and Staff Health and Wellbeing Advisory Group.
140. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has looked at streamlining and simplifying the SUSI application process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37584/25]
View answerAs of 29 June 2025, SUSI has received over 68,900 applications for student grant funding in academic year 25/26.
Applications can be made online through a dedicated student portal which provides students with a convenient way to submit an application as well as enabling them to view correspondence, track the progress of their application and where applicable, view the status of their grant payments. Supporting information is provided throughout the application form, an application form guide is available on SUSI’s website and SUSI’s Support Desk is available by phone, email and social media to answer any questions. SUSI’s Access Officer Team is also available to provide additional support to applicants throughout the application process.
SUSI conducts ongoing customer satisfaction surveys to help us better understand our customer needs. Since opening for applications in March, the application form has received an applicant satisfaction rating of over 90% each month to date.
The mean time for the initial assessment of an application in academic year 2025/26 is approximately two weeks with the time being approximately two weeks for the assessment of returned documentation.
For many applicants, approximately 70%, supporting documentation is not required. Data sharing agreements with government bodies such as the Department of Social Protection, Revenue Commissioners and CAO have helped to reduce the need for supporting documentation.
141. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 4 of 22 May 2025, for an update on the developments made to increase the provision of student accommodation in Galway; when the new national student accommodation strategy due in quarter 2 of 2025 will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37606/25]
View answerI am committed to ensuring that the development of viable student accommodation continues with urgency and ambition. I will publish a new student accommodation strategy later this year, which aims to build a fairer, more sustainable system, where cost and availability are no longer barriers to entry or progression through higher education.
This strategy will deliver a roadmap for how we fund, design, and deliver accommodation that is affordable, sustainable, and regionally balanced. This is a complex challenge. High construction costs, strong demographic growth in student numbers, and capacity constraints all contribute to the problem.
I recently published the Design Guide for State Sponsored Student Accommodation. The Design Guide reflects feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring the design standards are both practical and responsive to real-world needs. It will support the efficient delivery of additional student accommodation that prioritises student wellbeing, provides long-term value for the State, and embodies high quality architectural design.
A key part of enabling our vision is ensuring that the Technological Sector can play a full role in developing student accommodation to meet the needs of students across the country. To support this, the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme is progressing. Proposals from the sector include the construction of new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, leasing, nomination agreements, joint ventures and repurposing of vacant properties. ATU Galway is participating in this programme.
My Department will continue to work closely with higher education institutions to develop and implement accommodation initiatives under this strategy.
142. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has undertaken any study to determine the impact on college uptake levels of the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee. [37582/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware almost all full-time undergraduate students have their tuition fees paid in full by the State through the Free Fees Initiative; and almost half of all students have their Student Contribution Fee paid in full or in part by the State. In addition, a variety of supports are available through SUSI.
A once-off €1,000 reduction to this contribution has been provided for as part of cost-of-living packages for students over the last three budgets. These reductions were implemented after the beginning of the relevant academic years. As such the supports were in place after the CAO offer process and after students had accepted, or not accepted, places offered. These cost-of-living measures intended to support existing students in the relevant academic years and were not intended to impact on levels of demand in future academic years. In this regard it is not feasible to attribute cost-of-living measures, that were implemented on a temporary basis and after students had accepted places, as impacting on course acceptance levels.
Looking ahead to the next academic year I am keen to continue supporting measures however it has been confirmed in recent weeks that no “cost of living” ancillary package will be provided from central government in the current year. On that basis, I need to look at various policy options available to me ahead of Budget 2026.
I hosted a cost of education event in early April to better inform the decisions on this issue and to meet with representative groups. This event was attended by key stakeholders from the tertiary education sector and served as an opportunity for all to have their say on the key cost of education issues.
The Programme for Government commits to reducing the student contribution in a financially sustainable manner over the lifetime of this Government. I fully intend to progress this, starting from the base figure of €3,000 and advancing measures to reduce that over time in a way that is equitable, funded, and fair, and less reliant on temporary subventions which, whilst providing welcome relief, remain uncertain from year to year.
Ahead of Budget 2026, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This paper will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2026.
While I cannot confirm specific items that will be included in the next Budget, I can assure the Deputy that options to support students and reduce financial barriers will be a key consideration for me as part of Budget negotiations.
143. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science If he will ensure measures are put in place to protect students from runaway inflation rates when tenancies change, as could happen under new tenancy legislation. [36869/25]
View answerI fully support the major rental sector reforms announced by Minister Browne, particularly the measures to enhance security of tenure and extend rent control nationwide. These changes are a vital step toward providing greater certainty and protection for all tenants.
