Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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181. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will make SUSI available to students studying full-time online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33003/25]

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. Full-time 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

Any future expansion of the parameters of either scheme can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.

Students experiencing exceptional financial need may be eligible to apply for supports under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). 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.