Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1959.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students from the State studying at further and higher education level in Northern Ireland in the academic years 2022-2023 and 2023-2024; the financial supports available for such students to meet fees and maintenance costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[33932/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Based on most up-to-date for two full academic years, the Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland has provided the data below for the number of students domiciled in Ireland who were studying at Further and Higher Education Institutions in Northern Ireland for the 2021/22 and 2022/23 academic years. (Data for 2023/24 is not yet available.)

Number of Students domiciled in Ireland enrolled in NI FE Colleges (2021/22 to 2022/23)

Number of Students domiciled in Ireland enrolled in NI HEIs (Level of Study - Undergraduate & Postgraduate) (2021/22 to 2022/23)

Irish students who choose to study a full-time undergraduate course in Northern Ireland can apply to Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) for a maintenance grant in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Student Grant Scheme.

The Student Grant Scheme does not extend to Post-Leaving Certificate courses pursued outside the State. Furthermore, the scheme does not cover the payment of tuition fees to institutions outside Ireland, other than the exceptional provision in respect of postgraduate courses in four publicly funded approved institutions in Northern Ireland:

• Queen’s University, Belfast,
• University of Ulster,
• St. Mary’s College of Education, Belfast and
• Stranmillis College, Belfast.

Students seeking to pursue their studies in Northern Ireland are advised to contact Student Finance Northern Ireland. In addition, they may wish to contact the relevant Further or Higher Education Institution in Northern Ireland for advice on the type and range of supports that may be available in any specific college.