I propose to take Questions Nos. 608, 609 and 610 together.
The costs incurred by a Higher Education Institution in increasing student places on a particular course can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the individual circumstances of the relevant Higher Education Institution. It is therefore not possible to definitively calculate the costs sought.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) has provided the below estimates, based on 2020/21 full-time undergraduate enrolments (excluding Non-EU fee paying students) to provide the Deputy with an indication of the potential costs associated with increased places in the courses queried. The estimated cost of a 10% increase in full-time undergraduate students for courses below are -
- Speech and language therapy students is c.€350,000 - €370,000.
- Occupational therapy students is c.€390,000 - €410,000.
- Psychology students is c.€1,330,000 - €1,400,000. This includes all full-time Level 8 Honours Degree programmes where Psychology is included in the title of the programmes
Please note the above estimates exclude any additional costings which may be met by other agencies or departments.