James Lawless
James Lawless is an Irish politician who serves as the Minister for Higher Education. He is a member of the Fianna Fáil party and has been active in Irish politics for several years, focusing on education, research, and higher learning policies. Recently, he was in the news regarding Ireland's application to become an associate member of CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research, which is a significant step for Ireland in the field of particle physics and technological development.
Not in the pool (under ¢1).
Recent news mentions
James Lawless sent best wishes to his great-aunt Alice on her 100th birthday.
Where’s the Brazilian beef? Senators roast Ciaran Mullooly over school lunch claims – The Irish Times
Ireland· 2026-05-30
James Lawless is the minister for Education who acknowledged that Ireland’s future housing supply is influenced by international markets.
If 36,000 new houses were built last year, why were only 58 sold to buyers in Dublin? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-21
Minister for Higher and Further Education James Lawless will update Ministers on the national programme for students with intellectual disabilities.
New digital and AI strategy to confirm plans for under-16s social media ban – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-18
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless said a new accreditation scheme for English-language schools would involve inspections and immigration spot checks.
State plans crackdown on English-language schools acting as ‘back door’ to work permits – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-16Minister for Higher Education James Lawless stated that increasing the number of places available on therapy training programmes is a priority.
Sharp rise in children waiting a year for critical services – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-09
James Lawless was a minister of state and Blaney's former boss.
former government advisers and what they did next – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-02-07
Fianna Fáil’s James Lawless said housing 'is about international markets' in a recent interview.
Across the EU, housing is more about spreadsheets than homes. That has to change – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-01-14
James Lawless provided funding for additional places in higher education.
Six take-aways from this year’s listings – The Irish TimesIreland· 2026-01-14James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, said: 'Since 2022, more than 1,300 additional training places have been delivered across priority health and social care disciplines.'
‘Acute shortage’ of care workers amid ageing demographics, official analysis finds – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-23
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless also voted in favour of restoring the legislation.
Dáil votes by narrow margin not to restore abortion Bill that ends three-day wait for termination – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-18
Minister for Higher and Further Education James Lawless has commented on the review of Fianna Fáil’s presidential campaign.
Fianna Fáil’s presidential election campaign an ‘unedifying spectacle’, says Minister – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-07
Minister James Lawless will brief Cabinet on plans to spend €4.55 billion in tertiary education and research.
Large extensions to critical infrastructure ‘should be exempted from seeking planning’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-12-02
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless said he wants to maintain Ireland’s status as a high-quality destination for students.
Government to examine reducing number of visas granted to English language school students – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-29
Mr O’Callaghan had discussed the issue with Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless in terms of 'trying to reduce immigration or slow down the population growth'.
State must keep trying to cut numbers applying for international protection, says Minister – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-24
James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, welcomed the announcement as a 'landmark initiative with the potential to strengthen and advance higher education across the island'.
Dundalk IT to get university college status after agreeing merger with Queen’s of Belfast – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-19
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless reported that there were just 157 apprentice chefs in the system at the time.
Cost of training chefs contributing to skills shortages in restaurant kitchens – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-11
James Lawless asked the Attorney General to consider if there may have been a criminal case to answer regarding exam paper sales.
Exam papers ‘sold for €50’ to electrical apprentices – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-04James Lawless received media training from Ivan Yates when he was a backbench TD.
Ivan Yates gave media coaching to Taoiseach, Jim Gavin and five other Fianna Fáil ministers – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-11-03
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless was sceptical about the final figure for the Gavin campaign costs.
How much will Jim Gavin’s failed presidential bid cost Fianna Fáil? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-14
James Lawless expressed that Jim Gavin was a strong candidate who could build a coalition.
The Jim Gavin fiasco was a long overdue humbling for GAA exceptionalism – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-11
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless indicated in June the temporary fee reduction would not be repeated this year.
Third-level student fees ‘to be cut by €500 permanently in Budget’ – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-06James Lawless questioned what criteria Catherine Connolly would use for her Council of State appointments.
Deep division emerges amongst parties over Connolly’s hiring of convicted woman – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-03
Minister for Higher Education James Lawless has lent his weight to calls to reform the research and development tax credit.
Public-transport fares set to remain at reduced level next year – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-03Minister for Higher Education James Lawless called on Dublin City University to reconsider its service charge hikes.
If James Browne wants to get ‘radical’ about housing, here are five things he must do – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-10-02Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless is pushing for changes to student grant thresholds.
Income thresholds for student grants could rise to €150,000 per household – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-22Minister for Higher Education James Lawless has criticized DCU for increasing student accommodation fees.
DCU should reconsider on-campus student rent hikes, says Minister – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-19
Adele O’Neill raised the issue of service charge increases with Minister for Higher Education James Lawless.
Dublin college increases fees in on-campus student accommodation in RPZ loophole – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-16
James Lawless is the Minister for Further and Higher Education who took a few days off during the summer.
Where did Irish politicians go on holiday and what did they get up to? – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-12
Minister for Further and Higher Education James Lawless officially opened a project providing 116 beds at Maynooth University.
Key plan delayed again until later this year – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-10James Lawless stated that the new strategy for student accommodation was in development.
Welcome to college in Ireland, with its long commutes, couch-surfing and four bunks to a room – The Irish TimesIreland· 2025-09-09