Emer Currie
Ceist:455. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health whether under public service parental leave, a person who works in the HSE can transfer their parental leave to someone in An Garda Síochána. [23118/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraParental Leave
Ceisteanna (455)
Freagraí scríofa
There is no legal basis to transfer parental leave between an employee of the HSE and an employee of An Garda Síochána. Under the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended), parental leave is an individual statutory entitlement of each parent in respect of a qualifying child. Section 6 of the Act provides that an employee is entitled to parental leave from his or her own employer. Section 15 allows for a transfer of a portion of that entitlement to the other parent, but only with the agreement of the employer concerned. In practice and in line with public service application of the Act: Parental leave is administered by each employer separately and any transfer provision is only operable where both parents are employed by the same employer, as a single employer must be in a position to approve and administer the transfer. As the HSE and An Garda Síochána are distinct employers, there is no mechanism under the Act to effect such a transfer between them.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (456)
Barry Ward
Ceist:456. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the number of employees that were employed in his Department at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22875/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The numbers of staff employed in my department are recorded at the end of each month.
As of 29th December 2025, there were 320 staff actively employed by the Department for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science.
Details are provided in the table below.
|
Grade |
Number of staff |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
5 |
|
Director |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
32 |
|
Assistant Principal Officer |
74 |
|
Administrative Officer |
34 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
63 |
|
Executive Officer |
66 |
|
Clerical Officer |
23 |
|
Services Officer |
2 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officer |
2 |
|
Professional and Technical (P&T) |
17 |
|
Total |
320 |
* P&T includes technical manager, architect, engineers, quantity surveyors, advisory council, auditor, statisticians, accountants and drivers.
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (457)
Barry Ward
Ceist:457. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of employees in each of the agencies under his Department's remit at the end of December 2025, broken down by grade, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22897/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The table below sets out the number of public sector staff employed by aegis bodies under the remit of my Department as at the end of December 2025.
|
Name of Body |
Staff No. (2025) |
|
SOLAS |
266 |
|
Higher Education Authority |
131 |
|
Quality & Qualifications Ireland |
84 |
|
Grangegorman Development Agency |
35 |
|
Taighde Eireann |
131 |
While both Skillnet Ireland and Léargas fall under the remit of my Department, neither of these bodies employ public sector staff.
As each body is responsible for the management of its own staffing complement, the Department does not maintain records of staff numbers disaggregated by grade for individual aegis bodies. Accordingly, I am unable to respond fully with respect to the breakdown requested. However, should the Deputy require further details, I have provided contact information for each body below to facilitate direct engagement.
|
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 |
Third Level Education
Ceisteanna (458)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:458. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on the recognition of the National College of Ireland and its opportunities to be able to apply for State funding. [23013/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, the National College of Ireland (NCI) is a private higher education institution, operating on a not-for-profit basis.
Private higher education institutions including NCI may be eligible to receive funding from the State for limited courses that are approved for funding under specific initiatives. These include the Free Fees Initiative, Apprenticeships and Springboard+. Under the respective arrangements, the State has agreed to provide funding for specific courses in line with specific agreements made between the relevant funding body and the private institution.
NCI currently offers nine programmes which are eligible for Free Fees. It is open to private institutions such as NCI to develop and operate courses outside of those approved for State funding. The establishment of such courses does not give rise to the provision of State funding to support delivery or free fees funding.
In relation to the Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the position is that approved course eligibility is restricted to full-time undergraduate courses in public higher education institutions (HEIs) as well as a limited number of designated courses in private, not-for-profit institutions. The National College of Ireland, as an autonomous not-for-profit body, has established undergraduate courses outside those approved for funding under the FFI. The extension of free fees funding to additional courses in private institutions only applies where a specific teaching and learning need has been identified by my Department, another Department or the Higher Education Authority (HEA).
An Expression of Interest process for 2026 will shortly be rolled out by the HEA, building on the success of a similar process in 2025 which created an additional 461 places across a range of programmes in the Health and Social Care Professions. As the primary mechanism for allocating funding to priority areas, the 2026 EOI process will determine the next phase of growth, and it remains open to NCI to apply for funding through this competitive call process, to provide courses in response to national skill needs.
The Higher Education Authority Act 2022 also provides for a designation by order process for higher education institutions, including private and not-for-profit providers. These provisions, however, have not yet been commenced and work to develop the associated policy framework, including the criteria and conditions for designation, remains ongoing.
Medical Research and Training
Ceisteanna (459)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:459. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to provide an update on plans for State loans or financial assistance packages for those studying graduate medicine programmes. [23014/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to introduce a tuition fee support scheme for Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM), and work to advance this commitment is ongoing at senior official level in my Department. This work is being progressed in collaboration with the Department of Health, which has lead responsibility for the Programme for Government action, and is examining a range of potential support approaches.
