Written Answers Nos. 937-957
937. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if her attention has been drawn to a matter (details supplied); if she would be open to meeting with the family in question; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32796/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
939. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if she has given consideration to a fast-tracked review of vyloy for inclusion in the HSE reimbursement scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32811/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and devices; therefore, I have asked the HSE for an update in this matter.
The HSE has advised that there is a National Application, Assessment & Decision Process for new medicines which is underpinned by Primary Legislation (Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013) put in place by the Oireachtas. The HSE must comply with the relevant legislation when considering investment decisions around new medicines.
The HSE must robustly assess applications for pricing and reimbursement to make sure that it can stretch available resources as far as possible and to deliver the best value in relation to each medicine and ultimately more medicines to Irish citizens and patients.
There are formal processes which govern applications for the pricing and reimbursement of medicines, and new uses of existing medicines, to be funded and / or reimbursed.
Pharmaceutical companies are required to submit formal applications to the HSE if they wish for their medicines to be added to the list of reimbursable items / funded via hospitals. The decision of pharmaceutical companies to market licensed medicines i.e. whether or not to submit a formal application, is outside the control of the HSE.
In terms of the specific details of an application for pricing and reimbursement of zolbetuximab (Vyloy®):
A pricing and reimbursement application has not been received by the HSE for Zolbetuximab (Vyloy®).
As outlined above, the national assessment and decision process cannot commence in the absence of a pricing and reimbursement application submission to the HSE.
940. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Health if the drug, victoza, also known as liraglutide, is available under the drugs payment scheme (DPS) for patients who have had it prescribed for weight loss; if not, whether there are alternatives available under the DPS that a patient may instead discuss with their GP; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32817/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines and medical devices; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
941. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health if the Health Information and Quality Authority has paused publication of stage-3 nursing home inspection reports; if so, the legal basis for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32818/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll nursing homes, as registered providers with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA), have well-established obligations under the legal framework in terms of the delivery of safe care to residents. HIQA is the statutory independent regulator for this sector and this responsibility is underpinned by a comprehensive quality framework comprising of Registration Regulations, Care and Welfare Regulations and Quality Standards.
In discharging its duties, HIQA determines through examination of all information available to it, including site inspections, whether a nursing home meets the regulations in order to achieve and maintain its registration status.
In its capacity as the independent regulator of the nursing home sector the decision to carry out an inspection of a particular nursing home and the frequency with which inspections occur at that same facility, is a matter for HIQA to decide.
HIQA have confirmed that they have not paused and continue to publish inspection reports.
943. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of judicial review cases her Department has defended in each of the past ten years; the number in relation to which proceedings are pending or continuing; the number of cases which were lost and won, respectively, in the same period; the number of cases that settled in the past ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32844/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being collated by Department officials and will be forwarded to the Deputy once available.
944. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health the number of legal cases defended by her Department in each of the past ten years in which the next friend of a minor was the plaintiff or applicant; of those cases, the number in which proceedings are pending or continuing; the number of cases which were lost and won, respectively, in the same period; the number of cases that settled in the past ten years in respect of the same matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32854/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing clarification from the Deputy that this PQ relates to disability assessments of need. This question is appropriate to Department of Children, Disability and Equality who were asked an identical question and will respond accordingly.
945. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing the student maintenance grant by €1,000 for full-time students at third level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31791/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Student Grant Scheme is a demand led scheme and as such the number of students who are eligible for grants varies from year to year. As of 30th May 2025, there are approximately 48,622 students in receipt of a maintenance grant at PLC, Postgraduate and Undergraduate level, if the same number of students were eligible for a grant in 2025/2026 an additional €1,000 would cost over €48m.
Improvements to the student grant scheme has always been a priority for my Department and many improvements have been made benefitting thousands of students over the past few budgets.
As you may be aware from September 2025, I will be increasing all standard maintenance grant thresholds by 15% along with other measures as announced in Budget 2025.
Ahead of Budget 2026, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This paper will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2026.
While I cannot confirm specific items that will be included in the next Budget, please be assured that options to support students and reduce financial barriers will be a key consideration as part of the negotiations.
946. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of increasing the non-adjacent maintenance grant by €1,000 for full-time students at undergraduate and postgraduate level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31792/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Student Grant Scheme is a demand led scheme and as such the number of students who are eligible for grants varies from year to year. As of 30th May 2025, there are approximately 26,583 students in receipt of a non-adjacent maintenance grant at Postgraduate and Undergraduate level. If the same number of students were eligible for a grant in 2025/2026 an additional €1,000 would cost over €26.5m.
Improvements to the student grant scheme has always been a priority for my Department and many improvements have been made benefitting thousands of students over the past few budgets.
