Written Answers Nos. 1-33
14. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of units of student accommodation that are owned by the universities at present in the State; the number that are planned to be acquired or constructed by them within the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54659/25]
View answerThere are approximately 49,000 purpose-built student accommodation beds nationally. About two-thirds in private ownership, while our higher education institutions provide more than 15,600 beds.
This includes 4,187 beds at UCD, 2,934 at the University of Limerick, around 1,850 each at Trinity College and the University of Galway and a further 3,000 beds between DCU and UCC. Maynooth University now has 1,262 beds which includes the 116 beds completed under my Department's Short-Term Activation Programme this year. The South East Technological University owns 426 beds in Waterford, while MIC has 146 beds across Limerick and Tipperary.
At the end of September, 1,637 beds were under construction nationwide. Planning permission has been granted for a further 15,132 beds, including 2,948 public beds. Just last month, I announced the allocation of €67 million in State funding to enable UCD to enter contract for the delivery of 493 of these beds.
Another major milestone in enabling an increase in supply was the publication of the Design Guide for State-Sponsored Student Accommodation in June, providing a clear framework for future developments.
The HEA is also advancing the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme, supporting project proposals across our campuses.
I will publish the new Student Accommodation Strategy later this year, which will prioritise increasing supply and enhancing affordability for students facing the greatest financial challenges.
15. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the actions his Department is undertaking to increase access to student accommodation in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54815/25]
View answerI will publish a new long term student accommodation strategy (2025-2035) later this year, which aims to increase the supply of student accommodation beds.
It will include viability measures to support the development of new accommodation without any additional recourse to the private rental market and affordability supports for priority groups identified under the National Access Plan.
I published the Design Guide for State Sponsored Student Accommodation in June 2025 to support efficient delivery of high-quality, student-focused housing that offers long-term value to the State.
The Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme is progressing and ATU Galway is participating in this programme.
Separately, the University of Galway opened 674 new beds at Dunlin Village for the 2023/2024 academic year, and on Queen Street over 300 new beds are in development by the private sector supported by Ireland Strategic Investment Fund.
To address bed shortages, in September I launched a campaign encouraging homeowners to rent rooms, resulting in a significant increase in listings by colleges.
For the week ending 3rd of October there were over 5,200 ‘digs’ beds advertised by higher education institutions nationwide, with 320 of these beds in Galway. In addition, I am advised that at least 1,122 digs beds have been filled during September countrywide.
On the supply side I have been advised that as of the end of September there were 1,782 privately owned student beds with planning permission in Galway. Additionally, there were 913 private beds at an on-site stage of development in Galway.
16. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the major building project for Cavan Institute at Cathedral Road, Cavan town will be progressed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55939/25]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that a proposal from Cavan and Monaghan ETB is currently being progressed under my department’s Further Education & Training (FET) College of the Future Major Projects Fund.
The proposal has been successful in moving forward to the Pre-tender, Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy stage in line with the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines. As part of this stage, the proposal will be further developed, risks will be better understood, the design will be advanced, and a procurement strategy and project execution plan developed.
The proposal put forward by Cavan Monaghan ETB is to construct a new integrated Further Education and Training College of the Future in Cavan Town. The proposed facility will address critical needs, providing a state-of-the-art education and training facility. The project aims to consolidate existing provision, incorporate new training programmes and specialisms, and develop support services at one location.
SOLAS continues to engage with Cavan Monaghan ETB around further developing their project scope and associated schedules of accommodation. Work has also begun on the development of standardised tender documents.
SOLAS and officials from my department will continue to support Cavan Monaghan ETB through this next stage of proposal development.
Supporting FET learners and educators across all regions including those in Cavan and Monaghan remains a top priority for my department and I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet their needs.
17. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the student contribution fee will be abolished; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55507/25]
View answerAs part of Budget 2026, I am introducing a permanent reduction of €500 in the Student Contribution charge. This flat rate reduction will reduce the rate from €3,000 to €2,500. This is the first permanent cut since free fees were introduced in 1995. It will benefit around 108,000 undergraduate students and 14,000 apprentices, who will see up to a 17% pro-rata reduction.
The Free Fees Initiative is not means tested, however through the SUSI administered student grant scheme, students may be able to avail of supports towards the student contribution charge.
Earlier this year I signed the regulations to increase SUSI income thresholds by 15% and as part of Budget 2026, I am further increasing this threshold for the €500 student contribution grant by €5,000. Combined with the permanent fee reduction, this means that eligible undergraduate students from households earning under €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge from next year. Apprentices in higher education will also see a pro rata reduction to their contribution.
Since my appointment, I have engaged extensively with student representatives, and key stakeholders in the tertiary education sector, to help me understand what changes to our student support framework mattered most to students and their families.
At Budget time difficult decisions must be made on how best to utilise available resources. It was important for me to make permanent reductions that are sustainable and that offer certainty to students, as well as making other permanent targeted interventions, such as increasing SUSI rates for those travelling longer distances to college, increasing the Fund for Students with Disabilities and increasing funding for mental health supports.
The Programme for Government commits to reducing the student contribution in a financially sustainable manner over the lifetime of this Government. These changes are meaningful steps toward a fairer, more affordable system and were cognisant of the need to support middle income families.
Looking ahead I will continue to consider all options available to me to improve the overall student support framework and meet our Programme for Government commitments.
18. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the major capital projects that will be progressed in 2026 in the further education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55938/25]
View answerI am pleased to update the Deputy that 12 major capital projects are currently being progressed by my department under the Further Education & Training (FET) College of the Future Major Projects Fund. This key capital investment programme was launched with the objective of addressing deficits in current FET infrastructure. These projects will support the reform of the FET sector through the consolidation of provision in high quality facilities, the integration of further education and training provision and the realisation of Specialist Centres of Skills and unified tertiary provision.
To date eight proposals have moved to the next stage of development, the Pre-tender – Project Design, Planning and Procurement Strategy Stage. These proposals were 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)
• City of Dublin ETB (Cathal Brugha St).
SOLAS continue to engage with these eight ETBs around their project scope and associated schedules of accommodation.
The remaining four projects are at varying stages of development as part of the preliminary business case stage as they require a site to be purchased to facilitate their proposed College of the Future project. I can confirm that work on a number of preferred site options is being progressed in this regard.
SOLAS and officials from my department will continue to support all ETBs in progressing their proposals.
I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet the needs of all our FET learners and teaching staff.
19. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the work being carried out to create a single application process for apprenticeships, further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54993/25]
View answerMy Department, in partnership with our agencies and the sector, has been undertaking significant work over recent years to increase the range of education and training pathways available to students.
There is now an unprecedented range of options available to learners, spanning further and higher education, tertiary programmes and apprenticeships.
While this increased diversity is hugely beneficial, I recognise it can also make it more complex for students and their families to research, understand and navigate the range of options and supports available to them and ultimately make the best decision for themselves.
There has already been good progress made. For example, CAO.ie now links to resources on apprenticeships and further education and training courses and Qualifax.ie has information on the full range of programmes available to learners across further and higher education and apprenticeships.
Still, I believe there is more that can be done and, as a first step, I have instructed my Department to examine the sources of information available on third-level pathways and courses, with a view to working with the sector to improve the quality of information, and identifying opportunities for consolidation of information in the interests of learners.
In doing so, they will be conscious of wider public sector reform objectives and to make more services available online and ensure services are designed around the needs of the citizen.
This should improve and streamline the information available to learners, but should also provide a better indication of what more might need to be done in terms of improved application processes across the sector.
To complement and inform this work, my Department has also commissioned a two-year programme of research on student decision-making which is being undertaken with the ESRI which will help us to identify what matters most to learners and their families when making these important decisions.