However, student accommodation remains a distinct and critical part of our housing system. The annualised cycle of university programmes presents unique challenges for students in private rental and student specific accommodation that must be appropriately addressed. Affordability and availability must remain central to our approach, and I am committed to ensuring future policies reflect the real needs of students.
Minister Browne and I, along with our teams, are committed to address these challenges. The current rent pressure zone restrictions apply to student specific accommodation, and it is our intention to retain this linkage.
Pending the development of provisions to be incorporated into upcoming modifications to the Residential Tenancies Acts, I would like to assure students that the existing protections continue to apply. The Residential Tenancies Acts provide numerous protections for students residing in Student Specific Accommodation. Protections include, Rent increases are capped at a maximum of 2% in Rent Pressure Zones where general inflation is higher.
144. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the increases in SUSI grants have kept pace with the cost-of-living increases in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37405/25]
View answerI am very much aware that the rising cost of living continues to impact students and their families.
The Government, through successive budgets, has sought to reduce the cost of higher education, through once-off measures and through long term improvements to the student grant scheme.
Over the past three years once-off cost of living measures has included:
• Reduction to the student contribution fee by €1,000;
• Increase to the postgraduate fee contribution grant from €4,000 to €5,000;
• Additional funding to the Student Assistance Fund.
More long-term measures have also been implemented over recent Budgets which include:-
• Increases to student maintenance grants;
• Increases to all income thresholds, including the special rate of grant;
• Reduction in the distance criteria for the non-adjacent rate of grant;
• A new student contribution grant of €500 for income thresholds up to €100k, which has been increased for the 2025/26 academic year to €115k;
• Change to the eligibility criteria for second chance mature students;
• Increases in the deduction allowable for student earnings outside of term time;
• Restoration of maintenance grants for postgraduate students; and
• Introduction of a new part-time fee grant scheme in September 2024.
CSO data outlines that the 3-year average growth in inflation is 5.4%. Maintenance grant rates remained static up to and including the 2021/22 academic year. From there on, the maintenance grant rates have increased from between 28% (Non-adjacent Special Rate) and 121% (Non-adjacent Band 4). The following table outlines the increases in each of the maintenance rates.
|
Maintenance Rate Description |
2012/13 to 2021/22 |
2022/23 Academic Year |
2023/24 Academic Year |
2024/25 Academic Year |
% Increase from 2012/13 to 2024/25 |
|
Non Adjacent Special Rate |
€5915 |
€6115 |
€6971 |
€7586 |
28% |
|
Adjacent Special Rate |
€2375 |
€2575 |
€2936 |
€3230 |
36% |
|
Non Adjacent Band 1 |
€3025 |
€3225 |
€3677 |
€4292 |
42% |
|
Adjacent Band 1 |
€1215 |
€1415 |
€1613 |
€1774 |
46% |
|
Non Adjacent Band 2 |
€2270 |
€2470 |
€2717 |
€3332 |
47% |
|
Adjacent Band 2 |
€910 |
€1110 |
€1221 |
€1343 |
48% |
|
Non Adjacent Band 3 |
€1515 |
€1715 |
€1887 |
€2502 |
65% |
|
Adjacent Band 3 |
€605 |
€805 |
€886 |
€975 |
61% |
|
Non Adjacent Band 4 |
€755 |
€955 |
€1051 |
€1666 |
121% |
|
Adjacent Band 4 |
€305 |
€505 |
€556 |
€612 |
101% |
From September, 2025, all income thresholds under the Student Grant Scheme will increase. The income threshold for the special rate of maintenance is increasing in line with Social Welfare and all other income thresholds are increasing by at least 15%.
Following these recent revisions, the income threshold to receive a Student Contribution grant now stands at €115,000 which is the highest it has ever been. This means that undergraduate students who were not eligible previously may now qualify for a Student Contribution Grant.
The measures to increase the income thresholds is primarily with a view to recognising the increase in income growth over the last number of years and the effect that this has had on student supports and the number of students eligible to receive a student grant.
This Government is committed to reducing the cost of college for families and we have already made significant strides in that regard.
To support decision-making, ahead of Budget 2026, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education.
The options assessment is intended to identify costs and potential impacts by the Department and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.
145. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he and his Department have had with stakeholders regarding pay rates for PhD researchers students, as of July 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37314/25]
View answerIn October 2022, an independent review of PhD provision was announced, the first time that a review of this nature had been undertaken. The independent Co-Chairs undertook a very comprehensive consultation process, meeting with more than 35 stakeholder organisations to understand their perspectives and to explore key themes with them. This included stakeholder meetings with the higher education institutions, trade unions, public funders, enterprise representative bodies and others.
