Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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583. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the available grant options for intending students who wish to pursue part-time master's degree courses, given the fact that many people are not in the financial position to give up work in order to pursue a full-time master's degree course. [38978/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The main support in place at present for part-time students on master’s courses is Springboard+. This is managed by the Higher Education Authority on behalf of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science. It offers free and heavily subsidised upskilling and reskilling higher education opportunities in areas of identified skills need. Courses range from Level 6 to Level 9 on the NFQ, which include master’s degree courses, with the majority of these courses being delivered on a flexible and part-time basis.

My Department is continually monitoring the student supports available in order to make improvements where possible, subject to budgetary constraints.

Up until recently, there was no fee support for students undertaking part-time courses. As the Deputy may be aware, I recently launched the new Part Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses. This Scheme is limited to undergraduate courses at present as the Student Support Act 2011 only allows for part-time courses at undergraduate level to be approved. Any future extension to postgraduate courses would require a change to the Student Support Act 2011.

Students on part-time postgraduate programmes may also be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education.