I propose to take Questions Nos. 945, 946, 947 and 948 together.
I am very mindful of the significant demands placed on students undertaking mandatory placements as part of their programmes, including nursing students who may incur additional costs where placements are not located close to home or are not scheduled on consecutive days. I recognise the financial and personal pressures that can arise in such circumstances.
In this context, my Department is progressing a targeted pilot support to assist students facing placement-related costs. It is my intention to pilot a Student Placement Support payment, which will be delivered through the Student Assistance Fund (SAF).
The pilot will be implemented in a small number of higher education institutions, in order to assess its impact and to inform future considerations. Detailed guidelines for the Student Placement Support payment are currently under consideration, including eligibility criteria.
In terms of timing, the placement support is expected to be rolled out for the start of the 2026/27 academic year, with further information to be communicated once the guidelines have been finalised.
Regarding engagement, the guidelines for the Student Placement Support payment are currently under consideration. As part of this process, the Department will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders as appropriate.
With regard to funding, the Student Placement Support payment will be delivered through the Student Assistance Fund on a pilot basis in a small number of higher education institutions. The purpose of the pilot is to assess its impact and inform future considerations.
In relation to nursing students and clinical placements, including those attending Trinity College Dublin, I wish to reiterate that the organisation and scheduling of clinical placements is a matter for higher education institutions and clinical partners, including the HSE, within the framework of regulatory requirements set by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI). My Department does not have a direct role in the operational management of placements.
There has been ongoing engagement with the Department of Health and the HSE in relation to healthcare education provision more broadly, including clinical placement capacity and the student experience. This includes consideration of the supports available to students during placements, such as those provided under Department of Health Circular 4/2023 for nursing and midwifery students.
The development of the Student Placement Support pilot remains under consideration. Any engagement with other Government Departments, agencies, higher education institutions or stakeholders as part of this process will inform the finalisation of the scheme guidelines.
As the guidelines are currently under consideration, it would be premature to comment on the eligibility of particular categories of students, including nursing students, or on the specific costs that may be covered. Details of eligibility and operation of the pilot will be set out once the guidelines have been finalised.
I recognise the concerns that have been raised regarding the financial pressures experienced by some nursing students undertaking clinical placements. My Department will continue to engage with relevant stakeholders on matters affecting students and will keep the need for appropriate supports under review.
