Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

947. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding the Mitchell scholarship and the funding for it; if he is supportive of the aims and continuation of this fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34280/25]

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

My Department remains supportive of and committed to the continuation of the George Mitchell Scholarship Programme.

A significant level of State resources is held in a fund for the delivery of the scholarships under the legislative framework in place and this funding has been supplemented over recent years by a significant annual subvention from my Department.

Officials from my Department recently met with the US-Ireland Alliance which manages the scholarship programme, to encourage the Alliance to re-start recruitment for participation on the programme which was paused by the Alliance in early 2024.

Following the meeting my Department is exploring options, consistent with the legal framework in place to seek to secure this important objective.