Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 October 2022
588. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to undergraduate students in the Marino Institute of Education not being eligible for the recent supports which he announced for students in the free undergraduate programmes; and if he will consider extending the arrangements to this not-for-profit college. [51212/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023 I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes.
For students in private colleges the reduction will apply where students are attending approved free fees courses and where the student is eligible for free fees.
This includes the Marino Institute of Education (MIE) free fees approved courses as funded through the Department of Education. The approved courses are the Bachelor in Education (Primary) and Bachelor in Education (Primary through the medium of Irish). The free fees scheme is primarily targeted at approved full-time undergraduate courses in approved publicly funded institutions.