My Department is currently assessing options for future tuition fee support for GEM students with a focus on sustainability, targeting, and alignment with long-term medical workforce needs. This work includes engagement with the Department of Health, the Higher Education Authority, the higher education institutions and relevant regulatory bodies. Any future scheme will need to be carefully designed so that it is effective and complements broader workforce planning.
As you are aware, Graduate Entry Medicine is undertaken as a second degree, and the wider system of student supports - including SUSI grants and the Free Fees Initiative - has historically been structured around the principle of fairness, reflecting long-standing funding arrangements that prioritised first-time undergraduate qualifications. However, the Government recognises that GEM students face distinct financial pressures, and tailored supports specific to this cohort are being actively examined in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
Substantial State support for Graduate Entry Medicine is already in place. The Exchequer part-subsidises tuition fees for GEM places across all institutions, and recent Budget measures have significantly increased the value of this subsidy - from €11,950 per student in 2021/22 to €16,250 for all graduate entrants from 2026. The total annual cost of these subsidies is now approximately €13 million. Remaining tuition fee levels are set by autonomous higher education institutions.
GEM students can also access a wide suite of existing supports. These include National Access Plan bursaries, the Student Assistance Fund, tax relief on tuition fees and rent, and where eligible the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD). Importantly, holders of the 1916 Bursary who progress to GEM may retain that support for up to four years. These measures help mitigate the financial pressures that can arise during the programme.
Higher education institutions, under legislation, retain autonomy in determining their admissions policies and fee levels. This autonomy is an important feature of the Irish higher education system and informs how institutions structure their programmes and student cohorts.
In parallel with work to improve affordability, Government continues to expand medical education capacity significantly. This includes delivering the 2022 agreement to provide 200 additional medicine places by 2026 a 27% increase as well as new programme developments. These include the Rural and Remote GEM stream at the University of Galway, expected to provide 48 places annually from 2027, and the new Direct Entry Medicine programme at the University of Limerick, enrolling its first 30 students in 2026. Engagement also continues on additional provision in Northern Ireland. These developments are being supported by major investment under the Healthcare Education Activation Programme (HEAP), which is delivering additional medical, pharmacy, dentistry, and health and social care profession places.
My Department will continue to work closely with the Department of Health and other Government colleagues to ensure that both affordability measures and capacity expansion are progressed in a coordinated way. Our shared objective is to support access, reduce financial barriers where possible, and strengthen the medical workforce required to meet the future needs of the health service.
Student Accommodation
Ceisteanna (460)
Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:460. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of on-campus student accommodation units that are located on each university or higher education institution campus; the number currently under construction on each campus; the number currently with planning permission for each campus, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23015/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are currently over 49,200 purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) beds nationally. Approximately Two-thirds of which are owned and operated by private providers.
As shown on the chart below publicly funded Higher Education Institutions collectively provide more than 15,600 beds.
The table below sets out the current approximate inventory of PBSA beds (c15,600) owned and operated by public Higher Education Institutions.
|
Higher Education Institution |
PBSA Bed Numbers |
PBSA Beds under Construction |
PBSA Beds with planning permission |
|
University College Dublin |
4187 |
493 |
761 |
|
University of Limerick |
2934 |
|
|
|
Trinity College Dublin |
1850 |
|
358 |
|
University of Galway |
1850 |
|
|
|
Dublin City University |
1500 |
|
1240 |
|
University College Cork |
1500 |
|
|
|
Maynooth University |
1262 |
|
|
|
South East Technological University |
426 |
|
|
|
Mary Immaculate College |
146 |
|
|
Student Accommodation
Ceisteanna (461)
Alan Kelly
Ceist:461. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of student-specific accommodation providers, both on-campus and private, that have increased mandatory service charges or utility fees in the 2024/25 and 2025-2026 academic years; if he has received reports from the Higher Education Authority or the Residential Tenancies Board on the use of such charges to exceed the 2% rent pressure zone cap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23024/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested by the Deputy is not held centrally by my Department.
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are autonomous bodies under the Universities Act 1997. As such, universities are academically independent and hold responsibility for their own administrative and operational decisions, including those relating to student accommodation.
With respect to private providers of purpose-built student accommodation, these entities operate independently and fall outside the remit of my Department.
However, it is important to note that all student-specific accommodation is regulated by the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB). The RTB provides a confidential dispute resolution service and has statutory authority to investigate alleged breaches of rental law, including improper conduct such as attempts to circumvent Rent Controls. Where breaches are identified, the RTB may impose sanctions of up to €15,000 in addition to associated costs.
If any student believes that rent or additional fees are being used inappropriately to bypass Rent Control regulations, they are fully entitled to bring a case to the RTB or to report the matter for investigation. I strongly encourage any student or parent of a student who has concerns regarding their accommodation arrangements to contact the RTB for guidance or to lodge a formal complaint.