I am therefore confident that these initial will improve the journey into further and higher education and apprenticeships.
20. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a disparity in pay exists in the way in which some craft apprentices are supported during their off-the-job phases of training, that is, engineering craft apprentices are paid according to outdated 2016 training allowance rates, while construction craft apprentices receive the updated 2025 rates for the very same level of skill and commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55389/25]
View answerIn Budget 2026, I was pleased to secure a significant €79 million investment for apprenticeship delivery - the largest increase since this Department was founded. In the context of this significant new investment I have requested that the training allowance for apprentices working in the engineering sector are reviewed as a priority, to examine updating the training allowance for this sector, something which has not been done since 2016.
However, it is important to note that this is a complex area. When craft apprentices attend off-the-job training at Education and Training Boards (ETBs) or Higher Education Institutions, they receive a fortnightly State training allowance. The allowance is aligned with industry minimum wage rates agreed through collective bargaining and varies depending on the apprentice’s training phase or year.
The engineering sector has not been able to set wage rates through collective bargaining unlike in the other sectors in which apprentices are employed which are subject to collective bargaining agreements. In the construction sector, wage rates are further underpinned by a sectoral employment order.
The Government is committed to ensuring that apprenticeships are accessible and inclusive.
In addition to the state training allowance, craft apprentices attending phases of off-the-job training in an Education and Training Board (ETB) training centre, Institute of Technology or a Technological University are also entitled to make an application for either travel or accommodation allowances for the duration of the period of off-the-job training.
Targeted financial supports are available to help cover travel, accommodation, and materials costs for learners from underrepresented groups, including members of the Traveller community and young people from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds entering apprenticeship schemes.
21. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider setting out a target for the level students studying through the medium of Irish language at third level, considering the very low proportion at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55564/25]
View answerMy Department recognises the critical importance of promoting and expanding the teaching and use of Irish at third level. The Higher Education Act (2022) places an obligation on the HEA to support HEIs to teach, promote and use the language. To that end, my department supports higher education institutions, via the HEA, through the provision of core funding, and specific funding to support Irish language initiatives. This includes almost €1.8 million annually to Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge at University of Galway and €900,000 for broader Irish language initiatives in higher education.
Regarding targets for students studying through Irish, this should, first and foremost, pay due regard to institutional autonomy in matters of teaching and learning. This is a core principle of our system. The Government cannot and should not tell higher HEIs what or how to teach.
I do, however, believe that more must be done to support the teaching and status of Irish in higher education, particularly in the context of the 20% target for public service recruitment. That is why I have instructed my officials to undertake a programme of work aligned with the objectives of the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services. This includes working with colleagues in relevant government departments to establish a sectoral working group; examining the transitions of students from Irish-language post-primary into tertiary education; undertaking research into existing and future demand; considering the inclusion of Irish medium courses in future expressions of interest processes for areas of skills need; and having due regard to Irish in the forthcoming national tertiary strategy.
Any further policy interventions from my Department will be based upon the outcomes of this work.
22. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the Mitchell Scholarship and the funding for it; if he is supportive of the aims and continuation of this fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54868/25]
View answerMy Department remains committed to the continuation of the George Mitchell Scholarship Programme.
In March 2024, the US-Ireland Alliance paused the recruitment of US scholars onto the programme. In March 2025, this pause in recruitment into the programme was extended for a further year.
My Department was advised by the President of the US-Ireland Alliance that the Alliance had ceased recruitment until there was a positive response to the Alliance's request that the Irish Government provide $32 million funding required for the programme's endowment notwithstanding that this is not permissible under its governing legislation, the George Mitchell Scholarship Fund Acts.
In June, 2025, officials from my Department met with representatives of the US-Ireland Alliance to press again for a re-commencement of the recruitment of US scholars on the basis of a review of the existing annual funding model that has underpinned the operation of the scholarship programme over recent years. However, the Alliance remained committed to the full funding of the endowment.
