Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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346. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if online learners enrolled as fulltime undergraduates still qualify for the free fees initiative. [8420/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Free Fees Initiative (FFI) the State provides funding, exclusive of the student contribution, toward the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students who are pursuing approved full-time undergraduate courses of study in an approved higher education institution in the State. The balance of the fee cost is met by the student via a student contribution which applies in circumstances where a student is eligible for free fees, it is the student’s contribution towards their tuition fee within the terms of the FFI.

Part-time, flexible or fully online courses are not part of the Free Fees Initiative. Higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, responsible for setting the tuition fee rates and determining policies that may apply to students undertaking any part-time, flexible or fully online programmes. Students attending such courses should contact the higher education institution attended who can advise on the relevant fees that apply.

I am conscious that not all students are eligible for free fees or other supports such as SUSI grants. 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 cost of education supports announced in Budget 2025. Students in need of support, can apply to the Access Office in their higher education institution. This Fund assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances.