942. Deputy Jen Cummins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his plans to expand the eligibility of SUSI to include people studying for a postgraduate masters part time due to a disability or other restrictions. [49568/26]

My Department is committed to supporting flexible forms of learning. The Student Part-Time Fee Scheme for Specified Undergraduate Courses was introduced for the first time in September 2024 to provide fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award. SUSI administer the Part-Time Scheme on behalf of the Department.

The Scheme operates under the Student Part-Time Fee Regulations for Specified Undergraduate Courses. Under these regulations, only undergraduate courses leading to a major higher education and training award at Level 6 (Higher Certificate), Level 7 (Ordinary Bachelor Degree), or Level 8 (Honours Bachelor Degree) on the National Framework of Qualifications are eligible. The pilot Scheme is now entering its third year, and a review is currently underway to assess how it can be improved and to increase student access to the Scheme.

Students on part-time postgraduate programmes may also be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support.  This Fund provides financial support to full and part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. Applications can be made to this Fund through the Access Office in a student’s higher education institution.

In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education.

My Department will continue to keep the policies surrounding support for part-time students under review. However, any future expansion of the parameters of support can only be considered in the context of the budgetary allocation, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector.