Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 January 2026
1087. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports available for students undertaking part time higher and further education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4219/26]
View answerThe Student Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses was introduced for the first time in September 2024 to provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. The Student Part-Time Fee Scheme for the 26/27 scheme is currently being drafted and when finalised it will outline courses which are approved for funding in 26/27. SUSI administer the Part-Time Scheme on behalf of the Department. The Scheme generally opens for new applications in April and further details of how to apply for approved courses will be available on their website. The Scheme applies to both in-person and blended/hybrid courses and was developed with the aim of providing support for more flexible forms of learning to students who are considered underrepresented in Higher Education (lone parents, carers, people with a disability etc.).There are also supports for Part-Time learners outside of the Part-Time Scheme. Springboard+ is co funded by the Government and the European Union. It was established in 2011 and continues to play a vital role in expanding access to higher education by offering flexible, work focused learning opportunities to adult learners across the country. Aligned with national skills priorities, Springboard+ supports individuals to upskill or reskill in high-demand areas such as ICT, cybersecurity and sustainability. The programme continues to evolve, with the inclusion of micro-credentials in 2025, providing additional flexible targeted learning aligned with industry needs. Springboard+ is free or heavily subsidised and offered in a flexible format (part-time, blended, and online) making higher education more accessible to all. In addition to Springboard+, Further Education and Training (FET) is available on a part-time basis, including on evenings and weekends. FET is available in every community in Ireland and courses are either free or heavily subsidised. There are also non-financial supports in FET, aimed at supporting access for diverse learner groups. For example, there is a dedicated Adult Education Guidance and Information Service in each Education and Training Board (ETB). ETBs deliver courses in a variety of formats, including part-time, so that learners can undertake courses and acquire certification at their own pace, around their work, family and other commitments and needs.The Department is committed to supporting flexible forms of learning and will keep the policies surrounding support for part-time students under review. However, any future expansion of the parameters of support can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.
