Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1022. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to investigate a master’s course issue (details supplied) as a student is now at a significant loss; if his Department will have this course reinstated; if the student will be reimbursed; the other options available to the student; if he accepts that this is unacceptable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38954/25]

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1030. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills to urgently examine the case for allowing the second year of a master programme to proceed (details supplied); so that students may complete their studies and the funded year under the HCI Pillar 3 is not a complete waste of funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39443/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1022 and 1030 together.

The Department has reviewed the matter raised regarding the cancellation of the Masters component of the Postgraduate Certificate/ Masters programme in Sustainability in Enterprise which the student had planned to complete. These are joint programmes delivered between UCC, Maynooth University (MU), and Atlantic Technological University (ATU), developed as part of the HCI Pillar 3 funding allocation for the Sustainable Futures project. This programme consists of a first year, the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise (NFQ Level 9, Minor Award). Following successful completion of the Postgraduate Certificate, students could continue on to complete the MSc in Sustainability in Enterprise (NFQ Level 9, Major Award).

Following a review of available records, it appears the student was enrolled in the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise. The Human Capital Initiative (HCI) is a five-year programme (2020–2024) aimed to increase capacity in higher education and to provide skills-focused programmes designed to meet priority skills needs. Sustainable Futures included a range of offerings including the Postgraduate Certificate/Master’s in Sustainability in Enterprise. However, the funding model under Pillar 3 provided top-up support to institutions rather than full programme funding and it was at the discretion of UCC how to allocate these funds within their institution. The original funding for this project is due to conclude in October 2025.

It is understood that, following completion of the Postgraduate Certificate, the student may have anticipated progressing to the full Master’s programme. Unfortunately, the programme has discontinued. In October 2024, the partner HEIs indicated they would not be participating in the delivery beyond the 2024/25 academic year. The Department acknowledges the disappointment this has caused and regrets the inconvenience to the students involved.

However, UCC has confirmed to the Department that there are plans to develop a UCC-only MSc in Sustainability, which is in the planning stage with an anticipated first intake in 2026/27. Students who have completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise will be facilitated in registering for this and any other programme that might meet their requirements.

In addition, a number of possible pathways and programmes in UCC and the partner HEIs have been mapped and communicated to the students who completed the Postgraduate Certificate in Sustainability in Enterprise. This was communicated in early June and includes the UCC , for those with an engineering background or the MSc in International Sustainable Business for those with a business background.

Options available at MU can be found .

ATU Sligo has a new online and part-time .

It is important to note that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Ireland are autonomous under the Universities Act 1997 and related legislation. This autonomy includes decisions regarding course offerings, funding allocations and internal academic matters. As such, neither I nor the Department has authority to reinstate the course. I would encourage students to engage directly with their university in the first instance to ascertain the options available to them to continue their studies either within the university or at another provider.

While my Department cannot intervene in the internal decisions of HEIs, I recognise the importance of transparency and consistency in programme delivery and will continue to work with institutions to ensure that any pathways or changes to existing programmes are communicated clearly to students.

Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
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1023. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will act to ensure that a university swiftly acquires accreditation for a course (details supplied), and that current students will not be penalised for administrative or procedural delays beyond their control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38962/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in question are autonomous bodies within the meaning of the Universities Act 1997. As autonomous bodies with academic and administrative freedom, each institution is responsible for its own policies and programme development.

It is a matter for each individual HEI to determine the intended outcomes for its programmes including if they are to be primarily academic/research focused or where such programmes are to be for the purposes of access to a regulated profession. In the latter case, the HEI must design its programmes in alignment with the regulatory standards set out by the relevant competent authority for that profession, including incorporating any clinical placement or practice requirements, and seek that authority’s independent statutory approval, in this case CORU. As Minister, I have no role in either function. However, via Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), an aegis body of my Department, a forum is in place to support, promote and facilitate closer engagement between HEIs and Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies on these matters.

When choosing a programme to study, it is essential that learners have the necessary information to make informed choices. This is even more critical if the learner is seeking to work in a regulated profession after graduation. This information should be available first and foremost from each HEI but if in doubt, learners should engage directly with the HEI for clarification and to discuss their options. Regulatory Bodies also make information available on their regulatory requirements, approved courses, and the pathways to practice the professions under their remit. For those learners who are at an advanced stage of their studies on a programme that is not accredited and who wish to pursue a career within the regulated profession in question, engagement with the regulator will inform the options and pathways available to them.