Written Answers Nos. 2594-2615
2594. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of projects in his Department that were delayed in 2023 and 2024 due to the change of document from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75111/25]
View answerThe Public Spending Code: A Guide to Evaluating, Planning and Managing Public Investment was published in December 2019. The Infrastructure Guidelines superseded the Public Spending Code, with initial actions effective from March 2023.
In line with Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform’s Circular 06/2023, issued in March 2023, all new public investment proposals from 29 March 2023 onwards complied with the updated requirements. Public investment proposals already progressing through the project expenditure lifecycle were required to comply with the requirements in the updated guidance as they moved forward, particularly as they reached the next relevant Decision Gate.
The guidance allowed progressing projects to transition to the requirements of the Infrastructure Guidelines without impact, thus no projects in my Department were delayed due to the change in documents from the Public Spending Code to the Infrastructure Guidelines.
2595. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the salary scale that applies to the Secretary General in his Department and to the head of each agency for which they are responsible; whether this scale has changed in the past two years or whether there are proposals to change this scale in the coming period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75197/25]
View answerThe Secretary General in my Department is currently on the Secretary General Level III pay scale. The scale attached to the role has not changed in the last two years. There are no proposals to change the scale in the coming period.
As with other pay scales in the Civil Service, which are set by DPER, the Secretary General Level III pay scale has been subject to scheduled increases under the Public Service Agreement 2024 - 2026.
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 them directly with this query.
2596. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount expended on advertising and promotion in his Department, and within each agency for which he is responsible, for 2022 to 2024, by year and budgeted for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75215/25]
View answerBelow is the advertising and promotion spend, traditional (print and broadcast) and online, by my Department from 2022 to 2024:
|
Year |
Amount |
|
2022 |
€38,095.49 |
|
2023 |
€482,592.40 |
|
2024 |
€283,026.20 |
|
Total |
€803,714.09 |
The projected budget for 2026 is estimated to be €100,000.
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 following link, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
2597. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of press, media or communications staff currently employed in his Department and within each agency for which he is responsible; the cost of these staff for 2025 and the expected cost for 2026; whether there are proposals to increase the number of such staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75233/25]
View answerThere are a total of eight press, media and communications staff currently employed in my Department.
All staff are paid on the salary scale for their grade and in accordance with the standard arrangements put in place by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.
|
Year ending |
31/12/2025 |
Salary Scale |
|
PO |
1
|
Principal Officer Scale |
|
AP |
2
|
Assistant Principal Officer Scale |
|
HEO |
3 |
Higher Executive Officer Scale
|
|
EO |
1 |
Executive Officer Standard Scale
|
|
Apprentice |
1 |
Executive Officer Standard Scale
|
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 followingt table, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
|
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
|
|
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
Higher Education Authority |
Oireachtas@hea.ie |
Trevor Purtill - tpurtill@hea.ie |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
oireachtas@ggda.ie |
Nigel Thompson - nigel.thompson@ggda.ie |
|
SOLAS |
oireachtasinfo@solas.ie |
Maria Walsh - maria.walshe@solas.ie |
|
Skillnet Ireland |
oireachtasmembers@skillnetireland.ie |
Tracey Donnery - tracey.donnery@skillnetireland.ie |
|
Quality and Qualifications Ireland |
ceo@qqi.ie |
ceo@qqi.ie |
|
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau |
oireachtas@leargas.ie |
Lorraine Gilligan - lgilligan@leargas.ie |
|
Taighde Éireann – Research |
oireachtasqueries@researchireland.ie |
Donna McCabe |
2598. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost to his Department and to each agency for which they are responsible arising from Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; the line items or events for which a cost is expected to arise and the estimated cost for each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75251/25]
View answerMy Department will play a very active role in Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July to 31 December 2026. The Presidency will provide a very important opportunity for Ireland to shape Europe’s policy direction, lead important aspects of the EU’s work, and showcase Ireland’s engagement, expertise and values at the heart of the European Union.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government committed in the Programme for Government to resourcing and delivering a successful EU Presidency. Significant preparation and planning has taken place to date to ensure that costs are managed across all expenditure headings and prudent financial planning will continue throughout to ensure value for money.