The consultation process was also deliberately structured so that PhD students had a direct opportunity to share their experiences and the impacts of funders and institutional approaches to PhD supports. This included an all-day in-person workshop on 8 March 2023 with the student organisations. In addition, an online consultation process was held from 24 February until 13 March, 2023. Over 750 written submissions were received and extracts from them, as well as key messages arising from the meetings held, were synthesised.
The Co-Chairs’ deliberations on these consultations, coupled with extensive desk research, including a review of international practice, underpinned their analysis and findings. Their first review report was published in June 2023. Included in their report are stakeholder perspectives on the issues covered in the report.
On 1 October 2024, additional funding was announced for Research Ireland in order to increase its PhD stipend level to €25,000, i.e. an increase of over 31% in two years. This announcement builds on the increases secured under preceding Budgets and implements the recommendation of the independent Co-Chairs for an optimum stipend level of €25,000, subject to funding availability. It has come into effect from 1 January 2025.
146. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on his Department’s options paper that will identify costs and policy options to reduce the cost of higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37596/25]
View answerThe Government recognises that third level education can be a significant cost for families and students.
To support decision-making in advance of Budget 2026, I will publish this year’s options paper in the autumn, outlining the costs and potential impacts of a range of policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education.
The options assessment is intended to identify costs and potential impacts by the Department and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.
147. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the development of a borrowing framework for technological universities; the timeline for the delivery of the framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37607/25]
View answerFor institutions other than traditional universities to borrow, a consultation process with the Higher Education Authority is required. This would necessitate the establishment of an appropriate framework setting out the criteria, financial and non-financial, including governance, oversight and reporting to define the operational process through which such consent would be sought and obtained.
Having passed those primary screening tests, the prospective borrowing entity would then be required to pass the relevant tests, procedures and requirements of the relevant financing agency before accessing borrowing funds.
The impacts, risks and responsibilities arising from such borrowing are key considerations in this context. In addition to accessing borrowing on commercially viable and appropriate terms such as would not adversely impact the financial position of the Technological Universities themselves or the wider public finances, requisite oversight, risk evaluation, project management and attendant governance and regulatory processes would also need to be established.
My Department and the Higher Education Authority are working with the sector, through the Infrastructure Guidelines process, to develop Preliminary Business Cases for student accommodation. As these business cases are developed and evaluated funding requirements will become clearer. The need for a borrowing framework will be informed by this and by the outcome of the National Development Plan (NDP) negotiations which are currently ongoing.
The development of a specific TU borrowing framework would require approval from Departments of Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform.
148. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the major capital projects that will be progressed in 2025 in the further education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37628/25]
View answerThe Further Education and Training (FET) College of the Future Major Projects Fund was launched to address existing deficits in FET infrastructure, to support projects that drive reform of the FET sector and to facilitate consolidation and integration of further education and training.
My Department is progressing a total of 12 projects under the FET College of the Future Major Projects Fund. To date eight proposals met the relevant criteria and were approved to move to the next stage of development, the Pre-tender – Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy Stage. These were proposals from Cork ETB (Bishopstown), Cavan Monaghan ETB (Cavan Town), Kilkenny Carlow ETB (Kilkenny City), Kildare Wicklow ETB (Bray), Limerick Clare ETB (Newcastle West) & Tipperary ETB (Clonmel), Galway Roscommon ETB (Galway City) and City of Dublin ETB (Cathal Brugha St).
SOLAS continue to engage with these eight ETB’s around their project scope and associated schedules of accommodation. Initial work has also begun on the development of standardised tender documents.
The remaining ETBs will have an opportunity to submit their completed PBC when they are ready to do so. An evaluation meeting will be convened as required later in the year.
149. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plan for a renewed action plan to succeed the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025; if the new action plan will have a focus on apprenticeships through local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37311/25]
View answerI look forward to engaging with stakeholders this year as my Department reviews the current Action Plan and develops a new five-year strategy for the apprenticeship system from 2026.Apprenticeship funding has grown significantly, with €77 million allocated in Budget 2025 bringing the total to €339 million, an 84% increase since 2020. This investment, alongside strong employer demand, supported 9,352 apprentice registrations in 2024, a 51% increase from 2019.
Seventeen new apprenticeship programmes have been launched since 2021, targeting key skills relevant to both the public and private sector such as civil engineering, wind turbine maintenance, digital marketing, and software development.
