Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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617. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if a college course (details supplied) qualifies for a SUSI grant; if it qualifies for the €1,000 repayment as recently announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51906/22]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Under my Department's student grant scheme, eligible candidates may receive funding provided they are attending an approved course at an approved institution, as defined in the scheme. The definition of an approved course is set out in Section 8 of the Student Support Act 2011 and Regulation 4 of the Student Support Regulations 2022.

The course to which the Deputy refers is not an approved course for student grant purposes.

As part of Budget 2023, I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes.

The once off €1,000 support relates specifically to the student contribution payable by student’s eligible for free tuition fees under the Department free fees schemes in academic year 22/23. It will reduce the student contribution payable for free fees eligible students from €3,000 to €2,000 in 22/23.

As the course referred to by the Deputy is not an approved course under the Free Fees Scheme or under the Student Grant Scheme, students attending this course do not qualify for the once off reduction in the student contribution for 22/23.