Written Answers Nos. 2573-2593
2573. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the plans for examinations for craft apprentices, including electricians; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74047/25]
View answerSOLAS is the state agency responsible for further education and training, including apprenticeships. Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) has statutory responsibility for external quality assurance of the Irish tertiary education and training system.
In 2025, QQI conducted a statutory focused review of SOLAS’s quality assurance arrangements for the craft electrical curriculum and assessments. The review identified areas for improvement in assessment predictability, security measures, and governance structures. A Quality Improvement Plan has been agreed between SOLAS and QQI to implement these recommendations.
To safeguard the integrity and strengthen the quality of craft apprenticeships, the following measures have been prioritised:
• Withdrawal and replacement of compromised papers to protect the examination process.
• An independent review by City of Glasgow College confirmed that the craft electrical assessment system is robust, includes safeguards against circumvention, and that qualified craft electricians are competent and safe.
• A review of assessments across the remaining 24 craft apprenticeships, with targeted actions taken to address predictability where necessary.
Recognising the central role of curriculum and assessment in programme quality, I have directed a reform to align apprenticeship quality assurance with the processes underpinning other programmes in the technological sector. A detailed plan is being developed by SOLAS, QQI and the HEA to transfer responsibility for curriculum development, assessment design, and validation for craft apprenticeships from SOLAS and QQI to education providers, and integrate apprenticeship quality assurance within the academic governance structures of the tertiary education framework.
These measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to safeguarding the integrity and reputation of the apprenticeship system.
2574. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the way in which the recent funding issues between SOLAS and the ETBs have been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74048/25]
View answerMy Department allocates funding to SOLAS from the Exchequer and the National Training Fund (NTF) to deliver Further Education and Training (FET) programmes and services by the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) and other agencies throughout the country. Each ETB must prioritise and manage delivery of FET programmes strictly within their allocated budget.
During 2025, through ongoing engagement between SOLAS and the ETBs, a funding pressure was identified for the apprenticeship budget. This pressure was linked to the cost of State Allowances paid to apprentices during their off-the-job training phases.
I directed SOLAS to ensure that no existing apprenticeship classes would be cancelled. A resolution was found and resources were prioritised within the existing allocation to meet this pressure in 2025. I can assure the Deputy that no apprenticeship classes were cancelled, nor were any budgets for other FET programmes affected as a result.
In 2026, my Department is allocating over €1.2 billion (excluding capital) to SOLAS from the Exchequer and the NTF. This allocation includes a significant investment of €79 million in apprenticeship delivery, and permanent funding has been secured to address any full year costs associated with the funding pressure identified in 2025.
SOLAS continues to review its funding processes to ensure that ETBs have early sight of their annual allocations, thereby supporting effective planning and efficient allocation of resources.
2575. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide a list of AI pilot projects which have taken place in his Department within the past 12 months; the expenditure associated with those projects; and whether they are still ongoing, in tabular form. [74135/25]
View answerMy Department is currently considering potential use cases for the adoption of AI in its work, and a working group has been established to progress this. Limited circumstances in which AI is currently used include summarising text and workshop structuring. All text is reviewed and verified by a human. There are no AI systems in place that process citizens' information.
My Department continues to review and follow guidance issued by the National Cyber Security Centre, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer, and the Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform on the use of Artificial Intelligence.
2576. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of any proposals to progress student accommodation for the Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT), Dún Laoghaire; the details of any on-campus or IADT-linked accommodation projects under consideration; the current stage of development of any such proposals; the engagements with IADT, the Higher Education Authority, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, or private delivery partners; the estimated bedspace capacity and indicative timeline for delivery where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74209/25]
View answerIn 2022, Government approved funding of €1m to assist the technological sector in developing a student accommodation programme based on a regional needs and feasibility assessment.
The purpose of the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme (TSSAP) is to assess HEI proposals for student accommodation projects on, or near, each of their main campus locations.
This TSSAP is underpinned by the outputs of feasibility studies undertaken in both 2023 and 2024 to establish an accurate account of current and future supply and demand for student accommodation at a national and regional level.
The first phase of the TSSAP concluded in 2024 with the completion of Stage 1 of the infrastructure guidelines process by participating higher education institutions (HEIs). This stage involved the submission of strategic assessment documents outlining proposed student accommodation projects. The Institute of Art, Design and Technology (IADT) submitted three proposals to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) under the TSSAP.
