Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 March 2026
980. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider introducing a scheme for Irish citizens that had no opportunity to study their desired course in Ireland and travelled abroad to an EU state to complete same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16261/26]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that first time students undertaking a full-time undergraduate course in the State may be eligible to have their tuition fees, exclusive of the student contribution, paid on their behalf via the Free Fees Initiative (FFI). The FFI is limited to full-time, undergraduate courses provided in the State by approved higher education institutions. Courses provided outside the State are not approved courses under the FFI. SUSI grant supports are available to qualifying students who are planning to undertake higher education studies in another EU country. To qualify for supports, a student would be required to be attending an approved course in an approved institution, and meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means. Students can check their eligibility for SUSI support by clicking on the following link: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria. Furthermore, students who are European Citizens (including Irish nationals) are entitled to apply for, and access supports on a similar basis to the nationals of another EU Member State. If an Irish national is attending an approved higher education course in another EU Member State, then s/he should be treated in a similar manner to a citizen of that Member State with regard to the fees that apply in that State.
