Written Answers Nos. 954-974
954. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE speech and language therapists employed; the number of approved WTE speech and language therapists positions; the number of children under 18 waiting to be seen; the length of time they are waiting to be seen, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66555/25]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy
955. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on the upcoming situation facing adult educators who will have to draw down the dole for the Christmas period closure of their classrooms; if he will engage with FET colleges on the matter; and his plans to resolve this shortfall for those impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66014/25]
View answerIn 2024, the new grade of adult educator was established, in agreement with SIPTU and TUI. This followed many years of work by my Department, with the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and the relevant trade unions, SIPTU and TUI.
This grade was established in response to a claim by tutors and the subsequent Labour Court recommendation. The recommendation specified that any new grade could not align with teachers due to differences in the roles, qualifications and regulatory frameworks for tutors and teachers.
Depending on the duration of a contract and whether the adult educator opted for salary spread (those who work 37 weeks or more can opt for salary spread over 52 weeks), there will be instances where annual leave does not cover non-delivery periods/centre closures and there will be temporary lay offs. This is the case for many categories of workers in education. Annual leave for adult educators is 35 days (pro-rated). Leave is used to reduce periods of lay-off at traditional closure periods. It cannot be used during delivery periods.
Educational Support Workers, including adult educators, who wish to avail of income support while temporarily being laid-off can apply for jobseekers’ payments. Applicants must satisfy the qualifying conditions. Those who have previously been in contact with the Department of Social Protection (DSP) are issued with repeat jobseekers’ application and holiday entitlement forms in advance of college/school closures. This advance process expediates such workers’ claims. In recent years, DSP has resourced dedicated teams to work on Educational Support Workers’ claims to minimise delays. If any DSP customer is in urgent financial need, DSP’s Community Welfare Service can provide assistance while they wait for their claim to be processed.
Individual ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters with Ministerial consents and approvals as may be determined from time to time.
956. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of student places each for medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and pharmaceuticals and life sciences in Irish Universities, by college, in each of the past five years, in tabular form; the number of international students studying each of these subjects in each of these colleges in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65191/25]
View answerThe information requested has been sourced by the HEA and is in the document attached.
My Department continues to prioritise the strategic expansion of places across high-demand healthcare and science-based disciplines, including Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Medicine, Pharmaceuticals and the Life Sciences. This expansion is being progressed in line with national workforce planning and the skills required to support the health system, as well as agricultural and wider bio-pharmaceutical sector.
In Medicine, implementation of the 2022 agreement with the medical schools is ongoing and will deliver 200 additional EU medicine places by 2026. Approximately 180 of these places have already been created to date. Further expansion will occur in 2026 with the introduction of a new Graduate Entry Medicine programme at the University of Galway and a new undergraduate medicine programme at the University of Limerick.
Significant progress is also being made in Dentistry. From September 2025, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland will introduce a new Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme, providing at least 20 additional places annually for Irish and EEA students—representing an increase of one-third in national capacity. RCSI is developing further proposals for expansion and discussions are also underway with University College Cork regarding potential increases to its intake.
In relation to Veterinary Medicine, currently there are approximately 90 places provided on UCD’s direct entry programme each year and this figure has remained consistent over recent years. In excess of 90% of these places are taken up by Irish/EU students. UCD also run a graduate entry veterinary medicine programme targeted predominantly at non-EU students.
Government approval was granted in October 2025 for the capital programme underpinning the Veterinary Places Activation Programme. This will see two new veterinary schools established at South East Technological University and Atlantic Technological University. Together, these schools will provide 80 new places annually from 2026 for students, significantly strengthening national veterinary training capacity in the country.
All of these measures reflect the Government’s continuing commitment to ensuring a sustainable pipeline of skilled healthcare and science professionals to meet future population and service needs.
Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary and Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Student Places
957. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65305/25]
View answerIn recent years, strong government investment has driven significant growth in the apprenticeship system. Annual craft apprenticeship registrations increased by 63%, from 4,377 in 2020 - the year my department was established - to 7,113 in 2024. Consortia-led registrations also rose from 949 to 2,239 during the same period. To ensure an adequate pipeline of skilled apprentices to support government targets on housing and infrastructure development, an additional €79 million has been invested in the apprenticeship system in Budget 2026, bringing the total current budget for apprenticeship to over €410 million - more than double what it was in 2020.
Craft apprenticeships consist of both on-the-job and off-the-job training phases. Each on-the-job phase has a minimum required duration before an apprentice becomes eligible for scheduling into the next off-the-job training phase. In certain cases, the actual duration may exceed this minimum period due to factors such as apprentice numbers and available capacity.
