Tony McCormack (Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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40. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the provisions in place to support students who must commute long distances to college and university, particularly in terms of financial assistance, transport infrastructure, and flexible learning options; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14550/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The main form of financial assistance available to higher education students is the Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI. Maintenance grants under the Student Grant Scheme are awarded either at a higher non-adjacent rate or an adjacent rate, depending on the distance between the applicant’s normal residence and the college attended.

As the Deputy may be aware I recently finalised the Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations 2025. The current qualifying distance of 30km for the higher non-adjacent rate of maintenance grant is intended to provide additional support to those students who may be living away from home and takes into account a reasonable radius within which students may commute on a daily basis.

My Department does 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 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.

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.

Students may be eligible for reduced travel with the TFI (Transport for Ireland) Leap card, more information can be found at . However, this falls under the remit of the Department of Transport as does transport infrastructure.