Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 June 2026
1047. Deputy Donna McGettigan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the estimated total cost of offering free third level education to students who take the course through Irish-medium education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45401/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraHigher Education Institutions are autonomous institutions responsible for their own academic affairs including the development of relevant curriculum and student numbers on individual courses. Fee rates can vary depending on a variety of factors, including the type of course and the fee rates of a particular institution.
Determining the number of students studying Irish at third level is not straightforward, as Irish is offered as an optional component of many programmes, including most BA joint honours programmes. However, the most recent HEA enrolment figures indicate that there were an estimated 505 students studying courses through Irish in the 2024/2025 academic year, with a further 2,525 studying courses partially through Irish.
Development of a scheme to pay full tuition fee costs for all students undertaking a higher education course through the medium of Irish would require a specific engagement with providers to agree terms and conditions, including approved courses, funding arrangements, fee rates, student numbers and eligibility criteria. In this regard, it is not possible to estimate the costs sought in the absence of a specific engagement with the sector.
My Department supports Irish language provision through both core funding and specific funding streams, including an annual allocation of €900,000 to support the use of Irish among students and staff, and an earmarked allocation of €1.766 million annually to support Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge.
A Sectoral Working Group on Tertiary Education Requirements for Irish Language in the Public Sector will meet for the first time later this month. This group will examine practical ways in which Irish medium provision, and provision for Irish language skills, in the tertiary education sector, could be expanded.
