Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 October 2023
386. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the degree to which higher education costs have increased over the past number of years; the extent of financial assistance now available for all students seeking to avail of third-level education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45995/23]
View answerIn respect of Higher Education Costs - for the majority of students Budget 2023 and Budget 2024 has had the effect of reducing the cost of higher education. For the second year in a row, as a cost of living measure I have reduced the student contribution fee by €1,000 for free fees eligible students and increased the postgraduate fee contribution grant by €1000.
I am very much aware that the rising cost of living is impacting students, and I have ensured that measures to support students have formed a core part of the Government's overall response to cost of living issues.
For students who are in receipt of a maintenance grant there have been increases to maintenance grants over the past number of budgets. From September 2024 all non-adjacent maintenance rates will increase by €615 and all adjacent maintenance rates by 10%. Importantly I am commencing this benefit effective from January 2024 so maintenance grant recipients in the current academic year will see their grant payments increase proportionally.
I will also be restoring maintenance grants to eligible postgraduate students with pro-rata grants also commencing effective from January 2024
Effective from September 2024 two student grant income thresholds including Band 4 maintenance grant threshold and 100% Student Contribution threshold are increasing.
Also from September 2024, for the first time ever, a Part-Time fee grant scheme will be open to eligible part-time students. I genuinely believe that this has the potential to be seismic in the context of opening up opportunities for people, reducing higher education costs for students and is a major step in the reform of the education system.
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.
In respect of the Further Education Sector PLC charges levied across the sector will be removed from next September.
As an immediate and tangible relief against the challenges of the rising cost of living Budget 2024 has also provided an additional €8.1m to the Student Assistance Fund bringing the allocation for this year to over €17.6m
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended.
