Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
1513. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the part-time counselling and psychotherapy education college courses eligible to apply for the SUSI grant; if none are eligible, the reason behind this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40135/26]
View answerThe Student Part-Time Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses 2026 provides fee support to eligible part-time students who are attending approved publicly funded undergraduate courses that lead to a major award.
The Scheme has been published for the 2026/27 academic year. Currently there are no Counselling and Psychotherapy courses included on the course list and it is not intended that there will be any expansion on the current course list for the upcoming academic year.
There are a number of courses in counselling and psychotherapy provided by private higher education providers operated on a for-profit basis, and as such are not listed as approved institutions for student grant purposes under the Student Part Time Fee Regulations 2026. It is open to higher education institutions that operate on a 'for profit' basis to use their own resources to provide financial supports to any of their students that they consider to be in particular need.
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies as set out in legislation and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the management of academic affairs. They retain the right to determine their own policies and procedures, including decisions about programme structures.
My Department welcomes engagement from Higher Education Institutions regarding programmes that may be proposed for consideration in future iterations of the Part-Time Scheme provided they fall within the specified parameters.
My Department and I also remain committed to monitoring and evaluating the Part Time Scheme and a key aim is to broaden flexibility and choice for students as the scheme evolves.
