Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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3424. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the Skillnet SME incentivisation scheme will be launched; and the reason for the delay in launching the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44081/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Budget 2025 provided €8m for a pathfinder project aimed at incentivising SMEs to participate in lifelong learning.

Lifelong learning was one of the four priority areas examined by the 2023 OECD Review of Ireland’s National Skills Strategy, with the Review noting that SMEs face particular challenges in providing or supporting lifelong learning.

The aim of the SME Incentivisation Scheme, is to support small and medium enterprises to upskill and reskill in areas of critical skills needs, ensuring that their workforces have the skills required for the future.

My Department has been working closely with Skillnet Ireland to design a targeted and impactful scheme and it is envisaged that the scheme will be launched in the coming months.

Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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3425. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills on behalf of a person (details supplied), the reason full fees have to be paid to institutions for students granted the full SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44219/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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One of the criteria in the student grant scheme relates to 'progression'. This means that a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another, where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study.

On the award letter issued to the student dated 7 November 2024, the grant awarded relating to fees is dependent on the applicant’s Higher Education Institution (HEI) confirming their eligibility for the Free Fees Initiative. Please note that SUSI does not determine an applicant’s eligibility for the Free Fees Initiative. This is determined by the HEI once the registration has been completed. If either the applicant or the course is not eligible under the Free Fees Initiative, then they are liable for the full tuition fees. However if, as in this case, their income falls within a threshold where a maintenance grant is also payable (under €50,840), SUSI will pay tuition fees up to a maximum of €6,270.

The HEI had advised SUSI that the applicant was not eligible for the Free Fees Initiative as they had completed four years of study prior to commencing their course. However, as the student holds a Level 7 award but has now progressed to a Level 8 award, SUSI can pay their tuition fees up to a maximum of €6,270.

SUSI has informed the college on this matter, however to date they have not updated their claim. Once the HEI has updated their claim for the applicant’s fees, a payment will issue.