Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 December 2025
779. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to support the higher education sector during 2025; his priorities for 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [73564/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I'm sure the Deputy is aware, the breath and scope of the Higher Education sector across Ireland is significant, as too is the work of my Department in supporting the sector. Consequently I will focus my response on key highlights from 2025 and high level priorities for 2026.
Measures taken in 2025 to support the Higher Education sector. Supporting Students and Families:
• I secured a €500 reduction in the student contribution fee – the first permanent reduction since free fees were introduced in 1995. Apprentices in higher education will also see an up to 17% cut to their contribution, applied on a pro-rata basis.
• More families will qualify for student grants - the income threshold to receive a SUSI student contribution grant will rise to €120,000 – the highest ever. This change could benefit thousands of additional undergraduate students.
• 30,000 students to get more support when living or travelling away from home - from September 2026, SUSI non-adjacent payments will rise by €200–€430, with a pro-rata increase this academic year - helping students who live 30km or more from their college campus with the cost of rent, travel, and day-to-day living.
• Postgraduate support boosted - the SUSI postgraduate fee contribution grant is rising from €4,000 to €4,500, backed by a €1 million investment.
Supporting Teaching and Learning in Higher Education
• I am supporting the enhancement of teaching and learning in Higher Education through the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) funding. Higher education institutions collectively received €5 million in SATLE funding in the 2024/25 academic year. This is used to fund initiatives in the areas of digital transformation, Education for Sustainable Development and academic integrity.
• I am also supporting the HEA in their policy work regarding teaching and learning, including the forthcoming national policy framework on generative AI, due to be published in the coming weeks.
• In November, my department held a consultation with the further and higher education sector and other stakeholders which explored the potential for greater embedding of creativity across third level education and research.
Continued Support for the Technological Sector:
• Investment of €65.8m over three years for the Technological sector and specialist colleges.
• On foot of intensive work by my Department, I have now secured the introduction of Professorship grades into the Technological University sector . The grade will see the approval for 50 professors in technological universities and the technology sector, with an initial rollout of 25 across the system through the Targeted Enhancement Fund. My Department will continue to engage with colleagues on this matter and will consult with key stakeholders on the introduction of this new grade to Technological Universities.
Expanding Access to key skills areas - Health Workforce Planning:
• In the area of Health Workforce Planning, a new dentistry programme and two new pharmacy programmes successfully commenced in September.
• An additional pharmacy programme, two veterinary programmes and new medicine programme are on the CAO for 2026, and on track to take in students.
• An expansion of existing nursing programmes has been approved and communicated to HEIs with this expansion due to come on stream in 2026.
• An additional 300 Health and Social Care Professional places commenced in September as planned and further places to be made available in 2026.
Support for learners to upskill in key priority areas through Springboard+
• Springboard+ 2025 launched in May 2025 provides 7,719 places on 249 courses, including 26 micro-credentials providing 752 places for the 2025/2026 academic year. Funding for Springboard+ in the 2025 financial year is secured from the National Training Fund (NTF), with €34.438 million allocated.
• The Micro-Credentials Learner Fee Subsidy was launched in March 2024 to subsidise fees for 13,763 learners across 650 micro-credential courses, with an 80% subsidy rate for key priority areas including artificial intelligence, cyber security and ICT (and 50% for other courses). The scheme is running until the end of the 2025/2026 academic year and learners could avail of the subsidy up until 31 October 2025.
Record investment in Apprenticeships, Skills and Research:
• In budget 2026, I allocated a record €79 million investment in apprenticeships – funding has more than doubled since 2020, rising from €184 million to over €400 million by 2026.
• Increase in the Research and Development Tax Credit from 30% to 35% – demonstrating our commitment to the research sector, promoting collaboration between industry and academia, and positioning ourselves as a competitive destination for innovative companies and startups.
Working towards Funding Reform
• In the area of funding reform, an HEA-led sectoral working group has been established and first two meetings held, with my Department to attend the group in an advisory capacity. The group will meet for two years, delivering an interim report next summer and final recommendations in 2027.
Building Confidence and Trust
• Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), an agency under the remit of my Department, is currently introducing TrustEd Ireland – a new international education quality mark. TrustEd Ireland is a key pillar of the Government’s policy for international education, as set out in Global Citizens 2030: Ireland’s International Talent and Innovation Strategy to 2030. The TrustEd Ireland Mark will be awarded by QQI to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet new national standards to ensure a quality experience for international learners.
Higher Education Infrastructure
• My Department works collaboratively, through the HEA and higher education institutions, on the development and delivery of capital infrastructure projects. Almost €255m in capital funding was disbursed to the higher education sector during the course of 2025 to progress existing capital projects and support devolved funding mechanisms.
• As part of the National Development Plan 2025 review, I secured a capital allocation of €4.55bn over the next 5-years 2026 - 2030 for DFHERIS. Over half of this allocation €2.45 billion is targeted at strengthening Ireland’s research and Innovation capacity; this investment will support world-class research facilities, new research centres, advanced equipment and major international collaborations, while also enabling the continued delivery of significant investment in higher and further education.
• In November 2025 I announced INSPIRE, a landmark €750m research infrastructure programme for Ireland’s research and innovation system. It will support Ireland’s High-Performance Computing capacity and Tyndall National Institute. At least €500m will be invested over the lifetime of the NDP in two funding streams:
• Local institutional infrastructure, routine research equipment used within higher education institution for both teaching and research purposes, and
• Shared advanced infrastructures, major equipment that is appropriately shared across a number of institutions and is accessible to external users.
• This programme will be administered by the HEA and Research Ireland, and it will open for applications in Q1 2026.
My Priorities for 2026:Continued support for Technological Universities
• Support the implementation of the Targeted Enhancement Fund and in particular the first phase of Professorships in the Technological University sector.
• Support continued reform of academic staffing in the Technological University sector as recommended in the 2022 OECD report.
Generation investments in Research Infrastructure
• €2.1 billion will be provided for the development and enhancement of higher and further education infrastructure over the period 2026 to 2030. Of this, DFHERIS will have a total capital allocation of €311m in 2026, for further and higher education capital infrastructure investment. A programmatic approach to capital investment ensures strategic delivery of multiple projects as cohesive programmes, aligned with Infrastructure Guidelines. This investment will deliver new and upgraded facilities, modernised campuses with modern equipment and additional capacity to meet growing regional and national demand, focusing on a range of key higher and further education programmes. Specifically on the higher education side, it will focus on key higher education programmes, including, the Higher Education Strategic Infrastructure Programme, the Infrastructure Upgrade and Refurbishment Programme, the Technological Sector Strategic Projects Programme and the Public Private Partnership Programme.
Continued Expansion of places in Healthcare Education
• Over 1,100 additional healthcare course places will be created - backed by a €23.5 million investment, this major expansion includes medicine, nursing, disability therapies and social care - a 27% increase in capacity to train the next generation of healthcare professionals.
Strong focus on Inclusion and Wellbeing on Higher Education Campus
• €1 million in Budget 2026 for student mental health and healthy campus initiatives - supporting wellbeing across higher education institutions.
• €3 million boost for students with disabilities - includes €1 million for higher education and €2 million for further education and training colleges – supporting over 22,000 students and building a more inclusive education system. Included in the additional funding for further education and training is the provision to cover transport costs for learners with intellectual disabilities. This is part of our wider commitment to building a more inclusive and accessible education system.
• Ensuring that students are able to access quality information about their course, attendant qualifications and career prospects.
