Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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42. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the supports or scholarships that his Department provides regarding further and higher education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45284/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Ireland Fellows Programme (IFP) was established in 1974 and is an important element of the Irish Aid programme managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  Its aims are to nurture future leaders in developing countries, to develop partner countries’ capacities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, and to build positive relationships with Ireland.  The Programme has grown and evolved over the years, transforming some 4,000 lives, and making invaluable contributions to capacity development throughout the world.

The IFP contributes to capacity building by offering early to mid-career professionals with leadership potential the opportunity to undertake a fully funded one-year masters level qualification at a Higher Education Institution in Ireland. It is managed for the Department by the Irish Council for International Students (ICOS). In addition to funding fees, living and accommodation costs, the Programme features extracurricular volunteering and training opportunities to help Fellows build strong connections during their time in Ireland.

The application process for the Programme is very rigorous and competitive. 216 Fellows participated in the 2024/25 academic year, supported by a budget of €9.8 million, and 225 Ireland Fellowships have been awarded for the 2025/26 year, the highest ever number.  The 2025/26 Fellows are currently arriving in Ireland to start their studies this month. Of the 225 Fellows, 146 are from continental Africa; 31 from Palestine; 18 from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos; 15 from Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean, the Pacific, Africa and Asia; and 15 from ten countries across Latin America.