Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent)

I welcome the students to the Gallery and assure them that, despite what has been said, I and my Government colleagues do not live in an ivory tower. Our feet are firmly on the ground despite one of my colleagues having accused us a few minutes ago of having our heads down. In fact, I took notes on what he said so that I could respond to him. What we hear is this kind of bluster. What is being said here today is just false. What I want to do is look at the reality. In that context, I want to raise an issue that is often ignored in this debate, which is the flexibility of the tertiary system that leads to third level degrees, and the real and expanding supports for students both in terms of access and financial supports in that system. That is a priority for the Department.

These courses provide a pathway through further education to degree qualification in areas like software development, hospitality services and healthcare. We recently announced the launch of a new programme for September 2025, which includes programmes in critical areas such as occupational therapy, social care and nursing.

This is another example where we are supporting students. In 2024, for the first time supports were made available to students on certain part-time courses under the student grant scheme. This was the first time this happened. There were 62 eligible courses and, this year, the number of courses will almost double, to 109. That is a really important support for students and a good example of where this Government is listening and addressing some of the identified needs of students. It is a clear example of how we are expanding access to third-level qualifications and addressing the lived realities of so many people's lives.

As I said, there is a broad range of pathways in further education and training, allowing learners to progress in their education, especially in areas of high demand. For example, learners can step into the future with the one-year traineeship in AI and computer fundamentals or a traineeship in renewable construction technologies that offers hands-on experience. There are more apprenticeships on offer now than ever before. Alongside the traditional craft apprenticeships which have seen a 35% increase in new registrations in the past five years, there are consortia apprenticeships in areas like IT, biopharma and finance. Four new apprenticeships were launched in 2024, adding to the growing number. We added advanced manufacturing engineering at level 8, digital marketing at level 6, social work at level 9 and software solutions architecture at level 9. The apprenticeship model is "earn as you learn", again expanding access, providing different pathways and supporting students and their families in tertiary education. As I said, this is often ignored in the debate but it provides a real pathway for many students to attain their degrees and further education. The numbers accessing higher education in Ireland are way above the European average, as I learned while I was an MEP.

This Government is committed to progressing towards a system that is less reliant on temporary subventions and more focused on equitable and permanent solutions. That is why it fully intends to deliver on the programme for Government commitment to reduce the student contribution over the lifetime of this Government. That promise was made and will be delivered.

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