Written Answers Nos. 911-930
916. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial supports available to mature students returning to higher education for a postgraduate degree; to examine the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46904/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme which is administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.
An official from my Department has advised that the applicant submitted an application to SUSI for the 2026/2027 academic year on 10 June 2026. The application is currently queued for assessment and the applicant will be informed of any decision on their application in due course.
In relation to Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), this is a matter for the Department of Social Protection. It would be advisable for the student contact their local Intreo office in this regard to the BTEA payment.
917. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the financial assistance available to a person on a stamp 4 visa (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46968/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme which is administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland). Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for the awarding authority, SUSI to determine.
An official from my Department has advised that the student referred to by the Deputy has not submitted an application to SUSI for the 2026/27 academic year.
In terms of residency, to be eligible for a grant, you must demonstrate that you have been resident in the Irish State, the EU, EEA, UK or Swiss Federation for three of the last five years on the day before the start of an approved course of study. There are no exemptions to this residency rule. It applies to all applicants including Irish nationals returning from abroad to undertake studies in Ireland. The nationality requirements for the Student Grant Scheme are set out in Section 14 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 5 of the Student Support Regulations 2026.
I would encourage the applicant to check the eligibility indicator on the SUSI Website at the following link: SUSI Eligibility Indicator - Get Started (www.susi.ie/eligibility-reckoner-app-irish/) to see if they may be eligible.
I trust this clarifies the situation and I wish the student well in their studies.
918. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans for the now vacant site on Cathal Brugha Street; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47135/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe FET College Major Capital Programme is a key commitment of the Programme for Government which aims to address shortfalls in existing FET infrastructure and support projects that drive reform across the sector by consolidating provision and integrating further education and training. This programme will deliver the largest-ever capital investment in the further education and training sector.
There are 12 projects progressing under this programme including a project proposed by City of Dublin ETB at the Cathal Brugha site. City of Dublin ETBs proposal provides a unique opportunity for the redevelopment of the former TU Dublin properties at Cathal Brugha St. and Marlborough Street into a flagship FET campus, serving as the focal point for the reimagining of further education and training in Dublin city.
The refurbishment of this unique structure offers an exceptional opportunity to expand capacity, deepen employer partnerships, and strengthen learner progression pathways across the capital. This proposal is at the Pre-tender - Project Design, Planning, and Procurement Strategy Stage of the Infrastructure Guidelines.
In order to provide for consistency of approach and to ensure timely delivery of projects under this programme, an integrated design team framework was advertised to suppliers in April of this year. This framework will be in place for all ETBs who are ready to draw down services from it later this year. Therefore, with this framework in place, I expect to see a number of design team appointments under this programme before the end of the year.
Supporting learners and educators remains a top priority for my department, and I remain committed to ensuring there is appropriate infrastructure in place to meet their needs.
919. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware that places on a range of specialist training courses operated by the National Learning Network are capped, due to cuts to City of Dublin Education and Training Board funding; if funding was made available then specialist training places for young adults would open up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47157/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, there have been no cuts to the funding of City of Dublin Education and Training Board (ETB).
My Department is committed to supporting a Further Education and Training (FET) system that helps individuals succeed, boosts economic growth, and prepares our workforce for the challenges and opportunities ahead, while fostering stronger communities.
This commitment is underpinned by a significant investment in FET in 2026. SOLAS, as the statutory authority for FET, is responsible for determining how funding is distributed across the FET sector, including to individual ETBs. This year, over €1.236 billion (excluding capital) is allocated to SOLAS. ETBs deliver the vast majority of FET provision and SOLAS is allocating over €1.077 billion in non-capital funding to ETBs in 2026.
This funding allocation agreed by Government at the Budget and set out in the Revised Estimates for Public Services is clear and unambiguous. It is the responsibility of SOLAS and the ETBs to operate strictly within this allocation.
There are several specialist programmes within FET for learners with disabilities. Through Specialist Training Provision (STP), ETBs contract providers, including the National Learning Networks (NLN), to offer training to learners who require more intensive support than is available in mainstream FET settings.
City of Dublin ETB has advised my officials that, for 2026, €7.44 million has been allocated to NLN to provide specialist training. This allocation includes funding for learner allowances, and is projected to support 274 learners.
In comparison, City of Dublin ETB advised that the 2025 allocation to NLN totalled €7.08 million, which supported 259 learners. It should be noted that the 2025 figures represent actual expenditure, whereas the 2026 figures are budgeted projections.
As part of its overall budget management process, City of Dublin ETB also advised that it aligns provision levels across all programme areas with available resources and learner demand. This approach is applied consistently across all FET services, including NLN Specialist Training Programmes.
