Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 April 2025
835. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he is aware of the issues surrounding students’ eligibility for SUSI grants for a certain approved course under the part-time fee scheme (details supplied); if there are any plans to expand this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15113/25]
View answerIn 2024 a new Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses was introduced to provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This included specified in person and blended/hybrid courses and its aim was to provide additional flexibility in respect of course provision to students who are socio-economically disadvantaged.
The Student Part-Time Fee Regulations for Specified Undergraduate Courses 2024 provided a list of approved part-time courses. If a student is attending one of the approved part-time courses they may be eligible for support and should check eligibility with SUSI who are the awarding Authority. Where a student is in doubt over whether the course they are attending is an approved course I would encourage them to check with the institution they are attending.
I am currently in the process of finalising the 2025 Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses and I expect to be in a position to approve the scheme very shortly and a list of approved courses will be published in the relevant regulations in due course.