The Public Service Apprenticeship Plan, published in 2023, was a key deliverable under the current Action Plan. It calls on the public sector to lead by example in expanding apprenticeship opportunities. Sectoral representatives, including Local Government, have submitted workplans to increase apprentice registrations.
In June, my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and I updated Government on the Plan’s implementation.
While challenges remain, progress has been made and we are starting to see momentum build. Annual Local Government apprenticeship registrations rose from 11 in 2022 to 41 in 2024. Local Government forecasts 107 annual registrations in 2025, more than double the 2024 figure. This reflects the Plan’s impact and Local Government’s commitment to embedding apprenticeships.
To support this, my Department and DPER have launched employer engagement initiatives and published a Practical Guide.
A strong foundation is in place to grow apprenticeships across the public service. My priority under the next Action Plan is to continue to strengthen the apprenticeship system in how it meets skills needs of both the public and private sectors, and adapts to workforce challenges.
150. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken to address the shortage of third level student accommodation; the measures being taken to ensure affordability of rents charged to students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37623/25]
View answerThe new Student Accommodation Strategy, which I will publish later this year, will focus on increasing the supply of student accommodation both, to benefit students, and to free up private rental homes.
This strategy will deliver a roadmap for how we fund, design, and deliver accommodation that is affordable, sustainable, and regionally balanced. This is a complex challenge. High construction costs, strong demographic growth in student numbers, and capacity constraints all contribute to the challenge.
To effectively address the challenges in student accommodation, we are employing four key tools: the development of standardised design approaches to improve efficiency and reduce costs; the use of enhanced supply and demand data to inform planning and investment decisions; the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme to support regionally balanced, institution-specific delivery models; and the national student accommodation survey to capture the lived experiences and needs of students across the country.
Alongside funding new construction, refurbishment, and long-term leasing of PBSA, we will support and promote the rent-a-room scheme to expand options for students. We are also examining commuting alternatives to accommodation close to campus.
I recently published the Design Guide for State Sponsored Student Accommodation. The Design Guide reflects feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, ensuring the design standards are both practical and responsive to real-world needs. It will support the efficient delivery of additional student accommodation that prioritises student wellbeing, provides long-term value for the State, and embodies high quality architectural design.
A key part of enabling our vision is ensuring that the Technological Sector can play a full role in developing student accommodation to meet the needs of students across the country. To support this, the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme is progressing. Proposals from the sector include the construction of new Purpose-Built Student Accommodation, leasing, nomination agreements, joint ventures and repurposing of vacant properties.
Targeted supports have also been introduced to address affordability. In 2023, €600,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding was allocated to support accommodation costs for Traveller and Roma students, and students with care experience. This scheme has supported 85 students to date and will continue with an additional €600,000 in funding for the 2025/26 academic year. Separately, an additional €440,000 has been added to the Student Assistance Fund to help students facing emergency housing issues during 2024/25, including transport costs where accommodation is unavailable.
151. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the Department’s plan to recruit US researchers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37585/25]
View answerOn 13 May, the Government approved my proposal to establish the Global Talent Initiative, a programme to attract international research talent to Ireland. Research Ireland is now finalising the details of the call for applications, and I expect that I will be in a position to launch the programme very shortly.
Initial planning is focused on attracting approximately 45 researchers in the forthcoming three year period, consisting of both early career high potential researchers as well as established researchers.
The initiative will have a preliminary budget of €8 million per annum, with scoping for additional funding to be sought as it scales up in light of an assessment of the effectiveness of the programme.
In addition to salary, various additional costs are expected to arise. These would include for example, the wider research team that would be associated with a particular individual, laboratory space, research equipment, administrative overheads, infrastructure and other ancillary costs.
I look forward to being able to provide further information on this new programme in the near future.
152. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to confirm that he has engaged with both Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork with a view to increasing the number of Irish students that will be accommodated in dental training courses, in view of the fact that over 44% of training positions at the moment are provided to non-European students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37374/25]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department and officials from the Department of Health have been actively engaging with both Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork regarding the provision of dentistry training places, with a particular focus on increasing the number of places available to Irish and EU students.
Until recently, approximately 60 dentistry places per year were available to Irish and EU students, split evenly between Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork. This intake level remained broadly consistent in both 2022 and 2023.
While the number of places offered in 2024 remains at around 60, this is set to increase significantly. From September 2025, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) will introduce a new Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme, which will provide at least 20 additional places annually for Irish and EEA students. This represents a 33% increase in national dentistry training capacity.
Furthermore, RCSI is developing proposals for a further 15 additional places from 2027, subject to the necessary approvals.