These proposals will now inform Phase Two, which is developing preliminary business cases, including financial and operational models, to ensure future projects are evidence-based, financially viable, and aligned with local student demand. This work will be conducted in early 2026.
2577. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of purpose-built student accommodation bedspaces in Dublin currently available to students; the number delivered in each year from 2020 to date; the number of additional bedspaces in the pipeline in Dublin, including those at planning, permitted, under construction, and due for completion; the breakdown, by higher education institution and by privately delivered schemes where available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74211/25]
View answerAs of end December 2025 in Dublin, work is underway on 1,016 bed spaces, which includes 493 public beds at University College Dublin being delivered through the Short-Term Activation Programme. Planning permission has been granted for an additional 7,095 beds and planning applications in respect of a further 161 beds have been submitted.
The table below illustrates the number of public beds by Dublin HEI's.
|
DCU |
1,443 |
|
TCD |
1,834 |
|
UCD |
4,187 |
|
Total |
7,464 |
Source: HEA.
The table below illustrates PBSA completion in Dublin since 2020.
|
Year of completion |
Number of Completed Beds |
|
2020 |
2,611 |
|
2021 |
926 |
|
2022 |
853 |
|
2023 |
151 |
|
2024 |
403 |
|
Total |
4,944 |
Source: HEA.
2578. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his current targets for new student accommodation provision in Dublin over the next five years; the policies and measures in place to achieve these targets; the role of the Higher Education Authority and engagements with relevant Departments and local authorities; whether updated demand and supply projections for Dublin are being prepared or have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74212/25]
View answerI can confirm that updated demand and supply projections are included in the HEA’s analysis underpinning the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035, which is due for publication in early 2026. This Strategy will set out both an interim target to 2030 and a national target for the full period, prioritising increased supply and improved affordability for students facing the greatest financial pressures.
Ahead of the Strategy’s publication, my immediate focus has been on accelerating the delivery of purpose built student accommodation and ensuring affordability for priority groups. Under the Short Term Activation Programme, 967 beds have either been delivered or are progressing, including 493 new beds approved for University College Dublin and a 358 bed project for Trinity College Dublin currently at gate 1 approval and the first project at Maynooth University having delivered 116 beds for this academic year.
In parallel, the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme (TSSAP) is supporting the expansion of accommodation across the technological university sector. Phase 2, commencing in early 2026, will prepare business cases to ensure future projects are strategically aligned, financially sustainable, and responsive to local demand.
The HEA continues to work closely with my Department, higher education institutions, relevant Departments, and local authorities to assess demand, monitor pipelines, and guide provision in line with wider housing and transport planning. In addition, the Rent a Room scheme remains an important source of accommodation, with Dublin based institutions advertising over 1,200 available beds as of November 2025.
2579. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports and funding streams available to progress the delivery of student accommodation in Dublin; the capital funding, loan, or partnership models open to higher education institutions; the affordability requirements or conditions attached to State-supported delivery; the rent setting, nomination agreements or student allocation criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74213/25]
View answerThe delivery of new student accommodation in Dublin is being progressed within the framework of the forthcoming National Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035, which will be published in early 2026. In the interim, my Department is advancing projects through the Short-Term Activation Programme (STAP), under which €100 million has been allocated to accelerate purpose-built student accommodation. A core condition of STAP support is that at least 30 per cent of all beds funded are provided at below-market rent.
Affordability remains central to our approach. Last year, more than €16 million was provided through the Student Assistance Fund to support learners with rent and related living costs. Budget 2026 also provides for a significant increase in non-adjacent maintenance supports for students living more than 30 kilometres from their institution, assisting almost 30,000 learners.
NDP funding, announced in the Sectoral Investment Plan for the Tertiary Sector on 8 December 2025, alongside policy levers to be introduced under the strategy will provide a flexible platform for the continued expansion of public supported student housing.
I will continue to prioritise affordability and the delivery of State-supported student accommodation.