Following the meeting, a proposal is being prepared by my Department with the objective of enabling the re-establishment of the scholarship programme. My Department will engage further with the US-Ireland Alliance on this basis shortly.
23. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department has examined the opportunities of greater promotion of engineering careers to ensure there is a pivotal pipeline of engineering talent which is necessary to deliver key infrastructure in the coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55834/25]
View answerThe Government is focused on equipping Ireland’s workforce with the skills required to deliver on national infrastructure priorities.
Workers are needed across the construction sector, and engineers will play a critical role in helping Ireland meet its construction targets.
To support this, an alternative delivery model for civil engineering has been developed to entice stronger uptake. Introduced in 2023, the Level 6 and Level 7 civil engineering apprenticeship programmes are designed to meet industry demand and offer new pathways into the profession outside of the traditional higher education entry route.
In tandem, a concerted effort is being made to attract more people into the construction sector - including engineering.
Research by my Department found a lack of knowledge and understanding of the industry and the roles available, a poor perception of the working environment and a belief that construction is not suitable for women.
In response, the Department is implementing the Careers in Construction Action Plan, which aims to minimise barriers, promote career opportunities, and make construction jobs more attractive to women.
Several key education and industry partners – including Engineers Ireland – have collaborated with my Department on updating the Action Plan, with the new plan to be published in the coming weeks.
Among the actions are initiatives including the Building Heroes peer-to-peer social media campaign and a documentary on careers in construction for second-level schools.
Together, these activities reflect a broad range of approaches aimed at encouraging more people into the construction sector and into vital roles such as engineering.
24. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if it is possible to ensure apprentices are offered taught phases in facilities close to their home as often as possible. [55307/25]
View answerWhenever possible, SOLAS schedules craft apprentices to the available training location nearest to their home. However, this is not always possible. Apprenticeships are national programmes and not all apprenticeship programmes are available in every Education and Training Board or Higher Education Institute. If a placement is not available near an apprentice’s home, SOLAS will endeavour to schedule them to attend the next nearest available location.
During their induction, apprentices are informed that they may be required to travel to other counties for training. Each apprentice is assigned a Training Advisor in their employer’s region, who provides ongoing support throughout the programme.
Apprentices and their employers receive written notification from the relevant ETB between six and 13 weeks prior to the start of the training phase. This scheduling is coordinated by SOLAS and the National Apprenticeship Office (NAO) to ensure timely progression through the programme.
From the date of issue, apprentices and employers have seven working days to confirm attendance. If the offer is declined, the place is reallocated to the next apprentice on the national waiting list. Apprentices may decline up to three offers and still remain eligible for future scheduling. This process ensures full class intakes, efficient use of training capacity and fairness.
Craft apprentices required to travel outside their home region may qualify for an accommodation allowance. Travel and meal allowances are also available, though only one type of allowance is payable per training phase.
26. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he plans to provide further and higher education counselling through his Department for young adults seeking to progress into further education, outside of the current structures provided through third level institutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56055/25]
View answerI recognise that access to accurate, accessible, and impartial career guidance is critical to supporting learners as they plan their education and career pathways.
In addition, it should be noted that career guidance counselling at second level is also key, and this is under the remit of my colleague, Minister McEntee.
Building on the findings of the Indecon Review of Career Guidance (2019) and the recommendations of the OECD Review of Ireland’s National Skills Strategy (2023), my Department is taking forward a range of initiatives to improve information and guidance across the tertiary system.
Following extensive stakeholder engagement and research, a gap in careers information for those in the workforce was identified. It is planned that a series of sector-specific portals will be developed to address this gap. This approach will enable more coherent, user-centred access to information for learners, workers, and employers. Work is already underway, in collaboration with Skillnet Ireland, to embed career coaching for those in employment in sectors at risk of change, through their enterprise networks.