Apprentices typically spend a mandatory minimum of six months (circa 26 weeks) undergoing on-the-job training at Phase 5. Regarding the Metal Fabrication Apprenticeship, SOLAS has advised officials in my department that as of November 2025, the median duration that an apprentice spends at Phase 5 is circa 40 weeks, including the mandatory 26 weeks training.
The apprenticeship system operates on a continuous intake basis, allowing apprentices to register throughout the year. Those apprentices in Higher Education, typically during Phases 4 and 6, generally attend off-the-job training at institutions that follow the academic calendar. A steady pipeline of apprentices ready for training ensures that workshops and classes remain fully utilised. Such an approach supports the efficient and effective use of resources.
I am assured by SOLAS that apprentices who are awaiting their next phase of training are being processed in an equitable manner and as efficiently as is possible.
All apprentices are advised at their mandatory apprenticeship induction briefings of the apprenticeship scheduling process and are also assigned a Training Advisor as their point of contact. For any apprentice seeking further information or advice regarding their individual circumstances, I would encourage them to speak to their Training Advisor, who is best suited to advise them on their specific situation.
958. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department is working with community organisations, libraries, or Age Friendly Ireland to provide targeted digital literacy training and support, in order that older people can confidently use online services if they wish to, rather than being forced to because there’s no alternative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63872/25]
View answerMy Department, working with SOLAS and the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), is actively supporting digital literacy so that all those wishing to use online services can do so confidently and at their own pace - including older people.
Under the Government’s ten-year Adult Literacy for Life (ALL) Strategy, digital capability is recognised as essential for full participation in society. The Strategy does not specifically assess the impact of digitalisation of services on older adults, a strong suite of training-focused initiatives is underway to support this group through the ALL Collaboration and Innovation Fund (CIF), the REACH Fund and wider community-education provision. A detailed list of projects funded through the ALL CIF for 2025 is provided separately.
These programmes are designed to build confidence, functional skills and the ability to use digital tools for everyday tasks such as communicating, accessing information and navigating online services. Delivery models include one-to-one Digital Help Hubs in libraries; ETB initiatives such as Byte and Brew; Siúlóid Nádúr Digiteach; peer-mentor training for active-retirement groups; digital-skills programmes linked to creative projects including Life in Motion and Our Lived History; and structured smartphone and online-services courses delivered through Family Resource Centres, Men’s Sheds, libraries and community organisations.
In 2025, SOLAS allocated over €176,000 to Age Action to deliver two programmes, the University of the Third Age and Digital Literacy Programme and the Getting Started Digital Skills Programme, aimed at enhancing digital skills among older people.
In addition, SOLAS is supporting Generation Ireland - an initiative aimed at helping people overcome barriers to employment to upskill - to deliver digital-skills bootcamps for older workers, including tailored provision for those aged 40 and over.
Whilst my Department does not have a remit in relation to the digitisation of services, I want to assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring everyone including older people can access high-quality, relevant supports for digital skills in order to use online services. To this end, SOLAS and the ETBs are working with community organisations, libraries, Age Friendly Ireland, and other partners to deliver targeted digital literacy training and support that are accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of older people.
959. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science as part of the body of work being undertaken by his Department on the provision of Irish-medium education at third level, if he will consider conducting a survey of teaching staff in Irish universities who are proficient in the Irish language and interested in teaching through Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65405/25]
View answerMy Department recognises the critical importance of promoting and expanding the teaching and use of Irish at third level. The Higher Education Authority Act (2022) places a statutory obligation on the HEA to support HEIs to teach, promote, and use the Irish language. To that end, my Department supports HEIs, via the HEA, through both core funding and specific funding streams for 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. These funds support activities such as the Gníomhaí Gaeilge mentoring and awards scheme for students, and the forthcoming Mo Thráchtas i mBeagán Focal postgraduate research competition.
In addition, my Department supports flexible and accredited Irish-language learning opportunities through initiatives such as the Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy, which currently offers 17 subsidised Irish-language courses providing 158 places. Beyond the higher education sector, Irish is also being advanced through Skillnet Ireland networks, apprenticeships, and FET programmes, contributing to the broader policy goal of supporting Irish for professional use, particularly in light of the 20% public service recruitment target under the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services.
However, we can and should do more to support the teaching and learning of Irish at tertiary level. 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 on tertiary education requirements for Irish language skills in the public sector. This cross-departmental group is being established within the context of the National Plan for Irish Language Public Services and will be co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht. It will bring together officials from relevant Government departments and State agencies, as well as representatives of the further and higher education sectors. Its purpose is to consider how the full range of tertiary education provision, including higher education, further education and training, apprenticeships, upskilling and reskilling, can support the delivery of the National Plan.
