880. Deputy Shane Moynihan 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. [50803/26]

Since my appointment, I have advanced a broad programme of work in my department across further and higher education, research, innovation, science, skills, apprenticeships, student supports and infrastructure.

Key achievements include:

• Secured the National Training Fund (Amendment) Act 2025, which commenced on 19 January 2026, enabling the deployment of a €1.485 billion package to support higher education, skills, apprenticeships, research and workforce development through to 2030. Budget 2025 also secured an additional €50 million in core funding for higher education from the National Training Fund, with plans to invest a further €100 million by the end of the decade.

• Secured €4.55 billion under the National Development Plan Review for research, innovation and tertiary infrastructure, including the €750 million INSPIRE Research Infrastructure Programme alongside wider investment of €2.1 billion in higher and further education infrastructure. This investment supports research capacity, including High-Performance Computing and the Tyndall National Institute, while also delivering new and upgraded facilities, modern equipment and additional capacity across the tertiary sector.

• Launched the first phase of the INSPIRE Research Infrastructure Programme, supporting research equipment and infrastructure across the higher education sector, while progressing major national research investments including the Tyndall National Institute expansion and procurement of Ireland's next national supercomputer, CASPIr.

• Supported Ireland's AI capability through the launch of AIReady.ie, development of the AI Factory Antenna, establishment of the Research Ireland Rinn Artificial Intelligence Centre, continued investment in AI skills and advanced computing infrastructure, and engagement with emerging European initiatives including AI Gigafactories.

• Launched the Research Ireland Strategy and the new Research Ireland Rinn Centres, backed by €460 million in Government investment together with significant industry co-investment, strengthening research excellence, talent and innovation across strategically important sectors.

• Progressed Ireland's international research engagement through associate membership of CERN, signature of the European Quantum Pact, expansion of the Talent and Innovation Attaché network and continued strong performance under Horizon Europe.

• Advanced governance and coordination in science policy through the establishment of the Government Science Advisor and the National Science Advice Forum, strengthening the role of scientific evidence in public policy.

• Delivered Budget 2026 measures including a permanent €500 reduction in the student contribution fee, increased SUSI supports, increased maintenance grants, over €19.3 million for the Student Assistance Fund, an additional €3 million for the Fund for Students with Disabilities and an additional €1 million for student mental health and wellbeing supports.

• Increased all non-adjacent maintenance grant rates under the Student Grant Scheme by at least €200 from September 2026, with a pro-rata increase applying during the current academic year. Approximately 30,000 PLC, undergraduate and postgraduate students are expected to benefit. I also increased the income threshold for the €500 student contribution support from €115,000 to €120,000, meaning eligible undergraduate students from households with incomes below €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 2026/27 academic year.

• Published the National Student Accommodation Strategy 2026-2035, setting out the Government's framework for increasing supply and improving affordability. The Strategy supports new delivery through the Higher Education Institutions Student Accommodation Programme, Rent-a-Room measures and better alignment of student accommodation leases with the academic year. It builds on the publication of the Design Guide for State-Sponsored Student Accommodation which supports the delivery of high-quality, sustainable accommodation.

• Expanded tertiary education pathways to 78 programmes across 24 counties for the 2026/27 academic year, representing a 70% increase on the previous year and significantly expanding pathways outside the traditional CAO points system.

• Expanded high-demand healthcare education through the introduction of new programmes in Nursing (Maynooth University), Dentistry (RCSI), Physiotherapy (ATU) and Pharmacy (University of Galway). Additional programmes in Pharmacy (ATU), Medicine (University of Limerick) and Rural and Remote Medicine (University of Galway) are commencing during 2026. Two new veterinary schools at ATU and SETU will also admit students for the first time.

• Created additional places across high-demand healthcare disciplines, including Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Dietetics, with 320 additional places commencing during 2025 and a further 141 planned. Twenty additional medicine places were also created. In 2025, 80% of CAO Round One Level 8 offers were made within applicants' first three preferences, while points reduced across several high-demand healthcare disciplines.

• Continued expanding supports for students with disabilities, with funding for the Fund for Students with Disabilities increasing to over €10.5 million, supporting more than 22,000 students. The National Access Plan Mid-Term Review confirmed that the target of 16% participation by students with disabilities had been achieved two years ahead of schedule. PATH 4 continues to support 193 learners with intellectual disabilities, with funding extended until 2028.

• Expanded the Student Part-Time Fee Scheme, first introduced in 2024, with participating higher education institutions increasing from seven to nine for the 2026/27 academic year following the addition of Maynooth University and the National College of Art and Design.

• Supported the continued development of the technological university sector, including Government approval for the introduction of a Professorship grade, supported by €65.8 million under the Targeted Enhancement Fund. This landmark reform strengthens academic leadership, research capacity and international competitiveness across the sector.

• Progressed the Higher Education Public Private Partnership Programme, with six buildings completed and operational and five further projects under construction. Collectively these developments will deliver approximately 72,800 square metres of additional teaching and research space and capacity for around 8,500 additional student places.

• Progressed the FET College Major Capital Programme, advancing projects across the country including Castlebar, Drogheda and other regional developments to modernise Further Education and Training infrastructure and expand capacity.

• Secured Government approval to draft legislation establishing the first All-Island University Group between Dundalk Institute of Technology and Queen's University Belfast, representing a significant milestone in cross-border higher education collaboration.

• Increased apprenticeship investment to over €410 million in Budget 2026, including an additional €79 million to support Programme for Government commitments.

• Increased apprenticeship registrations from 29,772 at the end of 2024 to 31,165 by the end of 2025, representing growth of approximately 5%. The first all-island apprenticeship, Accounting Technologist, was launched in October 2025, while work continues on the Apprenticeship Action Plan 2026-2030.

• Established the National Skills Roundtable, bringing together Government, employers and education providers through sectoral roundtables. Four meetings have been convened to date including an inaugural session followed by sector-specific roundtables on construction, artificial intelligence and professional services. The Skills Roundtable will continue to expand across additional sectors to help ensure education provision remains aligned with evolving labour market needs.

• Progressing Ireland's priorities during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union across further and higher education, research and innovation, including Erasmus+, Horizon Europe, STEM education and skills and competencies for AI.