As part of the 2026 Estimates process, my Department engaged with Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation, and secured an additional €2 million to support the implementation of my Department’s EU Presidency programme. There is an extensive programme of events comprising Ministerial meetings, official-level meetings and Presidency conferences being planned. The funding requirement arising for each from the overall allocation is currently being finalised as part of the ongoing Presidency planning process.
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.
2599. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the priorities of his Department and each agency for which they are responsible in respect of Ireland’s presidency of the European Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [75269/25]
View answerPreparations for the Presidency are being coordinated across Government, led by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with input from all Departments, including my Department.
The Presidency policy programme is currently under development and will be determined in accordance with the Government’s EU-level priorities, the EU's Strategic Agenda for 2024–2029, and the legislative programme proposed by the European Commission. The programme for the Presidency will be agreed and published by the Government in June 2026, shortly before the start of Ireland's Presidency term.
Officials in my Department are actively engaging in this process and are working to identify and shape priorities in the areas of Tertiary Education and Research and Innovation.
2600. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason, based on the new rules which mandate that adult educators can only work 20 hours teaching time and 15 hours non-teaching per week, only 20 hours are pensionable rather than 35 hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1009/26]
View answerThe Deputy may recall that in 2024 a new grade of Adult Educator was created. This was the culmination of many years of work by the Department, in close collaboration with the Department of Education and Youth, the Department of Public Expenditure, Education and Training Boards Ireland (ETBI), and with the strong support of the unions SIPTU and TUI. This new grade provides a standardised pay scale, delivering incremental progression for Adult Educators. Progress has been made in the regularisation of these posts with the introduction of a consistent method for awarding Contracts of Indefinite Duration across ETBs and the provision of access to leave schemes, paid leave and access to the appropriate public sector pension scheme. Tutors who choose to assimilate onto the new contract will benefit from these standardised terms. Those who do not will remain on their existing contractual arrangements.
Under the contractual framework for this new grade outlined in Information Note ESR ETB 0001/2024 issued to the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) in April 2024, a WTE post is calculated as follows:
• 20 hours of learner delivery per week.
• 15 hours of non-contact time per week.
The non-contact time is expected to be used for essential professional activities such as programme development, lesson preparation, learner assessment, and continuing professional development. Flexibility remains for part-time arrangements and additional hours where appropriate, subject to compliance with the Organisation of Working Time Act and other relevant agreements.
The Adult Educator salary is based both on the class contact and associated hours, therefore, the associated hours are encompassed in pension calculations.
Finally, it should be noted that individual ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters such as contracts, subject to Ministerial consents and approvals as may be determined from time to time.
2601. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details of the number of foreign students in Ireland for each of the past ten years, by sector, including English language colleges; the details of the State's target number up to 2030; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1015/26]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the table below, in respect of international students* who studied in Irish Higher Education Institutions over the last ten years.
(*includes UK, EU and non EEA students)
My Department does not collate data on the number of English language schools or the number of students studying English language courses in Ireland.
Ireland's international talent and innovation strategy, Global Citizen's 2030 sets the objective of promoting Ireland as a first choice destination for international learners, by ensuring an excellent multicultural, inclusive and culturally rich learning and living experience. It highlights the goal of balancing international students across programme levels, delivery modes, regions and through diversification of target countries, as well as by aligning international recruitment with institutional planning frameworks.
The Global Citizens Implementation Forum chaired by my Department will play an important role in securing these objectives within the framework of other Government Strategies relating to this important area.
International students in Irish Higher Education Institutions 2015-2025
2602. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the details on the number of English language schools operating in the State, per annum over the past ten years; the number enrolled per annum; the number of schools found to be not operating legitimately or fully compliant in terms of provision of English language education; the actions taken against those schools found not to be compliant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1016/26]
View answerThe provision of English language education in Ireland is a broad and diverse sector with the vast majority of activity undertaken by privately owned education providers. These providers recruit international students from both within and outside the EU. My Department does not collate data on the number of English language schools or the number of students studying English language courses in Ireland. It is estimated that there are over 100 English language schools operating in the state.
Education providers in Ireland wishing to recruit non-EU/EEA students are currently required to be listed on the ILEP (the Interim List of Eligible Programmes - the list of education programmes considered to justify the granting of permission to students to live and work in Ireland). The ILEP is managed by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, in conjunction with my Department. That Department conducts monitoring activities of providers to determine ongoing compliance with ILEP criteria, as well as compliance with immigration regulations. Monitoring activities can include inspections of providers at any time.
A new international education quality mark, TrustEd Ireland, is being introduced by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), an agency under the remit of my Department. The TrustEd Ireland Mark will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet new national standards to ensure a quality experience for international learners. The new TrustEd Ireland scheme will establish, for the first time, a formal quality assurance process for the English language education sector in Ireland and will provide QQI with statutory powers to regulate this sector.
As part of the application process for authorisation to use the TrustEd Ireland mark, education institutions are required to submit information on the number of students enrolled on English language education programmes to QQI. There are currently no plans for my Department to collate this data directly.
2603. Deputy Michael Murphy asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding access to SUSI grant support for students enrolled on part-time higher education programmes which carry a full academic workload of 60 ECTS credits per academic year; whether consideration has been given to amending eligibility criteria to take account of the actual academic intensity of such programmes rather than their part-time designation alone; whether exceptional or discretionary arrangements are available for a student who is experiencing financial hardship in these circumstances (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1164/26]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.
Up until the 2024/25 academic year, there was no fee support for students undertaking part-time courses. In recognition of the importance of flexible learning pathways, the Department introduced a new Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses in 2024. This scheme provides fee support to eligible part-time students enrolled in specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. It applies to both in-person and blended/hybrid courses and is designed to enhance access to higher education for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Student part-time Fee Regulations for Specified Undergraduate Courses 2025 lists a set number of part-time courses. The applicant's chosen course does not appear on this list in the Regulations as it comprises 60 credits.
Officials in my Department have advised that the applicant’s chosen course is the 6-year part time Level 7 Human Resource Management course in Munster Technological University, Bishopstown. The applicant was initially awarded a Part-time Fee Contribution grant and was advised of this by letter dated 16 July 2025.
Subsequently, the applicant’s higher education institution advised the awarding authority SUSI that the applicant was registered to study 60 credits. On this basis, the applicant was not deemed to be considered as a part-time student and as per letter dated 25 November 2025, the application was refused.
As of today’s date, no request for Internal Review or Appeal has been received by SUSI.
The Department is committed to supporting flexible forms of learning and will keep the policies surrounding support for part-time students under review. However, any future expansion of the parameters of the scheme can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.
Students on part-time undergraduate programmes may also be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners website: www.revenue.ie.
2604. Deputy Erin McGreehan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and location of the student residential accommodation places that will be provided by the National Student Accommodation Strategy; and the Short-Term Activation Programme; and to provide a timeline for the same. [1195/26]
View answerUnder the Short-Term Activation Programme (STAP), a total of 967 student accommodation beds have either been delivered or are currently progressing through the approval process. This includes:
493 new beds for University College Dublin, which have now been approved; A 358-bed project for Trinity College Dublin, which is currently progressing though Gate 1 approval; and a project at Maynooth University, which has successfully delivered 116 beds for the current academic year.
Looking ahead, a central component of the forthcoming National Student Accommodation Strategy, to be published in early 2026, is the Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme (TSSAP).
Phase 2 of the TSSAP will commence in early 2026, with Higher Education Institutions progressing to this stage, preparing business cases for proposed student accommodation projects. I will bring forward further details of these projects, including specific locations and delivery timelines, once the assessment and approval processes have concluded.
2605. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if consideration will be given to providing pay for occupational therapy students currently providing services in placement programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1365/26]
View answerPlacements for health and social care programmes, including occupational therapy, are arranged at the level of each individual Higher Education Institution as part of their programme offering, to be delivered in conjunction with relevant clinical placement providers.
