John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
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700. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the measures being taken to improve access to higher education for students in north and mid-Cork; and if he will consider increased supports for rural students. [67285/25]

James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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The development of diverse and progressive pathways for learners in further and higher education is a key strategic goal of DFHERIS. Tertiary programmes, first launched in July 2023, are a new kind of educational provision which allows a student to begin a degree course in their local Education and Training Board, before transitioning on to complete their degree in a higher education setting. As of Budget 2026, €4m per annum is allocated towards the development of tertiary programmes.

Entry to tertiary programmes is outside the CAO system, providing an alternate pathway to a degree for individuals who may not have received the requisite points for a course they’re passionate about. The tertiary pathway also aims to increase access to higher education for those are excluded from the traditional pathway, particularly the priority access groups outlined in the National Access Plan.

In September 2023 the first intake of tertiary programmes commenced, with 152 students enrolled on 13 programmes. 2024 saw an increased intake with more than 220 students embarking on 19 degree programmes.

A total of 38 courses are running for the academic year 2025/26 including new courses in occupational therapy, nursing, social care and the creative arts.

There are a number of tertiary programmes being offered in Cork across a variety of Cork ETB campuses:

Students who are enrolled on a tertiary degree programme are entitled to apply for a SUSI grant from year 1. While they are studying in the ETB there are no fees, therefore students in year 1 of a tertiary degree are only eligible for a maintenance grant. Students who meet the other eligibility criteria for a the maintenance grant and whose normal residence is more than 30km from the ETB would qualify for an increased non-adjacent rate, providing additional support to cover the cost of transport.

This department recognises the need to offer support for more flexible forms of learning and for the first time in September 2024 a new Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses was introduced to provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. This includes specified in person and blended/hybrid courses.

Its aim is to provide additional flexibility in respect of course provision to students who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. This department is committed to supporting flexible forms of learning, and will keep the policies surrounding support for part-time students under review.

The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme administered by SUSI which provides for fee and maintenance grants to all students who meet the qualifying criteria such as means, residency, nationality and progression.

Over the past number of Budgets DFHERIS has made significant enhancements to the Student Grant Scheme, including changes to income thresholds and maintenance rates, benefitting thousands of students. Students this academic year are benefitting from Budget 2025 which increased all income thresholds to avail of a student grant including increasing all standard rate thresholds by at least 15%.

The Student Grant Scheme recognises the challenges faced by students in accessing education by providing a higher non-adjacent maintenance grant rate for students whose normal residence is 30km or more from their institution. In recognition of the additional costs for students who live further away from their institution Budget 2026 increased all non-adjacent maintenance grants by at least €200 from September 2026, with students in this academic year seeing a pro-rata increase.

In addition, Budget 2026 saw a :

• Permanent reduction to the student contribution charge by €500 commencing this academic year.

• Permanent increase to the Post Graduate Fee Contribution Grant by €500 from €4,000 to €4,500.

Also from September 2026, the income threshold for the special rate of grant will increase in line with social welfare from €27,400 to €28,600.

The income threshold for the €500 student contribution grant will increase from €115,000-€120,000. Combined with the permanent fee reduction, this means that eligible undergraduate students whose households earning are under €120,000 will pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 26/27 academic year.

Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, the Student Assistance Fund assists students in a sensitive and compassionate manner who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances including transport costs. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis and further information can be found on www.studentfinance.ie.