Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 October 2024
631. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a course (details supplied) is not covered for State funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40080/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that the institution to which she refers is funded by the Department of Education.
Private higher education institutions, including the institution to which the Deputy refers, may be able to receive funding or subsidies from the State for limited courses that are approved for funding under specific initiatives.
Through the Free Fees Initiative (FFI) the State has assumed responsibility for compensating institutions for the income previously generated by student tuition fees payable by FFI eligible students, attending free fees approved courses, exclusive of the student contribution.
FFI approved course eligibility is restricted to full-time undergraduate courses in public higher education institutions (HEIs) as well as a limited number of designated courses in private not for profit institutions. The institution under reference has limited free fees eligible courses approved and funded by the Department of Education.
It is open to private institutions, like the college in question, to offer additional undergraduate courses outside those approved for free fees or approved for other State schemes offering a subsidy towards course provision.
As the Deputy will appreciate, while private and private not for profit institutions play an important role in the overall higher education landscape, it is not possible for my Department to directly subsidise all courses or student places provided by private institutions.
In this regard the extension of free fees funding to additional courses in private institutions only applies where a specific teaching and learning need has been identified by the Department, another Department or the HEA.
With respect to the Deputy’s specific question, the course under query was established by the institution and neither this Department nor the HEA have issued a call for the provision of free fees courses in the skill area referenced.
It remains open to the college to apply for funding through competitive call processes such as Springboard+ or other HEA calls for expression of interest to provide courses in response to national skill needs.
