Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 June 2025
947. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated cost of extending the current fee contribution grants for eligible undergraduate part-time students to part-time post-graduate students. [31793/25]
View answerMy Department is continually monitoring the student supports available in order to make improvements where possible, subject to budgetary constraints.
Up until recently, there was no fee support for students undertaking part-time courses. As the Deputy may be aware, I recently launched the new Part Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses. This Scheme is limited to undergraduate courses at present as the Student Support Act 2011 only allows for part-time courses at undergraduate level to be approved. Any future extension to postgraduate courses would require a change to the Student Support Act 2011.
Students on part-time postgraduate programmes may also be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.
Ahead of Budget 2026, I will publish an options paper, which will identify costs and potential impacts of various policy options aimed at reducing the cost of higher education. This paper will inform decision-making ahead of Budget 2026.