2580. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports available to students in Dublin who face acute accommodation difficulty; the role of the Student Assistance Fund and any emergency or hardship measures operated through higher education institutions; the funding allocated for these supports in each year from 2020 to date; the number of students assisted in Dublin in each year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74214/25]
View answerI have increased the Student Assistance Fund to €19,345,417 for the 2025/26 academic year. This represents an increase of over €260,000 for the Student Assistance Fund from last year. The increase in funding includes €9.1m of core funding and additional funding of over €10.2m, which will benefit the most vulnerable students, who may be struggling with financial costs associated with attending college.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) manage the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) on behalf of my Department. SAF allocations are dispersed to eligible higher education institutions by the HEA.
The SAF provides financial support to full or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for the Student Assistance Fund to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties. The Student Assistance Fund is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to the SUSI grant.
Students who experience financial difficulty should contact the access or student services office in the institution they are attending for further information on how to apply for the SAF.
The SAF is available to assist all students from approved courses and institutions who are unable to meet costs associated with day-to-day participation in higher education, including:
• Books and other class material that are required to enable students to continue and participate in teaching and learning and/or complete examinations
• Rent, heating and lighting bills and other utility bills e.g., mobile phone data plans, that are required to enable students to continue and participate in teaching and learning and/or complete examinations
• Food
• Essential travel
• Childcare costs
• Medical costs
• Family difficulties e.g., bereavement
The above list is not exhaustive, however it is important that the nature of the expenditure for which assistance is being provided is clearly identified.
The HEA provide guidelines each year to institutions for the Student Assistance Fund.
Tables are provided at the link.
A table shows the the number of students who received assistance through the SAF per HEI in Dublin for 2020/21 to 2023/24.
A table shows the SAF allocation per HEI in Dublin for 2020/21 to 2025/26.
I am also aware that the high cost of student accommodation can place a heavy burden on students.
The forthcoming Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035 will set out Ireland’s national policy to support access to appropriate housing for students. Through this Strategy, I am committed to expanding and enhancing supports that directly address the affordability pressures facing students, especially for those who need it most.
As of end December 2025 in Dublin, work is underway on 1,016 bed spaces, which includes 493 public beds at University College Dublin being delivered through the Short-Term Activation Programme. Planning permission has been granted for an additional 7,095 beds and planning applications in respect of a further 161 beds have been submitted.
In 2024, my Department developed the Student Accommodation Assistance with the aim to increase access and remove the cost of accommodation as a barrier to higher education for members of the Traveller and Roma Communities and care-experienced students.
In Budget 2026, I secured €10.5 million to increase all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates under the Student Grant Scheme by at least €200. This will be effective from September 2026 with a pro-rata benefit for students in the current academic year. This benefits PLC, Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students whose normal residence is 30km or more from their institution who may have to pay rent or higher transport costs. Helping 30,000 students, this measure supports the affordability goals of the forthcoming strategy.
I am committed to ensuring that cost is never a barrier to education and this increase in funding will benefit the most vulnerable students who may be struggling with the cost of attending Higher Education. I encourage any student experiencing financial hardship to contact their college’s Access Office to learn more about these important supports.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
2581. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when the new student housing strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74235/25]
View answerThe new Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035 will be published once it has been considered by Government which his expected to be in early 2026.
2582. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the engagement he has had with the Minister for Health on workforce planning for speech and language therapy, psychology, oncology, and occupational therapy; the current shortfall of qualified workers in each of those sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74237/25]
View answer2583. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of graduates there were in speech and language therapy, psychology, oncology professions and occupational therapy in 2025 and the previous 3 years with a breakdown by institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74238/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2582 and 2583 together.
The information requested by the Deputy in relation to graduate numbers and enrolments has been sourced by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and is provided at the link below. The HEA collects and publishes data on student enrolments and graduate outputs by discipline and institution; however, it does not retain information on post-degree professional specialist qualifications pathways undertaken by graduates, including in the case of oncology. However information has been included in relation to Medicine places, as well as Radiation Therapy and Radiography disciplines.
My Department works closely with the Department of Health, the HSE, the Higher Education Authority and other relevant Departments on healthcare workforce planning to ensure that higher education and training provision is aligned with current and future service needs. This engagement includes regular interdepartmental collaboration in relation to priority disciplines such as speech and language therapy, psychology, occupational therapy, medicine and other essential healthcare professions.
Workforce planning for regulated health and social care professions is being progressed through a coordinated, multi-annual approach across Government. An interdepartmental working group, involving my Department, the Department of Health, the HSE, the HEA, the Department of Education and Youth, and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, is actively considering current and future workforce requirements, particularly in therapy and psychology disciplines that are critical to health, disability and education services. In July 2024, my Department and the Department of Health brought a joint Memorandum to Government committing to prioritising funding for the expansion of key healthcare disciplines, including speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychology.
