Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

221. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will allocate funds for financial assistance to radiation therapy students, who are currently under pressure and receiving no financial support, uniform allowance, travel allowance or payment for clinical placements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10022/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

My Department is committed to supporting students regarding the cost of education, and has introduced measures to assist with the financial burden on students. These measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students that are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative (FFI). This reduction followed on from similar once off student contribution reductions in Budgets 2023 and 2024 for free fees eligible students.

Placement hours are a requirement of the regulator to meet the standards of professional capability necessary to practice in a regulated profession. In the case of health and social care professions the principal regulator is CORU, under the aegis of the Department of Health, which sets the standards of education and training required for the professions which fall within its remit.

Regarding any payments while on placement, this is a matter for the relevant employer, which would be, in the public sector the HSE, and in other cases, private providers. My Department does not provide payments for students while on placement for expenses incurred.

Financial assistance for students can be applied for via SUSI for the Student Grant Scheme. My Department also funds the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). The SAF assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended and on www.studentfinance.ie . This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

222. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he is aware that students that study remotely are deemed ineligible for the SUSI grant even though it can have a life-changing impact on them (details supplied). [10032/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Budget 2025 included a package of measures to support households with the cost of education. These measures include a €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee for higher education students that are eligible for the Free Fees Initiative (FFI). This reduction followed on from similar once off student contribution reductions in Budgets 2023 and 2024 for free fees eligible students.

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. These courses are not part of the Free Fees Initiative and therefore are not eligible to benefit from the €1,000 reduction in the student contribution fee introduced in Budget 2025.

The main form of financial assistance available to higher education students is the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. Online and Distance Learning Courses, do not qualify for grant assistance under the Student Grant Scheme. My Department does however recognise the need to offer support for more flexible forms of learning and last year, for the first time, a new Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses was introduced to provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This includes specified in person and blended/hybrid courses. Its aim is to provide additional flexibility in respect of course provision to students who are socio-economically disadvantaged. The new scheme does not extend to fully online courses. My Department is fully committed to supporting flexible forms of learning, and will keep the policies surrounding support for part-time students under review.

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 in Budget 2025. 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. Students in need of support should contact the Access Office in the higher education institution they attend to check what supports may be available.

Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

223. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if students attending full-time degree courses in a fully online capacity (details supplied) are eligible for SUSI grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10176/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The main form of financial assistance available to higher education students is the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. Online and Distance Learning Courses, do not qualify for grant assistance under the Student Grant Scheme.

My Department does however recognise the need to offer support for more flexible forms of learning and last year, for the first time, a new Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses was introduced to provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This includes specified in person and blended/hybrid courses. Its aim is to provide additional flexibility in respect of course provision to students who are socio-economically disadvantaged. The new scheme does not extend to fully online courses.

My Department is committed to supporting flexible forms of learning, and will keep the policies surrounding support for part-time students under review.

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 in Budget 2025. 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. Students in need of support should contact the Access Office in their higher education institution they attend to see what supports may be available.