Placement hours are a requirement of the regulator to meet the standards of professional capability necessary to practice in a regulated profession. In the case of health and social care professions the principal regulator is CORU, under the aegis of the Department of Health, which sets the standards of education and training required for the professions which fall within its remit.
Regarding any payments while on placement, this is a matter for the relevant employer, which, in the public sector, would be the HSE, and in other cases, private providers. My Department does not provide payments for students while on placement.
Financial assistance for students can be applied for via SUSI for the Student Grant Scheme. My Department also funds the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended and on www.studentfinance.ie. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
2606. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the quantity of third level purpose built student accommodation in each year from 2018 to date; by location ; by higher education institution and private organisation properties, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1501/26]
View answerHousing for All includes specific actions to develop short-term state supports to activate the construction of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), alongside the design of a long-term policy framework for sustained state involvement in the sector.
There 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.
The bedspaces in the public HEIs are located as follows: 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 approximately 1500 at DCU and 1500 beds at 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.
In the short term, my focus has been on enabling stalled PBSA projects with secured planning permission to proceed, addressing viability challenges that have hindered delivery.
With €100 million allocated the Short-Term Activation Programme was introduced as the direct response to this commitment, providing targeted funding to Higher Education Institutions to accelerate the construction of new PBSA. As part of the funding conditions, a proportion of these beds will be ring-fenced for students from target groups identified in the National Access Plan and offered at reduced rental rates.
|
Institution |
Beds |
Status |
Funding |
|
Maynooth University |
116 |
Completed (Sept 8) |
Under Short-Term Activation Programme |
|
University College Dublin (UCD) |
493 |
Approved for construction |
€67 million |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
358 |
Gate 1 approval (early stage) |
Under Short-Term Activation Programme |
The Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme is progressing. This programme will ensure that projects are evidence-based, regionally targeted, and provide sustainable, additional accommodation for the Technological Sector.
Stage 1 of this programme involved the submission of strategic assessment documents, exploring a range of delivery models, including purpose-built student accommodation both on and off campus, leasing, joint ventures, and the re-purposing of vacant properties. The second phase will focus on developing and evaluating preliminary business cases in line with the forthcoming Student Accommodation Strategy.
The programme follows the Infrastructure Guidelines Process to ensure all projects are rigorously assessed for strategic fit, feasibility, and alignment with national policy objectives.
The Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035, to be published early in 2026, will set out a clear national framework to deliver sustainable, affordable student housing over the next decade.
The Strategy is built on two pillars: increasing the supply of new beds and strengthening affordability supports for students under financial pressure.
2607. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number and percentage of third level students in purpose built student accommodation in each year from 2018 to date; by location; by higher education institution and private organisation properties, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1502/26]
View answerHousing for All includes specific actions to develop short-term state supports to activate the construction of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA), alongside the design of a long-term policy framework for sustained state involvement in the sector.
There 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.
The bedspaces in the public HEIs are located as follows: 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 approximately 1500 at DCU and 1500 beds at 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.
In the short term, my focus has been on enabling stalled PBSA projects with secured planning permission to proceed, addressing viability challenges that have hindered delivery.
With €100 million allocated the Short-Term Activation Programme was introduced as the direct response to this commitment, providing targeted funding to Higher Education Institutions to accelerate the construction of new PBSA. As part of the funding conditions, a proportion of these beds will be ring-fenced for students from target groups identified in the National Access Plan and offered at reduced rental rates.
|
Institution |
Beds |
Status |
Funding |
|
Maynooth University |
116 |
Completed (Sept 8) |
Under Short-Term Activation Programme |
|
University College Dublin (UCD) |
493 |
Approved for construction |
€67 million |
|
Trinity College Dublin |
358 |
Gate 1 approval (early stage) |
Under Short-Term Activation Programme |
The Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme is progressing. This programme will ensure that projects are evidence-based, regionally targeted, and provide sustainable, additional accommodation for the Technological Sector.
Stage 1 of this programme involved the submission of strategic assessment documents, exploring a range of delivery models, including purpose-built student accommodation both on and off campus, leasing, joint ventures, and the re-purposing of vacant properties. The second phase will focus on developing and evaluating preliminary business cases in line with the forthcoming Student Accommodation Strategy.
