Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
341. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if all third level students, undergraduate and postgraduate will be eligible for the reduction in fees of €1,000 announced in Budget 2023; if not, the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50993/22]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023 I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students including a once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for my Department’s free fees schemes.
The once off €1,000 support relates specifically to the student contribution payable by student’s eligible for free tuition fees under the Department free fees schemes in academic year 22/23. It will reduce the student contribution payable from €3,000 to €2,000 in 22/23. This additional level of support towards free tuition fees will benefit c.94,000 additional students.
I am conscious that the free fees schemes does not apply to all students. In this regard the overall cost of living package, to take effect before the end of 2022, will include:
- A once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative;
- A once-off reduction of up to 33% in the contribution fee for apprentices;
- A once-off extra payment for all student maintenance grant recipients;
- A once-off increase of €1,000 in the support to SUSI qualified Post Graduate students, increasing from €3,500 to €4,500;
- A further €8 million investment in the Student Assistance Fund for the 2022/23 academic year;
Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial difficulty can apply for support under the aforementioned Student Assistance Fund. As part of the cost-of-living measures announced in Budget 2023 an additional €8 million has been invested in the Student Assistance Fund for the current academic year 2022/23. 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. 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. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis. More information on the SAF is available at www.studentfinance.ie.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education, including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