In parallel, my Department, in collaboration with the Department of Health, is continuing to engage with University College Cork on proposals to expand its dentistry intake. Discussions in this regard are ongoing.
These actions form part of a broader strategic effort by Government to expand the healthcare workforce, in line with the Programme for Government commitment to increase higher education places in key areas such as dentistry. My Department, the Higher Education Authority, and higher education institutions remain committed to supporting the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure that dental education is sustainably expanded to meet the needs of the national health workforce.
153. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 27 March 2025, if the position remains vacant; the number of positions in the university occupied by a person in an ‘acting up’ capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37608/25]
View answerAs previously advised, in line with Section 24 of the Universities Act, 1997, the Governing Authority is responsible for the appointment of a person to be the chief officer (President) of its university. The Minister has no role in this process.
The Department has been informed that the process to recruit the next President is being led by the University Governing Authority, Údarás na hOllscoile, and is well in-train. Long and short listing of suitably-qualified applicants is complete, assessments are taking place throughout July, and final interviews are scheduled to take place on July 28 and 29. A successful appointee is expected to be identified by the end of July, subject to ratification of the appointment by Údarás na hOllscoile in early August.
In terms of interim appointments, following the resignation of Prof Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh, Professor Peter McHugh was appointed Interim President of University of Galway by the Governing Authority, commencing on 7 September 2024. This left a vacancy in the Deputy President & Registrar position. An interim Deputy President and Registrar, Professor Becky Whay, was appointed to perform the duties of this position until such time as Professor McHugh returns to his substantive post or the post becomes vacant on a permanent basis.
Professor Whay's substantive position is that of Vice President: International, accordingly an interim appointment was made to this position, with Mr Alex Metcalfe filling the post of Vice President: International until such time as Becky Whay returns to her post.
Finally, a vacancy in the Vice Presidency for Research and Innovation arose in February 2025. Given the proximity to the filling of the Presidency post, this vacancy was filled on a temporary basis by Professor Lokesh Joshi who has previously served in this brief for eight years. Professor Joshi holds the position until such time as a new President is appointed and has an opportunity to make a more permanent appointment.
154. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of the target of 10,000 annual apprenticeship registrations by the end of 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37512/25]
View answerInvestment in the apprenticeship system has been significant since the formation of my Department in 2020. To ensure an adequate pipeline of skilled apprentices to support Government targets on housing and infrastructure development, Government invested €77 million in the apprenticeship system in Budget 2025, bringing the total current budget for apprenticeship to €339 million. This represents a significant increase of 84% in apprenticeship funding since 2020.
This investment has supported strong employer demand in apprenticeships, and a 51% increase in annual registrations on apprenticeship programmes from 6,177 in 2019 to 9,352 in 2024, setting a strong base for reaching the target of 10,000 annual apprentice registrations by the end of 2025.
Craft apprenticeship registrations have increased by 35% from 5,271 in 2019 to 7,113 in 2024. with consortia-led registrations increasing by 147% from 906 in 2019 to 2,239 in 2024.
A key goal set out in the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2021-2025 is for apprenticeship to be recognised and valued by employers in every sector of Ireland’s economy as a key route to recruiting a highly skilled workforce.
At present, there is a total of 77 national apprenticeship programmes, 25 of which are Craft Apprenticeships and 52 of which are Consortia-Led programmes. These 77 apprenticeships cover a diverse assortment of career paths, ranging from Cybersecurity to Hairdressing.
It is my department’s and this Government's priority to continue to invest in apprenticeships, with a target of 12,500 annual registrations by 2030.
155. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to expedite work on a site (details supplied) in Killarney, County Kerry, by developing a state-of-the-art campus focusing on skills development in hospitality training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37610/25]
View answerSOLAS continue to support Kerry ETB (KETB) in the development of its Preliminary Business Case (PBC) proposal for Killarney under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund. The proposal is one of twelve projects that are currently being progressed under this fund.
The proposal put forward by KETB under the FET College of the Future Major Projects fund aims to transform FET provision in Killarney in a state-of-the-art campus focusing on skills development in Hospitality Training, while supporting Renewable Energy and Sustainable Green Technologies.
I understand that KETB are at an advanced stage in terms of the development of their submission to support the purchase of a suitable site for this project. This submission is expected to be received by SOLAS shortly.
In parallel to the work on the site, SOLAS are also supporting KETB in developing their PBC for the proposed infrastructure they would like delivered on the site. Once KETB have completed this business case, it will be submitted to SOLAS for evaluation.
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 region.
