535. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science whether Ukrainian students under temporary protection will be treated as EU or non-EU students for college places, fees and grants in the 2026/27 academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46476/26]

The tuition fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety of factors including the type of course and the fee rates of a particular institution. There are typically two rates of fee, an ‘EU’ or ‘Non-EU’ (sometimes referred to as International) rate of fee, for each course. An individual institution’s criteria will usually include specified Nationality and/or Residency requirements that students are expected to meet in order to qualify for the institution’s EU rate of fee. Details of the EU fee eligibility criteria for an individual institution is typically listed on their respective websites, and the implementation of such policies are matters for the institutions themselves.

In relation to tuition fee supports for students, higher education students may be eligible for fee support, such as those available under the Free Fees Initiative or Student Grant Scheme. To qualify for funding, students must meet the criteria of the respective schemes including the stated nationality and residency requirements. Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) are eligible to meet the nationality criteria of the Free Fees Initiative and the Student Grant Scheme, however, they must meet all other criteria including participation on an approved course, residency, and progression.

Ukrainian Students who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP), and in receipt of fee supports via the Free Fees Initiative or the Student Grant Scheme have been assessed as EU students.

Notwithstanding the above, as Universities are autonomous entities, it is ultimately their responsibility to determine the fee status of students.

Further information on the specific supports that will be available for Ukrainian students in the 2026/27 academic year are currently under review and will be made available in the coming weeks on Gov.ie.