Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 January 2024
375. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science for clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3531/24]
View answerThe Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) is the pharmacy regulator. It is responsible for setting the standards of education and training for pharmacists qualifying in Ireland. This includes developing standards and carrying out the accreditation of pharmacy degree programmes.
In August 2014, the Minister for Health approved changes to the education and training of pharmacists. This change in pharmacy education came about because the PSI determined that graduates would be required to complete a Level 9 masters degree (MPharm) programme before entering the PSI Register and practising as a Pharmacist.
From September 2015, students commencing a pharmacy degree have to complete a five-year fully integrated pharmacy degree programme, leading to a Level 9 masters degree. Prior to this change, pharmacy students completed a four-year bachelor degree programme followed by a one-year Internship Programme.
Under the Free Fees Initiative (FFI), the State pays tuition fees on behalf of eligible first time undergraduate students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. Funding under the FFI is available for undergraduate awards only i.e. up to and including level 8. In practice, this means that only the undergraduate portion of an integrated masters programme is eligible for free fees funding with students paying a tuition fee in respect of the postgraduate portion of their degree.
Higher Education Institutions are autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own day-to-day management and operational affairs, including the determination of postgraduate tuition fees. The total level of fees to be charged for the postgraduate element of an integrated masters course is therefore solely a matter for the relevant institution to determine in line with its own criteria.
The Deputy will be aware that there are supports available to students undertaking postgraduate study. In Budget 2024, the Government announced a once off increase in the SUSI postgraduate fee grant support of €1,000, bringing the grant support up to €5,000. From this month, we have also reintroduced SUSI maintenance grant supports for qualifying postgraduate students. Qualifying postgraduate students will receive a pro rata maintenance grant for the remainder of the 2023/24 academic year with a full year maintenance grant paid for the 2024/25 academic year. Details of these postgraduate grant supports are available at: www.susi.ie/eligibility-criteria/income/postgraduate-income-thresholds-and-grant-award-rates/
The Deputy may also wish to note that I have recently announced details of an additional €1.476m for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF), bringing the total amount available for the 2023/24 up to €19m. This Fund assists both full-time and part-time students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the institution attended.
