Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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2011.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the development of the new veterinary training course; whether the location has been finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[35810/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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Expansion of provision of Veterinary Medicine programmes is a key priority for Government. However, these programmes are complex to deliver and require appropriate equipment, laboratory facilities, and appropriately qualified academic staff, to meet the requirements of the regulator.

As you are aware, the HEA Expression of Interest process brought to Government in June last year identified a number of options to expand third level places. The options identified through the HEA's process have the potential to transform the numbers of students who can take up places in these key areas. This would be an expansion at a scale rarely seen and is a significant investment of public funding in our Higher Education Institutions.

I hope to be in a position to make an announcement on this matter in the coming weeks.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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2012.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the basis on which persons undertaking part-time or online study can avail of student support; whether the means test takes into account parental income or only the part-time earnings of the student themselves; and the number of students likely to be eligible under these provisions, in tabular form.[35849/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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I was delighted to launch the new Part Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses recently, which came into effect from September 1^st, 2024.

This is the first time, under the Student Support Act, that fee support will be available for students studying part-time. Fee support will be provided to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award.

There are 62 part-time courses identified as being eligible for this scheme for the 2024/25 academic year, encompassing both in-person and hybrid (part in-person, part online) provision. Eligible courses must have an average of between 30 and 50 credits (ECTS) per year.

Eligibility will be subject to meeting nationality, progression and residency criteria, similar to the existing Student Grant Scheme.

This Scheme is means tested and a student’s total reckonable household income must fall below specific income thresholds. The threshold for the 2024/25 academic year is €55,924.

For student grants purposes, students are categorised according to their circumstances either as students dependent on parents/ legal guardian or as independent mature students.

A student may be assessed as an independent mature student if they have reached the age of 23 on the 1st of January of the year of first entry to an approved course or of re-entry following a break in studies of at least three years and is not ordinarily resident with their parents from the previous October. Otherwise, they would continue to be assessed on the basis of parental income.

As an independent student, the student’s income and that of their spouse, civil partner or co-habitant is included in the income calculation.

A deduction of up to a maximum amount of €7,925 of student earnings during the previous calendar year can be deducted from reckonable income.

The data which the deputy is requesting for the 2024/25 academic year is currently not available. However, the most recent data available show that SUSI have received 262 applications. The current average processing time for part-time applications is 2 weeks.

My Department, is committed to monitoring and evaluating the scheme during the pilot stage of this new initiative. It is expected that the number of students studying part time will increase over time because of the greater flexibility it offers. This is an important new initiative which will open the doors of higher education to many groups who cannot participate in full time programmes.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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2013.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of students who will become eligible for maintenance payment for postgraduate study for the first time this year.[35852/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The information sought by the Deputy is not readily available. I have arranged for officials from my Department to forward the information directly to the Deputy's office once it is available.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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2014.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the various rates of maintenance grant; and the various rates of discount on student contribution which will apply in the coming academic year under the SUSI scheme and the income thresholds at which they take effect.[35853/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The annual rates of maintenance grant for undergraduate and postgraduate students, maximum tuition fee grant rates for undergraduate students, postgraduate fee grant rates, student contribution grant rates for undergraduate students and income limits for the student contribution grant for the 2024/25 academic year are all listed below.

Table 1

Annual rates of maintenance grant for undergraduate and postgraduate students

2024/25 academic year

Table 2

Maximum tuition fee grant rate for undergraduate students for the 2024/25 academic year

Table 3

Postgraduate Fee Grant Rates for the 2024/25 academic year

Table 4

Table 5

Income limits for the student contribution grant for the 2024/25 academic year

The Deputy will be aware that in advance of Budget 2025 this autumn, I will be publishing an options paper which will set out various possible measures to reduce the cost of education. I am doing this in order to facilitate public discussion on the various choices available to improve student supports. I will have regard to these options when making proposals in the context of budget discussions.

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
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2015.To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the number of courses and of total 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 whether participants on these courses can be paid under SUSI or under the back-to-education allowance while participating.[35854/24]

Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael)
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The Irish Government is dedicated to enhancing the higher education system by providing funding through Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiative (HCI). The Higher Education Authority (HEA) is the agency overseeing these initiatives on behalf of my Department. These initiatives are designed to address critical skill shortages in the economy and aim to bridge skill gaps by offering targeted educational programs in collaboration with industry partners.

Springboard+ 2024 launched in May 2024 is providing 8,225 places on 248 courses. Springboard+ 2024 is the final year of a 3-year multi annual funding cycle. Courses funded under Springboard+ 2022 were renewed for funding in 2023 and 2024 subject to satisfactory fill rates. No new skills areas were included in 2024. The eligible skills areas under the 2022 call are set out at the link below. Subject to approval in Budget 2025, it is planned that there will be a call for proposals for Springboard+ 2025, which will review the skills areas to be included.

Under Human Capital Initiative (HCI) Pillar 1, Graduate Conversion Programmes 2024, 3,350 places are being provided on 106 courses. HCI Pillar 1 2024 is in its second year of a 2-year multi-annual funding cycle. The broad eligible skills areas were defined in 2023 and are set out at the link below.

Participants enrolled in Springboard+ and HCI Pillar 1 courses are typically not eligible for SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) grants.

For Springboard+ and HCI Pillar 1 participants in employment pay a contribution of 10% of the course fee, directly to the course provider. Unemployed participants, in receipt of eligible Department of Social Protection (DSP) payments, are not liable for any fees with the course fee subsidised entirely by the state. The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) may be available for eligible participants, offering further financial support while studying. This cohort are advised to consult with their DSP personal employment advisor to establish which payment they are entitled to while participating on a Springboard+ course. Detailed information on courses, eligibility, and application procedures can be found on the Springboard+ website at www.springboardcourses.ie.

HCI Pillar 3 Learner Fee Subsidy was introduced in 2024 to subsidise fees for 14,279 learners across 685 micro-credential courses. Learners can avail of a range of short micro credential courses in high skills needs areas. Courses are all accredited and can award between 1 and 30 ECTs. The learner fees are subsidised at 50%, however courses in identified priority areas, such as those relating to renewable energy, sustainability, construction and planning, artificial intelligence, cyber security ICT and electronic engineering are subsidised at 80%. The fees vary depending on the number of credits and the course discipline. The broad eligible skills areas are set out at the link below. For detailed information on approved micro-credential courses and application procedures, please see:hea.ie/skills-engagement/hci-pillar-3-micro-credentials-learner-fee-subsidy/

Overall, the funding provided under Springboard+ and Human Capital Initiative provides vital support for upskilling and reskilling in key areas of skill shortage. While no new skill areas were introduced for Springboard+ 2024 or HCI Pillar 1, the Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy courses includes high-demand areas such as renewable energy, sustainability, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Pending approval in Budget 2025, future courses may address additional skill needs.

Springboard + HCI PI 2024 and Learner Subsidy Fee Number of places

">HCI Pillar 1 2023

">Springboard 2022 Eligible Discipline Areas