As you may be aware from September 2025, I will be increasing all standard maintenance grant thresholds by 15% along with other measures as announced in Budget 2025.
Ahead of Budget 2026, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This paper will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2026.
While I cannot confirm specific items that will be included in the next Budget, please be assured that options to support students and reduce financial barriers will be a key consideration as part of the negotiations.
947. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of extending the current fee contribution grants for eligible undergraduate part-time students to part-time post-graduate students. [31793/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is continually monitoring the student supports available in order to make improvements where possible, subject to budgetary constraints.
Up until recently, there was no fee support for students undertaking part-time courses. As the Deputy may be aware, I recently launched the new Part Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses. This Scheme is limited to undergraduate courses at present as the Student Support Act 2011 only allows for part-time courses at undergraduate level to be approved. Any future extension to postgraduate courses would require a change to the Student Support Act 2011.
Students on part-time postgraduate 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. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.
Ahead of Budget 2026, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This paper will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2026.
948. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if the Government will act on their commitment in the Programme for Government to provide subsidies for students pursuing graduate entry medicine in line with undergraduate medicine; the methods of financial support that will be developed; the timeline for reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32001/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government agreed across all the Government parties is the blueprint for the commitments of this term of office. Under the heading of Building a Healthier Future, the Programme indicates that this Government will:
• Introduce a tuition fee support scheme for Graduate Entry Medicine.
• Provide more graduate entry medicine programmes focused on preparing student for careers in rural and remote medicine, ensuring those in under-served areas have access to skilled healthcare professionals.
My Department and the Department of Health are working closely to expand provision across a number of acute skills shortages, including Medicine and other healthcare disciplines.
In addition to this, my Department will publish an Options Paper in the Autumn which will set out measures to help reduce the cost of education for students and families across Further and Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships for consideration as part of the budgetary process, including the sequencing of Programme for Government commitments within available resources.
The options assessment is intended to identify costs and potential impacts by the Department and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four-year programme. Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression criteria of the Scheme.
The State currently provides a subsidy, via the Higher Education Authority, to HEIs towards the cost of GEM provision for EU student places. The subsidy provides support for broadening access to GEM programmes by assisting HEIs in providing the courses at lower fee rates for EU students than would otherwise be required for the HEIs to offer the courses on a sustainable basis.
In terms of student supports, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides bursaries to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged students under the National Access Plan. Students who avail of these bursaries will now be allowed to retain them, if they choose to enter GEM programmes. This is a welcome development and will also help diversify the profession.
Students on GEM programmes may 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. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. A rent tax credit may also be available. More information is available on www.revenue.ie.
949. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when his Department will implement a revised funding model for graduate entry medicine students, as committed to in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32053/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra950. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if new financial supports are being developed to assist graduate entry medicine students in meeting the cost of tuition, in light of the recent withdrawal of graduate medical loan products by commercial lenders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32054/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 949 and 950 together.
My Department and the Department of Health are working closely to expand provision across a number of acute skills shortages, including Medicine and other healthcare disciplines.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four-year programme. Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression criteria of the Scheme.
The State currently provides a subsidy, via the Higher Education Authority, to HEIs towards the cost of GEM provision for EU student places. The subsidy provides support for broadening access to GEM programmes by assisting HEIs in providing the courses at lower fee rates for EU students than would otherwise be required for the HEIs to offer the courses on a sustainable basis.
In addition to this, my Department will publish an Options Paper in the Autumn which will set out measures to help reduce the cost of education for students and families across Further and Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships for consideration as part of the budgetary process, including the sequencing of Programme for Government commitments within available resources.
The options assessment is intended to identify costs and potential impacts by the Department and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.
In terms of student supports, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides bursaries to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged students under the National Access Plan. Students who avail of these bursaries will now be allowed to retain them, if they choose to enter GEM programmes. This is a welcome development and will also help diversify the profession.
Students on GEM programmes may 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. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. A rent tax credit may also be available. More information is available on www.revenue.ie.
951. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the current offering by ETB of craft apprenticeship off-the-job training (phases 2, 4 and 6), by the number of places per intake, for 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32107/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra953. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total number of staff teaching craft apprenticeship off-the-job training (phases 2, 4 and 6), by ETB, in 2023, 2024 and 2025, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32109/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 951 and 953 together.
The information that the Deputy has requested is not readily available. My staff are currently collecting this information and I will get back to the Deputy as soon as possible.
952. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of courses, along with their title and number of places available, that have been discontinued in each ETB, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32108/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraFurther Education and Training (FET) is primarily delivered or contracted by the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs), within national guidelines.
This Department has significantly increased its investment in the FET sector, from circa €909 million in 2020 to €1,055 million in 2024. As the state agency responsible for the FET sector in Ireland, SOLAS allocates the vast majority of this funding to the 16 Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to deliver FET programmes and services at local level.