A central mechanism for delivering further expansion is the HEA-led Expression of Interest process. In 2024, at the request of my Department, the HEA ran an Expression of Interest to identify short-term opportunities to expand student numbers across nine priority health and social care professions. This resulted in the creation of 461 new places, including additional places in speech and language therapy and occupational therapy. I wish to emphasise that a further Expression of Interest process will issue shortly, focused on expanding existing programmes and developing new provision in priority areas, including therapy disciplines, psychology and other healthcare areas where workforce shortages have been identified.
In medicine, implementation of the 2022 agreement with the medical schools is ongoing and will deliver 200 additional EU medicine places by 2026, with approximately 180 places already created. Further expansion will occur this year 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. While medicine graduates are captured in HEA graduate output data, specialisation in areas such as oncology occurs following graduation through postgraduate medical training pathways, and the HEA does not retain data on such post-degree specialisms.
The HEA data at the link below provides information on enrolments and graduates in psychology programmes over recent years. There are no undergraduate degrees in Ireland specifically designated as clinical psychology, with students typically completing a general psychology honours degree prior to undertaking postgraduate doctoral training. Graduate outcome data indicates high levels of employment among postgraduate psychology graduates, primarily within health and social care settings in Ireland. My Department continues active engagement with the Department of Health and the Department of Children in relation to the future pipeline of psychologists, with a particular focus on child and educational psychology, which will be considered as part of the forthcoming Expression of Interest process.
Speech and language therapy is a regulated profession under CORU and requires accredited programmes with substantial practice placements. Since 2023, places in speech and language therapy courses have increased by approximately 21%, including additional places introduced in 2024. Further expansion of speech and language therapy provision will be a key focus of the forthcoming Expression of Interest process.
Occupational therapy remains a priority discipline for workforce planning. In September 2024, 40 additional occupational therapy places were created at the University of Limerick and the University of Galway. Further expansion options are currently under consideration through ongoing interdepartmental engagement and will also be considered under the upcoming Expression of Interest process.
My Department continues to work closely with Government colleagues to strengthen workforce planning across healthcare and therapy disciplines. While significant progress has been made through sustained investment and programme expansion, challenges remain, particularly in relation to clinical and practice placement capacity. The forthcoming Expression of Interest process will be a key next step in addressing these challenges and expanding education and training provision in priority areas. Priority areas for this EOI process will include Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Educational Psychology.
Graduates SLT, OT, Psychology, Medicine, Radiography, and Radiation Therapy
2584. Deputy Mark Wall asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the numbers starting apprenticeship courses and qualifying as apprentices by county and course for 2025 and previous three years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74239/25]
View answerApprenticeships are national programmes. Apprentices are registered by their employers with Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in the region their employers are located. There are 16 ETBs - many ETBs cover broader geographical areas rather than being specific to one county. Consequently, the requested data by county cannot be provided.
Overall national registration and certification/qualification numbers by course for 2025 and the previous three years are available and are provided in the tables at the link below. Please note, for post-2016, consortia-led programmes, a blank cell in the registrations table signifies that the programme had not launched in the year in question.
In Budget 2026, investment of €79 million was secured to expand apprenticeship delivery. This brings the total current investment in apprenticeship to over €410 million, which represents an increase of over 120% in apprenticeship funding since 2020, the year in which my department was formed.
Supported by this investment, annual apprenticeship registrations have grown by 78%, from 5,326 in 2020 to 9,461 in 2025. Building on this progress, the Government will launch the Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2026 - 2030 this year, targeting 12,500 annual registrations by 2030. On 19 December, Minister of State Harkin and I launched a public consultation on the new Action Plan, which will remain open until 16 February. I invite all interested parties to participate - the consultation is available on the Gov.ie website in the Consultations section.