In parallel, my Department continues to progress the Programme for Government commitment to create a single, accessible information platform for tertiary education pathways. Building on enhancements to CAO.ie, which now links to FET and apprenticeship resources, officials are mapping existing information sources to identify gaps and strengthen coherence across Qualifax, SUSI, and Apprenticeship.ie.
While my Department does not directly provide individual counselling services, it continues to lead system-wide reform to ensure that all learners - whether in school, employment, or seeking to return to education - can access clear, consistent, and high-quality guidance.
27. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to outline his investment plan for research in the area of artificial intelligence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54274/25]
View answerMy Department has actively invested to enhance research activities in the area of artificial intelligence. Recently, following an international competitive process, an Irish AI Antenna factory has been awarded €5 million in European funding, a figure that will be evenly matched by my department’s funding.
The AI Factory Antenna will link directly to leading AI hubs in France and Luxembourg. It will provide access to computing infrastructure, technical support and training to develop, test and scale AI models and applications. The AI Factory Antenna will benefit the wide plethora of Irish innovators, including SMEs, public sector and researchers.
My Department is planning for the procurement of a High Performance Computer, also in this case accessible to stakeholders from the wider innovation ecosystem. High performance computing and artificial intelligence highly complement each other, for instance in the domain of large data storage, and this new national infrastructure will enable innovators from all disciplines and sectors to explore new applications.
Other than physical infrastructure, my Department funds AI-focused research though Research Ireland.
I have been advised that as of February 2025, there were 195 active Research Ireland awards totalling €340M in investment. Furthermore, Research Ireland funds two Centres with a strong focus on AI: the ADAPT Research Ireland Centre, hosted by Trinity College Dublin, and the Insight Research Ireland Centre, hosted by Dublin City University.
In addition, I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the Research Ireland funded Centres for Research Training which focus on areas such as AI and data science, and which provide cohort-based training to doctoral researchers.
28. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports available for students with disabilities in further education and training under Budget 2026.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55831/25]
View answerThank you, Deputy, for this important question. My Department and I are committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities in line with the Programme for Government.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities has been a key initiative to provide students with disabilities with the necessary support and equipment to participate in Post-Leaving Certificate courses on an equal basis with their peers. €5.7 million was allocated for this fund in 2025. In Budget 2026, I have secured increased funding for the Fund for Students with Disabilities in Further Education and Training, increasing the allocation by €2 million. Included in this increase is funding to cover transport costs for students with intellectual disabilities on a range of FET courses. My Department is currently liaising with SOLAS and ETBI as to how best to implement this funding from January.
Budget 2026 also ensures the continuation of a range of specialist supports for students with disabilities in FET. For example, through Specialist Training Provision the ETBs contract the National Learning Networks and other providers to offer training to learners who require more intensive support than is available in mainstream settings.
Making mainstream FET more accessible to all learners, irrespective of their specific needs, will remain a key priority for the ETBs in 2026. With support from SOLAS, Education and Training Boards Ireland and AHEAD, ETBs will continue to increase their capacity to enact Universal Design for Learning and to make Reasonable Accommodations.
In Budget 2026, I have also secured an additional €1 million for the Fund for Students with Disabilities in Higher Education.
29. Deputy Noel McCarthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures being taken by his Department to ensure ease of access to third level education for those with a disability and that the number of new entrants to higher education with a disability continues to increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56004/25]
View answerSupporting the participation and success of learners with disabilities is a key priority of mine, my Department and for Government.
Good progress is being made as part of the National Access Plan (NAP) to increase new entrants to higher education institutions with a disability. The latest figures available to the Department show this figure has increased to 14.7% for the 2023/2024 academic year up from 12.4% at the start of the NAP and, on this trend, we are on target to reach 16% over the lifetime of the plan.
There are a range of existing supports and programmes for learners with disabilities.
In Budget 2026 I have increased the Fund for Students with Disabilities by €1 million for higher education and €2 million for further education and training supporting over 22,000 learners. Included in the additional funding for further education and training is the provision to cover transport costs for learners with intellectual disabilities. I have also provided €1m to support student wellbeing and mental health initiatives.
