Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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887. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the detailed breakdown of funding allocations for Hear and Dare for 2024, 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56831/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The Higher Education Route (HEAR) and the Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) are operated by the Irish Universities Association, on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and my Department has no remit for this scheme. Under HEAR & DARE each institution determines its own admissions policy, the number of places to be reserved and the the allocation of those places.

My Department does not provide funding for the HEAR and DARE schemes and therefore the information that the Deputy has requested is not available.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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891. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the detailed breakdown of funding allocations for the FSD grant for 2024, 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56835/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The purpose of the Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) is to assist higher education institutions in ensuring students with disabilities have the necessary assistance and equipment to enable them access, fully participate in and successfully complete their chosen course of study.

The FSD is one of the main funding sources supporting participation by students with disabilities in approved higher education courses in Ireland. It also supports students from Ireland to study on approved courses in other EU countries and in the UK, including Northern Ireland.

The Fund for Higher Education was increased in the recent budget by over 10% bringing it to €10.5m. This follows increases of 5% and 18% respectively in 2024 and 2025.

The extra funding announced will help students at undergraduate and postgraduate levels who require specific and tailored support such as non-medical helpers, transport and assistive technology.

I have attached below a table illustrating the allocation and spend as requested by the Deputy, however, for 2026, this allocation was announced in the Budget and the breakdown of 2026 figures will not be available until March 2026 when modelling is complete.

It should be noted for 2025 - FSD EEA/UK applications have 2 closing dates – 17th October and 21st November 2025. Applications are processed on an ongoing basis and payments usually made in February the following year.

The FSD Contingency Fund (calculated at 5% of the allocation minus the UK/EEA amount) is usually allocated in late October based on reports from HEIs.

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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892. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the detailed breakdown of funding allocations for the 1916 Bursary for 2024, 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56836/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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One of my key priorities and indeed one of the Governments is to support the participation and success for all students in third level education in our country. The 1916 Bursary is an award made to eligible Students from the most disadvantaged background who are new entrants to higher education.

The table below outlines the breakdown of new bursaries awarded to eligible students for the last 3 academic years:

Donna McGettigan (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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897. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills for a detailed breakdown of funding allocations for Quality and Qualifications Ireland for 2024, 2025 and 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56844/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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Details of the funding allocation to QQI for 2024 and 2025 is available under the Revised Estimates Volume voted by the Oireachtas. I include a link to this information for your convenience: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-public-expenditure-infrastructure-public-service-reform-and-digitalisation/collections/the-revised-estimates-volumes-for-the-public-service/.

The funding allocation for 2026 will be agreed as part of the 2026 Revised Estimates Volume which will be voted by the Oireachtas in due course.