As independent statutory organisations, the allocation and management of this funding to different FET programmes within each ETB, and the planning and scheduling of courses, is a matter for the ETB in light of provision needs and available budget. In my role as Minister, I have no function in relation to these operational matters.
My Department does not collect the level of data requested by the Deputy. This would be an operational matter for the 16 ETBs.
954. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the breakdown of the funding provided to each ETB in the years 2023 and 2024; the level of funding requested by each ETB via the Funding Allocation Request (FAR) procedure; the actual funding provided; if in 2024 no such FAR was used and his Department allocated based on a different criteria, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32110/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are in the process of obtaining the requested information from SOLAS and will forward a response to the Deputy separately.
955. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to the additional funding of €67 million in Budget 2024 and €77 million in Budget 2025, where this additional funding was spent; the level of funding that has been drawn down in the current year, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32111/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe additional funding allocated to Apprenticeship in Budget 2024 (€67m) and Budget 2025 (€77.4m) is allocated by way of grant funding via the National Training Fund to SOLAS and the HEA who fund apprenticeship programmes in education institutions. Following Budget 2025, current funding investment by my Department in apprenticeships is €339m. Some €170.1m (50%) of the funding has been allocated to 31 May 2025.
Apprenticeships are demand led and this investment has been vital for the increase of yearly apprentice registrations from 6,177 in 2019 to over 9,300 in 2024, making significant progress towards the Government target of 12,500 registrations per year by 2030. This increased capacity supports skills development in 77 occupations across the private and public sectors, including particularly the construction sector, supporting delivery of Government commitments on Housing for All, and the Climate Action Plan.
956. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will subsidise graduate entry medicine in line with undergraduate medicine; if new financial support mechanisms are being developed for graduate entry medicine applicants; and the timeline for implementation of same. [32173/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government agreed across all the Government parties is the blueprint for the commitments of this term of office. Under the heading of Building a Healthier Future, the Programme indicates that this Government will:
• Introduce a tuition fee support scheme for Graduate Entry Medicine.
• Provide more graduate entry medicine programmes focused on preparing student for careers in rural and remote medicine, ensuring those in under-served areas have access to skilled healthcare professionals.
My Department and the Department of Health are working closely to expand provision across a number of acute skills shortages, including Medicine and other healthcare disciplines.
Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is a pathway for degree holders who want to pursue a medical career on an accelerated four-year programme. Students pursuing GEM programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding. They are also not eligible for funding under the Student Grant Scheme as they do not meet the progression criteria of the Scheme.
The State currently provides a subsidy, via the Higher Education Authority, to HEIs towards the cost of GEM provision for EU student places. The subsidy provides support for broadening access to GEM programmes by assisting HEIs in providing the courses at lower fee rates for EU students than would otherwise be required for the HEIs to offer the courses on a sustainable basis.
In addition to this, my Department will publish an Options Paper in the Autumn which will set out measures to help reduce the cost of education for students and families across Further and Higher Education, Research and Apprenticeships for consideration as part of the budgetary process, including the sequencing of Programme for Government commitments within available resources.
The options assessment is intended to identify costs and potential impacts by the Department and is published without prejudice to eventual Government decisions.
In terms of student supports, the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science provides bursaries to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged students under the National Access Plan. Students who avail of these bursaries will now be allowed to retain them, if they choose to enter GEM programmes. This is a welcome development and will also help diversify the profession.
Students on GEM programmes may 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. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. A rent tax credit may also be available. More information is available on www.revenue.ie.
957. Deputy John Connolly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the progress of the Government's strategy for third-level accommodation, and specifically, how this strategy addresses the needs of third-level institutions located in Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32189/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs we continue to address the challenges facing the higher education sector, it is clear that access remains a central concern - not just access to places in our institutions, but access to the supports that make participation possible. One of the most significant challenges students face is the cost and availability of accommodation.
My focus is on delivering targeted and effective interventions that promote equitable access to higher education across the country.
To effectively address the challenges in student accommodation, we are employing four key tools:
• Standardised design to reduce construction costs and improve delivery timelines.
• Enhanced supply and demand modelling to inform planning and public investment.
• The Technological Sector Student Accommodation Programme (TSSAP) to deliver regionally balanced, campus-specific projects.
• National surveys to capture students’ lived experiences and housing needs.
The strategy will also promote alternative delivery models such as refurbishment, long-term leasing, adaptive reuse of vacant buildings, and expanded use of rent-a-room schemes.
My Department will continue to work closely with higher education institutions to develop and implement accommodation initiatives under this strategy. I intend to bring the Student Accommodation Strategy to Government later this year.