This investment ensures that every learner, regardless of background or ability, can participate fully in education and training, and forms part of our wider commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible education system. Because opportunity must be open to all, not just to some.
The Programme for Access to Higher Education, or PATH 4 funding stream under the National Access Plan supports my Department's goals of enabling all learners with disabilities avail of higher education.
Since 2022, Phase 1 funding of €5.8 million was provided in 2022 for a range of projects to improve Universal Design for Learning in higher education institutions.
PATH 4 Phase 2 is the funding programme which has been made available by the Department for the provision of courses for Students with Intellectual Disabilities in HEIs. I am very pleased to report to the House that 195 students are currently enrolled in 11 HEIs across a wide geographic spread.
I recently approved funding to hire an expert to develop a common evaluation instrument for PATH 4 Phase 2. The evaluation of the PATH 4 Phase 2 pathfinding programme presents an invaluable opportunity to gather aggregated data at the national level on the outcomes and lessons emerging from the initiative. And also to build a robust evidence-base to inform and guide future policy development.
My Department has also initiated the Disabilities Demonstration Project aimed at identifying and developing the most effective supports for students with disabilities across the tertiary education system. The project will underpin the development of a comprehensive policy framework focused on delivering a more flexible, responsive, and tailored model of support to better meet the diverse needs of these students.
30. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of additional funding being provided under the Student Assistance Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55995/25]
View answerThe Student Assistance Fund (SAF) is a very important element of the range of supports and interventions in place to support students and their families. The core funding allocation for this vital Fund continues to be monitored, with respect to demand.
Alongside the support provided through the SAF, I have made a range of other targeted improvements to schemes which assist students and families during their third level education.
In this current academic year, effective from September 2025, all standard maintenance and student contribution grant thresholds increased by 15% for all eligible students.
As part of Budget 2026, I have increased permanent support for eligible students, with non-adjacent maintenance grant holders receiving an increase payment of:
• Non-Adjacent Special Rate will increase by €350
• Band 1 Non-Adjacent Rate will increase by €430
• Bands 2-4 Non-Adjacent Rates will increase by €200
Importantly, eligible students will receive this support in this academic year. Effective from 1st January 2026, eligible students will see a pro-rata increase to their grant rate ranging from €111- €239. This measure is expected to help support students with accommodation costs or who commute long distances to access higher education.
I have also introduced other Budget 2026 measures which include:
• The income threshold for the special rate of grant will increase in line with social welfare from €27,400 to €28,600.
• The income threshold for the €500 student contribution will increase from €115,000 to €120,000.
• I will be also introducing additional income disregards including an income disregard for applicants in receipt of Disablement Benefit.
• I have increased the Fund for Students with Disabilities and mental health supports.
31. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the delivery of a university campus on the northside of Cork city. [55306/25]
View answerMy officials and I are working closely with Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to realise our collective ambition for the delivery of Higher Education across the country. Rather than operating from an institution-specific annual distribution, capital projects across the Higher Education sector are identified through competitive programmes and processes, with successful projects progressing through the various stages of architectural planning, tender and construction in line with the provisions of the Infrastructure Guidelines (formerly Public Spending Code). No proposal has been received for the delivery of a university campus on the northside of Cork city.
Higher education capital funding and related projects are primarily organised on the basis of funding programmes, which have tailored parameters depending on the objectives that they seek to achieve.
The key Exchequer funding programmes to date include the following:
- Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Fund
- Higher Education Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Fund
- Energy Efficiency and Decarbonisation Pathfinder Programme (co-funded with SEAI)
- Technological Sector Strategic Projects Fund (TSSPF)
32. Deputy William Aird asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps his Department is taking to ensure equitable access to higher education for all students given the ongoing accommodation crisis and rising cost-of-living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55957/25]
View answerI am acutely conscious of the challenges facing students including difficulties with the cost of living and the cost and availability of student accommodation.