The programme follows the Infrastructure Guidelines Process to ensure all projects are rigorously assessed for strategic fit, feasibility, and alignment with national policy objectives.
The Student Accommodation Strategy 2025–2035, to be published early in 2026, will set out a clear national framework to deliver sustainable, affordable student housing over the next decade.
The Strategy is built on two pillars: increasing the supply of new beds and strengthening affordability supports for students under financial pressure.
2608. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of purpose built student accommodation bed spaces available for students with disabilities, the number of students that requested such spaces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1522/26]
View answerAs set out in the guidelines on Residential Developments for 3rd Level Student, developments should design a minimum of one out of every fifty, or part thereof, of the total number of bedspaces for students with disabilities. These rooms shall be fully wheelchair accessible complete with ensuite bathroom facilities. These guidelines can be found here www.gov.ie/en/publication/12f64e-guidelines-on-residential-developments-for-3rd-level-students/.
The Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations (2022) and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document (TGD) M – Access and Use (2022), set out the minimum statutory requirements that a building must achieve in respect of access and use by disabled persons. Part M of the regulations applies to public buildings and the common areas of apartment blocks.
Part M aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate. The TGDs are available at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/78e67-technical-guidance-document-m-access-and-use/. The design of purpose built student accommodation shall take these requirements and guidance into account.
Since 2011, housing for disabled people has been addressed in a dedicated joint Strategy between the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and the Department of Health. A new National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 was launched in January 2022. The vision of the strategy is to facilitate disabled people to live independently with the appropriate choices and control over where, how and with whom they live, promoting their inclusion in the community. The strategy is available to read at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/60d76-national-housing-strategy-for-disabled-people-2022-2027/.
Regarding the allocation of these beds, please be advised that Higher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997, the Technological Universities Act 2018 and the Institutes of Technology Acts 1992 to 2006. Under this legislation the institutions are academically independent and are entitled to regulate their own academic affairs and administrative processes, including the allocation of student accommodation. It is not within the remit of the Minister or the Department to intervene in these internal affairs.
2609. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship registrations in the construction sector, by type in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1632/26]
View answerSince my department was established in 2020, government investment in apprenticeship delivery has more than doubled, from €184 million in 2020 to over €410 million in 2026. This record investment has supported significant growth in registrations for construction and construction-related apprenticeships, which have risen by 67%, rising from 3,813 in 2020 to 6,362 in 2025.
The attached tables set out the number of apprenticeship registrations for construction and construction related apprenticeship programmes, in each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form.
“Construction” apprenticeships typically involve hands-on training in construction environments, whereas “construction-related” apprenticeships can cover a broader range of roles that support the industry, such as office-based, managerial, technical, or design positions.
Construction and construction-related apprenticeships are and will continue to be central to supporting and delivering key government initiatives and priorities, including those related to infrastructure development, housing and the Climate Action Plan.
I am determined that the significant progress in growing and developing Ireland's apprenticeship system will continue. This year, the Government will publish a new Action Plan for Apprenticeship for the period 2026–2030. A Programme for Government commitment, the Action Plan will set a headline target of 12,500 annual registrations by 2030, with two-thirds in craft and construction-related areas. On 19 December, Minister 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 under the consultation section.
2610. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students in receipt of grant support under the SUSI scheme for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, broken down by level of education under the National Framework of Qualifications and level of grant funding provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1688/26]
View answer2611. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of students currently enrolled in PLCs in receipt of grant support under the SUSI scheme for each of the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, broken down by level of education under the National Framework of Qualifications and level of grant funding provided, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1689/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 2610 and 2611 together.
The main support available to assist students with the cost of attending higher education is the Student Grant Scheme. Under the Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to eligible students attending an approved course in an approved institution at PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate levels in Ireland and in some cases, to students studying in the UK or EU. Students must meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
A Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses which commenced in September 2024 provides fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This includes specified in person and blended/hybrid courses and its aim is to provide additional flexibility in respect of course provision to students who are socio-economically disadvantaged.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine.
