520. Deputy Conor D. McGuinness asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason a level eight (honours) degree (details supplied) is not included in the SUSI student grant scheme 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [67810/26]

The main support available to students is the statutory based Student Grant Scheme which is administered by SUSI. Under the terms of the Student Grant Scheme, grant assistance is awarded to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.

The decision on eligibility for a student grant is a matter, in the first instance, for SUSI to determine.

Blended Learning Courses are regarded as part-time courses for Student Grant Scheme purposes regardless of whether blended attendance is full-time, and as such, do not qualify for grant assistance under the Student Grant Scheme. As the course in question takes a blended approach it does not qualify for grant assistance under the Student Grant Scheme.

My Department introduced the Student Part-Time Fee Scheme and Regulations for Specified Undergraduate Courses for the first time in September 2024. The Scheme provides fee support to eligible part-time students attending specified publicly funded undergraduate courses leading to a major award and encompassing both in-person and blended (part in-person, part online) provision. The course in question is not listed as one of the approve courses in the Scheme.

My Department reviews policy on an ongoing basis, having regard to overall resource constraints and other competing demands in the further and higher education sector. Amendments or extension to the student grant legislation has financial implications and are considered in the context of overall budgetary constraints and the large number of competing demands on available funding.