Paula Butterly (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1160. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if he will consider extending the scope for the free fees initiative, which caps undergraduate fees at €3000, or €2500 as of the Budget 2026, to include undergraduate courses in higher education institutions that are currently excluded from the fee cap arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62125/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, I have recently announced the details of a Budget 2026 decision to permanently reduce the student contribution charge from €3,000 to €2,500, starting from this academic year. The reduction in the student contribution charge applies to all Free Fees eligible courses and I have secured funding on that basis.

Through the Free Fees Initiative, the State has assumed responsibility for compensating institutions for the income previously generated by student tuition fees payable by free fees eligible students who are attending free fees approved courses, exclusive of the student contribution. Eligibility for the Free Fees Initiative is restricted to full-time undergraduate courses in public higher education institutions (HEIs) and a limited number of designated courses in private not for profit institutions.

It is not possible to provide direct funding to all courses that may be offered across the public and private higher education sector. It remains open to institutions to establish additional courses outside of those approved for State support. The establishment of such courses does not give rise to the provision of additional State funding.

I am conscious of the need to have a responsive system that can deliver on Government priorities and skills needs as they arise. It remains open to higher education providers to apply for State funding through competitive call processes, such as those managed by the HEA in relation to Springboard+, to provide courses in response to national skill needs.