John Connolly (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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329. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if any courses run by an institution (details supplied) are approved courses under the student fee scheme for specified undergraduate courses as set out in Section 7 of the Student Support Act 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54055/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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In recognition of the importance of flexible learning pathways, my Department introduced a new Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses in 2024. This Scheme provides fee support to eligible part-time students enrolled in specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. The scheme includes both in-person and blended/hybrid courses and is designed to enhance access to higher education for students from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

The Part Time Fee Scheme is limited to undergraduate courses at present as the Student Support Act 2011 only allows for part-time courses at undergraduate level to be approved. Any future extension to postgraduate courses would require a change to the Student Support Act 2011.

The Student Part-Time Fee Scheme Regulations 2025 are published on www.irishstatutuebook.ie and outline courses which have been approved. I can confirm that no courses run by the institution referred to by the Deputy are approved.

My Department is committed to supporting flexible forms of learning, and will keep the policies surrounding support for part-time students under review. However, any future expansion of the parameters of the scheme can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.