The capacity of teaching and research staff to teach and design curricula through Irish is a critical factor in considering Irish-medium provision at tertiary level. In line with its terms of reference, the sectoral working group, working with the HEA and other stakeholders, may carry out whatever research is deemed necessary, including, where appropriate, research involving teaching staff, to inform its work and to underpin any future policy interventions, in accordance with legislative and policy requirements.
Any further policy interventions from my Department will be based upon the outcomes of this work.
The Government is committed to working on a cross-Departmental basis to strengthen Irish-medium education across all levels, from early years to tertiary level, ensuring a joined-up and sustainable approach to promoting the Irish language.
960. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if assistance can be offered to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65547/25]
View answerFor former apprentices seeking proof of successful completion of their apprenticeship programme, SOLAS recommends applying for a Record of Attainment.
A Record of Attainment (ROA) is issued to craftspeople who meet the criteria for the former national craft certificate. An individual seeking this should contact their local Education and Training Board (ETB) and Training Advisor, who will provide the application form and explain the application process. Once the ETB has approved the application, they will send it to SOLAS and the applicant will be issued with a ROA and a craft card.
If an individual encounters any difficulty contacting their local ETB, they should contact the National Apprenticeship Office by email at apprenticeship@nao.ie with “Record of Attainment” in the subject line and include relevant details. A copy of the registration record can also be requested by email or through direct contact with SOLAS.
961. Deputy Conor Sheehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a university can terminate a student due to poor attendance, despite them passing all examinations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65897/25]
View answerThe University of Limerick, like all higher education institutions, has statutory autonomy in terms of academic affairs and administrative processes. Institutions may determine the assessment criteria for individual programmes and modules, including the weighting assigned to attendance, practical work, continuous assessment and final exams. The department has no role to play in decisions regarding these matters.
Any student experiencing difficulties with regard to their course of study should engage with their higher education provider to address any concerns they may have.
962. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his Department’s position on the recent announcement of Dundalk Institute of Technology’s agreement with Queen’s University Belfast. [65988/25]
View answerI was delighted last week to announce the development of a strategic partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and Queen’s University Belfast.
The proposed partnership between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen’s University Belfast as a landmark initiative with the potential to strengthen and advance higher education across the island. This proposal builds on the strong tradition of North–South collaboration fostered through the Shared Island initiative. As the first all-island initiative of its kind, the proposed partnership reflects the pivotal role higher education has in driving collaboration in research, innovation, teaching and learning, delivering benefits for students, educators and wider society.
My Department is working intensively with DKIT, the HEA, and colleagues across Government and the Northern Ireland system in support of this initiative. As the partnership progresses, protecting students, apprentices, staff and the academic mission in Dundalk is a priority and there will be close engagement with representative groups at every stage.
963. Deputy Maeve O'Connell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the new agreement between Dundalk IT and Queen’s University Belfast will have any impact on the fees charged to current or future students of Dundalk IT. [65989/25]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware of the recently announced strategic partnership between Dundalk IT (DkIT) and Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). This partnership is expected to cover key areas such as programme approval, quality assurance, and collaboration in research and innovation.
DkIT has a strong track record of delivering quality higher education provision in the North-East Region, and the proposed partnership will enhance the institute’s existing strengths while supporting the Government’s commitment to balanced regional development.
A central aspect of the proposal is that DkIT will remain an autonomous designated institution under the HEA Act 2022. Tuition fee decisions fall outside the scope of the partnership and remain under the control of DkIT. Students studying at DkIT will remain eligible for the fee subsidy schemes funded by my Department and the HEA, including the Free Fees Initiative, Springboard, and Apprenticeships.
964. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of former secretary general’s, retired civil servants, directors of service, retired city/county managers or those of a similar grade in his Department that have subsequently served on State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66007/25]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below. My Department does not hold any records of board membership prior to its establishment in July 2020.
The current membership of boards under my Department's remit can be found here: membership.stateboards.ie/en/department/Department%20of%20Further%20and%20Higher%20Education,%20Research,%20Innovation%20and%20Science/.
|
Board Name |
Number of former Secretary General’s, retired civil servants or those of a similar grade |
|
Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies Council |
1 |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
0 |
|
Higher Education Authority |
1 |
|
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
0 |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
0 |
|
SOLAS |
2 |
|
Skillnet |
0 |
|
Student Grants Appeals Board |
2 |
|
Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland |
0 |
965. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department and any body under his aegis have spent on the services of a company (details supplied), by year and organisation in the years 2020 to 1 November 2025, in tabular form. [66080/25]
View answer966. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount his Department and any body under his aegis have spent on the services of a company (details supplied), by year and organisation in the years 2020 to 1 November 2025, in tabular form. [66098/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 965 and 966 together.
