Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am pleased to say Sligo has led the way in the provision of part-time education at what was IT Sligo and is now ATU Sligo. It has a very proud record. Up until now, students have had to pay significant fees to access part-time education. That simply does not make sense when we are trying the help people who are in work to upskill or help people who did have an opportunity to access higher education at an earlier stage. As a result of the budget, from September, for those on an approved part-time course with a household income below just under €56,000, we will pay the fees.

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