I propose to take Questions Nos. 903 and 926 together.
Thank you, Deputy, for your questions related to growth in student enrolments and funding for same by the State.
As requested, I have provided the most available data below in tabular format, which addresses the growth in student enrolments across the higher education sector since 2022 and the number of additional students supported by the Free Fees Scheme in the same period.
The growth in student enrolments across the higher education sector in each year since 2022
|
Academic Year
|
Total Enrolments
|
Annual Increase
|
% Change
|
|
2022/23
|
256,785
|
-4,225
|
-1.6%
|
|
2023/24
|
265,905
|
9,120
|
3.6%
|
|
2024/25
|
278,880
|
12,975
|
4.9%
|
As evident, Higher education enrolments have increased steadily since 2022/23. Overall, enrolments grew by 22,095 students (8.6%) between 2022/23 and 2024/25. The below report illustrates the annual data since 2022 on higher education enrolment growth, additional State-funded student places, funding provided to meet demographic growth and the proportion of additional enrolments supported through that funding.
Under the Free Fees Initiative, the State assumes responsibility for compensating higher education institutions for the tuition fee income that would otherwise be payable by students eligible for the scheme and enrolled on approved programmes. This funding does not include the student contribution charge.
Eligibility for the Free Fees Initiative is restricted to full-time undergraduate courses in public higher education institutions (HEIs) and a limited number of designated courses in private not for profit institutions. Costs and numbers of students are advised below:
|
Free Fees Initiative: Costs and Student Numbers 2022 - 2025
Year
|
€'000
|
Numbers
|
|
2022-2023
|
357,903
|
141,077
|
|
2023-2024
|
368,250
|
143,061
|
|
2024-2025
|
382,869
|
148,182
|
|
2025-2026
|
472,912
|
154,452
|
In respect to the second part of your question, the total Exchequer funding allocated in respect of demographic growth in each year since 2022, is presented below in tabular form. Please note that the impact of Exchequer funding for demographic growth is felt in the year following.
|
The total Exchequer funding allocated in respect of demographic growth in each year since 2022.
Year
|
Exchequer Funding Allocated for Demographic Growth (€m)
|
|
2022
|
€18,000,000
|
|
2023
|
€31,300,000
|
|
2024
|
–
|
|
2025
|
–
|
|
2026
|
€2,190,000
|