Inclusion is a priority for the Government and my Department. This year, through Budget 2026, I have delivered on that priority:
• Non-Adjacent Grants are up
• The highest threshold for SUSI is up
• Supports are up and
• Student fees are down permanently
Students this academic year are benefiting from Budget 2025 which increased all income thresholds to avail of a student grant including increasing all standard rate thresholds by at least 15%.
In addition, I have: -
• Reduced the student contribution charge permanently by €500 commencing this academic year which will benefit c108,000 students.
• Increased all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates for students whose normal residence is 30km or more from their institution. Importantly, c30,000 students this academic year will see a pro-rata increase of between €111-239.
• Permanently increased the Post Graduate Fee Contribution Grant by €500 from €4,000 to €4,500 benefitting over 2000 students.
From September 2026
Students will see the full benefit of non-adjacent maintenance grant rate increases with the: -
• Non-Adjacent Special Rate increasing by €350
• Band 1 Non-Adjacent Rate increasing by €430
• Bands 2-4 Non-Adjacent Rates increasing by €200
The income threshold for the special rate of grant will increase in line with social welfare from €27,400 to €28,600.
The income threshold for the €500 student contribution grant will increase from €115,000 to €120,000. Combined with the permanent fee reduction, this means that eligible undergraduate students whose households earning are under €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 26/27 academic year.
I have also secured funding to support students with a disability in higher education and an additional €1m in funding to support student mental health and healthy campus initiatives.
In terms of the Student Contribution charge I think it is important to clarify that any student who is eligible for a maintenance grant are also entitled to a 100% grant towards their Student Contribution Charge. Our targeted measures are therefore supporting families who need assistance most.
33. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is working with the Department of Education and Youth to improve gender balance in STEM subject uptake at second level, with a view to influencing third-level course choices; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54977/25]
View answerThe Programme for Government 2025 – Securing Ireland’s Future commits to advancing STEM education, digital skills, and inclusion, with a strong focus on increasing girls’ participation in coding, maths, and ICT. My Department, in collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth, is implementing several key initiatives to improve gender balance in STEM at second level and beyond.
Central policies include the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, STEM Education Policy Statement 2017–2026, Technology 2022 (Ireland’s Third ICT Action Plan), the Action Plan for Apprenticeship, Springboard+, Human Capital Initiative (HCI), SOLAS Skills to Compete and Advance, and Skillnet Ireland Programmes.
Through Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland, the Department supports the STEM Policy and Digital Strategy, aiming to boost female participation and engagement across the research pipeline. Under Impact 2030, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are recognised as essential for stronger, more representative research outcomes. Research Ireland’s EDI Strategy 2023–2028 prioritises increasing participation by women and underrepresented groups in research and innovation.
The Research Ireland Discover Programme, co-funded with the Department of Education, supports STEM engagement through initiatives such as Curious Minds, which provides schools with resources, teacher training, and hands-on learning. In 2025, €6.5 million was invested in 40 STEM engagement projects, reaching thousands of students nationwide.
In 2024, €365,000 was allocated by the HEA for ICT Summer Camps, engaging 3,982 second-level students, with 51% female participation. Several HEIs ran girl-focused camps, including DCU’s Robotics for Irish Girl Guides, IADT’s Young Women in Computing, and UCC’s Coding for Girls.
Springboard+ 2025, which now includes Micro-credentials, has a strong STEM focus, with 38% of courses in STEM areas; all of these areas demonstrate the responsiveness of the higher education sector to advances in technology and changes in our environment.
The I WISH initiative further inspires teenage girls through mentorship, entrepreneurship, and global STEM showcase events, supported by HCI projects such as REEDI and Virtual Labs.
Together, these coordinated actions aim to foster early STEM engagement, strengthen gender balance, and support women’s progression into STEM careers and higher education.