The attached document provided by SUSI outlines the data requested by the Deputy.
Please note that fee only awards have not yet been paid as reconciliation of fees occurs in April/May each year. Once reconciliation is complete in Spring 2026, SUSI will pay awarded fees for the 2025/26 academic year directly to the institutions.
Please note that figures for 2025/2026 academic year are likely to change as SUSI continues to process applications.
The Deputy will notice on the attached file that some values of 20 or less are not specified. To ensure compliance with data protection regulations and to safeguard the privacy of grant applicants, SUSI redacts any datasets where the number of values is 20 or less. This measure is taken out of an abundance of caution to prevent the potential identification of individuals, even in anonymised data.
2612. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the date on which a supplementary estimate or supplementary estimates was sought in respect of his Department’s Vote for each of the past ten years, and to the date in 2026; the gross and net amount involved in each case; and the Vote subheads to which each supplementary estimate related. [1796/26]
View answerThe Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation brings Memorandums for Government to Cabinet seeking approval for Supplementary Estimates for all Departmental Votes. Such Memorandums are usually brought to Cabinet for approval in the latter part of the year (October/November) unless required by a specific Vote that is at risk of exceeding its Voted expenditure earlier in the year.
All relevant supplementary allocations received by my Department at subhead level are recorded in the Department’s Appropriation Accounts. These accounts are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) and published on the gov.ie website at: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/.
In addition, the Supplementary Estimates for all Departmental Votes is published by the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation on the gov.ie website at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/the-revised-estimates-volumes-for-the-public-service/.
Notes 3 (expenditure) and 4 (income) in the annual Appropriation Accounts provide the information sought at both programme and subhead level up to 2024. These notes also provided an explanation for any material subhead variation from the funding allocated. The 2025 Appropriation Accounts will not be available until later in the year, however, details at subhead level of 2025 supplementary estimates for my Department's Vote 45 is provided on page 24 of the following gov.ie link:
assets.gov.ie/static/documents/497c8433/SUPPLEMENTARY_ESTIMATES_2025_SKELETON_BOOK.pdf.
2613. Deputy Albert Dolan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the value of expenditure originally allocated in the Estimates to specific programmes or staffing measures that could not be spent as planned within the year for each of the past five years; and whether such underspends were surrendered, carried forward, or reallocated to other areas within the Vote. [1817/26]
View answerThe information sought regarding the value of expenditure originally allocated to specific programmes or staffing measures, underspends, amounts surrendered, reallocated or carried forward, for each of the past five years is disclosed as part of the annual Appropriation Account for my Department.
The annual Appropriation Accounts for each department are available on the website of the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General: www.audit.gov.ie/en/publications/appropriation%20accounts/.
For convenience, I attach a word document with a link to each set of Accounts for my Department from 2020. I draw your attention to Note 3 Vote Expenditure which details the Estimate Provision (allocation) and outturn (Expenditure) across each subhead and provides a note with respect to significant variances of Outturn above or below Provision. The Appropriation Account also discloses the surplus, deferred surrender (carryover) and surplus to be surrendered each year.
2614. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department can address the serious issue of long-term (CID) contract holders at FET institutes (details supplied) who are not getting the requested additional hours they are entitled to, before new appointments are advertised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1866/26]
View answerBy way of background, the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) are autonomous statutory bodies that were established under the Education and Training Boards Act 2013. They are required to have appropriate policies and procedures in place to manage any issues that may arise, which are in line with employment legislation, where relevant.
It should be noted that individual ETBs are the employers and, as such, are responsible for staffing matters, subject to Ministerial consents and approvals as may be determined from time to time. Any human resources-related queries should be directed to the specific ETB’s Human Resources Division. It would not be appropriate for the Minister or Departmental officials to comment on or otherwise become directly involved with an individual case.
2615. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding any product or service purchased from Israel or the Occupied Territories by his Department in 2025, broken down by description and amount paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1982/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has not purchased any products or services from Israel or the Occupied Territories in 2025.