2585. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether standards or service-level targets exist for his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department, in responding to correspondence from members of local authorities; if compliance with such standards is monitored; the reasons for delays or failures to respond to correspondence from elected members; and the measures being taken to ensure more consistent and timely communication going forward. [74259/25]
View answerUnder our Customer Service Promise, the Department aims to acknowledge all communications, including those received from Local Authorities, within five working days and to provide a full response within 20 working days. All correspondences are logged and response deadlines are tracked to ensure compliance with these timelines. Where a full response cannot be provided within 20 working days, an interim response is issued explaining the reason for the delay. Common causes for delays include the need to clarify the scope of queries and in the case of certain more complex queries, the time needed to ensure that fully comprehensive and factually accurate responses are provided. While the Department is satisfied that the existing systems support the issuance of timely responses, the Department is always open to reviewing its processes to identify opportunities for further improvement.
The aegis bodies are also required, under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies, to maintain a dedicated “Oireachtas queries” mailbox. Contact details for these bodies are set out at the link below, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly to clarify the standards or service-level targets which apply in specific bodies.
2586. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the successful applications under the European Social Fund Plus for the years 2023 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74290/25]
View answerThe European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is a shared management programme between the European Union and the Member States. In Ireland the ESF+ Managing Authority in my Department holds responsibility for implementation of ESF+ nationally. ESF+ funding is allocated over seven year programming periods aligned to the EU’s Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF).
The development of Ireland’s ESF+ national programme for the 2021-27 period, entitled the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme, involved a comprehensive national public consultation process which invited a wide range of stakeholders and relevant organisations to contribute to the decision-making process on how the funds should be allocated. This consultation informed the programme that was developed by my officials following a formal negotiation process with the European Commission. The EIST Programme was formally approved in 2022 by both the European Commission and the Irish Government.
The EIST Programme has a total allocation of €1.08bn which is made up of €508.4m in EU funding and €572.6m in national co-financing. The EIST Programme funds a range of Actions in priority areas of employment, inclusion, skills, and training implemented by different Government Departments and Agencies.
Actions included in the ESF+ EIST 2021-27 Programme are fully funded up-front by the Exchequer with the European Union co-funding claimed in arrears.
As requested, the table at the link below sets out in tabular form the implementing bodies who ran calls for proposals for funding under the EIST Programme and the successful organisations from 2023 to date. I hope this is of assistance to the Deputy.
2587. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a community-based, survivor-led not-for-profit organisation established to provide free, confidential, trauma-informed support to survivors of sexual violence, rape, and gender-based violence, can access ESF+ allocations to support their work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74291/25]
View answerThe European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is a shared management programme with the European Union and the Member States. In Ireland the ESF+ Managing Authority in the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science holds responsibility for implementation of ESF+ nationally. Ireland’s ESF+ Programme, is entitled the Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (EIST) Programme, 2021-27.
The ESF+ is the EU's key instrument for investing in people, focusing on improving employment and education opportunities as well as enhancing social inclusion and tackling poverty. ESF+ funding is allocated over seven year programming periods aligned to the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
The development of Ireland’s EIST Programme involved a comprehensive national public consultation process which invited a wide range of stakeholders and relevant organisations to contribute to the decision-making process on how the funds should be allocated. This consultation informed the programme that was developed by my officials following a formal negotiation process with the European Commission. The EIST Programme was formally approved in 2022 by both the European Commission and the Irish Government.
The EIST Programme has a total allocation of €1.08bn which is made up of €508.4m in EU funding and €572.6m in national co-financing. The EIST Programme funds a range of Actions in priority areas of employment, inclusion, skills, and training implemented by different Government Departments and Agencies.
Actions included in the ESF+ EIST Programme are fully funded up-front by the Exchequer with the European Union co-funding claimed in arrears.
Funding for the EIST Programme is channelled through a number of Government Departments and Agencies. These Departments and Agencies deliver a wide range of courses, schemes and projects across the country. Details of planned call for proposals or funding opportunities under the EIST Programme are updated on a regular basis on the Calls for Proposals timetable that is available on EUFunds.ie (www.eufunds.ie/calls-for-proposals/). In terms of the request by the Deputy of accessing funding for trauma-informed support for survivors of sexual violence, rape, and gender-based violence, if this were to be offered by any of our implementing bodies, details would be included in the Calls for Proposals timetable.
2588. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the office rental costs per annum for staff in his Department and for each agency or organisation under his remit, in each of the years between 2015 and 2025 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74450/25]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not paid any rental costs to the Office of Public Works (OPW) in the period 2017-2025 for any of the premises in which my officials are based, namely 52 St Stephen's Green, Marlborough St, Tullamore and St. Stephen's Green House. Three of these locations are owned and/or operated by the OPW and my Department meets the energy costs on a proportionate basis with other occupant Departments and bodies, based on the level of occupancy associated with my Department's officials.
