Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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728. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) facing radiation therapy students in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4665/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to thank the Deputy for raising the issue of Radiation Therapy education programmes. Officials in my Department have been engaging with officials in the Department of Health and both providers, Trinity College Dublin and University College Cork, to support expansion of places on both programmes. The delivery of these programmes is complex and requires suitably qualified staff and practice placements to be available for students to meet the requirements of the regulator. My Department will continue to work with the HSE and the Department of Health on this issue.

My Department provides financial support to students the student grant scheme and the student assistance fund (SAF). In 2024, the value of all maintenance grants was increased, and Budget 2025 increased the income thresholds to qualify for a grant.

Students experiencing exceptional financial need, may be eligible to apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) which has been supplemented by a further €10m under the Government’s cost of education supports in Budget 2025. Applications for support can be made in confidence to the Access Office in the higher education institution attended. This Fund can be used to meet costs such as childcare, rent, transport costs, books or class materials.

Payments while on placement would be a matter for the employer, in this case the Department of Health, in the first instance.