In line with its functions set out in the Education and Training Board Act of 2013, it is the responsibility of each Board to plan and deliver services throughout the year, taking into account their allocated budgets and the specific needs of their local communities.
920. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for an update on the status of the review of specialist training programmes; when will this review be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47158/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraBy way of background for the Deputy, under Specialist Training Provision (STP), Education and Training Boards (ETBs) contract providers to deliver training to learners who need more intensive support than is available in mainstream FET settings. In 2026, over €45 million was allocated to STP, including more than €19 million for learner training allowances. In 2025, approximately 2,760 learners enrolled in STP.
SOLAS engaged independent consultants to review how STP operates and the outcomes for learners. The review is now complete. It involved extensive consultation and analysis, including interviews, surveys and focus groups with practitioners, ETBs, STP providers and learners, as well as desk-based research on the policy context and international models.
SOLAS, in consultation with officials in my Department, has established a working group to consider the key findings and plan follow-up actions. The group met for a second time earlier this week, and stakeholder engagement is currently being planned as part of this process.
921. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the position regarding the signing of new public contracts with a firm (details supplied). [47294/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy for your question. In order to respond to the matter you have raised I will outline the events referenced along with my departments role in these matters.
On Friday 1 May 2026 Munster Technological University (MTU), along with other HEIs in Ireland, became aware that Instructure, the US based supplier of MTU’s learning platform Canvas, had suffered a major data breach as a result of a hack by a well-known criminal group. While Canvas is cloud-based and this does not directly relate to MTU hardware/systems, this impacted MTU as the Data Controller with a significant number of student and staff accounts on the Canvas platform. I understand that the affected service was back in operation shortly after the attack and any issues addressed appropriately.
As the deputy is aware, MTU, like all higher education institutions are autonomous and responsible for the management of programmes and operations, including the contracts entered into for the delivery of necessary services. In this instance, MTU availed of a brokerage service under Asiera (formerly HEAnet and EduCampus), and entered into a contract with the third-party provider Canvas. My department has no role in this.
With regard to the European Declaration on Digital Sovereignty, my Department recognises the shared vision to increase EU technological independence. It is also a framework without strict legal obligations, which must be balanced against national policy commitments for the higher education sector, connectivity, and digital transformation. As such, future policy decisions made by my Department will be made with due consideration to all relevant commitments at a national and European level.
It is a key priority of my Department to enhance digital capacity within our Higher Education Institutions, while also acknowledging the role of institutional autonomy in the development of infrastructure and systems.
922. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether his Department or the Higher Education Authority holds data on the nationalities of academic teaching staff employed in higher education institutions; if so, the number of such staff by nationality in each of the years 2020 to 2026, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47462/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraData on the nationality of academic teaching staff is not collected by my Department or the Higher Education Authority.
Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies with responsibility for their own recruitment practices. Appointments are made in line with publicly funded sector principles, including merit-based, transparent, and equality-focused recruitment processes, and in accordance with relevant employment legislation.
923. Deputy Keira Keogh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available for PhD researchers who wish to avail of funding in the discipline of humanities, who may have previously availed of the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47550/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTaighde Éireann - Research Ireland provides stipends to approximately 3,000 of the almost 11,000 registered PhD students per year (approximately 700 new awards per year), with a further 1,000 funded from other public funders. The remaining students receive some level of institutional scholarship support from their host higher education institution with the assistance of core funding from the Higher Education Authority or are privately funded, either by the individual or an employer.
Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland published its five-year strategy in March 2026, which includes a commitment to increase the number of PhDs to 3,800 over the lifetime of the strategy, and to review the funding programmes of its predecessor agencies to ensure that they are delivering across all research disciplines – a key objective of the agency as set out in the Research and Innovation Act, 2024.
A Programme Plan of planned activity was published in April of this year, with details of available open funding calls updated on a regular basis on the agency website.
The current agency portfolio of programmes delivers regular access to research funding across all disciplines and career stages, including PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. Funding for PhDs and early career researchers is provided through three main mechanisms with funding split broadly equally between:-
1. Government of Ireland Programmes
2. Research Centres, the new Rinn Network and Centres for Research Training
3. Individual Principal Investigator-led project funding
Over the past year, Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland has undertaken stakeholder consultation on the proposed evolution of Government of Ireland PhD scholarship and post-doctoral fellowship programmes, with ongoing engagement with stakeholders and representative groups. 20 consultation engagement sessions have taken place since February, including seven in-person Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS) specific sessions across the country, and two online webinars (with audience Q&A) reaching over 700 participants. Further consultations are scheduled.