Since November 2025, some of Department's officials have taken up temporary occupancy of some office space in St Stephen's Green House, which is managed under an existing OPW lease. A similar energy cost reimbursement arrangements will apply to this temporary relocation of a limited number of my officials for the duration of remedial works to take place in 52 St. Stephen's Green.
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 at the link below, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
2589. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students applying to the CAO using the Baccalaureate. [74522/25]
View answerThe Central Applications Office (CAO) is a not-for-profit company created by the Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), who have delegated to the CAO the task of centrally processing Irish and EU applications for their undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses. The HEIs retain decision-making powers in relation to admissions, and instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Neither I nor my Department have a role in the operation of the CAO, and information on applications is held by the CAO and the higher education institutions.
The CAO Media Pack 2025 does not publish a specific, separate figure for the number of students applying solely with the Baccalaureate in the general application statistics. Instead, such applicants are included within the broader category of applicants presenting other school leaving examinations.
In the CAO Media Pack 2025, the CAO states that there were 89,308 applicants in total, and 10,273 presenting other school leaving examinations. As the Baccalaureate is included within other school leaving examinations, this 10,273 figure includes (but is not limited to) applicants presenting a Baccalaureate.
The other school leaving examinations category includes (but is not limited to) the following:
- School Leaving Exams outside of UK & Ireland.
- Baccalaureate.
- Scottish Exams.
- Pre 1985 Irish Leaving Certificate.
- Pre 2006 UK GCE/GCSEs.
- Leaving Cert Applied.
- Level 3 BTEC.
- GNVQs.
- VCEs.
- Irish Matric Exams.
- ICCE, FSMQ, and Cambridge Technical Awards.
- Qualifications not already included under categories 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, or 7.
Applicants with qualifications other than the Irish Leaving Certificate must send their results directly to the CAO, and the HEIs then use specific entry requirements criteria to assess them. For precise historical or current data on the Baccalaureate cohort specifically, you would need to contact the CAO or individual HEIs directly, as they manage the detailed breakdown and assessment of these qualifications.
2590. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the payroll cost of his Department and of each organisation or agency under its remit individually, in 2015 to 2025, by year, in tabular form. [74628/25]
View answerI refer to the Deputy’s question regarding payroll costs for this Department and of each organisation or agency under its remit.
The table at the link below below outlines the payroll costs for this Department. The Department was established in July 2020, and the 2025 accounts have not yet been finalised.
Please note that information relating to aegis bodies, as referenced in the Deputy’s question, is not held by this Department. Contact details for these bodies are provided at the link below should the Deputy wish to follow up directly.
2591. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of data breaches recorded by his Department in 2025; and the number that were reported to the Data Protection Commissioner. [74897/25]
View answer2592. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the funding arrangements for courses (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [74969/25]
View answerSince 1994, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI), in partnership with a number of Education and Training Boards (ETBs), operated the FAI/ETB Player Development Programme that provided a blend of educational and football development for young footballers. My officials contacted a number of ETBs in response to this PQ, and Louth and Meath ETB advised that the FAI informed them last year of its Board's national strategic decision to end all of its Local Training Initiative (LTI) programmes in 2026. This development was not initiated by SOLAS or the ETBs. In some instances, the FAI are looking to source a suitable secondary provider where appropriate.
LTIs are tailored community-based training programmes funded by ETBs and delivered by third party providers such as the FAI, who help develop the programme once a need is established. LTIs are grant funded by ETBs in accordance with Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation Circular 13/2014 - Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. Each ETB is responsible for planning and delivering its services and training programmes in line with its allocated budget and the needs of its local community, as set out under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013. As Minister, I have no role in these operational matters.
2593. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide a breakdown of funding allocated to ETB soccer courses over the past five years; and the future plans for sports-related education and training programmes. [74970/25]
View answerMy Department and SOLAS do not hold this level of detail on specific soccer courses provided by individual Education and Training Boards (ETB). Each ETB is responsible for planning and delivering its services and training programmes in line with its allocated budget and the needs of its local community, as set out under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013. As Minister, I have no role in these operational matters.