I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not engaged translation services from the companies identified in the previous five years.
My Department does engage external translation services on a regular basis and currently has a dedicated contract for the provision of Irish language translation services. A breakdown of expenditure by my Department with its current translation service provider is set out below:
|
Year |
Value |
|
2022 |
€1,191.43 |
|
2023 |
€15,190.86 |
|
2024 |
€28,147.58 |
|
2025 to 1st November |
€22,726.25 |
|
Total |
€67,256.12 |
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
967. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the procedures in place for determining verification of full-time status of programmes for the purpose of eligibility for the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66171/25]
View answer968. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that discrepancies appear to exist between SUSI’s classification of what constitutes a full-time third level course and ATU’s official designation of the same course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66172/25]
View answer969. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a SUSI grant application and subsequent appeal by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed on the basis that verifiable factual errors in identifying the course concerned were included by the awarding authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66173/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 967, 968 and 969 together.
Officials from my Department are engaging with SUSI to collect and collate the information requested by the Deputy. I will be back to the Deputy as soon as possible.
970. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans in place to develop national standards and certified qualifications for legal interpreters, in line with the requirements of EU Directive 2010/64/EU, to ensure that all interpreters working in legal settings have a verifiable and consistent level of competency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66228/25]
View answer971. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement his Department has had with the Department of Justice to establish a State-accredited national qualification and training programme for legal interpreters, to ensure that a verified supply of qualified professionals is available for the justice system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66229/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 970 and 971 together.
Irish higher education institutions are autonomous bodies and are entitled to regulate their own academic processes, including the development of new academic programmes. As such, it is not within the Minister's or Department's remit to direct higher education institutions in this regard. However, the tertiary education system is, generally, responsive to emerging skill needs in the labour market, as evidenced by student or learner demand, and employer demand.
I would refer the Deputy to the parliamentary questions answered by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, on Tuesday, 18 November 2025. The Minister for Justice, Home Affairs, and Migration answered questions 808, 809, 810, 811, 812, 813, 816, 817, 818, 819, 820, 821, 822 in which he outlined the work being undertaken regarding the EU Directive 2010/64/EU.
Directive 2010/64/EU on the right to interpretation and translation has been transposed into Irish law via S.I. No. 565/2013 - European Communities Act 1972 (Interpretation and Translation in Criminal Proceedings) Regulations, 2013 and S.I. No. 564/2013 - European Communities Act 1972 (Interpretation and Translation for Persons in Custody in Garda Síochána Stations) Regulations, 2013.
The manner in which these instruments are implemented in practice is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána and the Courts. The Minister of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration has no role in individual Court proceedings and cannot intervene in operational Garda matters that fall under the Garda Commissioner’s remit.
Management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and the Constitution. Operational matters regarding the management of interpreters in court, including payment and training and the introduction and provision of quality assurance processes to assess interpreter performance is a matter for the Courts Service.
972. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide the Department’s annual expenditure on State Claims Agency costs for the years 2020–2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66360/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, litigation is dealt with on behalf of the Department by the Attorney General’s Office, the Chief State Solicitor’s Office or the State Claims Agency who engage lawyers to act for my Department where necessary. The costs of any external solicitors or counsel in such litigation are not managed by my Department.
973. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the breakdown of the funding given to each organisation under the NEIC initiative since its formation, in tabular form. [65933/25]
View answerOver the period 2016 – 2024, the Government has committed €53,239,810 to the North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative. A further €7.5 million was committed to the Initiative for 2025.
All funding is subject to final approval by the NEIC Programme Implementation Board, who meet on a monthly basis. The final funding allocations for 2025 will be completed before the end of the year.
The Programme Implementation Board publishes an annual progress report which includes a breakdown of the funding allocated to the NEIC Initiative since its formation, along with the Initiative’s spending throughout that year. These progress reports, from 2017 – 2024, are available on the Initiative’s website, www.neic.ie. The 2025 Annual Report will be published in Q1 2026.
My Department provides funding for the NEIC initiative, in line with the recommendations of the Mulvey Report. The Revised Estimate 2026, which will be published in December 2026, will provide the voted allocations for each funding area of my Department.
974. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the number of former secretary general’s, retired civil servants, directors of service, retired city/county managers or those of a similar grade in his Department that have subsequently served on State boards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66010/25]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy, that the Department does not hold this information. Details of persons serving on State Boards is a matter for each relevant organisation. The Deputy may wish to note that a full list of members of State Boards is maintained by the Public Appointments Service at www.publicjobs.ie/en/stateboards/membership.
