Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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638. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ensure continued ease of access to third-level for all students seeking to avail of education at this level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40288/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Following on from improvements made to the Student Grant Scheme in both Budget 2023 and 2024, a range of further measures were announced as part of Budget 2025 to enhance the scheme and other supports.

Improvements to the Student Grant Schemes effective from September 2025 include:

• Increasing the Special Rate of Maintenance Grant threshold from €26,200 to €27,400.
• Increasing Standard Rate Maintenance Grant thresholds and Student Contribution Grant thresholds by 15%
• Increasing the Postgraduate Fee Contribution threshold and the Student Part-Time Fee Scheme threshold to match the new 100% Student Contribution threshold of €64,315.
• Ensuring that the first €5,000 of any scholarship/bursary received by a student will not be included as income in the grant means test.

• A once off 33% reduction to the student fee for 14,000 apprentices attending higher education institutes.
• A once off €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee that will benefit an estimated 103,000 higher education students who are eligible for the free fees initiative.
• €9 million funding from the NTF to increase PHD stipends from €22,000 to €25,000 per annum.
• A once off increase to the Postgraduate Fee Contribution from €4,000 to €5,000 for eligible students.
• A once off additional €10 million for the Student Assistance Fund.

• €5 million for measures to enhance the provision of supports for students with disabilities.
• €6m to deliver approximately 1,200 student accommodation beds for long-term leasing as part of the Technological University Student Accommodation Programme, 30% of which will be below market rates.
• €16.4 million to increase the number of places across veterinary, medicine and other healthcare disciplines.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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639. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he has identified any specific obstacles which may impede improvement and achievement in the further and higher educational sectors and impact our ability to continue to establish Ireland’s reputation as equal to the best globally in higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40289/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Since the establishment of my Department in June 2020, a key objective has been the continuing enhancement of quality education provision at third level. My Department has worked to drive performance & governance reform and improved outcomes as we work to deliver a world-class tertiary education system that is accessible, adaptable, and aligned with the evolving needs of society.

On May 4th 2022 the Government published Funding the Future, a landmark policy framework on the sustainable funding of the higher education system. It identified €307m as the quantum of funding required to enhance system performance. The framework also identified five priority strands of work, which increased core funding could advance, including a strand in relation to enhancing the quality and international standing of the higher education system.

€105.7m in additional core funding was secured in Budget 2023 and 2024. In 2025 we will increase core funding by a further €58.7m and I have secured Government agreement for a multiannual investment which will increase core funding to higher education by a further €100 million per annum by 2030. This funding will come from the National Training Fund (NTF) and will allow the higher education sector to increase its staffing levels and strengthen its capacity to provide world-class education.

Implementation of the Higher Education Authority Act 2022 continues to be a priority; through this new legislation we are able to bring additional support to the modernisation of governance and accountability mechanisms.

In September 2023, the HEA published a new System performance Framework, which sets out parameters under which higher education institutions demonstrate their unique contribution to the achievement of national strategic priorities and outcomes.

Regarding Further Education and Training, my Department continues to support SOLAS and the ETBs in implementing the FET Strategy: Transforming Learning.

Due to record levels of employment and a competitive market for talent, Ireland is experiencing a skills shortage in various industries, particularly in sectors like construction, technology, healthcare, and green energy. Many of these fields require specific technical or vocational training rather than traditional academic qualifications. This demand is helping to shift perceptions of further education as practical, valuable, and necessary for the economy. While progress has been made, some stigma still exists around further education and training, especially in certain social or academic circles where university pathways are considered more prestigious. Overcoming this entirely will require continuous efforts in raising awareness and promoting the success stories of those who have taken further education and training routes. Government initiatives, industry support, and shifting societal attitudes are helping to elevate the status of further education and training as a valuable, practical, and successful route into employment.

The formal launch of TrustEd Ireland on 25th September 2024 will also advance my Department's efforts to secure Ireland's global reputation as a leader in higher education. TrustEd Ireland is a new international education mark that will be awarded to higher education and English language education providers who have demonstrated that they meet new national standards to ensure a high-quality experience for international students, from enrolment to completion of their programme of study.

The introduction of TrustEd Ireland reflects the Department’s commitment to upholding and enhancing the quality and integrity of Irish education. This new scheme will cement Ireland’s reputation as a destination of choice for international learners, researchers and innovators.