Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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943. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) is not eligible for the free fees initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33958/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The institution to which the Deputy refers is not under the auspices of my Department. Its primary relationship is with the Department of Education who I understand, provides funding to it to meet specific skills needs.

Private higher education institutions, including the institution to which the Deputy refers, may be eligible to receive funding from the State for limited courses that are approved for funding under specific initiatives. These include the Free Fees Initiative, Apprenticeships and Springboard+. Under the respective arrangements, the State has agreed to provide funding for specific courses in line with specific agreements made between the relevant funding body and the private institution.

Free Fees Initiative (FFI) approved course eligibility is restricted to full-time undergraduate courses in public higher education institutions (HEIs) as well as a limited number of designated courses in private, not for profit institutions. I understand that the institution under reference has a limited number of FFI eligible courses approved and funded by the Department of Education.

It is open to private institutions, like the college in question, to develop and operate courses outside of those approved for State funding, without an expectation of public funding.

The extension of free fees funding to additional courses in private institutions only applies where a specific teaching and learning need has been identified by my Department, another Department or the HEA.

It remains open to the college in question to apply for funding through competitive call processes, such as Springboard+, to provide courses in response to national skill needs.