As the agency commences the implementation of the strategy, new mechanisms are being developed to provide increased opportunity for investigator-led research and for the AHSS community, including larger-scale grants. There has been no reduction in funding for AHSS research, PhDs, or basic/fundamental research, and no reduction in funding or in the number of awards to be funded is planned. The agency funding portfolio is split almost evenly between investigator led and thematic research, and it is intended to maintain this balance across the programme plan and agency funding portfolio. AHSS researchers are also now able to lead teams on large projects, representing a substantive improvement in the opportunity landscape for AHSS researchers.
Other calls funded or managed by the agency and available to AHSS researchers include:
- Public Service Fellowships – placing researchers in government departments and agencies (open to all disciplines).
- Challenge funding (open to all disciplines).
- International Calls.
- Research Ireland/ UKRI Arts and Humanities Research Council joint call on Creative Industries.
- Co-funded EU calls.
Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland is the National Contact Point for the Excellence pillar under Horizon Europe, providing a suite of supports to researchers considering applying for Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) and European Research Council (ERC) Funding across all disciplines.
The agency is engaging closely with research offices in the Higher Education Institutions, and students are advised to contact their local research office, or to engage with the agency directly, to get up to date information on current and future funding calls under the published Programme Plan.
924. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the total landholding of his Department, broken down by county, including the amount currently unused or vacant, the portion zoned for development, and the number of sites that include vacant or derelict properties. [47626/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not have any vacant buildings under its ownership or control.
The Department's official locations are all sites owned and/or operated by the OPW in St. Stephen's Green, Marlborough Street and Tullamore.
The information in respect of aegis bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document, should the Deputy wish to contact the aegis bodies directly with their query.
925. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to develop national tools to record and monitor commuter students, including numbers, commuting characteristics, intersectional factors and educational outcomes and to build commuter student data collection into existing national data collection tools. [47878/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2023 and 2024 the HEA issued a Student Accommodation Survey to students in the 16 HEA-funded Higher Education Institutions (HEIs).
The survey sought information on students’ experiences in searching for and living in accommodation. It also asked questions relating to travel i.e. the distance and time travelled by students to campus, the mode of transport they use and their monthly travel cost.
In 2023, the survey was responded to by 22,801 students, representing approximately 9% of the total student population of HEA-funded HEIs for the academic year 2023/24, while the response rate in 2024 was 5% or14,230 students.
54% of those who responded to the survey were 1st and 2nd year undergraduate students and the results therefore may be more reflective of this group’s experience.
As set out in the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035, the HEA will conduct periodic surveys to systematically collect data on student housing, travel options, and associated costs.
926. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht if he will have regard to the local development companies network in Ireland's pre-budget submission in his preparations for budget 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47329/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Development Companies are hugely important in the delivery and implementation of programmes right across Government, and the significance of this work is reflected within the Local Development Companies Network submission - Invest in the Ambition.
Some of their key work relates to the LEADER and SICAP programme, which fall under the remit of my Department. I note the specific requests in relation to these programmes, which include increasing allocations, and securing the long-term future of LEADER within the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework.
While acknowledging that LEADER and SICAP are multiannual programmes, with the current programme allocations set in advance, the points within this submission will be considered in the context of my Department's discussions on Budget 2027. Points regarding other work relating to my Department such as Rural Recreation Officers, volunteering, and the Department’s engagement in Europe will also be considered by my officials.
Regarding securing the long-term future of LEADER within the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework, the LEADER programme is funded as an intervention under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and, therefore, the post-2027 LEADER will reflect the development of the EU regulations relating to the post-2027 CAP and the new National and Regional Partnership Plan. There are many details that remain to be finalised as part of the ongoing negotiation process to put the regulations in place, and a lengthy period of detailed discussion is likely.
With respect to SICAP, I am keenly aware that challenges remain for communities across Ireland, and in that context, I am committed to progressively increasing funding for SICAP, in line with the Programme for Government commitment.
927. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the estimated cost of increasing total funding for Údarás na Gaeltachta by 5%, by 10%, by 15%, by 20%, and by the cost of inflation since budget 2026, and of increasing the specific funding for community and language under subhead C7 and the specific funding for capital by 25%, 33% and 50%. [46886/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe estimated costs of increasing Údarás na Gaeltachta's total funding by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and by the cost of inflation since Budget 2026 are set out in tabular form below.
