933. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the measures taken to support the higher education sector since January 2025; his priorities for same for the rest of 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53481/26]

The higher education sector has been supported through a range of significant policy and funding measures since January 2025. These measures have focused on reducing financial barriers for students, strengthening institutions, expanding capacity in key skills areas, and investing in research and innovation. A set of achievements to date and priorities for the remainder of 2026 are set out below.

Supporting Students and Families

I secured a permanent €500 reduction in the student contribution fee, the first such permanent reduction since the introduction of the Free Fees Initiative in 1995. Eligible students with household incomes below €120,000 will benefit from a €500 student contribution grant from September 2026, ensuring that they pay no more than €2,000 towards the student contribution charge in the 2026/27 academic year.

I have also increased support for students through:

• A €19.3 million Student Assistance Fund allocation;

• Increased SUSI non-adjacent rates by between €200 and €430 for students living 30km or more from their campus;

• An increase in the SUSI postgraduate fee contribution grant from €4,000 to €4,500; and

• An increase in the income threshold for the Special Rate of Grant from €27,400 to €28,600.

In addition, Budget 2026 provided:

• €1 million for student mental health and Healthy Campus initiatives; and

• €3 million in additional supports for students with disabilities across higher and further education.

Enhancing Teaching and Learning

My Department continues to support excellence in teaching and learning through the Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement (SATLE) Fund. Higher education institutions received €5 million under SATLE in the 2024/25 academic year to support initiatives relating to digital transformation, education for sustainable development and academic integrity.

The Department is also supporting the Higher Education Authority’s work on the development of a national policy framework on generative artificial intelligence in higher education.

Strengthening the Technological Sector

A major priority has been the continued development of the technological sector. I secured investment of up to €65.8 million over three years through the Technological Enhancement Fund, which supports Technological Universities, Institutes of Technology and specialist colleges.

A landmark achievement has been the introduction of professorship grades in the technological sector, with approval for 50 professorship posts, including an initial rollout of 25 positions under the Targeted Enhancement Fund.

The Government is also advancing legislation to enable Dundalk Institute of Technology to apply for designation as a technological university college and participate in an all-island university partnership with Queen’s University Belfast.

Expanding Capacity in Key Skills Areas

To address workforce needs, particularly in healthcare and disability services, significant new capacity is being created in higher education.

From September 2026, an additional pharmacy programme, two veterinary programmes and a new medicine programme will be available through the CAO process. Building on expansions already delivered in 2025, over 1,100 additional healthcare course places will be created through a €23.5 million investment, representing a 27% increase in training capacity across medicine, nursing, therapies, social care and disability-related disciplines.

Supporting Lifelong Learning and Skills Development

Springboard+ continues to provide flexible opportunities for learners to upskill and reskill in priority areas.

For the 2026/27 academic year, Springboard+ will provide 7,274 places across 244 courses through 36 education providers, supported by €34.4 million from the National Training Fund.

The 2026 Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy is supporting 3,881 places across 179 micro-credential courses, with learner fees subsidised by 80%. More than half of these courses focus on digital skills, including artificial intelligence, cyber security and ICT.

Investment in Apprenticeships, Research and Innovation

Budget 2026 included a record €79 million investment in apprenticeships. Funding for apprenticeships has more than doubled since 2020, increasing from €184 million to over €400 million by 2026.

The Government also increased the Research and Development Tax Credit from 30% to 35%, strengthening collaboration between industry and academia and supporting Ireland’s position as a global innovation leader.

Funding Reform and Core Funding

Work is progressing on long-term higher education funding reform through a Higher Education Authority-led sectoral working group, which will provide interim recommendations in 2027.

Budget 2026 secured an additional €9.6 million in core Exchequer funding under the Funding the Future framework. Together with funding secured in previous budgets, this brings total additional core funding provided to date to €174 million, with a further €100 million to be delivered through the National Training Fund by the end of the decade.

Research and Higher Education Infrastructure

My Department is making unprecedented investments in higher education and research infrastructure.

Almost €255 million in capital funding was provided to the higher education sector during 2025. Through the National Development Plan review, I secured a capital allocation of €4.55 billion for the period 2026–2030, including €2.45 billion dedicated to strengthening research and innovation capacity.

In November 2025, I announced the INSPIRE programme, a landmark €750 million research infrastructure initiative which will support world-class research facilities, advanced equipment, high-performance computing and major national research infrastructure projects.

Building Confidence and Trust

Quality and Qualifications Ireland is rolling out TrustEd Ireland, a new international education quality mark that will provide assurance to international learners and support Ireland’s reputation as a high-quality destination for education.

From day one, I have been focused on reducing educational costs, improving access and strengthening the higher education system. This work was informed by the Cost of Education Conferences held in 2025 and 2026, which brought together stakeholders to examine the financial pressures facing students and families.

While I cannot pre-empt Budget 2027 decisions, I can assure the Deputy that reducing financial barriers to higher education and strengthening student supports will remain key priorities as part of the Estimates and Budget process.

There have been significant achievements across the higher education sector during 2025 and 2026. My priority has been to make higher education more affordable, accessible and responsive to Ireland’s future skills and research needs, while continuing to strengthen institutions and support students.