Naoise Ó Muirí (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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986. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of courses and places available in the coming academic year under Springboard and under the human capital initiative; whether new general areas of skill shortage have been added to the range of courses being offered under these options; the payments to be made by students; and if participants on these courses can be paid under SUSI or under the back to education allowance while participating. [51921/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In May 2025, Springboard+ 2025 was launched, providing 7,719 places on 249 courses. Included in this list are 26 ‘micro-credentials’ courses which are suitable for those interested in shorter courses to upskill in very specific areas.

The course list includes a range of critical skills areas, including renewable and offshore wind energy; infrastructure planning; sustainable building; digital skills, cyber security and artificial intelligence.

In terms of fees paid by a Springboard+ participant, these vary depending on the applicant's employment status, the course level and the course type. Please see the table below which provides an overview of fee information on Springboard+ part-time, ICT Skills Conversion, and Micro-credential courses. Note that for Springboard+ funded courses at NFQ Levels 7 to 9, if an applicant is employed and in receipt of the Working Family Payment or employed on a Community Employment Scheme, the 10% fee contribution is waived. For NFQ Level 6 Springboard+ courses, there is no fee contribution, regardless of employment status.

Springboard+ applicants are not eligible for SUSI grants. However, they may be eligible for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) depending on their circumstances. Applicants should clarify this with their local Intreo Centre.

As regards the Human Capital Initiative (HCI), this 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. Although this programme is now concluding, HCI Pillar 3 Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy funding commenced in February 2024 and continues for the autumn intake in the current academic year. The subsidy provides a 50-80% reduction on the student fee for 13,879 places across 654 courses in skill needs areas. The course offering is under regular review and new areas of skills shortage have been added for the current academic year in the areas of AI, Biopharma, Construction, Cyber Security, Engineering, ICT and Finance. Eligibility for the subsidy is in line with Springboard+ criteria for employed and unemployed learners who, subject to Department of Social Protection criteria, may be entitled to the BTEA. SUSI funding does not apply to Micro-credential courses due to their short duration and smaller number of ECTs awarded.

Louis O'Hara (Galway East, Sinn Fein)
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987. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if his Department is responsible for the funding of ongoing operational costs (rent, rates, staffing, administration, etc.) of publicly funded programmes such as music generation and ETB music services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52018/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is not responsible for the funding of music generation and ETB music services. This may fall under the remit of the Department of Education and Youth.