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta funding for 2026 |
5% Increase |
10% Increase |
15% Increase |
20% Increase |
Inflation since October 2025 (2.3%) |
|
€41,157,000 |
€43,215,000 |
€45,273,000 |
€47,331,000 |
€49,388,000 |
€42,107,691 |
|
Cost of increasing total funding |
€2,058,000 |
€4,116,000 |
€6,174,000 |
€8,231,000 |
€950,691 |
The estimated costs of increasing the specific funding under subhead C7 are set out in tabular form below:
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta subhead C7 funding for 2026 |
25% Increase |
33% Increase |
50% Increase |
|
€7,500,000 |
€9,375,000 |
€9,975,000 |
€11,250,000 |
|
Cost of increasing total funding |
€1,875,000 |
€2,475,000 |
€3,750,000 |
The estimated costs of increasing the specific funding under subhead C8 are set out in tabular form below:
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta C8 subhead funding for 2026 |
25% Increase |
33% Increase |
50% Increase |
|
€16,204,000 |
€20,255,000 |
€21,551,000 |
€24,306,000 |
|
Cost of increasing total funding |
€4,051,000 |
€5,347,000 |
€8,102,000 |
928. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht the estimated cost of increasing the board membership of the proposed reformed Údarás na Gaeltachta under the Údarás na Gaeltachta (Amendment) Bill 2025 to a total of 26 remunerated members. [46887/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraÚdarás na Gaeltachta publishes an Annual Report an Accounts which features a Governance Statement and Board Members' Report and is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas each year following submission to Government. This statement outlines a schedule of attendance of Board and Committee meetings which includes the fees and expenses paid to each member in that year.
The information requested by the Deputy is not maintained by my Department. However, the information provided in the Annual Report and Accounts can be used to estimate the cost associated with increasing Board membership.
929. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to support the pub sector as pillars of rural communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46977/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile specific supports for the pub sector would fall under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, the Government’s Our Rural Future policy takes a whole-of-government approach to rural development, with actions to support the rural economy and rural communities.
I am aware recent figures from the Vintners Federation of Ireland, which highlight the challenges faced by rural pubs and their importance as hubs for social connection and cultural life. I would also like to acknowledge that the Federation made a submission to the written consultation process last year to inform the development of the next iteration of Our Rural Future. All such submissions are feeding directly into the development of the policy.
The policy is underpinned by funding through my department's rural development investment programme and community development programme, as well as an array of funding streams across government.
Rural pubs can play an important role in rural communities in particular. For example, I am very conscious of the challenge of rural isolation, and with this in mind I have put in place a range of funding streams to help address this issue. These supports include the Seniors Alert Scheme, the Local Enhancement Programme, the Community Services Programme, and the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme.
In addition, there is no doubt that our significant investment in Community Centre Investment Fund in recent years has helped to ensure that our rural areas have high quality facilities that can serve as focal points for communities.
Our Rural Future has taken a whole-of-government approach to supporting the revitalisation of our rural areas, by supporting local enterprises, enhancing digital connectivity and improving key services such as rural transport.
The development of the new Our Rural Future policy will continue to provide a framework for continued investment in our rural communities over the coming years to support rural enterprises and rural communities and to deliver on our shared ambition for rural Ireland.
As part of the development of the new iteration of Our Rural Future, I am continuing to engage with my ministerial colleagues to ensure that our ambition for rural Ireland is underpinned by a series of ambitious and practical actions.
930. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht his plans to help establish Irish language settlements and communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47183/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Gaeltacht Act, 2012, Irish language networks are recognised when Lead Organisations appointed under the Act have agreed language plans with their communities. These plans must meet statutory language planning criteria in order to be granted the appropriate recognition. Foras na Gaeilge is responsible for supporting organisations in the preparation and implementation of language plans in Irish language networks.
In 2015, five areas were recognised as Irish Language Networks, that is, they are recognised as areas outside the Gaeltacht where there is a critical mass of Irish speakers and state support and services are available to the community in the Irish language. The recognised Networks are Clondalkin (Dublin), Loughrea (Co. Galway) and Ennis (Co. Clare) under the Gaeltacht Act and West Belfast (Co. Antrim) and Carn Tóchar (Co. Derry) under a non-statutory scheme administered by Foras na Gaeilge north of the border.
The aim of the Irish Language Networks Development Scheme – another scheme administered by Foras na Gaeilge – is to promote, foster and sustain the Irish language on an area basis with particular emphasis on the development and implementation of comprehensive language plans for those areas participating in the scheme. The emphasis in this scheme is on longer-term and more strategic planning, in accordance with the principles of language planning. It is expected that the applicant will have the objective of achieving recognition as an Irish Language Network in the future for the area participating in the scheme. A phased approach is envisaged in this scheme; accordingly, three stages of development are identified – advanced stage, intermediate stage and primary stage.