Finally, I can confirm that I have received no reports from either the Higher Education Authority or the Residential Tenancies Board on this matter.
Apprenticeship Programmes
Ceisteanna (462)
Donna McGettigan
Ceist:462. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of apprenticeship students registered in each year from 2020 to date; the year of their apprenticeship; the number of apprenticeship graduations for each of those years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23068/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Annual apprenticeship registrations have grown by 78% in recent years, rising from 5,326 in 2020 to 9,461 in 2025, while the apprenticeship population has grown 59%, from 19,630 in 2020 to 31,165 in 2025. At the end of February this year, there were 1,502 new registrations.
From 2020 to 2025, apprentice completions grew from 2,693 to 5,091. This is an 89% increase.
Registration and completions figures are set out, by year, in the below table.
|
Year |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
Registrations |
5,326 |
8,607 |
8,286 |
8,712 |
9,352 |
9,461 |
|
Completions |
2,693 |
2,337 |
3,368 |
4,534 |
4,622 |
5,091 |
Departmental Policies
Ceisteanna (463)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:463. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the main policy achievements of his Department since 22 January 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23078/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is responsible for more than 60 commitments under the Programme for Government. The following are key policy achievements announced since 22nd January 2025, which will go towards achieving those commitments.
Making Education More Affordable
• Providing the first permanent €500 reduction in the student contribution fee since free fees were introduced in 1995.
• Securing a Budget 2026 allocation which will allow for the expansion of SUSI eligibility and increase maintenance supports.
Expanding Places in High-Demand Courses
• Over 340 extra places added in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, physiotherapy, and veterinary medicine.
• 17 new tertiary degree programmes approved for 2025/26.
• Announcement of a €28.5 million investment in 2026, enabling higher education institutions to deliver over 1,100 new healthcare course places each year over the next three years.
Investing in Infrastructure
• €4.55bn secured under the National Development Plan to strengthen research, innovation and education facilities nationwide.
• €100 million investment announced under the National Development Plan for a major expansion of Tyndall National Institute, significantly strengthen Ireland’s global position in cutting-edge semiconductor research and innovation.
Driving World-class Research
• Ireland joined CERN and signed the European Quantum Pact.
• €1bn milestone reached in Horizon Europe funding.
• €750m INSPIRE Research Infrastructure Programme launched.
• Launch of a strengthened Horizon Europe Action Plan, with a renewed focus on boosting the participation of Irish SMEs in Europe’s €95.5 billion research and innovation programme.
Boosting Skills and apprenticeships
• Secured the highest ever increase in investment in core funding since the establishment of the Department, with €79m in Budget 2026 bringing the total core investment to over €410 million.
• Apprentice numbers up 5% to more than 31,000 across 78 programmes.
• Ireland’s first All-Island Apprenticeship was launched jointly with Northern Ireland.
• Launch of ‘Updated Careers in Construction Action Plan’, building on the progress to date in boosting skills capacity to meet key housing, climate and infrastructural targets, under Delivering Homes, Building Communities 2025-2030, the Climate Action Plan, and the National Development Plan.
Delivering Student Accommodation and Campus Capacity
• Launched National Student Accommodation Strategy that sets out a pathway to make higher education more accessible by addressing two critical challenges, accommodation affordability and accommodation supply and viability.
• €67m was secured for new student accommodation at UCD.
• Six PPP buildings operational and five under construction, creating space for 8,500 additional students.
• New €75million capital funding programme, under Project 2040, to expand healthcare education across Ireland
Improving Inclusion and Access
• Supported Path 4 provision for learners with intellectual disabilities.
• Student Assistance Fund increased to €19.3m.
• Increased funding for student mental health and wellbeing and for the Fund for Students with Disabilities which provides support to 22,000 students with disabilities.
• Launch of €2 million Transport Fund for learners with intellectual disabilities in further education and training (FET).
• Funding of almost €1.5 million to advance access, equity, and opportunity in Further & Higher Education for care leavers and members of the Traveller and Roma communities.
National Training Fund
• The National Training Fund (Amendment) Bill was signed into law on 23rd December 2025 unlocking the National Training?Fund?surplus package of €1.485 billion announced in Budget 2025. This will underpin the development of human capital and the delivery of the national economic, social and regional development objectives of the Act.
Technological University Professorships
• Landmark reform with the introduction of a full Professorship grade in Ireland’s Technological Universities (TUs) for the first time.
• The €65.8 million Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF) announced late in 2025 will support delivery of the first 50 professorial posts across the TU system.
National Science Advice Forum
• Appointment of 12 members to the new National Science Advice Forum under Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy.
My Department will continue to advance delivery on commitments made under the Programme for Government and I anticipate that further significant progress will be made in the coming year.