4203. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the contingency plans in place to accommodate students completing the level 7 social care degree at Carlow College (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56923/26]

As the Deputy will be aware, a memorandum of understanding was recently announced by Carlow College and SETU to provide for an orderly two-year teach-out period and the preservation of the site for future educational and research use, in the interests of the Carlow community and the continued development of higher education in the region. This agreement is preventing a disorderly and immediate closure of Carlow College, which is a private college not under the remit of my Department.

My officials and I have been engaging closely on this process and have been clear that any agreement should provide clear and transparent process and supports for students and staff throughout this period.

A key objective of these arrangements is to ensure that Carlow and the wider region continue to be well served by high-quality higher education. South East Technological University (SETU) has confirmed that it is examining the expansion of existing programmes and the potential development of new programmes in line with regional demand. I am also acutely aware of the importance of the arts, humanities, social sciences and social care, disciplines in which Carlow College has traditionally specialised. My Department will continue to engage with educational providers and the Higher Education Authority to ensure that these important disciplines are sustained and enhanced in the years ahead.

It is my understanding that the optional year 4 add on to this 3 year Level 7 degree programme will be provided by Carlow College in the 2026/27 academic year to support student who had completed their 3 year programme with an expectation of progressing to year 4.

With regard to students currently enrolled in year 2 of this programme, my Department has asked Carlow College to support student with a range of options available to them to undertake this add on year. I have also engaged closely with SETU in relation to its four-year Level 8 Social Care degree to ensure that a viable progression pathway is available for Carlow College students who may wish to progress to a fourth year of study with another provider.

As the anchor institution for the region, SETU will respond to regional and national demand and contribute to the ongoing effort to enhance and expand Social Care provision, which has been identified as a priority area in the current Higher Education Authority Capacity-Building process. As part of this ongoing process, it is worth noting that 274 additional places in priority HSCP disciplines were approved by government on 22 July, including places in social care programmes in SETU Carlow and DKIT.

In terms of financial supports for Carlow College students progressing to a fourth year in a publicly funded institution, programmes such as the Free Fees Initiative and SUSI will be available, subject to the standard eligibility criteria that apply to study within the public higher education system.