Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
149. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the assistance that is available for students and their parents who cannot avail of SUSI grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45528/23]
View answerFirstly, I would like to inform the Deputy that from this academic year, the income threshold to avail of a Student Contribution grant has been increased from €62,000 to €100,000, opening the Scheme up to a significant number of additional students and their families.
In addition for 2023/2024 the Student Contribution charge has been reduced by €1000 for free fees eligible students.
Budget 2024 provided for a once-off further €8.1 million of funding for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for this academic year. This increases available funding for the SAF to over €17m. Students in third-level institutions can apply for SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification.
In addition, the Rent Tax Credit is increasing to €750 per individual and €1,500 per jointly assessed couple for 2024 and 2025. Payments made by parents in respect of “digs” or rent-a-room arrangements for their children to attend an approved course will now qualify for the Rent Tax Credit. This is provided the claimant and their child are not related to the landlord. This change will apply retrospectively for the years 2022 and 2023.
I would encourage prospective students who may be in financial difficulties to discuss what supports may be available with the Access officer of the institution they attend.
